The myth that America doesn't like football

BBC News ^ | 2nd June 2015 | Nick Bryant

[the scotsman]

'True, football, or soccer as it is known here, is not as central to American as it is to European, African or South and Central American life. Nowhere near.

Up until recently, the game has been unloved by the major US television networks, which have long bemoaned the lack of breaks in play, the paucity of goals and the glut of draws.

Absent from the US game are big-name male stars and big-name clubs. The New York Red Bulls will never rival the New York Yankees. Real Salt Lake pales, rather risibly, alongside Real Madrid.

However, football is no longer met with American indifference. Nor any more does it offer proof of America's sporting isolationism.'

[Nervous Tick]

I like football... just not *metric* football.

[Snickering Hound]

[Vendome]

Because cheering for a game that often ends in a 0-0 just feels right.

Really?

I wanna cheer for two teams to lose?

Retarded game and I lettered in Soccer, as the goalie, in high school.

Boring game amd the Aztec version of Ullamaliztli would much more fulfilling to watch.

[Cyman]

Soccer is about as exciting as seeing your sister in a bikini.

[Steve_Seattle]

I think basketball is the only major sport that totally originated in the US. Golf came from Europe, baseball was derived from cricket, and American football derived from rugby.

Soccer in no longer a new thing here, and - while I have some complaints about the US version being overly imitative of Europe (with many British announcers, European-style chanting, and team names like Real Salt Lake) - I don't see why people should be so hostile to it.

Some people find NASCAR boring, some people find American football boring, some people find baseball boring, some people find golf boring. So don't watch soccer if you find it boring, but don't gripe about those who enjoy it.

[Nervous Tick]

>> Soccer is the sport of gays, lesbians, and terrorists.

...and Yurpeans. But that’s redundant I guess.

[BenLurkin]

[BenLurkin]

[Jagdgewehr]

Well, that might say something about guys who like soccer....that is, if there is a correlation thing going on here.

Just sayin'

[BerniesFriend]

My favorite part of soccer is when the players run..and run..and run..and run zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Buckeye McFrog]

Soccer is about as exciting as seeing your sister in a bikini.

Badly overdone punchline referencing West Virginia coming in 3.....2.....1.......

[Crazieman]

[Svartalfiar]

Bahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Right. Not here in Texas!

Huge Crowd At Texas Prep Game Sets Record - Allen vs. Pearland 5A Div I Championship. 54,000+

Sellout Crowd for First Game at $60 Million High School Stadium - New stadium physically seats 18k, had 21,700 attending. And they fill it up.

Texas High School State Championship Doubles the Attendance of New Mexico Bowl - Another Allen-Pearson article, comparing to college games.

Remembering the last time Southlake Carroll and Euless Trinity met as unbeatens: the epic matchup of 2006 - Carroll and Trinity: ~50,000 for a second round playoff game.

Allen vs Trinity 2010 Attendance - Quick Youtube video.

[Freedom_Fighter_2001]

That would be a red card, m8. Play on...

[the scotsman]

Tennis crap then?.

[the scotsman]

Wont be me, lol. I hate even using the word soccer.

That’s fine, personally I find 3-4hr baseball and gridiron tedious, the former a particular form of hell. At least the latter is exciting in short bursts. Although its not rugby.

[the scotsman]

At least a boring soccer game is over in 90 minutes. 45m with a short break. Then another 45m.

90m?. Thats barely the start of a baseball or gridiron game.

[the scotsman]

If it were me, Id have pointed out your national sport is based on a little girl’s game from England called rounders.

[miss marmelstein]

Baseball games can run short. The last Yankee game I went to we were out in 90 minutes.

And, yes, Liza Minelli sang. (That’s for insider NYers.)

[miss marmelstein]

Another hilarious clip.