Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

[braves_94]

When I was a kid, youth soccer leagues exploded. This was in the mid to early 90s. Shortly after that, the MLS started up. So soccer has enjoyed a pretty steady rise for going on two decades in America. But I don't know why you're questioning soccer's rise. I'd call any increase in popularity a rise. I imagine as the latino heritage in America grows, so will the sport's base. Which means by default it'll get more exposure to our youths across the spectrum.

On the otherside, I think the NFL is setting itself up for a monster decline. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are in the twilight of their careers. They might have 2 or 3 years left in the tank. And I don't see where the draw will come after them. The players are getting more and more unrelateable. You could have a situation not unlike the NBA when MJ hung it up. Starting to figure out why all those rules are in place to keep QB's upright. Brady and Manning are viewed as the life blood of their sport, and the longer they're around the better for the NFL.

[razorkaos]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

I think i understand what sparkdawg is talking about. The problem is cultural. I say this cause i see a similar problem here in Brazil: the great media "kills" other sports, mocking them and acting like other sports are "exotic". It's easier (and cheaper) for them to focus in soccer only, so we rarely see some support to other sports from the media. There is only one open tv channel here that broadcasts NFL games. Other than that, we only see Volleyball, Handball (it's gradually growing around here), Judo and Swimming. The NBA, NHL and MLB games are only for those who can pay for cable/satellite tv (or we watch on the internet via streams).

You may be a football fan, a baseball fan, a soccer fan, doesn't matter. If you're a sports fan, above all other things, you will at least respect every sport. Hell, even curling got our attention here during the winter games and we only have snow in one state, and it's as rare as you can imagine.

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

I am from the south and grew up with 3 sports Football, Basketball and Baseball. I grew up being taught to hate soccer along with many of my friends who were also the best athletes in high school, soccer was not cool.
Baseball is though and you can't play baseball and soccer because they both fall in the spring.

That is kind of weird because they play soccer in the fall here in NC and just about everywhere else I have been. I have traveled across the states quite a bit. Like you, I played football throughout my youth because it really is the sport in the south. Soccer at my school during my time there was always for the super preppy jerk offs. You seriously had to be part of their social elite to play, so that was my turn off to the game.

Years later, I found soccer and see that it is an amazing game. I think most people underrate MLS and the talent that it does attract. MLS is on par with second level of English soccer which is called the championship. the lower english leagues (below the premier league) are still the better ones in Europe.

Next thing is that the MLS was created and designed to give americans playing time for the world cup. It is not designed to compete with other leagues over who is better. This is also the reason why there are salary caps and limit to how many international players can play for each team. Look at what it has done for the national team. We might not have the world class talent that other countries have on their teams, but our worst players are not far in difference from our best players. This means that we have tightened the gap between talent on the team which causes the team to play more consistent. There has also been a big increase in MLS based american players breaking into Europe. Sure they haven't had much success but at least they are there and have the opportunity to get that chance.

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

I think i understand what sparkdawg is talking about. The problem is cultural. I say this cause i see a similar problem here in Brazil: the great media "kills" other sports, mocking them and acting like other sports are "exotic". It's easier (and cheaper) for them to focus in soccer only, so we rarely see some support to other sports from the media. There is only one open tv channel here that broadcasts NFL games. Other than that, we only see Volleyball, Handball (it's gradually growing around here), Judo and Swimming. The NBA, NHL and MLB games are only for those who can pay for cable/satellite tv (or we watch on the internet via streams).

You may be a football fan, a baseball fan, a soccer fan, doesn't matter. If you're a sports fan, above all other things, you will at least respect every sport. Hell, even curling got our attention here during the winter games and we only have snow in one state, and it's as rare as you can imagine.

I wonder how well you guys would do at other sports if they had a chance. I am kind of surprised that basketball isn't bigger in Brazil.

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

When I was a kid, youth soccer leagues exploded. This was in the mid to early 90s. Shortly after that, the MLS started up. So soccer has enjoyed a pretty steady rise for going on two decades in America. But I don't know why you're questioning soccer's rise. I'd call any increase in popularity a rise. I imagine as the latino heritage in America grows, so will the sport's base. Which means by default it'll get more exposure to our youths across the spectrum.

On the otherside, I think the NFL is setting itself up for a monster decline. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning are in the twilight of their careers. They might have 2 or 3 years left in the tank. And I don't see where the draw will come after them. The players are getting more and more unrelateable. You could have a situation not unlike the NBA when MJ hung it up. Starting to figure out why all those rules are in place to keep QB's upright. Brady and Manning are viewed as the life blood of their sport, and the longer they're around the better for the NFL.

We said the same thing when Marino, Aikmen, Young, etc decided to retire. The NFL will be always be ok, there might be a couple seasons where it might get more mediocre than it is now but it will never be on the decline like the NBA.

[razorkaos]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

I wonder how well you guys would do at other sports if they had a chance. I am kind of surprised that basketball isn't bigger in Brazil.

Yeah, me too. I think we just waste a lot of talent and good opportunities to popularize other sports. See, Hortencia and Oscar Schmidt, they're legends, and even then, we only created a professional basketball league a few years ago (we have some american players here too, but they're not at NBA level). I could say the same for Tennis (Gustavo Kuerten won Roland Garros 3 times, and we never have developed our Tennis).

Other than soccer, we only have real support (sponsors) to our Volleyball players and for some of Judo and Swimming athletes. And it's a ridiculous situation. When i was still in Karate, my master was in the national team, and he and the other athletes had to pay for all of their expenses if they wanted to compete. This kind of thing happens all the time, and it makes me really sad.

[bxphenom7]

I hated soccer. Thought it was a ridiculously boring sport since teams would hardly score for 90 minutes, goals mostly looked like luck, and the thought of ending games with a tie seemed ridiculous. Soon, soccer became enjoyable to play, but really I find any sport worth playing.

Then, I recently tried the FIFA 14 demo on PS4 and it has become something I have to play everyday...a demo! I never got around to buying FIFA 14 and definitely won't, but for the first time, I'm following details on FIFA 15. Also, I am watching soccer full games through for the first time. While it still bothers me that matches can end in ties, I actually have grown to appreciate watching the skill of some players. So, you could say FIFA got me into actual soccer (even though I used to play Backyard Soccer when I was a kid, then again I played all Backyard Sports games).

I definitely feel a growing interest in soccer, much more interest in the video games though. My interest is not even close to where it is for baseball and basketball though, two sports I go as crazy for as those fans who cheer for goals. And I like football (which I feel should be called soccer or American rugby). But soccer may be the fourth sport I take seriously.

What I don't get, however, is how developers are able to come up with the OVR for players in soccer games. Aside from the stars that are clearly better, I feel everyone else is a blur, like I don't understand how you can rate players who spend 80-90% of their time just running and passing the ball? This also applies to goalies somewhat since there are shots and situations no goalie can stop. Help out a new soccer fan please lol

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

What I don't get, however, is how developers are able to come up with the OVR for players in soccer games. Aside from the stars that are clearly better, I feel everyone else is a blur, like I don't understand how you can rate players who spend 80-90% of their time just running and passing the ball? This also applies to goalies somewhat since there are shots and situations no goalie can stop. Help out a new soccer fan please lol

Thats like saying how can football games rate offensive and defensive linemen since all they do block and fill gaps.

Midfielders in soccer have different roles. Some link the offense and feed the forwards, others patrol the midfield to cause turnovers. The midfielder's role changes depending on formation and overall strategy.

I think it is good that you are giving soccer a chance and watching the sport. Try to keep watching after the world cup and try to find a team that plays in a style that you like.

[fugazi]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

The fact that there are not many comments on this topic sort of shows soccer still has a long long way to go lol

You made that judgment after 14 minutes? What do you think this is, facebook?

As far as popular in the USA , I've been saying it for years , the mls has to get rid of the ties and make the rules benefit more scoring and you actually might have a shot to move up to 3 or 4 in the top major sports

Other than that , most people are right now are just supporting the nation as a whole, nothing more to read into it

Don't worry, MLS doesn't need to and will not change the rules. The MLS and "American soccer culture" are doing just fine by treating the game as they should...

the idea that, in the US, soccer should be played in a completely different fashion with different rules is really so sophomoric and ridiculous it barely merits comment at all.


"supporting the nation as a whole, nothing more to read into it." laughable. really. embarrassing. not to mention as far as possible from correct as can be.

[fugazi]

Re: Sound Off: Is Football (Finally) on the Rise in America?

The reason our other major team sports (namely the Big 4) are so popular is because the best players from all over the world come to play in this country's leagues. As Americans, we are used to watching the best talent in any given team sport.

The globes best players in soccer take their talents across the pond.

That wasn't what the question was about...but that is SURELY the reason why they're so popular...

I could be in the minority though but in my opinion most American athletes like football for the sport. We didn't play out in the yard as kids because the girls were watching, we did it because that's the game we knew and loved.

This is much more sound...seriously. Well-put.

And we will never buy into the Premier League because it holds no geographical significance for us.

WTH is geographical significance?

And I agree, there is NO WAY the EPL (or soccer in general) will ever have a following here...especially since no one from other countries that play soccer often live here....ever...and will never move here....

[bxphenom7]

Thats like saying how can football games rate offensive and defensive linemen since all they do block and fill gaps.

Midfielders in soccer have different roles. Some link the offense and feed the forwards, others patrol the midfield to cause turnovers. The midfielder's role changes depending on formation and overall strategy.

I think it is good that you are giving soccer a chance and watching the sport. Try to keep watching after the world cup and try to find a team that plays in a style that you like.

Definitely will, and the comparison to rating linemen in football is a good one, though I find that more understandable and tangible than soccer players. However, I see what you're getting at, I guess my issue was more with defenders. Nonetheless, makes much more sense than it did before. I would really have to watch teams at the club level play through a season in order to better differentiate player talent and skill rather than just expect to know everything from thoroughly watching the World Cup for the first time.

[jdlsantos]

Definitely will, and the comparison to rating linemen in football is a good one, though I find that more understandable and tangible than soccer players. However, I see what you're getting at, I guess my issue was more with defenders. Nonetheless, makes much more sense than it did before. I would really have to watch teams at the club level play through a season in order to better differentiate player talent and skill rather than just expect to know everything from thoroughly watching the World Cup for the first time.

In terms of different ratings in the NFL games for different positions (CB, SS, WR, TE, OL, etc), soccer games do the same. The FIFA series doesn't do this but I can only assume it's implied but in PES 14 if you put a 90 rated Center Back in the midfield or up top his rating drops into the 50's, conversely if a Striker/Winger put in defense.

Back to the topic at hand the WC like the Olympics gains fair weather fans during their time period and some stay following but most forget about 15 minutes after it ends. I did that for the '94 and '02 Cups, but after the '06 WC I told myself I'd like to know who these guys are so I started to follow the EPL and Utd. and have been hooked since.


It felt like listening to the radio your whole life and then someone giving you all the other music out there in the world. It opened my eyes and in my opinion to how flawed the US sports dichotomy is. The constant commercials breaks, the crappy teams being rewarded (top draft picks in NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL,). These things just started to rub me the wrong way. I pretty much stopped following the NFL outside of NY Giants and marquee matchup games. Tank in the Premier League, Serie A or Bundesliga and prepare for your favorite players to leave and to see your team play in the minors.


Uninterrupted flow, relegation/promotion, cups and tourneys up the wazoo. Those were the first things that made me fall in love with the sport. The entire season is the playoffs, you win and you get the domestic glory and the chance to be king of the continent, It made me happy when baseball considered making the NPB Series champions play the MLB World Series champions.


I believe soccer is just on the cusp of exploding in the US. This country is very spoiled and really only likes winners and if the USMNT can make it out of the round of 16 or even the semis even though they wouldn't win it can gain the national momentum and support it deserves and give the nation an optimistic chance to win in '18.

The next thing and it could be a HUGE gamble for soccer in the US is to play the season August thru May like most of the world and go up against the NFL, MLB playoffs, and most of the NBA/NFL season/postseason and maybe some of those who are tired of watching commercials all the time or are looking for something to watch between the next game have a change of heart.

[getemmj]

I'm not going to lie, this world cup has me fully hooked on soccer. Hopefully it is something that continues after the WC ends but for right now I'm just going to enjoy the ride. I have watched nearly every match possible between streaming online and watching all day at home when I have the day off. In addition I went out and got FIFA on PS4 this past weekend so I am trying to learn more about the different clubs and players. I hope I stay as excited after the US exits and the WC ends and I am even looking into going to a few local DC United matches. I guess we will see in about 3 months once American football starts to ramp up again how much my mind is on soccer.

[tril]

yes and no. most of the interest is from foreign born residents.
Americans watch every four years, then move on. The World Cup is an event, so a brief spike in interest is going to occur. Once its over its back to the big 4 sports.

As far as kids playing soccer, it is a right of passage in America. great for team building and coordination skills. Great to get the kids out the house, great for soccer moms and dads to catch up on town gossip. Other than that most kids will stop playing by the time they reach junior high.

[BigBadTom]

Well I think that there always is the possible growth of the sport but there are a few things that will never change: Soccer will never be the most popular sport in the US, Soccer will never be able to pay for players more than the Premier league will and as a result, the most we could ask for is a cult premier league following in the US and a mild MLS following. Also I prefer to have the NFL grow international and spread the sport because American football world super bowl would be the greatest event imaginable.