I prefer softball over curling. I found the softball games that the espn channels showed in late May to be quality sports programming.
I am happy you had a great time, the WC is bigger than soccer but no one cares about soccer here still. It will still get no ratings and only a few towns will fill up those tiny stadiums w/ fans w/ cheap/free tickets for MLS games. when the US was in there was a ton of talk about the WC, since the elimination that talked has almost died. The WC is about Country more than soccer, when people start caring about MLS I'll be impressed. Again, I wonder why soccer fans have this inferiority complex, always have to tell people how great it is rather than just enjoying what they love. Congrats to our Soccer team by the way, where else can you go 1-2-1 and be celebrated.
junc Are those soccer fans you mention, on this board or are you talking about real life? In here, as far as I can see, most people try to explain you why they enjoy soccer. I didn't see anyone showing any inferiority complex. If you want to show examples of such inferiority, I would love to discuss. But if not, maybe you shouldn't blame people having inferiority complex over a stupid sports discussion. It is really silly to think someone having a complex over one of their hobbies or likes.
in real life. there's no doubt this WC was huge here but once the US was eliminated I haven't seen anyone talking about it. I expect the Final to be big b/c it will be for a championship but since we were eliminated I haven't seen much talk about it. I deal in reality, I am always told by soccer fans how great a game it is. I try to watch, I get bored and then I am told how I don't understand it and I don't understand it the way I do football, baseball or basketball but I understand enough to realize it's not something I want to invest my time in and that bothers soccer fans for some reason. everyone doesn't have to like your game, if you enjoy have fun. I don't do things in my life to gain approval from others.
here comes the hockey fans w/ the same inferiority complex. hockey and soccer are the greatest games on Earth!
Soccer definitely sucks balls as a sport to watch in person or on TV, but the World Cup isn't just about soccer it's a global bragging rights thing. The soccer becomes watchable because of what's on the line. Very entertaining even if it's a nobody country playing. But as soon as the tournament is over there's no point in watching it, it just really sucks all around. And can we please permanently ban the words "nil" and "match"? kthx
it's funny this whole "inferiority complex" thing. Not only is it completely off base but it's more like the other way around. Again, I'll put my pov in context, I pretty much love watching all sports...well not all, but I watch football college and pro, hockey, baseball, hoops...college and pro, and real football ; )...throw in a little NASCAR, Golf, Tennis etc and I'd say that makes me a pretty well rounded sports spectator (I've seen all live except NASCAR). Throughout this WC and even here on this forum over the last few years.......it's quite a phenomenon that those who claim to have no interest at all in soccer always feel compelled to inject themselves & comment negatively on the topic even if it's a discussion amongst soccer fans on facebook, twitter, or here.....why is that? really the answer to that question points to the complex. It's because it's the same people year after year who claim it sucks has no place in the US and will never gain a foothold........and as each year passes they are proven wrong again and again...... the domestic league grows, even the domestic second tier leagues grow, tv ratings grow, average attendances exceed some of our other sports, the National team continues to get greater support even on off WC years. Frankly the naysayer worry that they might in fact be wrong....but they'll never admit it ; ). One of the reasons the WC did so well here with our team is that people have figured out since the last WC how to follow the goings on of the National team in the years between WC Finals....so be prepared naysayers, because it will just keep growing now.....especially now that the networks know there's money to be made and continue to get in bidding wars for MLS, Champions league, EPL, Euro Cup, WC Qualifiers, World Cup etc. The numbers of people calling into WFANclaiming they are so glad the US team is out so they don't have to hear about anymore soccer is all the proof I need to support my argument.I mean really, is that a rational point of view? I want the US team to lose to prove that soccer sucks? it's all really weird.
people have figured out how to follow the nat'l team? seriously? the WC is becoming big here but geography played a role too w/ the time difference being minimal. let's see the ratings in 4 years when all the games will be on tape delay. it is an inferiority complex b/c you guys always have to tell everyone else how great soccer is rather than let people watch and judge for themselves. whether soccer ever becomes popular here or not means nothing to me. the game bores me as it does most American sports fans. if that changes and it becomes popular who cares? I love the sports I follow and I don't need to try to convert people who don't like those sports. Just enjoy your sport w/ having to try to convert people. if you like sports where going 1-1-2 is considered a smashing success go ahead, if you like sports that end in shootouts go ahead(this would be like the SB going to a FG kicking contest after being tied after 1 OT) , if you like watching guys fake injuries go ahead, if you like zero-zero being called nil-nil go ahead, if you like calling uniforms kits go ahead, if you like calling the field a pitch go ahead. No one is stopping you, enjoy what you love and don't care what others think.
I have to say the WC on tv bores me to death. I'd imagine I'd enjoy it a bit more live in the rain surrounded by a bunch of scantily clad brazilian broads in a celebratory mood.
