USA! USA! USA!

[reds4ever]

i got thinking about the geographical aspect before you posted, ( but, believe it or not, the world Cup hightlights were on TV, so I didn't post) and i can see what youre saying. it still might be food for thought though, eh? i mean 2 out 3 americans didn't know the grand prix thing? (not much of a cross section admittley )

[Sikander]

Originally posted by reds4ever
i got thinking about the geographical aspect before you posted, ( but, believe it or not, the world Cup hightlights were on TV, so I didn't post) and i can see what youre saying. it still might be food for thought though, eh? i mean 2 out 3 americans didn't know the grand prix thing? (not much of a cross section admittley )

Well America is at somewhat of a disadvantage due to it's innovativeness. By creating a national sports culture when there was precious little international sport we were innovative. Now we are invested heavily in something which is seen as provincial and out-moded by much of the rest of the world. I think by degree we will become more interested in international sports beyond the olympics (or perhaps I should say that these sports will continue to grow in popularity).

I am not of the opinion stated by many that the U.S. will never "come around" in regards to soccer. While I seriously doubt that soccer will ever attain the status here that it has in Latin America, I firmly believe that it will grow in popularity. I also believe that soccer will continue to lose market share to other sports in places like Latin America, btw. It's inevitible really, soccer is almost everything there. As communications (like satelite television etc.) continue to expand along with Latin American economies other sports will come to their attention and spark an interest that will have some economic power behind it.

[Shi Huangdi]

Games like this will make soccer more popular- as more and more people watch games like this people will realize that Soccer can be a very exciting sport in spite of it's low scoring- just like Snowfire and I have. Also, as we get more hispanics in this country, soccer interest will rise then.

Here is a good article on it:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/usa/newsid_2050000/2050614.stm

[SnowFire]

Some random stale comments:

I almost forgot about one of the most heart-stopping moments- right after the US scored the second goal, when Mexico threatened and I saw the ref brining out the yellow card in the penalty area. "Lovely, a penalty kick." But nope, it was for diving to the Mexicans.

I hope that South Korea and Japan go far in this Cup. And in fact that would be the ideal final match, although I don't know if it's possible (it'd also be a good semi-final, much like the US-Mexico match of the geographic partners). I can only imagine the hysteria that it would cause. The US and Senegal would also be good choices, although I'm a lot more skeptical about their chances.

Another worry for if the US really goes far was that yellow card for no reason on Friedel. Another yellow card and... well, the US might not advance beyond the game it occurs in anyway, but if they do, they'll be in trouble.

As for cricket, I don't know... I'd think that a continent that seems to have spent most of its history involved in the barbaric slaughter of each other would have some pretty manly sports, unlike the nice pastoral USA which has grown in peace, harmony, & brotherhood... save one minor scrap in the 1860's, of course.

[Frankychan]

i think the main reason soccer hasn't been as popular as other sports in America is the "soccer mom" mentality.

Soccer is a suburban sport only. It's meant for yuppies and blah,blah,blah.

Well, I hope the stigma breaks soon cause I wanna see the US roll over all the countries in the world cup and take it over!

USA FOREVER!!!!