Soccer will one day replace football as the top American sport

[HammerOfTheDogs]

I was reading this thread from 3 pages ago,
http://forums.sixpackspeak.com/show...lity-high-school-football&p=808143#post808143
Soccer will one day replace football for a number of reasons:

1) Soccer is cheaper. Athletic budgets are pretty tight right now, and football gear is very expensive. Used to be, coaches could dig around in the back of the storage locker and find any old gear to give to the scrubs (in the late 1970's, our coaches made some of the prospective football players wear some old leather helmets they found during Spring practice). Nowadays, if a player's injured, the coach, school, and the equipment manufacterer can get sued for millions. On the other hand, you don't need any gear to play sandlot soccer. Even basketball, you have to have a goal. In soccer, all you need is four rocks (or cans) for makeshift goals. If you've ever been to Central or South America, this is what the kids do. One day, I can see American kids doing the same thing.

2) The influx of Hispanics has ensured that soccer is here to stay. Now that Hispanics are the number one minority in the country, there's gonna now be a market for soccer nationwide.

3) More kids get to participate. In football, you have to play one position and one position only. Basketball is free-flowing, but you can only play five at a time. Soccer allows 10 players to play in ways that can either be creative or specialized. The only mandated position on the field is goalie.

4) Soccer is aerobic exercise and better for young people's health. Right now, football's getting a lot of bad pub about head injuries. Also, to play football, you have to lift weights 11 1/2 months out of the year and young mens' bodies are heavier than what their bones should support. I think this is why you now see so many gross leg-breakings and knee tears from non-contact injuries. In soccer, you're required to be aerobically fit and that's healthier in the long run. You see any old ex-soccer players who can barely walk or don't recognize their children?

There are ways to help football compete in the future. One way is to eliminate the "ineligible lineman" rule. Until 1948, ALL players were eligible to catch passes, get handoffs, etc. Eliminate that rule. You think the spread offense is nutty now? Just go back to the only rule being that you have to have 7 men on the line, and a Mike Leach or Cliff Kingsbury can unleash hell. Not only does this require players to be faster, but it lowers the need to bulk up. ine up in the shotgun, 10 eligible receivers, release in less than 2 seconds? You really want a 320 lb. linemen trying to cover 175 lb., 4.3 forty speed offensive linemen?

 

[Dawgzilla]

Soccer: the future sport of America since 1975

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

That's what I thought too. Personally, I don't like watching communist football. The players fake injuries, and when I played intramurals in college a lot of the better players acted like they had something stuck up their ***. They use the word "nil", as in "2-nil" or "nil-nil". I believe that the status of America was inversely related to the popularity of soccer in this country.

However, there seems to be a concerted effort by some groups to eliminate football. The recent publicity of pro football players killing other people and themselves certainly doesn't help.

Back in 1975 you didn't have the hispanic population in the U.S. you have now. Also, in 1975 you had 18 helmet manufacterers...now you have 2.

Don't think of me as a soccer advocate. Think of me as Whittaker Chambers, someone who has chosen to side with the group that will eventually lose because I think it's right.

 

[DAWG61]

Soccer will only replace football if the United States engulfs all of North America, Central America and South America. Then yes soccer will be bigger than football in the new USA.

 

[camsu1]

Actually the fastest growing youth sport in the country is lacrosse both boys and girls. Soccer has peaked at this point. What do boys wear - football gear.

 

[Dawg1976]

I will be maggot's poop by time this happens.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Only if our country dies of debt and everyone becomes super poor.

and/or stupid. That's how it happens. You don't need any expensive equipment or complicated rules to play soccer, just a ball and space. South America's sport? Soccer. Africa's sport? Soccer. In contrast - USA's sport? Football. Japan's sport? Baseball. South Korea's sport? Starcraft.

Colin Cowherd said it best (I hope I'm not messing the quote up too much):

"If your country's biggest export is cocaine and your main road is covered in chickens, you're probably a soccer power."

 

[Optimus Prime 4]

There's a better chance of either basketball or baseball taking the number one spot. Just like football replaced baseball. It has to pass hockey before it passes football.

 

[onewoof]

All you have to do is look at the crowds and TV market for soccer today. Its not there. Only parents a few other insane soccer fans go watch soccer. Soccer is on the level of the Olympics. As long as it only shows up every 4 years or so, the majority of the public will not pay to go see it, will not go see it for free, and will not watch it on TV.

It's boring and most often the people that play soccer are too little to play football or basketball. There is a reason there is a term for "soccer mom". It's a game that mommies like.

 

[Palos verdes]

While I anticipate some more negative changes to occur in America, soccer isn't one of them. It will remain a 5th tier sport within our shores.

 

[mcdawg22]

Football passed baseball because it is more watchable on TV. TV isn't going anywhere and neither is football.

 

[Gen. Grant]

I know many Hispanics, and most of their kids have no interest in soccer. While it is cheaper, I don't see it taking over. Has baseball or basketball taken over? No, they just co-exists. Plus the game is not as exciting as football is. Not enough scoring. No big hits, no big catches... You get my point.

 

[Victory Red]

All you have to do is look at the crowds and TV market for soccer today. Its not there. Only parents a few other insane soccer fans go watch soccer. Soccer is on the level of the Olympics. As long as it only shows up every 4 years or so, the majority of the public will not pay to go see it, will not go see it for free, and will not watch it on TV.

It's boring and most often the people that play soccer are too little to play football or basketball. There is a reason there is a term for "soccer mom". It's a game that mommies like.

The MLS has already passed the NBA as the 3rd most attended sport in America. That was last year. There are now 9 or 10 soccer specific stadiums, up from 2 in 2004. Youth and high school soccer players have doubled since 1990, the fastest growth of any sport.

Soccer will never replace football, but it has hardly peaked.

 

[Maroonthirteen]

No question soccer is becoming more popular in the US. However, football is still far away king with little boys. I was involved with a local soccer association for a few years here recently, we always lost a big number of our boy players at 9-10 years old to football and baseball.

 

[esplanade91]

It's most expensive? That must explain why the largest percentage of people who play football at high levels (college, NFL) are typically or former low-income African Americans.

Soccer isn't any cheaper than basketball or baseball. Hell, baseball is probably the cheapest sport of all.

Institutions can try to force soccer down our throat because its cheaper than supporting a D1 football program, but I assure you no one will give 2 ***** about the sport. No one likes soccer.

The NBA might have lower attendance figures, but MLS stadiums are outside of the city in the 'burbs and they're cheaper to get to. The same way we watch Barclays soccer and they get the best talent, the NBA does too... Except where a small percent of Americans follow the premier league (and even smaller... MLS), the rest of the world loves the NBA. Aren't more Kobe jerseys sold in China than the US?

American soccer will never be relevant. Baseball started losing out on the best athletes in the US 20-30 years ago to basketball and football, and that's America's past time. What makes you think for a second Darren Sproles, Jamaal Charles, Wes Welker, or any other "too small for other sports" guys start playing soccer? If anything the guys that were too small for football 20 years ago are now actually making the teams.

 

[CEO2044]

Soccer's not peaked; even from 10 years ago, there has been vast improvement in participation, quality, etc. More of the parents now are people that grew up with it as a kid, as opposed to the parents in the past that never played it and had to learn through coaching their child. A lot of the parents never really caught on, because it really is a sport that is better understood if you've played.

I can agree, as Americans we're used to high scoring games and excitement, and soccer isn't really built around that. It's a more fluid game that has a lot of build-ups to it, and you have to watch a lot to fully appreciate what is going on and get into it. For the most part. I know it's not easy to understand if you don't have a lot of experience with it- it took me years to really just enjoy watching without playing. The better I got at reading the game, the more I appreciated the little intricacies that make it great and the skill involved. A lot of things that look easy really aren't.

MLS used to be a pretty crappy league. Since Beckham has come, it's gotten better and better. It's actually pretty quality now, and that's helping. Marketing has gotten much better, and we're developing more and more talent within the country and not necessarily having to send our best overseas to get better. This is a good thing, and vital.

Still got a ways to go, but I'm proud of where it's come and I won't say soccer will replace football- but I can tell you, the more the concussions start affecting players long-term, the more former players keep suing NFL over their health- the less parents are going to want their kids to play. Say what you want, but more and more research is shedding some light on things that can happen to even just kids by high school. Call me thin-skinned, but there are some pretty serious implications. There are more things, but this is just an obvious.

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

Commies always said they would take over Amerika without a shot. Soccer was the first step.

 

[Bm4c]

America will never last long enough to see that.

 

[biguglyjoe]

So it's just a matter of time then.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Calling ******** on your stats

total attendance for MLS last year was 6 million. Total attendance for an NBA season shortened by 30% by a strike last year was 17 million. I'll assume you're comparing per-game attendance, but comparing attendance from a stadium sport to an arena sport is silly.

 

[esplanade91]

Soccer peaked with the World Cup in LA. Hell, isn't Mick Jaggar the VP of the US Soccer Association or whatever it's called? That ain't 'Merica.

 

[horshack.sixpack]

And comparing total attendance when the nba plays approximately 1 million games a season isn't really the answer either...

 

[horshack.sixpack]

Regarding concussions as a reason that football would give way to soccer, I'm not so sure that repetitive heading of a soccer ball is great for your brain either.

 

[CEO2044]

Regarding concussions as a reason that football would give way to soccer, I'm not so sure that repetitive heading of a soccer ball is great for your brain either.

Not discounting the concussions in soccer, and it's one of the top injuries in the sport.

But, I think we can all agree the collisions are a bit different regarding a soccer ball and a human being. And fewer. And there is a way to minimize it. And if you want to wear headgear, you are more than welcome- I didn't, but some do and it's not a terrible idea. You can also be smart with it- the older I got, the more selective I became with it. If it was crucial, I was going for it no matter what. But if it's the middle of the field with backspin on it... no thanks, I'll go for it with my body or for the second ball.

I'm no wuss, but seeing guys like Jim McMahon and the numerous former players speaking out now is something to take seriously. I'll have some lingering joint issues from soccer, but I'd much rather take that over brain injury. I'm not seeing that amount of soccer players making the same claims.

 

[Victory Red]

Per game is all that matters since the NBA has 82 games (66 last season) while the MLS plays 34. Using total season attendance when one league more than doubles the available games is beyond dumb. Under your premise, the NBA is more popular than the top 5 NCAA football programs in attendance, despite every one of them averaging over 100k per game. All that matters is per game attendance.

As for overall sport growth within the US, read here, although it is from two years ago and things have grown even since then.

 

[Victory Red]

Soccer peaked with the World Cup in LA. Hell, isn't Mick Jaggar the VP of the US Soccer Association or whatever it's called? That ain't 'Merica.

No, he isn't. Your and idiot.

 

[camsu1]

So how many watched the NCAA Men's final today. That will tell real quick how popular the game is becoming. Does anyone even know who played? I have upper level youth and college soccer for yrs here in CA. Season ticket holder to Equakes and can tell Clubs are getting smaller. Currently, lacrosse cannot find enough fields, coaches and umpires. Kids are flying to the sport as it mixes soccer and football. Soccer will always be a great sport but never take over from the Big 3.

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Per game attendance has just as many flaws

NBA has 11 more teams than MLS. Look at the top 19 NBA teams, and the average goes way up. All 19 teams have 85% or more average attendance. Half of those teams averaged 100% or higher capacity last season.

Attendance stats can be manipulated however you want. Show me TV numbers and you'll get my attention.

 

[fishwater99]

Hell No, TV drives sports popularity and nobody watches soccer or ever will....

 

[harrybollocks]

Soccer will continue to grow although I'm not sure how much Hispanic immigration will matter. We only have a few Mexican Americans who are good enough to contribute to our national team. And although Mexico has a good national soccer team, it's not known as a country that produces many good athletes.

Anyway, injuries and lawsuits could decimate high school and college football. Many schools wouldn't be able to afford liability insurance if there are a few successful lawsuits. That would help soccer.

And soccer has cache with middle-class moms from non-vibrant communities. They don't mind investing time and money in their kids activities as long as they have a significant chance of playing regularly and getting a scholarship to college. For instance, look at the mono-culture of our women's national soccer team. It's a bit different from your typical SEC football team where the team itself looks vastly different from the fans in the stadium. Lots of people won't admit it but they want their kids to be able to play college sports also.

As long as people with money participate in soccer, the sport will do fine and continue to grow. It won't unseat football any time soon but it's not like American football is popular around the world. Baseball is boring to watch on TV and the NBA seems on the verge of declining attendance unless it keeps the riffraff off the court. Soccer is the world's sport for a reason and if everyone on this board grew up in Europe, they'd be soccer fans as well.

I always found it interesting to listen European friends try to figure out American football. They say all sorts of things about the absurd rules, time between plays, long commercial breaks, and endless time stoppages because of the supervision of the referees that we just don't often notice because we're conditioned to accept the bureaucratic nature of the sport. I remember once being asked why they kept having "committee meetings" (huddles).

I still like football but I also watch a lot of soccer.

 

[DAWG61]

Here's my main beef with soccer. The penalties are way too severe. Guy makes an incorrect tackle and the referee makes a judgement call and gives him a red card and the entire team must play one less guy for the rest of the match? That's 17ing terrible. Referee makes another judgement call inside the box and the player gets a free shot on goal? 17ing terrible. The entire match is a complete struggle just to get one goal and then the referee is given the power to basically decide a match any time he wants. 17ing terrible. Plus the players cry and act like their legs got ripped off any time there's contact.

 

[CEO2044]

I'm sorry- you cannot complain about soccer refereeing when football's is terrible as well. They do at least have the luxury of instant replay. I think a soccer ref has to be way more fit and on their game to correctly call a game- and they may eventually go to replay. But football refs definitely make judgment calls and biased calls as well.

American culture isn't used to the ebb and flow of soccer- so I get that's it's hard to get the hang of and enjoy. But I think once you do, it's a little addicting. I love soccer; I watched today and I watched the EPL games when I had Fox Soccer. I enjoy MLS more and more- I used not to be able to watch it because it was a poor brand of soccer, but the level has raised a lot in a few years.

As weird as soccer is to you, as someone else said, those in soccer dominant countries think football is weird to them. Personally, if you ever get to go to a game in Europe (and I haven't), I've heard that's an awesome experience. Those people love their teams and IMO get way more into the game than anyone in America over football. Those teams have been in existence since the 1800's and have a lot of history and culture associated with them. I can't wait to go to a game over there and experience it first-hand. They get intense.

On the red card- I mean, it's holding someone accountable. There are some bad red calls, but yeah, if you're out there trying to tear someone's knee up, you should leave the game. And your team has to pay for your selfishness. You truly have to keep the good of the team in mind when you go to play. It's the same concept the military preaches... I think it's a pretty good concept to instill myself.

A PK- yeah, again, some are bogus. But goals are hard to work for. Someone shouldn't take you down in the box on a goal-scoring opportunity and that just be a free-shot. Once you're in the box, you have a fairly decent chance. And, again, accountability and playing smart- it's important. You have to have good discipline, or it can cost your team. Everyone knows the rules, I'm okay with it.

But I agree on obvious flops and time-wasting. I wish that'd be a straight red, and it'd cut a lot of it out. Quick.

 

[Rutherford B. Hayes]

I'd venture to say that NBA tix are way more expensive than MLS tix.

NBA has 11 more teams than MLS. Look at the top 19 NBA teams, and the average goes way up. All 19 teams have 85% or more average attendance. Half of those teams averaged 100% or higher capacity last season.

Attendance stats can be manipulated however you want. Show me TV numbers and you'll get my attention.

 

[CookieMonster.sixpack]

They can't constantly cut to commercial breaks in soccer, therefore tv will never love it like it loves football

 

[Hump4Hoops]

Avg NBA ticket: $48. MLS: $25

MLS tickets are way more expensive than I expected.

 

[harrybollocks]

The NFL is more communist, or at least more socialist, than international soccer

Revenue sharing (collective ownership), worst team gets to draft first (enforced equality rather than letting the market decide), subsidized stadiums, government protected monopoly, etc. Soccer players can demand a trade and essentially sell their talent--they get a cut of the sale price--regardless of what the team says.
NFL owners also have a state subsidized training program--college football--to prepare future employees.

Commies always said they would take over Amerika without a shot. Soccer was the first step.

 

[harrybollocks]

College soccer is about like the NBA development league. It's not a good product and it hasn't engendered much fan loyalty.

And lacrosse is like soccer to some extent. Despite it's origins, it's largely a sport of middle-class whites with parents who are heavily invested in their kids success. And it allows for athletes to develop a little swagger and and enjoy frat-style partying. Of course there's nothing wrong with that, but we're not supposed to notice or mention what's really going on. It's sort of like saying that certain neighborhoods are very popular with family-oriented home buyers.

 

[harrybollocks]

The international TV rights for European soccer leagues are unvelievably profitable. The NFL could only hope to earn so much worldwide.

 

[fishwater99]

That and the fact that it's boring as hell to watch on tv, and I played soccer for 15 years..

Watching soccer, NASCAR, bowling, and cycling are even more boring than tennis, golf, baseball or poker..

 

[dawgs.sixpack]

NBA has 11 more teams than MLS. Look at the top 19 NBA teams, and the average goes way up. All 19 teams have 85% or more average attendance. Half of those teams averaged 100% or higher capacity last season.

Attendance stats can be manipulated however you want. Show me TV numbers and you'll get my attention.

how about we compare the top ~2/3 of the MLS to the top ~2/3 of the NBA then? not sure it'd change the numbers, but you can't selective eliminate 11 of the 30 NBA teams (the worst teams tend to have the lower attendance) while including the worst ~1/3 of the MLS. logic, it works.