Thank you Brazil
- Thread starter Coach34
- Start date
I have read that soccer is the fastest growing youth sport in America, though not sure where- it's been a while. It is catching on, slowly but surely. A LOT of my friends that never watch soccer watched the game yesterday.
As far as hoping the sport dies- how retarded. I'm not really into swimming either, but best believe I saw Michael Phelps swim every race last summer. Part of being an American is supporting the people representing our country.
As far as hoping the sport dies- how retarded. I'm not really into swimming either, but best believe I saw Michael Phelps swim every race last summer. Part of being an American is supporting the people representing our country.
Growing up in Jackson, probably 90-95% of the high schools in Jackson area had soccer programs. And good ones at that. Probably 7 or 8 of the teams in the MS Top 10-15 were always from the Jackson metro area (Madison Central, NWR, Brandon, Pearl, Madison St. Joe, St. Andrews, Florence, Clinton, etc). There were 4 select soccer programs when I played, (Jackson, Reservoir, Clinton, and Brandon). I believe there's like 7 or 8 select programs now.
The point is, soccer is growing. It's not going to ever take over as one of the top 3 major sports. It's a sport that a good bit of people on this board would like to discuss without getting into these pissing matches with the few the don't like it. It's a great sport to watch and play, if you understand the game. If you refuse to learn the game and still trash it, you're just ignorant.</p>
The point is, soccer is growing. It's not going to ever take over as one of the top 3 major sports. It's a sport that a good bit of people on this board would like to discuss without getting into these pissing matches with the few the don't like it. It's a great sport to watch and play, if you understand the game. If you refuse to learn the game and still trash it, you're just ignorant.</p>
would be more, if not for title 9. I believe almost all of the sec have club level mens soccer..but no d-1 programs.
but I think showing high school numbers would be a better gauge. It hasn't trickled up to college completely. But how many high schools had it 30 years ago vs. now/
especially the basketball team? I think he'd root against his own kids (if he has any) just to prove his point that they suck.
And I guess that's really how a sport grows, from the bottom levels up. You don't really see a sport start at the professional level, trickle down to being popular on the college level, and on down to youth leagues.
My point is that it still hasn't really gotten past the youth level. At the youth level, it's popular, but at the high school level is where you start to see it trickling in popularity.
In trying to find some numbers, I did read something suggesting that an increase in immigrant population will increase the popularity of soccer. I'd add that I think the increase in the Hispanic population in the US will likely increase the popularity of the sport over time.
My point is that it still hasn't really gotten past the youth level. At the youth level, it's popular, but at the high school level is where you start to see it trickling in popularity.
In trying to find some numbers, I did read something suggesting that an increase in immigrant population will increase the popularity of soccer. I'd add that I think the increase in the Hispanic population in the US will likely increase the popularity of the sport over time.
I was definitely pulling for the U.S.
Your right though, Stansbury has been mediocre at best.
If Renardo Sidney is eligible, then this is the year he has no excuses for not making at least the sweet 16.
Your right though, Stansbury has been mediocre at best.
If Renardo Sidney is eligible, then this is the year he has no excuses for not making at least the sweet 16.
I like Cuba's baseball team. But I would NEVER pull for them against the USA. That's just pitiful.
If not for it destroying our basketball program, I wish we could get rid of Stans and really get a "mediocre at best" coach just for you guys.
I don't know what people expect. MLS to turn into the EPL in 10 years? Thank you captain obvious Rebel Bruiser for pointing out to us what we all know, that other countries take soccer more seriously than us..... no ****. Ask that Colombian dude who scored an own goal in 94..... or ask his family. But we do have more resources available than any other country in the world. Over time, we will bridge that gap. We don't have to have all of our great athletes playing soccer to compete on the top level, just more than there are now. Hell, we are just now getting to the point where those of us who grew up watching the 94 World Cup have kids old enough to play. Plus, European leagues are so much easier to follow now than they were just 10 years ago.
Soccer is growing. It will keep growing. When will it stop? I don't know. I'd guess somewhere between hockey and the baseball/basketball. At that point it will probably depend more on the competitiveness of the national team and MLS (which is not going anywhere Bruiser) than anything.
Soccer is growing. It will keep growing. When will it stop? I don't know. I'd guess somewhere between hockey and the baseball/basketball. At that point it will probably depend more on the competitiveness of the national team and MLS (which is not going anywhere Bruiser) than anything.
that there should not be soccer threads at all? Why are their soccer fans? Why was the page full of soccer threads? You really aren't making sense.
I said he was mediocre at best.
Please define mediocrity and then we can argue over it. Are you telling me we haven't had the talent to get past round 2 in the past 10 years?
Please define mediocrity and then we can argue over it. Are you telling me we haven't had the talent to get past round 2 in the past 10 years?
of mediocre is off. His tourney success sucks but at the same time, getting there 6 out of the last 8 years is not mediocre.
the goal is to succeed in the tourney, right?
I'm not saying all around he isn't a good coach (not near great). I'm saying that if he isn't a decent x and o guy. He coaches good D and recruits. It pretty much stops there.
If RS plays, we should expect to be in the Sweet 16 or beyond. True or False?
I'm not saying all around he isn't a good coach (not near great). I'm saying that if he isn't a decent x and o guy. He coaches good D and recruits. It pretty much stops there.
If RS plays, we should expect to be in the Sweet 16 or beyond. True or False?
and there are other places to play besides for your school. I still think more kids in this country play organized soccer at some point than play organized baseball at some point.
and it's about 6th maybe.. behind football, baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, NASCAR, boxing, MMA...... I have no use for soccer at all.. I'm not glad they lost but I wouldn't have cared if they won either.. and yes I do understand the game and the rules.
I doubt many sports have as many levels as youth soccer does, as well. You have access to D3 (rec), D2 (challenge), D1 (select) by age 12, with multiple teams fielded in each. You also have state ODP teams for supposedly the best in each age group, and they can advance to regional and national teams- we have a few on the national teams or in the pools. Then there's high school.
And, technically, there are also a few leagues around for mentally and physically disabled players.
And, technically, there are also a few leagues around for mentally and physically disabled players.
Serious question. Like someone posted earlier, the majority of 6A, 5A, 4A schools have established soccer programs. Why do you think they combine the 3A-1A schools into 1 division? Because most of the smaller schools cannot afford to fund other sports, either that or they just don't have the enrollment to field anything close to a competitive team.</p>
In 06-07 about 100k more kids played high school baseball than soccer (nationwide obviously). In 2000, the difference was about 120k. In 1990, the difference was about 193k. In 80 it was 282k. In 70 it was 310k.
So, it is far from a long shot to say that there could be more kids trying soccer than baseball. When they get into high school, there may not be a program for them, but that is changing very rapidly. For 1970 to 2007, the number of high schools offering soccer went from 2,217 to 11,066. As the number of kids that try soccer keeps growing, the number of schools offering it will continue to rise, and yeah, pretty soon there will be more high school soccer players than baseball players.
So, it is far from a long shot to say that there could be more kids trying soccer than baseball. When they get into high school, there may not be a program for them, but that is changing very rapidly. For 1970 to 2007, the number of high schools offering soccer went from 2,217 to 11,066. As the number of kids that try soccer keeps growing, the number of schools offering it will continue to rise, and yeah, pretty soon there will be more high school soccer players than baseball players.
Soccer is an amazing sport that takes immense stamina and athleticism to compete in it. I love football and basketball, but I wish baseball would die and let soccer take over. Of course it's never going to happen, but I can dream. I have never been able to get into watching a bunch of millionaires standing around and running a few feet ever few minutes for hours on end. Baseball has got to be one of the most boring sports to watch. Not to mention that baseball is just the poor red-headed step child of cricket. I was elated when the millionaire playboys went on strike a few years back. I was hoping we as Americans would never forgive the millionaires for wanting more money to literally stand around the bases and spit on the ground. Soccer pales in comparison to football and basketball, but I would much rather watch soccer then boreball anyday. There's really no other sport were a fat slob of a loser can be the legend of the sport other then baseball. Most freaking boring crap to watch ever and it goes on forever and ever and ever. All baseball does is reminds me that it's not football or basketball season.
Donald Fehr will have made today's players a **** ton of money, but he may have killed the game. It's one thing to talk about whether or not Bonds should be in the Hall. It'll be entirely different when he's in there with Mantle, Mays, Williams, etc. It's just going to infuriate some people. So, piss off a huge segment of your fan base while you keep losing ground in the world of youth sports. I think the future of MLB is a lot more shaky than people realize. It's not like it's gonna fold up tomorrow or anything, but 20-30 years from now, it could be suffering.
Baseball's attendance is growing, and I don't know that fans are all that infuriated by the steroids to the point where they aren't coming out. They may want the players to break down and apologize, but they'll still show up. Heck look at Manny Ramirez's "rehab" tour. Baseball is also doing things to grow itself internationally, like the World Baseball Classic, which was huge in the Far East, as well as the Latin American countries, and a couple of weeks ago Selig introduced a proposition to stop the season for one week and send MLB players to the Olympics. I think the lack of international competition was the one thing that was hurting baseball more than anything, but they are just now starting to take steps to correct that.
Baseball also has the strongest minor league system of all the major sports- unless you consider college football to be the NFL's minor league. The fact that most towns have a team really helps baseball out. It allows people in smaller towns to see players before they go to the Big Leagues. It allows people to connect with the players, and you just don't get that with the other sports.
I don't think people would have that big of a problem with Bonds in the HOF. He was a heck of a player with or without steroids, and probably would have made it in regardless. Just because the HOF lets someone in with questionable character is not a reason to not go to a game.
Fehr getting the players more money is not a bad thing for the future of the game. I think one reason some of the better athletes in America may not pursue soccer is because baseball is more lucrative in the US. Sure, you can make just as much money, or more in soccer, but you have to go to England or Spain to do it, and a lot of people would rather just stay here and make the money. Then look at baseball's marketing in America vs. MLS. If MLB had salaries that were a lot lower than MLS, then yes, baseball could be in big trouble.
The thing about baseball is this- what else is there to go to in the summer? There isn't anything. Baseball's least interesting time is also during the time when no one else is playing. They have no competition for much of June and none in July. Baseball has always been a sport where you can affordably go to a game with the family or friends and just hang out. It has that family element to it. Soccer doesn't yet. Baseball is uniquely American.
One thing about youth soccer and baseball- I wonder how many kids play both. I know that's something that's not that unusual in Mississippi.
Baseball also has the strongest minor league system of all the major sports- unless you consider college football to be the NFL's minor league. The fact that most towns have a team really helps baseball out. It allows people in smaller towns to see players before they go to the Big Leagues. It allows people to connect with the players, and you just don't get that with the other sports.
I don't think people would have that big of a problem with Bonds in the HOF. He was a heck of a player with or without steroids, and probably would have made it in regardless. Just because the HOF lets someone in with questionable character is not a reason to not go to a game.
Fehr getting the players more money is not a bad thing for the future of the game. I think one reason some of the better athletes in America may not pursue soccer is because baseball is more lucrative in the US. Sure, you can make just as much money, or more in soccer, but you have to go to England or Spain to do it, and a lot of people would rather just stay here and make the money. Then look at baseball's marketing in America vs. MLS. If MLB had salaries that were a lot lower than MLS, then yes, baseball could be in big trouble.
The thing about baseball is this- what else is there to go to in the summer? There isn't anything. Baseball's least interesting time is also during the time when no one else is playing. They have no competition for much of June and none in July. Baseball has always been a sport where you can affordably go to a game with the family or friends and just hang out. It has that family element to it. Soccer doesn't yet. Baseball is uniquely American.
One thing about youth soccer and baseball- I wonder how many kids play both. I know that's something that's not that unusual in Mississippi.