US Soccer - back to the back burner for next 3 1/2 years?

[Tskware]

Read this article today about news coverage, attendance and TV ratings in the last few years, can't say I am totally surprised, but did think there was at least a somewhat bigger audience in US than the article indicates, e.g., national team's last six matches before the WC had < 25,000 in attendance, TV drew something like 668,000 viewers for 27 televised matches from 2020

Four WC matches drew > 12,000,000 viewers which sounds good, until you see that NFL draws 17,000,000 viewers

Bottom line seems that soccer is about like track and field in US at the moment, lots of youth participation, but as for a spectator sport, it is a once in four years event for most of us

Trying to stay on the radar next few years

 

[Popquiz81]

I’ve had more fun taking my kids to a Nashville SC game than a Titans game. The atmosphere and fan involvement is so much better. And I don’t have to worry about the stadium filling up with rival fans when one of the big name teams like the Steeler’s come to town.

Take that for what you will.

 

[Crums Bald Spot]

Hopefully.

I know there's a certain faction that push every sport and want them to be mainstream but to me, it will always be a boring sport that is fun for children to play.

 

[CAT Scratch FVR]

No one ever said soccer was going to be bigger than the NFL. Viewership is fine when you factor in late night games, against some obscure countries, on some channels that are not normal "flicking" channels for me.
Some stadiums only held 25,000. Some attendance is disappointing.

Are their numbers better than hockey? That's the first step.

To say soccer is no better than track and field viewing is just taunting soccer nerds.

 

[Tskware]

No one ever said soccer was going to be bigger than the NFL. Viewership is fine when you factor in late night games, against some obscure countries, on some channels that are not normal "flicking" channels for me.
Some stadiums only held 25,000. Some attendance is disappointing.

Are their numbers better than hockey? That's the first step.

To say soccer is no better than track and field viewing is just taunting soccer nerds.

Really? Track and field (and swimming as well) is HUGE during the Olympics, the finals are watched all over the US, no doubt draw large TV audiences, every middle school, high school and college have track squads, tens of thousands participate in schools, but also community 10K races, mini marathons, etc. . . . but it is a non factor on TV and attendance except during Olympic years. You don't see the analogy?

 

[JonathanW_rivals]

Soccer is not a fun sport to watch (unless your kid is playing). I love baseball, but get that to thoroughly enjoy it requires a bit more understanding of the intricacies of the game. So I would rank the enjoyability of watching team sports (for someone who have never seen that sport before) as:
1- basketball
2- football (the only negative <15min of action in 3+ hours)
3- volleyball
4- hockey
5- rugby (could swap 4 & 5)
6- baseball (most complex to explain)
7- soccer (3-0 being a blowout says it all)
8- cricket (match can take days, otherwise I'd move it to 7)

 

[cole854]

It's always been on the back burner. The WC just had people check the pot to see what was in it.

 

[Tskware]

Full disclosure, I watched all four US matches, but have not watched any other match, might try to catch the England v. France match though. Probably will watch the finals as well.

It is kind of fun to watch something different every four years . . . but will say the occasional 0-0 tie settled by PKs is worse than a trip to the dentist.

 

[CardHack]

The England match 2:00 EST on Black Friday outdrew any MLB World Series game since 2014 with the exception of Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. It did not outdraw the US vs. Portugal game in the 2014 World Cup which was played late afternoon on a Sunday in the Summer of 2014.

Nobody and nothing outdraws the NFL on a television level in the US and it couldn't possibly be a bigger apples to oranges comparison. The soccer audience also is composed of a heavy dose of Telemundo viewers making it's percentage of viewers comparable to MLB rather than the NFL (or College Football for that matter).

By and large I find myself as a bit of an outlier for the major soccer consuming USMNT fan; I see tangible and really exponential growth when you put it into the context that the US didn't even play in the 2018 World Cup. That should have been devastating to the growth of the sport in the US, but franchise creation coast-to-coast exploded. Most worldwide and a healthy portion of North American soccer consumers look down their nose at MLS, but when you look at the burgeoning nature of professional franchises that have started domestically even with an 8 year gap between appearances for the National Team it is remarkable. And the MLS franchises have become sellers of domestically produced talent to Europe which is growing the pool of World Cup caliber players for the US at a rate that was inconceivable even 8 years ago. The USMNT Twitter Army is as obnoxious and reactionary a group as exists on Social Media, and even they ignore that the US played in an attacking way significantly greater than they did in the 2014 World Cup...they about 3/4s of that World Cup desperately defending their box. They were much more on the front foot in this World Cup...even in a 0-0 tie with England.

 

[MrKentucky]

Downside to hosting is 2026 is that our next match that actually matters will be in 2026.


Hope this 2024 Copa America stuff is true. That’ll be fun. But yeah, I don’t expect the average person to care.


Free the confederations cup, imo

 

[jameslee32]

Baseball will not survive soccer's ascent. Fourth place seems certain at some point.

 

[Tskware]

Baseball will not survive soccer's ascent. Fourth place seems certain at some point.

Really enjoy baseball, but man the pitch clock and several other changes were WAY overdue. Hope it speeds up the game, could really use a reset.

 

[WTF Cat]

I love watching soccer... it helps me fall asleep.

 

[hmt5000]

I've heard people say that this was best WC ever. LOL if accurate. Boring is still boring.

 

[jameslee32]

Really enjoy baseball, but man the pitch clock and several other changes were WAY overdue. Hope it speeds up the game, could really use a reset.

Relievers having to pitch to 3 batters and these other rules doesn't stop the decline in viewers imho.

 

[Crums Bald Spot]

A lot of people point to soccer's popularity across the globe but fail to acknowledge that it's a poor person's sport. If these developing countries had resources to play other sports, soccer would have a middling, niche following in most countries - like in the US.

 

[UnfrozenCatfanLawyer]

The England match 2:00 EST on Black Friday outdrew any MLB World Series game since 2014 with the exception of Game 7 of the 2019 World Series. It did not outdraw the US vs. Portugal game in the 2014 World Cup which was played late afternoon on a Sunday in the Summer of 2014.

Nobody and nothing outdraws the NFL on a television level in the US and it couldn't possibly be a bigger apples to oranges comparison. The soccer audience also is composed of a heavy dose of Telemundo viewers making it's percentage of viewers comparable to MLB rather than the NFL (or College Football for that matter).

By and large I find myself as a bit of an outlier for the major soccer consuming USMNT fan; I see tangible and really exponential growth when you put it into the context that the US didn't even play in the 2018 World Cup. That should have been devastating to the growth of the sport in the US, but franchise creation coast-to-coast exploded. Most worldwide and a healthy portion of North American soccer consumers look down their nose at MLS, but when you look at the burgeoning nature of professional franchises that have started domestically even with an 8 year gap between appearances for the National Team it is remarkable. And the MLS franchises have become sellers of domestically produced talent to Europe which is growing the pool of World Cup caliber players for the US at a rate that was inconceivable even 8 years ago. The USMNT Twitter Army is as obnoxious and reactionary a group as exists on Social Media, and even they ignore that the US played in an attacking way significantly greater than they did in the 2014 World Cup...they about 3/4s of that World Cup desperately defending their box. They were much more on the front foot in this World Cup...even in a 0-0 tie with England.

The fact that the Netherlands was willing to cede possession to us and play on the counter attack was a positive statement about our growth imo.

 

[CardHack]

The fact that the Netherlands was willing to cede possession to us and play on the counter attack was a positive statement about our growth imo.

That was one reason I say that but the other was the most prolific team in out of Group was England and they dumped the entirety of their attacking midfield 70 minutes in because they were getting run over. That has never been the case with an American squad against European Royalty.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Us soccer has alienated half of the us populace with its over the top wokeism. It’s is more about social Justice messaging than US soccer. This is unique to USA, Canadá and Western Europe. The womens World Cup is in summer 2023. The level of interest there has really bottomed out bc of the social Justice stance. If US soccer would stick to soccer it would explode. As long as players insist on pride flag captains bands and the overtly lesbian make up of us womens soccer it’s gonna continue to alienate. I mean the womens team forced one of their best players out because she was Christian and felt out of place. Doesn’t sound like diversity to me. Sounds like a gay fest for 50% of the country who want that. The mens team isn’t far behind.

 

[CAT Scratch FVR]

Us soccer has alienated half of the us populace with its over the top wokeism. It’s is more about social Justice messaging than US soccer.

Nope. Had no bearing on WC viewing and won't on women's world cup. But nice try on introducing the hot political topic. I hate wokism but the numbers bear out that you were wrong. Tons tuned in.

 

[Tskware]

Nope. Had no bearing on WC viewing and won't on women's world cup. But nice try on introducing the hot political topic. I hate wokism but the numbers bear out that you were wrong. Tons tuned in.

You are 100% correct, some people must think only hetero conservatives follow sports, or that political views of the participants is even a factor in whether you watch or not. Me, I just think the WC it is an interesting event to follow every four years, just would not want to follow it regularly (I didn't even bother to go to the UK soccer games when they were no. 1 in the NCAA), and seems like the TV numbers bear this out as well.

But who knows, things change, in my lifetime, boxing went from an absolutely huge sport to a niche sport which almost no one follows.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Nope. Had no bearing on WC viewing and won't on women's world cup. But nice try on introducing the hot political topic. I hate wokism but the numbers bear out that you were wrong. Tons tuned in.

Tons huh? Watch the womens World Cup what the ratings look like. Hell the womens team is going to **** bc of wokeism And 17m isn’t tons. It’s not bad but hell that is less that 5% of the population. I live in CR and when they play a WC match 90% of the country is watching. Now the USA is not a futbol nation but there is a long way to go and yes wokeism is getting in the way of people who want to watch the WC for patriotic reasons.

I did some quick research. In 2014 when USA played Portugal 24.7 million Americans tuned in! This is before us soccer went insane with wokeism. Hell I’ve been part of us soccer for 40 years as a player and coach and yes wokeism has been a major turn off for many. I doubt many of you have any real idea. A bunch of late clingers

 

[Mdnerd]

Who?

 

[Kaizer Sosay]

It was on the front burner?

 

[Catman100]

Us soccer has alienated half of the us populace with its over the top wokeism. It’s is more about social Justice messaging than US soccer. This is unique to USA, Canadá and Western Europe. The womens World Cup is in summer 2023. The level of interest there has really bottomed out bc of the social Justice stance. If US soccer would stick to soccer it would explode. As long as players insist on pride flag captains bands and the overtly lesbian make up of us womens soccer it’s gonna continue to alienate. I mean the womens team forced one of their best players out because she was Christian and felt out of place. Doesn’t sound like diversity to me. Sounds like a gay fest for 50% of the country who want that. The mens team isn’t far behind.

I too have lived in other countries and yes, just a WC qualifier has the entire country tuned to the TV. And school and businesses shut down the next day if there is a big win.

For a country like the US, that is not the case, and I do believe there are a lot of people turned off by WOKEISM. Whether you believe that or not is up to you, but I do believe it's happening. Especially with people who aren't diehard soccer lovers.

I'll state my case with this example:
Most other countries, especially South America and Europe, treat the WC the way we treat UK basketball. Most of us have lived and died with it at one time in our lives, if not all of our lives. We used to anticipate big games for weeks in advance, and celebrate big wins for days. Today, I have seen it with my own eyes that UK/Calipari's woke stances from the last couple of years have absolutely alienated folks who have been die hard UK fans all their lives. I've honestly been shocked to see the drop off in interest from some people I know. I would bet every person in this thread knows of an uncle or aunt or friend who just is not tuning into UK the way they used to. FACTS

That is happening with UK basketball in a traditionally fanatically basketball state. Imagine what wokeism is doing to that casual fan who really doesn't care too much about soccer. About 50% of this country is conservative, I can assure you there are a lot of them who are seeing too much woke stuff in sports, especially in soccer. And to some of us, kneeling during the anthem while you are supposed to be representing the USA is a deal breaker.

Just play the friggin game for your country and make us proud, keep your political messages to yourself.

 

[Popquiz81]

Lol I can imagine some of you throwing **** at your tv’s and getting really pissed off about John Carlos and Tommy Smith.

Some **** never changes. Calm thy tits.

 

[Wildcats1st]

I too have lived in other countries and yes, just a WC qualifier has the entire country tuned to the TV. And school and businesses shut down the next day if there is a big win.

For a country like the US, that is not the case, and I do believe there are a lot of people turned off by WOKEISM. Whether you believe that or not is up to you, but I do believe it's happening. Especially with people who aren't diehard soccer lovers.

I'll state my case with this example:
Most other countries, especially South America and Europe, treat the WC the way we treat UK basketball. Most of us have lived and died with it at one time in our lives, if not all of our lives. We used to anticipate big games for weeks in advance, and celebrate big wins for days. Today, I have seen it with my own eyes that UK/Calipari's woke stances from the last couple of years have absolutely alienated folks who have been die hard UK fans all their lives. I've honestly been shocked to see the drop off in interest from some people I know. I would bet every person in this thread knows of an uncle or aunt or friend who just is not tuning into UK the way they used to. FACTS

That is happening with UK basketball in a traditionally fanatically basketball state. Imagine what wokeism is doing to that casual fan who really doesn't care too much about soccer. About 50% of this country is conservative, I can assure you there are a lot of them who are seeing too much woke stuff in sports, especially in soccer. And to some of us, kneeling during the anthem while you are supposed to be representing the USA is a deal breaker.

Just play the friggin game for your country and make us proud, keep your political messages to yourself.

Very good post bc you’re right. I was talking to my father in law and he said that 3 of his friends gave up their season tickets bc of the kneeling and one of them burned his UK gear. A big chunk of the apathy toward uk basketball is bc of the kneeling. And if someone is offended by that then us has zero chance to earn that persons fandom. One of the most patriotic things you can do is pull for your country in the World Cup unless you live in the USA where half the country doesn’t like the politics dragged onto the pitch. I know some conservatives who like us soccer but they have been fans for a long time. They do not however like what’s happening politically with the team especially womens soccer. I remember when Abby womback scored the big goal vs Japan before the extreme woke movement and soccer fans and non fans liked to talk to me about it knowing that’s my thing. Rapinoe came on the scene that year and not much attention was paid to her but once she became very out spoken support for the womens team dropped like a stone. Last WC support for the womens team fell like a stone compared to the previous in Canada.

People can laugh and act like this stuff doesn’t matter but if you alienate half the country bc of politics it’s much harder to gain support from the group who feel insulted. Like uk basketball though there are some for which the game trumps kneeling or gay pride or whatever but it’s pretty slim.

 

[Popquiz81]

“Half the country” lmao.

 

[Wildcats1st]

Usa vs japan WC final 2015 25 million viewers
Usa vs Netherlands WC final 2019 11.4 million

Don’t tell me wokeism isn’t a major obstacle for US soccer

 

[Wildcats1st]

“Half the country” lmao.

Whats so funny? Half the country does not agree with the social Justice movement being imposed upon them. It’s a 50/50 country. Forget opinion polls those are worthless. What matters are the actual elections and the last 4 midterms included have been 50/50 splits. Don’t become an idiot dude

 

[Popquiz81]

Whats so funny? Half the country does not agree with the social Justice movement being imposed upon them. It’s a 50/50 country. Forget opinion polls those are worthless. What matters are the actual elections and the last 4 midterms included have been 50/50 splits. Don’t become an idiot dude

Whatever you say bub.

Sorry that you’re a caveman and want to live in the fiction of 1950’s America. Or is it Costa Rica? Lovely place. Vacationed there twice.

Just let people be happy and live their lives without hurting anyone. Too much to ask?

 

[wildcatsboston1984_rivals]

liberals be living rent free in some of y'all's heads

 

[Wildcats1st]

Whatever you say bub.

Sorry that you’re a caveman and want to live in the fiction of 1950’s America. Or is it Costa Rica? Lovely place. Vacationed there twice.

Just let people be happy and live their lives without hurting anyone. Too much to ask?

No that’s perfect but it goes both ways. Waving pride flags in the faces of people who have religious freedoms shouldn’t be tolerated either. If you don’t want people thumping their bible in your face. Tolerance goes both ways. And yes what kind of shot are you trying to take at this beautiful country and it’s people I live in?


The USA Canadá and Europe are the only places on earth that is ok with what us soccer has made itself about. Those places are an outlier culturally. Show some friggin respect for the people in the USA who share the values of the other 7 billion or so people in the world. This social Justice crap is a barrier for us soccer. It’s as simple as that. Whatever a person does in their bedroom is their business but when a bunch of lib virtue signalers decide to hijack something they turn people off. I just showed you what happened to the uswnt support bc of wokeism. Her is another personal example.

I had the pleasure to coach probably the top goalkeeper in the country. She was primed to take over hope solos spot on the uswnt. This girl started at Santa Clara from day 1. There was no doubt she was next in line. Jill Ellis left her off the 2015 roster. At the very least she should have been the top back up. I know Jill she’s ok. Not the nicest but not an *******. I had dinner with Jill, eric wynalda, and the ceo of everton and a couple other coaches. This was 2016ish just after the WC. I brought up my player and jills words to me were blunt “she didn’t fit in with our culture”. Wow! Well knowing my player and her family they were fairly conservative so I knew what it meant. So did eric, and the other coaches because we talked on the side about what that meant.

Listen man woke us woke. Religious is religious. You talk about people living their lives but what you think the religious do so to do the woke. They look out for people who agree and in this case cut someone who disagreed. Go read the story of jaelene hinkle then you clowns who think I’m wrong tell me why. This isn’t just USMNT it happens on the mens team as well. Ridiculous you’re so disconnected from reality.

Hell here it is I linked it bc you buns are lazy

https://sports.yahoo.com/jaelene-hinkle-blackballed-uswnt-religious-beliefs-054747436.html

 

[Popquiz81]

*sigh*

 

[Wildcats1st]

liberals be living rent free in some of y'all's heads

Yeah it’s the mentally Ill I mean libs living rent free

https://sports.yahoo.com/jaelene-hinkle-blackballed-uswnt-religious-beliefs-054747436.html

 

[Wildcats1st]

*sigh*

Hey leadbelly. If you’re a businessman would you wear your politics on your sleeve and lose a chunk of your market bc of it? Are you that stupid???

 

[Popquiz81]

When the crazy folks start talking I check out.

 

[MrKentucky]

Good f*cking god, some of you people are unbearable.