It would be interesting to examine why Americans have never really taken to the sport we call "soccer." It could be because the best athletes in the U.S. gravitate to the real sports like baseball, basketball, and...American football.
It could be because when "soccer" is played at its highest levels there is very little meaningful action on the field. A videotape of all of the highlights of the entire World Cup tournament could easily be shown in five minutes.
It could be because, while it is amazing what soccer players can do with their feet, it pales in comparison with what any halfway competent athlete can do with his hands and arms. To illustrate, a 12-year-old can make 75% of his foul shots, but it would take a competent footballer three weeks to put a single kicked ball through the basketball hoop.
The only soccer that is interesting to watch is indoor, where scores in two digits are occasionally seen.