women's soccer final

[Merchant_of_Meh]

I like Japan's team...they play clean...unlike Brazil. The best thing about the WC last year was that Brazilian who took a dive...got carded and in the extra time caused because of her flopping around, we scored and won.

Yeah lol. That's Brazil for you though. The men do that quite a bit as well. This is my favorite sport, but that is the least favorite part of it for me.

To be honest though, I think Japan were rather unlucky. Not only because they're a great team and play some great soccer, but because of the ref. Should've had at least one penalty call. Tobin Heath was quite lucky not to be called for a handball and Rachel Buehler could've easily have conceded one for basically putting her marker into a bear hug. If we had that shambolic ref from the Canada game, we may well have lost I'd say. I'm glad neither call was given though.

I watched all of the games, and you make absolutely no sense! Is that because you're from Europa?

Not sure what you're getting at, but do you care to elaborate on just what I'm not making sense about?

USA are Olympic champions and in the game of soccer, champions are just that because of not only their skill, but a little luck. USA got that luck in this game by not conceding at least a penalty that could've put this into OT and changed the whole complexion of the game.

Now does that make more sense for you or should I go deeper than that and break it down tactically? I too have watched all games for both the Men and the Women's sides.

 

[bodecea]

Maybe you should focus more on the admirable accomplishments of these great athletes instead of wallowing in some strange sexist revenge fantasy.

Again, your preception of my posts...a perception you cannot explain in any way....but you are going to put it out there again.

Gotcha......

 

[PredFan]

Why? Partly, it's because it's a great game and they are afraid that it might challenge their favorite sport in popularity.

You don't believe that.

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

 

[Unkotare]

Why? Partly, it's because it's a great game and they are afraid that it might challenge their favorite sport in popularity.

You don't believe that.

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

 

[PredFan]

You don't believe that.

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

No, I said I think that some people are afraid it will. Try reading thoroughly before you start badgering people.

 

[bodecea]

You don't believe that.

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

If I'm not mistaken, in many places it has already.

 

[bodecea]

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

No, I said I think that some people are afraid it will. Try reading thoroughly before you start badgering people.

You too?

 

[Toro]

You don't believe that.

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

Is hockey one of the top 4 sports? If so, it could challenge hockey. Demographic trends - more Hispanics, stagnant population growth in the North - work for soccer and against hockey. Soccer won't come close to the other three.

 

[Unkotare]

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

If I'm not mistaken, in many places it has already.

You are mistaken.

 

[Unkotare]

I believe that in many cases it is exactly true. Not all cases of course.

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

Is hockey one of the top 4 sports? If so, it could challenge hockey. Demographic trends - more Hispanics, stagnant population growth in the North - work for soccer and against hockey. Soccer won't come close to the other three.

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

 

[PredFan]

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

Is hockey one of the top 4 sports? If so, it could challenge hockey. Demographic trends - more Hispanics, stagnant population growth in the North - work for soccer and against hockey. Soccer won't come close to the other three.

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

Did we come into a thread about football and bash the sport? No, we didn't. Your actions belie your words pal. Usually people who bash soccer are simply mean, jealous, afraid, or ignorant. Which one made you come to this thread?

 

[Unkotare]

Show me the post where I 'bashed' soccer.

 

[Unkotare]

"Jealous" and "afraid" are just stupid adjectives to use in this situation. It really makes no sense, and makes you seem absurdly over-protective of your sport.

 

[bodecea]

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

If I'm not mistaken, in many places it has already.

You are mistaken.

It's very popular here and SoCal, to watch and to play....but perhaps you have some stats to show that I am mistaken?

 

[Unkotare]

Providing stats is on you. You made the claim.

 

[PredFan]

Show me the post where I 'bashed' soccer.

I suppose you think that this is you paying a compliment?

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

 

[Toro]

Really? You really think soccer could crack the top 4 of pro sports in the US? That's just ridiculous no matter how much you like soccer.

Is hockey one of the top 4 sports? If so, it could challenge hockey. Demographic trends - more Hispanics, stagnant population growth in the North - work for soccer and against hockey. Soccer won't come close to the other three.

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

I'm just looking at the numbers. The ratings for the last World Cup final far outstripped that of game 7 of the World Series. It was also 10x more than the last Stanley Cup.

World Series television ratings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
World Cup TV ratings soar in USA
Why aren

Again, soccer isn't replacing baseball anytime soon, but when 25 million Americans watch the World Cup final, that shows there is a lot of room to grow.

I love hockey, but the NHL is primarily a regional sport. The league has, for the most part, failed to penetrate the US South. Atlanta left, Phoenix is bankrupt, Nashville is losing money hand over fist, and Florida, Carolina and Tampa are often playing in front of half-filled arenas.

Hockey has a ceiling in this country which is much lower than soccer. There are 50 million Hispanics in this country. 80,000 people showed up to watch Brazil v Mexico at Cowboy stadium a few months ago. The US national soccer team often draws 30k-40k for their World Cup qualifiers, more when they play Mexico. Something like 15 million kids play soccer in America, nearly 10x the number of kids playing hockey.

So when I look out 20-30 years, could soccer be more popular than hockey? Sure, maybe.

 

[PredFan]

Hurray for the Women's national Team!

 

[Unkotare]

Show me the post where I 'bashed' soccer.

I suppose you think that this is you paying a compliment?

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

That is not "bashing," that is a description. Soccer does involve kicking a ball and jogging, and for the vast majority of Americans their experience with soccer was limited to playing it (without a great deal of exertion) as small children. It is a safe and easy way for little kids to get some exercise. No bashing there.

 

[Unkotare]

Is hockey one of the top 4 sports? If so, it could challenge hockey. Demographic trends - more Hispanics, stagnant population growth in the North - work for soccer and against hockey. Soccer won't come close to the other three.

Hockey is actually experiencing a resurgence in popularity. It's fine that other people around the world really, really like soccer. Ok, fine. Go kick your ball and jog. Great. Americans don't, generally. "Everyone else loves it!" is not generally a persuasive argument for Americans. The strange thing is how upset some people from other countries get over the fact that we don't really see soccer as anything more than a mild form of exercise for small children. Of course, the relatively few Americans who just love soccer tend to be highly frustrated. They should just relax and enjoy their sport instead of tilting at windmills about it becoming a major pro event in this country.

I'm just looking at the numbers. The ratings for the last World Cup final far outstripped that of game 7 of the World Series. It was also 10x more than the last Stanley Cup.

World Series television ratings - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
World Cup TV ratings soar in USA
Why aren

Again, soccer isn't replacing baseball anytime soon, but when 25 million Americans watch the World Cup final, that shows there is a lot of room to grow.

I love hockey, but the NHL is primarily a regional sport. The league has, for the most part, failed to penetrate the US South. Atlanta left, Phoenix is bankrupt, Nashville is losing money hand over fist, and Florida, Carolina and Tampa are often playing in front of half-filled arenas.

Hockey has a ceiling in this country which is much lower than soccer. There are 50 million Hispanics in this country. 80,000 people showed up to watch Brazil v Mexico at Cowboy stadium a few months ago. The US national soccer team often draws 30k-40k for their World Cup qualifiers, more when they play Mexico. Something like 15 million kids play soccer in America, nearly 10x the number of kids playing hockey.

So when I look out 20-30 years, could soccer be more popular than hockey? Sure, maybe.

All that is fair enough, but bear in mind that the world cup happens once every four years (right?). It's like saying that swimming is a massively popular spectator sport in the US because so many people watch the swimming events in the olympics every four years.

If you are talking about TV ratings, attendance, the sales of team merchandize, etc. you also have to put college football and college basketball as well as NASCAR ahead of pro soccer in the US. It's pretty far down the list.