football?

[Golf Monkey]

Soccer's for pussy's, that's why so many women play it in the US, most footballers would get murdered on a rugby pitch, Terry Butcher's one of the few exceptions tho.

Gaelic games, now that's a real mans sport, players getting fingers and ears lobbed off with hurling bats.

[irishtiger]

Originally Posted by Golf Monkey

Gaelic games, now that's a real mans sport, players getting fingers and ears lobbed off with hurling bats.

You make it seem so barbaric!
Hurling is the world's fastest field game. I've played for 30 years and never got my finger or ear taken off.
If you play properly you never get hurt by a hurley. It's a real mans game you must be able to stand your ground like a man.
Soccer players, of course, would get hurt playing hurling, you know...they are the ones that get thrown in the air if another player bumps off their elbow

[usa1950]

I adore soccer/football, the greatest game in the world. Think about this.... the last World Cup Final, in 2006, had MORE worldwide television viewership than the last TEN Super Bowl Games COMBINED.

You cannot deny that it is far and awya the World's most popular sport.

I grew up in St. Louis, one of the hotbeds of American Soccer. I've watched the USA play World Cup Qualifiers or friendly matches 10 times, travelling around the midwest. I have not missed a USA game on TV in more than 10 years..... recording it if I have to. I was at MLS Cup 8, about 15 MLS matches in Chicago or Columbus, OH, NCAA matches, and I watch Liverpool Football Club on TV or online every chance I get. I see 80% of their matches, and of course, all the big ones, Champions League, etc. Fox Soccer Channel is wonderful.

Euro 2008 was a fantastic tournament! I saw at least one match most days. When the World Cup rolls around, I usually take a week of vacation (I get four, so it's not big deal) to take in all the first round games. Love it.

Sure, soccer is not terribly popular in the US, but it is growing. It won't ever surpass the NFL, MLB, NBA, or the big college sports, but soccer fans don't want that, we just want a little more coverage, highlights that are more accessible, a few more matches on TV, etc. MLS teams are building their own stadiums, whic his a great thing. The game is growing, adn it's wonderful to see.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by usa1950

I adore soccer/football, the greatest game in the world. Think about this.... the last World Cup Final, in 2006, had MORE worldwide television viewership than the last TEN Super Bowl Games COMBINED.

You cannot deny that it is far and awya the World's most popular sport.

I grew up in St. Louis, one of the hotbeds of American Soccer. I've watched the USA play World Cup Qualifiers or friendly matches 10 times, travelling around the midwest. I have not missed a USA game on TV in more than 10 years..... recording it if I have to. I was at MLS Cup 8, about 15 MLS matches in Chicago or Columbus, OH, NCAA matches, and I watch Liverpool Football Club on TV or online every chance I get. I see 80% of their matches, and of course, all the big ones, Champions League, etc. Fox Soccer Channel is wonderful.

Euro 2008 was a fantastic tournament! I saw at least one match most days. When the World Cup rolls around, I usually take a week of vacation (I get four, so it's not big deal) to take in all the first round games. Love it.

Sure, soccer is not terribly popular in the US, but it is growing. It won't ever surpass the NFL, MLB, NBA, or the big college sports, but soccer fans don't want that, we just want a little more coverage, highlights that are more accessible, a few more matches on TV, etc. MLS teams are building their own stadiums, whic his a great thing. The game is growing, adn it's wonderful to see.

Great post. I never paid much attention to the UEFA Cup until this year. I will from now on. It was an awesome tournament. Congrats to Spain for winning with class.

[eclark53520]

HOLY thread resurection batman...

I am like most americans...i like seeing how much weight i can gain during any particular NFL game...cant stand watching soccer, its kinda like watching grass grow with an english accent...

[usa1950]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Great post. I never paid much attention to the UEFA Cup until this year. I will from now on. It was an awesome tournament. Congrats to Spain for winning with class.

Not to be picky, but the UEFA Cup is a yearly tournament held between the teams in the European Leagues (Liverpool, Real Madrid, AC Milan, etc) that do NOT qualify for the Champions League.

The trophy Spain just won is the European Championships... a World Cup style tournament held between different NATIONS, rather than clubs.

Cheers,
Bryan

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by usa1950

Not to be picky, but the UEFA Cup is a yearly tournament held between the teams in the European Leagues (Liverpool, Real Madrid, AC Milan, etc) that do NOT qualify for the Champions League.

The trophy Spain just won is the European Championships... a World Cup style tournament held between different NATIONS, rather than clubs.

Cheers,
Bryan

Not picky at all. That's an important distinction, to say the least! Thanks for setting me straight. I've always loved soccer, but don't watch as much as I should.

[loftgolf]

Just an observation. I realize that soccer,not unlike gay porn, exists, but I really have no desire to watch either of them! There is only one football in this world, and it's from the good 'ol USA, so you Brits will have to find another name for your "sport", and sorry, knitting is already taken! Go G*I*A*N*T*S!!! PS, I've been a Giants fan all my life so I have supported them all the years they sucked

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by loftgolf

Just an observation. I realize that soccer,not unlike gay porn, exists, but I really have no desire to watch either of them! There is only one football in this world, and it's from the good 'ol USA, so you Brits will have to find another name for your "sport", and sorry, knitting is already taken! Go G*I*A*N*T*S!!! PS, I've been a Giants fan all my life so I have supported them all the years they sucked

Well, I liked you before. Now I'm not so sure...

[loftgolf]

Originally Posted by Eracer

Well, I liked you before. Now I'm not so sure...

Don't feel badly, Eracer, most people like me before they get to know me!

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by loftgolf

Don't feel badly, Eracer, most people like me before they get to know me!

I know the feeling, friend...

[loftgolf]

When I read your response I thought you were a foreigner, but you're from Tampa! I have a good friend in Lutz, FL and have just sold a home on Kissimmee Bay Country Club in Kissimmee, FL. So look, we're almost neighbors (well, not really as I'm in CT) so that should make me much more adorable! Don't ya think?
I have absolutely no reason to use this particular smiley, but I like him a lot and added him just because.

[Eracer]

Originally Posted by loftgolf

When I read your response I thought you were a foreigner, but you're from Tampa! I have a good friend in Lutz, FL and have just sold a home on Kissimmee Bay Country Club in Kissimmee, FL. So look, we're almost neighbors (well, not really as I'm in CT) so that should make me much more adorable! Don't ya think?
I have absolutely no reason to use this particular smiley, but I like him a lot and added him just because.

I am a foreigner. Just haven't been able to get back to the home planet.

[usa1950]

Originally Posted by loftgolf

There is only one football in this world, and it's from the good 'ol USA, so you Brits will have to find another name for your "sport",

Ah yes... American Football. The sport where only FOUR (two for each team) out of 100+ players get to kick the ball!!! foot-ball indeed. Genius. And don't forget the BEST place kickers all use the same method, and it's called SOCCER STYLE!!!

Try this on for size. The last World Cup Final Match.... ONE match, in 2006, had more television viewership than the previous TEN SUPER BOWLS COMBINED.

Noone is saying you have to watch it... much like Gay Porn, I suppose, but to even consider for a second that the NFL can even get a SNIFF of the true football's popularity on this planet is yet another example of American Elitism that has have the world thumbing their noses at us.

[TheWOAT]

Originally Posted by usa1950

Ah yes... American Football. The sport where only FOUR (two for each team) out of 100+ players get to kick the ball!!! foot-ball indeed. Genius. And don't forget the BEST place kickers all use the same method, and it's called SOCCER STYLE!!!

Try this on for size. The last World Cup Final Match.... ONE match, in 2006, had more television viewership than the previous TEN SUPER BOWLS COMBINED.

Noone is saying you have to watch it... much like Gay Porn, I suppose, but to even consider for a second that the NFL can even get a SNIFF of the true football's popularity on this planet is yet another example of American Elitism that has have the world thumbing their noses at us.

i dont think anyone can honestly say that NFL football is more popular than Soccer-Football-Futbol... I think that other guy was joking...

For me, I rank soccer behind these sports in viewership (in what I watch, not everyone else) and importance.
1. NBA basketball
2. MLB Baseball
3. NFL football
4. Golf
5. NCAA basketball
6. NCAA football
7. Boxing

If the US team was playing the world cup... Id probably watch it if it were on during normal hours, but Id rather watch the above sports.

Im not even mentioning sports that are more widely attended than MLS (US) Soccer like high school football and basketball. Heck, put the local HS sports teams on TV and Id watch that over soccer... unless of course, the HS was playing soccer. The average American doesnt care about soccer. Most treat it as a sport to enroll your 9 year old in to keep him/her busy during the summer.