Not Understanding Soccer

[manwitaplan]

Go rent green street hooligans. You will love soccer after that movie.

[tgil]

You'll Never Walk Alone

LFCA or across the pond?

Soccer is the only sport I can watch. I have a biased reason, my daughter plays. I'm learning the game, and realizing the skill it takes to be good at it. As several have already mentioned above, you have to learn a little about the game and then watch the skill involved at the higher levels.
Elkbowhunter, what game was it you were watching?

[elkbowhunter]

LFCA or across the pond?

Soccer is the only sport I can watch. I have a biased reason, my daughter plays. I'm learning the game, and realizing the skill it takes to be good at it. As several have already mentioned above, you have to learn a little about the game and then watch the skill involved at the higher levels.
Elkbowhunter, what game was it you were watching?

was eating at a small mom pop mexican restaurant near centerville last week and it was on TV in Spanish. pretty hard to watch...not sure of the team. no white guys. I think it was Mexican Soccer? Ill have to watch a better team I guess.

[CaptainDave]

It's not too bad live. Watched Manchester United take on the MLS Allstars a couple years ago at Reliant Stadium. Had a great time.

However, on TV, soccer is about as good as watching paint dry. I think the biggest problem with soccer is there are typically very few key moments in the game; i.e. only a handful of shots at the goal and it's typically low scoring. That in of itself makes soccer different than most other major sports. I also don't care for some of the scoring systems in that wins and losses don't always matter as total goals scored all factor into the equation.

Additionally, FIFA is a corrupt organization all together and the US generally never gets any benefit of doubt in world tournaments.

On top of that, the flopping in soccer is pathetic. If you think there is flopping in the NBA, watch some soccer. These guys take it to a whole different level. Heck, I've seen players carted off the field to only return into the game a few minutes later.

[Limbwalker]

American Football on the other hand, if you're not a behemoth, you have no hopes of playing outside of high school.

I disagree. In football ('merican) there is a role for people of every size and shape. In soccer, how many different body sizes/shapes do you see? Basically one. Yes, anyone can PLAY but not everyone can be competitive.

Last night, I watched a 5'5" guy make two of the biggest plays in an NFL football game. Another guy who was just 5'8" made even more.

Again, I played soccer (very competitively, but I don't know how you play "select" soccer for 16 years. ha, ha) from the age of 5 until semi-pro adult indoor and outdoor leagues at 17. Fun game to play, but I realize now that I would have had a college scholarship in any other sport.

John

[Sippy]

was eating at a small mom pop mexican restaurant near centerville last week and it was on TV in Spanish. pretty hard to watch...not sure of the team. no white guys. I think it was Mexican Soccer? Ill have to watch a better team I guess.

Watch some EPL games, much better.

[elkbowhunter]

Watch some EPL games, much better.

Will do.

[JW21]

Most people who don't play golf don't like watching it on TV.

Soccers pretty much the same.

agreed!

[Legdog]

Looks like I have to watch some better teams after reading some of your posts. Looks like this thread is going south with the inappropriate posting of photos of a few. This was not the intent of the thread. Thanks again for all the positive responses.

What you deem as inappropriate others call positive tradition.

Part of the allure of NASCAR, pro football, soccer, baseball and any other stadium sport is the very real attraction of people watching. Soccer is the number one most viewed sport on the planet with over 3.5 billion viewers. All you have to do to appreciate it is to immerse yourself.

[elkbowhunter]

What you deem as inappropriate others call positive tradition.

Part of the allure of NASCAR, pro football, soccer, baseball and any other stadium sport is the very real attraction of people watching. Soccer is the number one most viewed sport on the planet with over 3.5 billion viewers. All you have to do to appreciate it is to immerse yourself.

I disagree, and you know what I was talking about. Just thinking of younger viewers. That may not matter to some, but it does to me. We all have opinions. Mine differs from yours.--- shalom

[rladner]

I don't necessarily think you need to watch European games to appreciate it. I think it helps (as with any sport) to actually attend a game rather than just watching on TV. Unfortunately, we are not great fans when it comes to our sports. We are "American" fans watching "American" invented sports. Nothing against that, just stating the reality. Soccer is a much more fluid game and the majority of Americans have not figured out how to adjust to that. Sure, there are moments in games (more so in playoffs) where we as American fans are rocking the house, but we aren't accustomed to doing it for an entire game. I have been a fan for a LOOONG time. I have traveled and watched soccer games (both world cup and local professional leagues) in different countries. The atmosphere at a European game is unbelievable. We just don't provide that type of atmosphere here for soccer (or most other sports). I recommend you watch Seattle Sounders play an MLS game on TV when they are at home. That the closest I've seen to european atmosphere. I honestly want to go and sit in the stands with those people and cheer the entire time. When I go to european games, the ONLY time I sat down was half time. Otherwise the entire stadium was chanting, singing, dancing, cheering, what have you. It was awesome. There is nothing like that here. Not for an entire game anyways. Why do you think those stadiums oversees look so shaky? As for the third world comment. Pretty sure Spain, Germany, Italy, etc... aren't considered 3rd world. Spain is the reigning world cup champs. The simple fact is, its hard to enjoy and follow a sport simply by watching it on tv. You either need to play the sport or attend some live games. Then you will learn to enjoy it.

[Legdog]

I disagree, and you know what I was talking about. Just thinking of younger viewers. That may not matter to some, but it does to me. We all have opinions. Mine differs from yours.--- shalom

Be it soccer or some other sport I especially encourage our younger viewers to get out into stadiums and enjoy both the competitive spirit and the scenery that goes with it. I can't imagine why it would offend you, but I understand you are sincere about it. No wories, I'll avoid adding color to your threads.

[Neohighlander]

Actually, the Dallas Cowboys rank 5th in most valuable sports teams. Number 1 is soccer team Real Madrid, wroth 3.3 billion dollars. Number 2? Manchester United (soccer team). Number 3? Barcelona (soccer team). Number 4? The Yankees. Number 5? Cowboys.

[SneakyPhil]

If you can find the book "Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs" by Chuck Klosterman it will give you some insight.

[elkbowhunter]

Be it soccer or some other sport I especially encourage our younger viewers to get out into stadiums and enjoy both the competitive spirit and the scenery that goes with it. I can't imagine why it would offend you, but I understand you are sincere about it. No wories, I'll avoid adding color to your threads.

well played sir. No worries here dog......
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