U.S. Soccer needs you now.

June 17, 2002 5:37 AM

U.S. Soccer needs you now. The US soccer team has not been this far in the World Cup since 1930. Where is the sea of red, white and blue? Watching mundane sports...like baseball. (match results in link. from sts)
posted by lostbyanecho (47 comments total)

Can't find my red, white and blue clothes. Too groggy from too many 2:25 alarms....
posted by geneablogy at 6:10 AM on June 17, 2002

who cares :(

two soccer stories before 6am.....is way too many.
posted by mkelley at 6:16 AM on June 17, 2002

I don't need it, and it don't need me.
posted by Irontom at 6:20 AM on June 17, 2002

I like watching baseball.
posted by corpse at 6:56 AM on June 17, 2002

Soccer is boring.
posted by peeping_Thomist at 7:06 AM on June 17, 2002

Soccer is boring.

I wholeheartedly agree. You would have thought after France 98's poor cumulative television audience of 37 billion that FIFA would realise there's really no future in this unentertaining spectacle.
posted by dlewis at 7:13 AM on June 17, 2002

Don't tell me which sports to watch and enjoy. While I am constantly amazed at the athletic ability of soccer players, I don't find the games all that interesting. Much in the same way that I can't watch more than 5 minutes of hockey.

I'm interested in the way a baseball game moves, and like following the dilemma the pitcher faces with every new batter.
posted by rocketman at 7:28 AM on June 17, 2002

I love playing Soccer, but watching it on TV ranks up there with watching Golf or Bowling on TV....and I sure wouldn't get up at 2am to watch Tiger Woods.
posted by mkelley at 7:46 AM on June 17, 2002

I can appreciate the chess-like style of play and the strategy that needs to be employed by baseball players, but hockey not interesting? Blasphemy! I wish soccer was as popular in the US as in the rest of the world, and that the World Cup was not on in the middle of the night.
posted by adampsyche at 7:48 AM on June 17, 2002

red: my eyes from the Sleep Three, Up Two, Sleep Three schedule of sleeping I'm on when there's a match I want to see (esp. US games, of which there have been a record number, thanks very much.)

white: my face, pale from sleep deprivation and the general unhealthiness of 2:30 am caffeine infusions via Dr. Pepper.

blue: the wicked bruise on Borgetti's head after it intercepted Friedel's moving fist.

This militant essay takes on the established sports powers, which is fine, but it's hard to make someone enjoy a sport through guilt.

Support US soccer if you're interested. Check out a match if you get some time. If you don't like soccer, fine. This article tries to get you to, but no one says you have to. The rest of the world will still enjoy it without you.

OT: right up there with "me too", posts that only say "it sucks"...suck.
posted by jmcmurry at 8:09 AM on June 17, 2002

"The US soccer team has not been this far in the World Cup since 1930."

Position-wise, true, 1930 was the best year. But arguably the best victory in US Soccer history was 1950 when the US beat England 1-0.
posted by m@ at 8:23 AM on June 17, 2002

Football. It's actually called Football.
posted by Spoon at 8:42 AM on June 17, 2002

I'm a minimalist sportsman, watching little save the occasional boxing match or college football game. However, seeing the seriousness and fervor with which the rest of the world takes their "football," I can only say that I hope America, both fans and teams, get more involved in the future. And for world politics sake, I hope that we continue to (relatively speaking) suck :)

Say what you will, soccer is truly the world's game. I personally would like to see regional American teams, on the English and German models (please correct me if I'm wrong about this, but Manchester United and Bayern, they are regional teams, right?). Chicago-St. Louis to the finals!
posted by UncleFes at 8:47 AM on June 17, 2002

I have enjoyed world cup for the first time under the belief that they are not taking steroids ( maybe cocaine ) which would not help any in the beautiful game. It's weird how fast a goal can all of a sudden be scored in soccer. Congrats USA but I have to cheer for the English cause they have a Canadian, Owen Hargraves, on board.

I used to be a huge hockey fan but this years playoffs upset me with the players lack of respect to each other. I know it's supposed to be a rough sport , but not dangerous and irritating to watch like lacrosse. I think this is because of steroids, hockey has the same policy as baseball, good day.
posted by kremb at 8:51 AM on June 17, 2002

Yes... Manchester United and Bayern (Munich) are the regional football teams.

You'd have to invent yourselves some kind of um... "American Football League" to play in. You could even give the winner a cup of some kind.
posted by Spoon at 8:54 AM on June 17, 2002

We already have a professional soccer league (for sake of discussion, Spoon, I continue to call it soccer to avoid confusion with our football) that has seen increasing popularity over the last several years, roughly coinciding with the increasing popularity of soccer leagues for kids. I'm not sure if they have a cup, but I'm sure they have some kind of tourney to figure out who's best. St. Louis has a professional indoor soccer team (they suck, reportedly), not sure if that's the same thing.
posted by UncleFes at 9:01 AM on June 17, 2002

Fes, there is the MLS Cup, won by my San Jose Earthquakes last year. Donovan, who you have been seeing in the World Cup, plays for them (so does Agoos but we don't like to talk about him).

The level of play in the MLS has been improving, and the league needs fan support. The MLS has been a big factor in the US's success at the World Cup, providing an opportunity for the players to not just be on a team (like Lewis for Fulham who sits most of the time) but to actually get field time.
posted by Kafkaesque at 9:04 AM on June 17, 2002

For fucks sake, is there some weird genetic mutation with Americans that force them to interject "soccer is boring!" into every conversation about the sport? I see a thread about baseball, golf, or any number of sports, and I just ignore it. Is it asking too much that you sawker-haters do the same?

UncleFes, I have no idea what you're talking about re regional teams. Manchester United and Bayern Munich are the NY Yankees and LA Lakers of Europe.
posted by salmacis at 9:09 AM on June 17, 2002

In the USA and Canada, it's "soccer", not "football".
posted by Succa at 9:22 AM on June 17, 2002

Seen on a bumper sticker:

"Men play football. Intelligent men play soccer."
posted by johnjreeve at 9:30 AM on June 17, 2002

Geez salmacis. I don't hate soccer, and I'm American. Lots of us think its fun to watch. On the other hand, we Americans have a pathological desire to say things we know will piss off Europeans (not defending it or anything). I just think it should be called "soccer" and not "football."

Good point about the MLS Kafkaesque.
posted by insomnyuk at 9:33 AM on June 17, 2002

I'm pretty pumped about the US getting into the 3rd round.. and I think they do have a chance against the Germans.

As for the ninnies who feel they need to jump in and bitch about how they don't like soccer, well, it's why I agree with Scott Cohen so much on the stupidity that exists here.

But, now, let's see..

South Korea is doing amazing.. can they squeak by Italy? And after Spain's showing against Ireland (I think Ireland should've won that game), either Italy and South Korea have a shot at beating them.

If the US makes it past Germany, I think Italy may be their toughest competition.. but what if they get South Korea? The US could go to the Cup game against Brazil. Or England.

That's gonna be an interesting match...
posted by rich at 9:37 AM on June 17, 2002

"Who cares?"

"Soccer is boring."

The US doesn't deserve to win the World Cup, and I hope they never, ever do. Not because of the twenty-three incredibly talented men who play their hearts out thousands of miles away from home against teams and countries that seethe with passion for the game and their players. Not because of the thousands who play day after day in this country under the shadow of isolated American sports that the rest of the world could hardly give a damn about. The reason the US doesn't deserve the World Cup title, is because the people, the would-be fans here, by and large, won't care.

They won't stay out into all hours of the night, they won't pause during their mechanical and hectic work days, they won't take the time to unite and enjoy their national pride under any circumstance outside of war. They don't understand the game and just how amazing it can be when millions of people, everyone on the street you live on, everyone in the bar you visit after work, everyone in every city in the country are hanging on the edges of their seats, waiting for that one moment, that one goal..

And then there's the arrogance in the belief that none of what I said should really matter in this violent and very serious world.

Just my opinion, sorry for venting.
posted by dopamine at 9:45 AM on June 17, 2002

They won't stay out into all hours of the night,

Some of us have work to do. How can I stay up to watch a 2:30 am match when I have to wake up at 7 am for work? I'd rather watch it on time delay.
posted by insomnyuk at 10:03 AM on June 17, 2002

How can I stay up to watch a 2:30 am match when I have to wake up at 7 am for work?

Hasn't stopped me. More......coffeeeeeee....

Dopamine, there is merit to what you say. But at least I can say that I, for one, care. And I hope more people start to, as well.

It was a bit of a lonely feeling, though, jumping up and down with my wife when we scored the goals. I could only imagine the camaraderie that might have been, was a damn given by the majority of Americans.
posted by Kafkaesque at 10:11 AM on June 17, 2002

Any interesting theories on why we(US) don't like soccer? I heard one recently about being a true team sport and we are such an individualistic society (look at stats for any popular sport, there are tons of individual stats which are impossible to keep in soccer), that we lose a lot of what appeals to other nations.
Thoughts?

(Go US. It's a possibility that we could actually win this thing. Nobody is playing that well, and this time the US actually thinks it can win).
posted by dig_duggler at 10:22 AM on June 17, 2002

I am kind of lucky, as I work with a number a lot of Brits, (and Aussie, Kiwis, Irish), Germans, Belgians, etc.. so that if I come into work a bit late in the morning, now it's understood. Actually, Friday, I believe we're all planning on meeting at a local pub at 7:30 to watch the game and have a few pints before work.

And these people are the upper management staff.

What's annoying is that it took Bush until we made it this far to call the team.
posted by rich at 10:23 AM on June 17, 2002

Some of us have work to do. How can I stay up to watch a 2:30 am match when I have to wake up at 7 am for work? I'd rather watch it on time delay.

Nuff said. You really do not understand it do you?
posted by niceness at 10:55 AM on June 17, 2002

(Aviso: I am not a particular fan of any sport.)

Any interesting theories on why we(US) don't like soccer?

But arguably the best victory in US Soccer history was 1950 when the US beat England 1-0.

My guess is that it's hard for most people here to get excited about a sport when the clichéd view of it is that you'll see three goals per game, if you're lucky. It's a tension vs. payoff issue, which is why the Canadian sport is so much more popular here—perceived faster action, more payoffs. But hey, aren't nations supposed to have differences of taste?

dopamine, plenty of USAians cheer our Olympians on, and a number of them participate in team sports (and few individual members get much glory; it's always the 'US Olympic [foo] Team' that I hear about). How does this square with saying that we can't express national pride through sports?
posted by darukaru at 11:04 AM on June 17, 2002

I was never a big soccer fan. I played it as a kid but hadn't really paid attention to it in years. When World Cup came back around this year I set Tivo to record everything, and so far, I've watched everything. The first match starts at 11:25 on the west coast, so I've been able to watch both night games live with my dual tuner Tivo.

I've fallen in love with soccer (football) and have been reading and learning a lot about the game and I'm amazed by the International spirit of the game.

That said, I haven't been able to get behind the US, they're an OK team with some really good players like Donovan and Jones, but they're not nearly as exciting as Brazil or England to me.

I'm just happy to have found a new sport to follow. Maybe after I get acquainted with our own MLS I'll be able to root for American stars.
posted by perplexed at 11:07 AM on June 17, 2002

So perplexed here is an example of someone (like many I have found) who didn't like it, but do now that the world cup is on and they've actually watched some games. Yeah, there's been some boring ones, but that happens in any sport.
There are a lot of people who have tried it and don't like it, but lots who just don't like it w/out having even watched a match.
I would kill to have heard that Bush conversation.
posted by dig_duggler at 11:18 AM on June 17, 2002

Any interesting theories on why we(US) don't like soccer?

Referees have too much power. Americans hate that. I was astounded when I found out the refs can basically tag on however much time they think is appropriate to the end of the game.

(This is a joke. Yes, I know baseball is more that way. And boxing. And figure skating. And spelling bees.)
posted by straight at 11:44 AM on June 17, 2002

The reason the US doesn't deserve the World Cup title, is because the people, the would-be fans here, by and large, won't care.

Oh, I see, so victory should not be based on the talent of the players but on how much their countrymen, who are not even playing, care whether they win?

How many points do you get if your countrymen care?
posted by kindall at 11:48 AM on June 17, 2002

So I'm not a true fan if I put my health and job performance before my desire to watch an early round soccer match?

I guess I just don't get it.
posted by insomnyuk at 11:56 AM on June 17, 2002

That's right, yuk. So far I've developed advanced periodontitis, dipsomania and what I'm pretty sure is Typhoid. I haven't been in to work for two weeks. I just hope they don't turn off the cable before the final!
posted by Kafkaesque at 12:23 PM on June 17, 2002

I have now developed insomnia, I am always tired during the day and I spend more time at the FIFA site than at Metafilter. help me.
posted by vacapinta at 12:35 PM on June 17, 2002

i've always been turned off by all the deaths and killings and big nasty brawls that soccer fans seem to be so prone to. it seems like that kind of undermines the argument that soccer is the sport for intelligent people. say what you like about baseball fans, at least they've never murdered a player for screwing up.
posted by boltman at 1:11 PM on June 17, 2002

Of course, the World Cup is not held in Korea every year. Generally the matches are at more manageable times.

UncleFes, I'm not sure what your question is. Pro teams exist in almost every city, and they belong to different leagues, allowing for both intra- and inter-national play. The MLS league in the US has supplied several players (and not just Americans) to World Cup teams, which are national teams representing their country's best players. And there is a Chicago MLS team, with nine others. It's the difference between pro hockey or b-ball and being on the Olympic team, to some extent, although it's my impression that the soccer model allows for a higher caliber of player overall in the national teams.

As for being "behind" the team, MLS has to face it -- most of their adult support is going to come from the Latin American immigrant community; and when the US team plays Mexico here, they're going to have the stadium against them. It's not productive to scold people for not helping out a sport they don't care about, but it is important that fans of the sport keep the MLS alive. Its financial losses may already be too great, though, even with events like this Cup advance.

I don't think US will get past Germany, though I hope they will -- it would be very sweet.

And if you want a sport where the US is a winner, try women's soccer. The US team is 1st/3rd/1st in the three cups held so far.
posted by dhartung at 1:22 PM on June 17, 2002

My theory about why Fussball isn't any more popular in the US: TV stations can't break up the games to show commercials; it's bad business. Which is just one reason why I prefer it to all the sports that allow for lengthy breaks and time outs. American Football, to me, appears as a burst of activity followed by a bunch of truck and beer commercials.
posted by muckster at 2:24 PM on June 17, 2002

My theory about why Fussball isn't any more popular in the US: TV stations can't break up the games to show commercials; it's bad business.

That and people can't go to the restroom without missing part of the action. Just today, I missed the first U.S. goal because I couldn't hold it in any longer...
posted by gyc at 2:53 PM on June 17, 2002

America gets together to watch football, not soccer. I'm no fan, and I sure won't watch a game, but I want the USA to win just so we can say "we don't even care, and we still kicked ass" :)
posted by owillis at 3:27 PM on June 17, 2002

My theory about why Fussball isn't any more popular in the US: TV stations can't break up the games to show commercials; it's bad business. Which is just one reason why I prefer it to all the sports that allow for lengthy breaks and time outs.

I agree 100% It is such a pleasure to watch 45 minutes of a sporting event without any commercial interruptions.
posted by mrhappy at 4:34 PM on June 17, 2002

Just today, I missed the first U.S. goal because I couldn't hold it in any longer...

In the 8th Minute??
posted by muckster at 9:40 PM on June 17, 2002

At least the USA has a World Cup worthy team. I'm still waiting for the uprising of the Canuck Soccer Force. But up here, it's all about broomball.
posted by Succa at 10:05 PM on June 17, 2002

In the 8th Minute??

Do you only start drinking when the game starts?
posted by gyc at 10:41 PM on June 17, 2002

No, but I make sure I have plenty of cold beer, salty snacks, and a full-capacity bladder at kick-off time.
posted by muckster at 11:15 PM on June 17, 2002

Soccer ranks above cricket, baseball, golf and football in terms of action and pace, but below hockey, tennis, rugby and lacrosse.

Football (the American type) could be a lot higher, and indeed be a perfect sport.. IF THEY DIDN'T KEEP STOPPING ALL THE TIME. Really, that shit is so annoying. It's nice for all of 10 seconds of each play though.
posted by wackybrit at 9:23 AM on June 18, 2002