C'mon Ghana!!!! Kick that Ball...Kick that Ball!!!!!

[DudyDawg]

OMEONE will come along and offer a guy those numbers in the MLS at some point or another.

You mean like this?

http://www.espnfc.com/story/399471/beckham-agrees-five-year-$250m-la-galaxy-deal

This was the last "big thing" the soccer crowd told us was going to change soccer in this country. All that washed up guy did was enjoy celebrity status with his smoking hot wife and steal money from the LA Galaxy.

And win championships. But hey, who's paying attention

[smootness]

First let me say that I'm pulling for the USA to win. But as far as soccer, I've been hearing for 30+ years that when this generation of kids gets older soccer is going to be the sport. Youth and high school soccer is big but it has never translated to the pros. Years and years ago when Kyle Rote Jr. signed a pro soccer contract, this was supposed to be the turning point. Didn't happen. Maybe this generation will be "the one to make it happen", but I doubt it.

But you're missing what has already happened. No, it isn't the sport, but predicting that to happen in one generation was ridiculous to begin with.

But look where soccer in this country was 20 years ago; it doesn't even compare to where it is now. ESPN would have laughed at showing any level of soccer then. Now, they're bidding like crazy to add more programming. Why? Because people are watching and people care.

20 years ago, mentioning even the World Cup to most people would have drawn blank stares. Now, I have a bunch of friends who can carry on a conversation about the Premier League. And these are mostly people who knew nothing about soccer several years ago.

There's not going to be a point in time where suddenly soccer jumps from where it is now to the top sport in the country. I don't know if it will ever get all the way there, but its growth is going to happen gradually. But it has already begun. If you think it's where it has been in the past, you're mistaken.

[esplanade91]

OMEONE will come along and offer a guy those numbers in the MLS at some point or another.

You mean like this?

http://www.espnfc.com/story/399471/beckham-agrees-five-year-$250m-la-galaxy-deal

This was the last "big thing" the soccer crowd told us was going to change soccer in this country. All that washed up guy did was enjoy celebrity status with his smoking hot wife and steal money from the LA Galaxy.

No, I don't mean like Beckham. When I said that it was obviously insinuating someone NOT like Beckham.

If I were an MLS team I'd buy Chicharito from Man U, someone like that. I'd expect Julian Green to be bought from Bayurn Munich too. Those guys would command above-MLS grade money as it stands now.

[curmudgeon]

If you asked 10 year old American kids today, I'd bet you'd be surprised how many would rather grow up to be a pro soccer player compared to other sports.

Football would probably still lead the way, but if you don't think the concussion issues are going to play a huge role in dwindling numbers and quality of play from less hitting in practice, potential loss of HS programs due to insurance costs, etc. over the next 20-30 years, then you've got your head in the sand.

Soccer brainwashing at its finest. Same crap in the 70s, 80s, during the 90s Soccer Craze and even now. The only thing that would make soccer at least interesting to 97% of Americans would be a World Cup. Then we'd lose interest when football starts. Preseason football.

[esplanade91]

But you're missing what has already happened. No, it isn't the sport, but predicting that to happen in one generation was ridiculous to begin with.

But look where soccer in this country was 20 years ago; it doesn't even compare to where it is now. ESPN would have laughed at showing any level of soccer then. Now, they're bidding like crazy to add more programming. Why? Because people are watching and people care.

20 years ago, mentioning even the World Cup to most people would have drawn blank stares. Now, I have a bunch of friends who can carry on a conversation about the Premier League. And these are mostly people who knew nothing about soccer several years ago.

There's not going to be a point in time where suddenly soccer jumps from where it is now to the top sport in the country. I don't know if it will ever get all the way there, but its growth is going to happen gradually. But it has already begun. If you think it's where it has been in the past, you're mistaken.

Not to mention you'd never expect guys with dual citizenship to pick us over any European nation.

We have had numerous guys do so (Jones grew up in Mississippi for a second if you want to have someone to pull for) and 2 more are coming over later this year, two guys on Arsenal's 1st team.

Even if the NFL and NCAA football gets so pussified it becomes flag or 2 hand touch, it'll always be my favorite sport. I would imagine that would be the case for most of you too. What I don't understand is the people who hate soccer BECAUSE of their fan hood of football. Do y'all feel threatened? Invaded? What is it?

[dawgs]

Boom. Nailed it. Here in New York season tickets for the new MLS club playing in Yankee Stadium start at $500. $500! And I could see David Villa!

But the seasons are short, the product isn't what it is on TV elsewhere... But it's growing. Dempsey makes 8 figures, Bradley makes pretty close... And the stigma has largely gone away from the years of the backwards clock and all the America-isms. MLS is starting to bid and win players away from 2nd tier English teams. Ireland's league has gone to shit because of it.

This next CBA will be interesting. Chivas USA lost their team for being racist so that'll be interesting, and then they add 3 teams in key areas (NYC, Atlanta, and Miami). I expect a new minimum and a higher salary cap.

It'll never compete with European soccer (this is enough to make some people not want to watch) but it can be the forefront of the 2nd tier instead of Turkey or whoever.

ETA: NBA games are extremely cheap outside of large market games. Before I moved I could get Hornets tickets (with CP3!!!!) for around $10, and just for fun I looked up tickets this past season against the Grizzlies (after 4 starters were deemed out) and tickets were as low as $4. Knicks tickets never fall below $75, but I've caught a dozen Nets games against some marquee names and I've never paid more than $25 a ticket. And the Barclays is the smallest arena in the NBA, so none of them were bad tickets...

I tried to go to the Turkey game a couple weeks ago at Red Bull Stadium and the cheapest ticket was $135. It would take me an hour to get to Red Bull so I would never spend money to go to a regular game there, but on stubhub tickets generally run for around the same as non-Knicks tickets. So the whole free ticket thing? I don't know if that's the case. Maybe in the beginning. But I'm also not insinuating the MLS is more popular or in any way better than the NBA. It's just not that different as far as $$$$. It's the number of games that make me unable to afford NBA tickets.

MLS season is like 9 months long. Hardly short. Yeah only like 34 games total + playoffs but that's on par with your typical soccer season.

Also the cost of attending the game is precisely one of the reasons you see soccer's popularity going up in young adults and kids. I can go to a soccer match for <$50, that includes a decent seat, a couple of beers, and a hot dog. Same at a nba game is going to be $100 at least. If you want to see a live sporting event and aren't a die hard nba fan, which makes more sense? If you wanna take your kids to a game, what makes more sense?

[MSUDawg4Life]

Just to spite y'all, I'm going to post a BPL update thread every month.

You might not want to do that, Ann.

[DudyDawg]

Soccer brainwashing at its finest. Same crap in the 70s, 80s, during the 90s Soccer Craze and even now. The only thing that would make soccer at least interesting to 97% of Americans would be a World Cup. Then we'd lose interest when football starts. Preseason football.

More than three percent of America likes soccer excluding the world
Cup

[TheRef]

You might not want to do that, Ann.

I just want to make a point to annoy C34 and Curmudgeon just once a month...that's all. Have a little fun with them. I'm sure they understand.

[Dawg61]

There will never be Premier League teams in the US. That is not ever going to happen.

Why because the Premier League isn't interested in quadrupling its value? Money talks and the US market's potential can't be matched when you include population, advertising and television. A struggling EPL franchise can move to NYC and will suddenly rival the Yankees in value. It's going to happen. It takes less time to fly from London to NYC than the Seattle Seahawks take to fly to Miami. Why do you think every year EPL teams play friendlies over here and every year the NFL plays regular season games in London. The absolute best way for them to explode in each market is to put a franchise there. I can't wait.

[dawgs]

First let me say that I'm pulling for the USA to win. But as far as soccer, I've been hearing for 30+ years that when this generation of kids gets older soccer is going to be the sport. Youth and high school soccer is big but it has never translated to the pros. Years and years ago when Kyle Rote Jr. signed a pro soccer contract, this was supposed to be the turning point. Didn't happen. Maybe this generation will be "the one to make it happen", but I doubt it.

1 generation isn't going to take the USA from a country failing to qualify for the World Cup for like 40 straight years to a country winning the World Cup. If you don't see a huge difference in the us national team and us's presence internationally in high quality leagues today v. 20-30 years ago, then you are just being willfully ignorant.

[curmudgeon]

More than three percent of America likes soccer excluding the world
Cup

No way. 3 percent is 10 million. There are barely that many "diehard" NFL fans. Most of this country really doesn't care about sports. Get your head out of SEC country for a second.

Its the same argument I make when everyone says Directv has to get the SEC network because of the subscribers they will lose. They would lose far more customers if they raised package prices to accommodate what the SEC Network is adding than they would if they didn't add it.

[smootness]

Who is coming from Arsenal?

[esplanade91]

MLS season is like 9 months long. Hardly short. Yeah only like 34 games total + playoffs but that's on par with your typical soccer season.

Also the cost of attending the game is precisely one of the reasons you see soccer's popularity going up in young adults and kids. I can go to a soccer match for <$50, that includes a decent seat, a couple of beers, and a hot dog. Same at a nba game is going to be $100 at least. If you want to see a live sporting event and aren't a die hard nba fan, which makes more sense? If you wanna take your kids to a game, what makes more sense?

Yep. MLB offers a $500 season ticket package but it's for X amount of games, none of which you can pick marquee games from.

When it comes down to it, it's about the experience. I don't have an NBA team I'm emotionally attached to like I am the bulldogs or Saints. Why not go to a LEGITIMATE (FIFA sanctioned, plays in the CONCACAF World Cup bracket) league game that competes with other US cities with a significant majority of American players? It's exciting, it's fun, it's better than sitting on my couch eating potato chips watching football highlights and stalking recruits all alone in my living room. Sure, when football season starts I could honestly not give a shit what's happening... But that's how it begins.

[starkvegasdawg]

Sweet mercy can fall practice hurry up and get here so we can argue over the OL depth and start getting our panties in a wad over recruiting on a regular basis?

[DudyDawg]

No way. 3 percent is 10 million. There are barely that many "diehard" NFL fans. Most of this country really doesn't care about sports. Get your head out of SEC country for a second.

Its the same argument I make when everyone says Directv has to get the SEC network because of the subscribers they will lose. They would lose far more customers if they raised package prices to accommodate what the SEC Network is adding than they would if they didn't add it.

Get your head out of SEC country and realize that soccer is bigger nationally than you think. It isn't that big
In the south. Yet. It will be when teams get added to Atlanta and Miami.

[esplanade91]

No way. 3 percent is 10 million. There are barely that many "diehard" NFL fans. Most of this country really doesn't care about sports. Get your head out of SEC country for a second.

Its the same argument I make when everyone says Directv has to get the SEC network because of the subscribers they will lose. They would lose far more customers if they raised package prices to accommodate what the SEC Network is adding than they would if they didn't add it.

There are hardly 10,000,000 NFL fans? Bro... Step off the crack pipe. There are probably 10,000,000 Dallas Cowboy fans in Texas alone.

In NYC (it's multicultural, I'll give you that) there is a "club bar" for every EPL, La Liga, and MLS franchise in Manhattan alone. I'd venture to say there are almost if not more a million people* in New York who actually follow soccer.

*legal citizens

Who is coming from Arsenal?

Can't ever remember his name. He's 17. He lived in DC for 6 years and qualifies for citizenship so he became a legal citizen earlier this summer to be eligible to play for the USA. A younger player followed suit.

[smootness]

No way. 3 percent is 10 million. There are barely that many "diehard" NFL fans. Most of this country really doesn't care about sports. Get your head out of SEC country for a second.

Its the same argument I make when everyone says Directv has to get the SEC network because of the subscribers they will lose. They would lose far more customers if they raised package prices to accommodate what the SEC Network is adding than they would if they didn't add it.

So you're counting the entire population in the 97%? Meaning 2-year-olds and women. Come on.

There's no doubt there is a sizeable chunk of people who like sports who are soccer fans. Incredibly more than 3%.

[TimberBeast]

Good job being a douche.

BTW, a loss to Ghana is not going to kill soccer in this country. Honestly, there's not really anything that's going to slow it down at this point so you might as well just accept that there are going to be a lot of people who like it, watch it, and keep up with it.

I know that for some reason this will make your life worse, but it is what it is.

It slows down a little bit every year when kids turn 10 and realize they don't want to play it anymore and choose an actual sport, and then the next crop of 5 years olds start. It's not growing, it's just exercise for children until they figure out which sport they want to play.

[esplanade91]

Get your head out of SEC country and realize that soccer is bigger nationally than you think. It isn't that big
In the south. Yet. It will be when teams get added to Atlanta and Miami.

And Orlando.