Soccer outdrawing baseball since the end of the World Cup

[Spotcheck Billy]

of course the Milwaukee Mile, America's oldest operating oval.  Wisconsin

I'll be riding a lap again during the National Anthem for Indyfest in 2 weeks (we do that for every race at the Milwaukee Mile)

[Benny B]

WWE draws a pretty big crowd too, and like soccer, has benefited from being a fad from time to time.  In fact, on the sport vs. entertainment spectrum, soccer and professional wrestling fall in the same spot.  Exhibit A, a quick summary of soccer's offsides rule, translated for the benefit of the world's soccer enthusiasts:

[American Version]
"Oh hey, I can run faster than you, but I'm not going to because the point of this game isn't to score a goal, it's to roll around on the pitch upon the slightest of contact, whining like a little third grader who got his My Little Pony taken away."

[British Version]
"Bloody hell, I can run faster than you my good chap, but I'm not going to because the point of this game isn't to score a goal, it's to roll around on the pitch when you're knocked about, whining like a little daft cow gone collywobbles because his John Thomas got stuck in the flies of his knickers."

[French Version]
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/e/yZUKEVU-TwM" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="bbc_link bbc_flash_disabled new_win">http://www.youtube.com/e/yZUKEVU-TwM</a>

[Poor European Country Version]
"Oh hey, I can run faster than you, but I'm not going to because the point of this game isn't to score a goal, it's to roll around on the pitch upon the slightest of contact, whining like a little third grader who just got kicked out of his house by Russian-backed militants."

[Rest of the Soccer World Version - Temperate Climate]
"Oh hey, I can run faster than you, but I'm not going to because the point of this game isn't to score a goal, it's to roll around on the pitch upon the slightest of contact, whining like a little third grader whose toy horse made from a clump of dirt fell apart."

[🏀]

In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 46 percent of Americans say they feel the sport will become more popular in the next decade, but there has been little change in the number who consider themselves fans of professional soccer over the past two decades. Some 28 percent identify themselves as fans today, compared with 31 percent on the eve of the 1994 World Cup

And scene.

[GGGG]

In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 46 percent of Americans say they feel the sport will become more popular in the next decade, but there has been little change in the number who consider themselves fans of professional soccer over the past two decades. Some 28 percent identify themselves as fans today, compared with 31 percent on the eve of the 1994 World Cup

And scene.

How fans perceive themselves is much different than hard evidence.  And I can guaranty you, that with no domestic league and little coverage of the European leagues, 31% of Americans were *not* fans of professional soccer.  Most Americans had no clue...*I* had no clue.

I am pretty sure the last professional soccer game I watched before the 1994 World Cup was the 1990 World Cup.

[MUsoxfan]

If I were to ever have children, the one sport they'd be forbidden to play or even watch on TV is soccer

[GGGG]

If I were to ever have children, the one sport they'd be forbidden to play or even watch on TV is soccer

Their loss.  Soccer is a great first sport for kids.  At that level, the objectives and rules are simple.  They get to run around.  It doesn't take a great deal of time.

All my kids played, but none stuck with it past fifth grade but moved to other things.  They got to hang out with friends, run around, got a nice t-shirt, and were introduced to the basic concepts of being a teammate and sports in general.

[reinko]

In a new Washington Post-ABC News poll, 46 percent of Americans say they feel the sport will become more popular in the next decade, but there has been little change in the number who consider themselves fans of professional soccer over the past two decades. Some 28 percent identify themselves as fans today, compared with 31 percent on the eve of the 1994 World Cup

And scene.

Pretty sure it's end scene. 

[Golden Avalanche]

If I were to ever have children, the one sport they'd be forbidden to play or even watch on TV is soccer

Care to expand?

Concussion concern? Physicality of the game? Child with likely no talent? Or, perhaps, low self esteem in a parental figure transposing that into the form of a child if they play a kitten sport?

[MUsoxfan]

Care to expand?

Concussion concern? Physicality of the game? Child with likely no talent? Or, perhaps, low self esteem in a parental figure transposing that into the form of a child if they play a kitten sport?

Well the child would probably have very little athletic talent, there's no doubt about that.

Honestly, I just find it to be so brutally boring at the highest level that I never want to have to be compelled to watch even the lowest level of the sport.

I gave it a try during the World Cup. I made it about half a game before I had to walk away. I can't understand how so many people get into such a frenzy about about a bunch of guys running around not scoring

[GGGG]

I can't understand how so many people get into such a frenzy about about a bunch of guys running around not scoring

I think you just described my freshman year in McCormick.

<rimshot>

[buckchuckler]

.

I gave it a try during the World Cup. I made it about half a game before I had to walk away. I can't understand how so many people get into such a frenzy about about a bunch of guys running around not scoring

I don't know, if you are at the proper bar, that can be very amusing. 

[buckchuckler]

Care to expand?

Concussion concern? Physicality of the game? Child with likely no talent? Or, perhaps, low self esteem in a parental figure transposing that into the form of a child if they play a kitten sport?

One thing I have noticed in my experience, is that even if a person is good at soccer, it doesn't necessarily translate into good athlete.  Yes they can usually run, but they don't necessarily have skills that aid them in other sports.  If a kid grows up playing baseball, they usually have core skills that help in football, basketball etc.  From the people I know that played soccer, it doesn't seem to have the same effect. 

[muwarrior69]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/soccer/chi-soccer-attendance-continues-to-soar-20140804-story.html

No World Cup? No problem as soccer attendance continues to soar
By Kevin Baxter

A month after the U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup, the country's new-found passion for soccer showed no signs of ebbing, with 10 soccer games drawing a higher average attendance, then 15 major league baseball games on Saturday.

According to Soccer America's Paul Kennedy, the average attendance for 10 professional soccer matches Saturday -- six in Major League Soccer and four in the International Champions Cup tournament -- was 36,317. Saturday's 15 major league baseball games averaged 34,179.

The soccer numbers were helped by the record 109,318 fans who turned out to see Manchester United beat Real Madrid in the International Champions Cup at Michigan Stadium. That was the largest crowd ever for a soccer game in the U.S.

Another Champions Cup game between Liverpool and AC Milan at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte drew 69,364, the largest crowd ever to watch a game in North Carolina. The largest MLS crowd was the 48,765 that turned out to see the San Jose Earthquakes and Seattle Sounders christen the 49ers' new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.

Still not impressed?

Well, a day later the Portland Thorns and Houston Dash of the National Women's Soccer League broke the league attendance record when 19,123 showed up at Providence Park in Portland. That was larger than the crowd that turned out in Cleveland to watch the Indians and Texas Rangers and just 800 less than the attendance in Houston where the Astros played the Blue Jays.

All this comes on the heels of the first post-World Cup friendly in the U.S., which drew 86,432 to the Rose Bowl on July 23 to see Manchester United rout the Galaxy, 7-0.

Yes, but do they play 162 games each season.

[reinko]

Well the child would probably have very little athletic talent, there's no doubt about that.

Honestly, I just find it to be so brutally boring at the highest level that I never want to have to be compelled to watch even the lowest level of the sport.

I gave it a try during the World Cup. I made it about half a game before I had to walk away. I can't understand how so many people get into such a frenzy about about a bunch of guys running around not scoring

With your screen name,  clearly you prefer watching a bunch of guys standing around for 3 hours.   

[wildbill sb]

One thing I have noticed in my experience, is that even if a person is good at soccer, it doesn't necessarily translate into good athlete.  Yes they can usually run, but they don't necessarily have skills that aid them in other sports.  If a kid grows up playing baseball, they usually have core skills that help in football, basketball etc.  From the people I know that played soccer, it doesn't seem to have the same effect. 

Different skill set, BC, no?  Foot-eye coordination vs. hand-eye (except for goalkeepers - which leads to a different discussion about US achievements on the international level at GK).  The reverse is also true:  baseball or football or basketball skills don't translate to soccer either for the same reason.

[chren21]

One thing I have noticed in my experience, is that even if a person is good at soccer, it doesn't necessarily translate into good athlete.  Yes they can usually run, but they don't necessarily have skills that aid them in other sports.  If a kid grows up playing baseball, they usually have core skills that help in football, basketball etc.  From the people I know that played soccer, it doesn't seem to have the same effect. 

Totally disagree.

[buckchuckler]

Totally disagree.

That's fine.  Not an exhaustive study.  Completely anecdotal from my experience. 

[TheBurrEffect]

Really, really poor comparison.

Soccer isn't any bigger than it was in '94.

While the comparison was poor, your 2nd sentence was even poorer.

[ChicosBailBonds]

One thing I have noticed in my experience, is that even if a person is good at soccer, it doesn't necessarily translate into good athlete.  Yes they can usually run, but they don't necessarily have skills that aid them in other sports.  If a kid grows up playing baseball, they usually have core skills that help in football, basketball etc.  From the people I know that played soccer, it doesn't seem to have the same effect. 

I'm a little surprised to see you write this.  Some of the best basketball centers and forwards grew up playing soccer which is why their footwork is so outstanding.  Olajuwon has said many times without soccer he never would have been the basketball player he became.

I played soccer my whole life, but also excelled at football and baseball.  Soccer was the core for me because it is the one sport more than any other, IMO, that teaches you not only footwork but spacing.  The idea of how to move into space and think 2, 3, 4 plays ahead is wildy important skill to learn in soccer. 

At any rate, some high level basketball players that attribute soccer as part of their success.

Kobe Bryant
Jason Kidd
Olajuwon
Tim  Duncan
Grant Hill
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Dirk Novitzki
etc, etc.

NY Times did a nice piece on soccer as the building block for successful NBA players about 5 years ago.

[jsglow]

Their loss.  Soccer is a great first sport for kids.  At that level, the objectives and rules are simple.  They get to run around.  It doesn't take a great deal of time.

All my kids played, but none stuck with it past fifth grade but moved to other things.  They got to hang out with friends, run around, got a nice t-shirt, and were introduced to the basic concepts of being a teammate and sports in general.

+1.  Possibly the best sport for kids K through 3rd grade.  Everyone (excluding a very few special needs kids) can run around and be an integral part of the team.  They get exercise, learn sportsmanship, make friends, win a trophy, etc.  All good.  My son played 7-8 years at the Park District level but moved on to other sports in HS.  His many soccer trophies still stand in his bedroom.

And if you as a prospective parent are worried about being bored on Saturday morning for an hour I'll submit that you'll feel differently when you actuall have kids.

[CTWarrior]

I gave it a try during the World Cup. I made it about half a game before I had to walk away. I can't understand how so many people get into such a frenzy about about a bunch of guys running around not scoring

This is the crux of the problem of the sport to me.  I watched a lot of the World Cup this year as a spectacle like the Olympics.  The participants are wonderful, gifted athletes with incredible skill.  But if all that wonderful skill doesn't lead to much in terms of tangible benefit (i.e. goals), what's the point?  It seems to me (and I know I am a neophyte with the sport) that a goal is at least as likely to be scored due to a defensive misplay than it is great work by an offense.  I know people say baseball is boring, but there is always a real threat of a score.  And the few guys that can totally shut the opposition down (guys like Kershaw) are exciting because we know from experience how hard it is to keep major leaguers off the scoreboard for 9 innings.  Doesn't seem that hard to do in soccer since somebody seems to do it practically every single game.

[chapman]

This is the crux of the problem of the sport to me.  I watched a lot of the World Cup this year as a spectacle like the Olympics.  The participants are wonderful, gifted athletes with incredible skill.  But if all that wonderful skill doesn't lead to much in terms of tangible benefit (i.e. goals), what's the point?  It seems to me (and I know I am a neophyte with the sport) that a goal is at least as likely to be scored due to a defensive misplay than it is great work by an offense.  I know people say baseball is boring, but there is always a real threat of a score.  And the few guys that can totally shut the opposition down (guys like Kershaw) are exciting because we know from experience how hard it is to keep major leaguers off the scoreboard for 9 innings.  Doesn't seem that hard to do in soccer since somebody seems to do it practically every single game.

I always thought I'd have more interest if the US did what we do best and bastardized soccer - college had a start with changing the un-American clock rules.  Instead 2-0 is still a blowout, nobody throws their beer at people who sing in the stands, and even the completely retarded European style team names have been adapted to US soccer.  


I'll watch the women's World Cup though

[River rat]

Really, really poor comparison.

Soccer isn't any bigger than it was in '94.

ummm you correctly called it a dumb comparison and then destroy any credibility with an even dumber followup comment, why?

[🏀]

ummm you correctly called it a dumb comparison and then destroy any credibility with an even dumber followup comment, why?

Did you see my next post? Soccer remains in that 25-35% popularity niche since 1994.

[Spotcheck Billy]

I'm a little surprised to see you write this.  Some of the best basketball centers and forwards grew up playing soccer which is why their footwork is so outstanding.  Olajuwon has said many times without soccer he never would have been the basketball player he became.

I played soccer my whole life, but also excelled at football and baseball.  Soccer was the core for me because it is the one sport more than any other, IMO, that teaches you not only footwork but spacing.  The idea of how to move into space and think 2, 3, 4 plays ahead is wildy important skill to learn in soccer. 

At any rate, some high level basketball players that attribute soccer as part of their success.

Kobe Bryant
Jason Kidd
Olajuwon
Tim  Duncan
Grant Hill
Steve Nash
Tony Parker
Dirk Novitzki
etc, etc.

NY Times did a nice piece on soccer as the building block for successful NBA players about 5 years ago.

I don't know about everyone on your list but can say Tim Duncan was a swimmer not a soccer player AFAIK.