Originally Posted By fkurucz There was an online poll in the local newspaper. Almost 80% indicated that they wouldn't watch a single match. While this is an improvement from say 20 years ago, the beautiful game still has a long way to go in the USA.
Originally Posted By utahjosh I've never watched much World Cup before. I've always sort-of liked soccer, but it's not been part of my life. Real Salt Lake has been doing pretty well here in Utah and competing well in MLS. I've only seen maybe 1 game. This year I decided to watch the USAvGhana game, and I loved it. I tuned back in today to see Spain (where I lived for a time.) Sad to see them lose. I've got World Cup Fever. This helped me understand it better: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQDnNnDTnu8
Originally Posted By WDWdreamin I've been watching about half the matches, but I think that they should have replayed the US v. Ghana game during primetime. Just showing it at 3pm PST is not that helpful for most. Very surprised Spain is out, but they deserve to be out after those two games. We root for Germany in this house, but I don't think they're shoo-ins by a long shot.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "The lack of coverage in the USA is disheartening. Most people are unaware that there is a World Cup being played. Even worse, many regard the sport as "effeminate" and not a "manly" sport (like concussion ball). The coverage is better than before, but the sport remains invisible to most Americans." The US-Ghana match had better ratings than game 5 of the NBA finals. ESPN ratings are way up over 2010.
Originally Posted By fkurucz In the USA, most of the games are only shown on ESPN and are not broadcast (unless you want to watch them in Spanish). Univision is streaming all the matches (in Spanish of course) for free. >>The US-Ghana match had better ratings than game 5 of the NBA finals. ESPN ratings are way up over 2010.<< That's good to hear, but let me know when it outdraws the NFL (concussion ball) game of the week. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that the coverage is much better now in the USA. But if you've ever lived outside the USA when the WC was being played and if the country were you were was in the cup, then you understand what I mean by lack of coverage. Think Superbowl hype on steroids. As many of you know, I lived in Mexico for over ten years. Over there I could strike up a vivid conversation with a total stranger about the national team, and discuss whether so and so was the right choice for goalkeeper, etc. Here in the US if you do that you will most likely get a blank stare and maybe an "I don't follow/care about soccer."
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>This year I decided to watch the USAvGhana game, and I loved it.<< I'm glad you loved it, but truth be told, the USA played a horrible match and and only won out of luck. Ghana should have won. I hope Team USA plays better against Portugal.
Originally Posted By Dabob2 I heard that Paul the Octopus (who correctly called the 2010 WC time after time) has died... apparently he has a human replacement: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://blogs.wsj.com/korearealtime/2014/06/19/what-octopus-korean-commentator-on-world-cup-prediction-streak/">http://blogs.wsj.com/koreareal...-streak/</a>
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that the coverage is much better now in the USA. But if you've ever lived outside the USA when the WC was being played and if the country were you were was in the cup, then you understand what I mean by lack of coverage. Think Superbowl hype on steroids." I was at the'86 WC. I know what it's like. I was also needing to go to the Sports Arena to watch the '74 WC since closed circuit was the only option. We've come a long way. To complain that it's not as big as the Super Bowl is silly. Kind of whiny actually. It continues to grow and has ratings close to one of our Big 3 sports. I've seen one survey that showed young kids had more interest in the MLS than the MLB. "I'm glad you loved it, but truth be told, the USA played a horrible match and and only won out of luck." Forcing Ghana to play a style they aren't good at isn't luck. Especially after losing an important player to injury and having one playing with a broken nose. They were poor when countering (Bradley played his worst game ever), but the defense played great.
Originally Posted By fkurucz The USA was lucky, Ghana came close to scoring several times and eventually they did even the score. The USA's winning goal on the corner kick was fortunate as our guys had few scoring opportunities in the second half. That said, an ugly win is still a win. But the USA's second half was just horrible. I don't think that strategy will work when they play Portugal or Germany.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip I don't think it should be surprising or considered degrading in any way that the U.S. is not that fired up over Football/Soccer. I doubt the baseball World's Series generates much excitement in Europe either.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip P.S. Americans like games with high scores. Why do you think they like the NFL and NBA so much better than MLB or the NHL? Higher scores, even though Baseball is a better game than Football and Hockey is a better game than Basketball.
Originally Posted By dagobert I'm sorry UKFAN, but it seems the WC is over for England. I hope you aren't very disappointed.
Originally Posted By fkurucz Italy is also in a precarious spot (as is Uruguay). That game looks very promising.
Originally Posted By fkurucz >>I don't think it should be surprising or considered degrading in any way that the U.S. is not that fired up over Football/Soccer. I doubt the baseball World's Series generates much excitement in Europe either.<< There is a big difference. Baseball is a regional sport, played mostly in North America, the Caribbean, Venezuela, Korea and Japan. Football is a world wide sport, which is why the World Cup is the world's top sporting event. There are many places besides Europe where a baseball field is a curiosity.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip Soccer is extremely popular at the youth sports level in America. I think it is hard for the professional game to catch on because it shares the spring/summer season with baseball, which is very popular in America. Although the Superbowl probably attracts more attention than any single event in baseball, baseball attracts far higher total attendance over the course of its 162 game season.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo "I think it is hard for the professional game to catch on" Seems to have caught on. The MLS continues to expand. Attendance is healthy, on par with leagues around the world that aren't the big 4.
Originally Posted By RoadTrip <<The lack of coverage in the USA is disheartening. Most people are unaware that there is a World Cup being played. Even worse, many regard the sport as "effeminate" and not a "manly" sport (like concussion ball). The coverage is better than before, but the sport remains invisible to most Americans.>> So we were being put down for nothing... LOL I didn't know. Minneapolis/St. Paul had a team back in the 70's, but it only lasted abut 5 years. Maybe they have another... I've been away from Minnesota for 5 years now.
Originally Posted By Yookeroo Heartbreaker yesterday. But ratings: <a target="blank" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/24/business/media/bigger-than-baseball-us-portugal-world-cup-match-outdoes-world-series-in-ratings.html?_r=0">http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06...tml?_r=0</a> Blew away World Series and almost matched the BCS championship game. I know, not quite the Super Bowl yet.
Originally Posted By dagobert >>>I know, not quite the Super Bowl yet.<<< Isn't the Super Bowl the most viewed single game worldwide?
