Comments on: Guardian Optimistic About US Future http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html World Cup 2010 - South Africa Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:21:25 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Brad http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2270 Brad Thu, 08 Jun 2006 06:47:22 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2270 The popularity of professional American soccer is not as important as some may think. The quality is good but we should never hope or expect to attract players on the level of the European Premiere Leagues. The best talent belongs in Europe. Allow me to compare soccer to baseball. They both are played professionally in many countries throughout the world. Great talent emerges from every end of the globe and, in baseball, that talent plays in America. The best soccer talent goes to Europe. We just experienced our first World Baseball Classic. Who won? Japan. The Japanese have a good professional league but their best talent comes to America. The US soccer players have, will, or could play in Europe. Our interest in professional American soccer is not what we need to improve upon. It is our interest in professional European football that needs to improve. The Japanese take vacations to Seattle to simply watch Ichiro play live. How many of us have gone to see a Fulham or a PSV game? When Americans see the name ‘Henry’ and think of a last name – or when Americans see the name ‘Ronoldo’ and wonder, “which one” – or when ‘Messi’ is no longer an adjective, we will be on the road to being a great soccer country. The popularity of professional American soccer is not as important as some may think. The quality is good but we should never hope or expect to attract players on the level of the European Premiere Leagues. The best talent belongs in Europe. Allow me to compare soccer to baseball. They both are played professionally in many countries throughout the world. Great talent emerges from every end of the globe and, in baseball, that talent plays in America. The best soccer talent goes to Europe. We just experienced our first World Baseball Classic. Who won? Japan. The Japanese have a good professional league but their best talent comes to America. The US soccer players have, will, or could play in Europe. Our interest in professional American soccer is not what we need to improve upon. It is our interest in professional European football that needs to improve. The Japanese take vacations to Seattle to simply watch Ichiro play live. How many of us have gone to see a Fulham or a PSV game? When Americans see the name ‘Henry’ and think of a last name – or when Americans see the name ‘Ronoldo’ and wonder, “which one” – or when ‘Messi’ is no longer an adjective, we will be on the road to being a great soccer country.

]]> By: Martin http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2253 Martin Thu, 08 Jun 2006 02:48:04 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2253 Chuck, interesting point. I never thought of it that way (joining CONCACAF). would've definately made that confederation stronger. FIFA might as well amalgamate OCEANIA into another confederation. I guess we are in Asia due to business reasons. Comes down to money again now innit. A second-round showdown would be good, although, I don't know too many people other than us supporters who would pick that. Chuck, interesting point. I never thought of it that way (joining CONCACAF). would’ve definately made that confederation stronger. FIFA might as well amalgamate OCEANIA into another confederation.

I guess we are in Asia due to business reasons. Comes down to money again now innit.

A second-round showdown would be good, although, I don’t know too many people other than us supporters who would pick that.

]]> By: chuck http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2239 chuck Wed, 07 Jun 2006 22:40:23 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2239 I understand why the Socceroos decided to leave the "Oceania" region, and join another confederation. You guys should have joined CONCACAF instead of Asia, though... that would have been neat! Isn't flying from Australia to LA about the same distance as flying from Australia to, um, Bahrain? Good Luck -- here's hoping we can square off against each other in the knock-out round! I understand why the Socceroos decided to leave the “Oceania” region, and join another confederation.

You guys should have joined CONCACAF instead of Asia, though… that would have been neat!

Isn’t flying from Australia to LA about the same distance as flying from Australia to, um, Bahrain?

Good Luck — here’s hoping we can square off against each other in the knock-out round!

]]> By: Martin http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2228 Martin Wed, 07 Jun 2006 18:11:06 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2228 The article is a great article. The Guardian is by far (in my opinion & I lived in London for 2 years) the best newspaper in the UK. Their writers are excellent. This article is at times a little tongue in cheek, a little sarcastic but I think he is not far off the point. It's just about breaking the mentality here in the States (and this may not be easy). I am pumped for this WC, I'm an Aussie (lived here in US for almost 2 years) and I can't wait to watch my country participate in this great event. But when I talk to my workmates they are like, what, the WC, what's that. Or soccer, that's a sissy sport or how can you watch a game that scores once every hour or not at all. And interestingly, some of these comments are from people who have played soccer before. In general, it does not feel like a WC is upon us. I know back home people are going nuts for the Socceroos. Here, most people in general don't want to know about it. The only people I can talk to about the WC are foreigners like myself. My point is, I reckon if the mentality here in the States changed and people started to become more familiar and associated with soccer, USA could really become a big player in world football. They will always be in the WC and have a decent national league (MLS). At the grassroots level there are more people playing soccer. And guys, I understand both Enzo's and Mike's side of the story. Sometimes it's hard to understand if someone is really taking the piss out of you or serious (when it's in writing) as you don't always know the tone its written in. And Mike, your end questions, I still don't know if you're taking the piss or want a serious answer (on at least some of those questions) because I do get asked some of these questions in all honesty. And you know, it's cool that people here are interested in Australia. Compliment. But Deano is right, we should stick together as we both love the underdog and this we are. Good luck to USA (in such a tough group). The article is a great article. The Guardian is by far (in my opinion & I lived in London for 2 years) the best newspaper in the UK. Their writers are excellent.

This article is at times a little tongue in cheek, a little sarcastic but I think he is not far off the point. It’s just about breaking the mentality here in the States (and this may not be easy). I am pumped for this WC, I’m an Aussie (lived here in US for almost 2 years) and I can’t wait to watch my country participate in this great event. But when I talk to my workmates they are like, what, the WC, what’s that. Or soccer, that’s a sissy sport or how can you watch a game that scores once every hour or not at all. And interestingly, some of these comments are from people who have played soccer before.

In general, it does not feel like a WC is upon us. I know back home people are going nuts for the Socceroos. Here, most people in general don’t want to know about it. The only people I can talk to about the WC are foreigners like myself.

My point is, I reckon if the mentality here in the States changed and people started to become more familiar and associated with soccer, USA could really become a big player in world football. They will always be in the WC and have a decent national league (MLS). At the grassroots level there are more people playing soccer.

And guys, I understand both Enzo’s and Mike’s side of the story. Sometimes it’s hard to understand if someone is really taking the piss out of you or serious (when it’s in writing) as you don’t always know the tone its written in. And Mike, your end questions, I still don’t know if you’re taking the piss or want a serious answer (on at least some of those questions) because I do get asked some of these questions in all honesty. And you know, it’s cool that people here are interested in Australia. Compliment.

But Deano is right, we should stick together as we both love the underdog and this we are.

Good luck to USA (in such a tough group).

]]> By: andy http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2225 andy Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:06:05 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2225 Excellent article but I don't think the "US as world soccer superpower" movie will be released in my lifetime or beyond. Soccer, in this country, will always be a niche sport and simply by virtue of TV money will not be able to compete with the big three established American sports. Soccer will continue to grow and we will be have a better professional league etc...but it's going to take a REALLY long time before we become a superpower (see--win the World Cup) regardless of Sunil Gulati saying we will win one in his lifetime. And God knows I hope we do but I'm being realistic. Enough of the Aussie - Yank disputes. We are much more similar countries than different. Australia is the only other country besides the US to have it's own version of football and at least their entire country has gotten behind the Socceroos --- here most people STILL don't even know the World Cup is happening or don't care and can't name one player on our own team. My attitude toward these fellow Americans of mine is not to explain (again) what it's all about but rather f*#k em. They'll come along or they won't -- it really doesn't matter. The blog comment is right on - this is the best one I've come across. One blog in particular that illustrates this American soccer-antisoccer battle is at ajc.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) where it's reduced to "I hate soccer/soccer is a pussy sport" versus "shut up you stupid rednecks". Unfortunately that's still where the debate lies in this country and probably will for some time. Excellent article but I don’t think the “US as world soccer superpower” movie will be released in my lifetime or beyond. Soccer, in this country, will always be a niche sport and simply by virtue of TV money will not be able to compete with the big three established American sports. Soccer will continue to grow and we will be have a better professional league etc…but it’s going to take a REALLY long time before we become a superpower (see–win the World Cup) regardless of Sunil Gulati saying we will win one in his lifetime. And God knows I hope we do but I’m being realistic.
Enough of the Aussie – Yank disputes. We are much more similar countries than different. Australia is the only other country besides the US to have it’s own version of football and at least their entire country has gotten behind the Socceroos — here most people STILL don’t even know the World Cup is happening or don’t care and can’t name one player on our own team. My attitude toward these fellow Americans of mine is not to explain (again) what it’s all about but rather f*#k em. They’ll come along or they won’t — it really doesn’t matter.
The blog comment is right on – this is the best one I’ve come across. One blog in particular that illustrates this American soccer-antisoccer battle is at ajc.com (Atlanta Journal-Constitution) where it’s reduced to “I hate soccer/soccer is a pussy sport” versus “shut up you stupid rednecks”. Unfortunately that’s still where the debate lies in this country and probably will for some time.

]]> By: Joe http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2224 Joe Wed, 07 Jun 2006 15:01:02 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2224 Tony O, You're right that the US is still a few years away from seriously competing for a World Cup, but isn't every country with the exception of about 5 or 6 at least a few years away from competing for a world cup. In fact, I think there's only ever been 6 countries to win the tournament in history. The point of the article is not to say the US is going to begin its domination now or in 2010 or even 2014, but the US will emerge as consistently one of the top 3-4 teams in the world, and legitamately compete for the World Cup every four years. I don't think the US will ever dominate world soccer, just like I don't think Brazil or Italy or Germany or England will ever dominate world soccer over an extended period of time again. Parity will continue to increase as more countries and more people continue to play the game. However, the fact that attendance for pro soccer is up is important to the growth of the sport in this country. It will attract better players to the league and in turn attract a greater portion of the large number of great athletes in America to play soccer. Junior teams will come, right now they're trying to build the foundation for a competitive league and restricting teams with money from dominating and destroying the league. The reason youth teams have parents instead of former players as coaches is because so many less people played soccer 20-30 years ago than now in this country. When this generation are the parents there will be an abundance of experienced players coaching the youth teams. No country has improved over the past 20-25 years as much as the US has. Some teams have had some amazing runs out of nowhere in the World Cup, but the US is clearly the next major player in the international soccer world and there are too many people who are afraid or unwilling to admit that. Tony O,

You’re right that the US is still a few years away from seriously competing for a World Cup, but isn’t every country with the exception of about 5 or 6 at least a few years away from competing for a world cup. In fact, I think there’s only ever been 6 countries to win the tournament in history. The point of the article is not to say the US is going to begin its domination now or in 2010 or even 2014, but the US will emerge as consistently one of the top 3-4 teams in the world, and legitamately compete for the World Cup every four years. I don’t think the US will ever dominate world soccer, just like I don’t think Brazil or Italy or Germany or England will ever dominate world soccer over an extended period of time again. Parity will continue to increase as more countries and more people continue to play the game.

However, the fact that attendance for pro soccer is up is important to the growth of the sport in this country. It will attract better players to the league and in turn attract a greater portion of the large number of great athletes in America to play soccer. Junior teams will come, right now they’re trying to build the foundation for a competitive league and restricting teams with money from dominating and destroying the league. The reason youth teams have parents instead of former players as coaches is because so many less people played soccer 20-30 years ago than now in this country. When this generation are the parents there will be an abundance of experienced players coaching the youth teams.

No country has improved over the past 20-25 years as much as the US has. Some teams have had some amazing runs out of nowhere in the World Cup, but the US is clearly the next major player in the international soccer world and there are too many people who are afraid or unwilling to admit that.

]]> By: marc http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2223 marc Wed, 07 Jun 2006 14:43:22 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2223 It's pretty interesting being a soccer fan in America. It's like carrying around this great secret or speaking a wonderful language that noboby else knows. I'm on pins and needles waiting for the U.S.'s first game on Monday and I would venture to say that a good 95% of the people I know are not even aware the Cup starts this Friday. I like that our team is hard working, modest, and real without a lot of the pomp and overblown ego you find in more-established American sports. But internationally, soccer is where the money is at, and America will come to feed at the trough... It’s pretty interesting being a soccer fan in America. It’s like carrying around this great secret or speaking a wonderful language that noboby else knows. I’m on pins and needles waiting for the U.S.’s first game on Monday and I would venture to say that a good 95% of the people I know are not even aware the Cup starts this Friday. I like that our team is hard working, modest, and real without a lot of the pomp and overblown ego you find in more-established American sports. But internationally, soccer is where the money is at, and America will come to feed at the trough…

]]> By: Stuart http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2221 Stuart Wed, 07 Jun 2006 13:08:07 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2221 I don't see the necessary cultural shift taking place for the US to become like Brasil in football. I do see us becoming more competative at the international level to the point that we are always favorites to advance from group play and well into the knockout rounds at the World Cup. I just hopw that we can begin to conduct our international affairs in a manner that would allow the rest of the world to appreciate a high-quality US side if and when it arrives, instead of being for whomever we are playing just because it's us involved. I don’t see the necessary cultural shift taking place for the US to become like Brasil in football. I do see us becoming more competative at the international level to the point that we are always favorites to advance from group play and well into the knockout rounds at the World Cup. I just hopw that we can begin to conduct our international affairs in a manner that would allow the rest of the world to appreciate a high-quality US side if and when it arrives, instead of being for whomever we are playing just because it’s us involved.

]]> By: Atlantic Review http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2219 Atlantic Review Wed, 07 Jun 2006 11:45:03 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2219 <strong>Soccer in German-American Relations</strong> 1. Celebrating German-American Friendship!The Berlin chapter of the Fulbright Alumni invites everybody to a German-American Soccer World Cup Game Watching Party for the match USA vs. Italy. The party will start on Saturday, June 17th, 8:00 pm at Rock Berl Soccer in German-American Relations

1. Celebrating German-American Friendship!The Berlin chapter of the Fulbright Alumni invites everybody to a German-American Soccer World Cup Game Watching Party for the match USA vs. Italy. The party will start on Saturday, June 17th, 8:00 pm at Rock Berl

]]> By: enzo http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html/comment-page-1#comment-2217 enzo Wed, 07 Jun 2006 08:45:30 +0000 http://usa.worldcupblog.org/group-e/guardian-optimistic-about-us-future.html#comment-2217 Well, Mike, your last paragraph in your letter of 3.22am proves my point. It's full of puerile sarcastic questions. No need to go further with this, really. We have clearly demonstrated we sit on opposite sides of the fence. Well, Mike, your last paragraph in your letter of 3.22am proves my point. It’s full of puerile sarcastic questions. No need to go further with this, really. We have clearly demonstrated we sit on opposite sides of the fence.

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