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When my brother went to the US (Miami) he was discussing Football (English) with an American. The American was very intelligent and came up with a reason why 'most' American's don't like Football. He said "People here don't see it as a skillful and tactical game, they don't acknowledge there is a 'buildup' to a goal. People see it as just kicking it (the ball) from person to person."
Well i can say Football is an extremely tactical and skillful game. Same as American Football and also rugby.
I'll tell you Americans something. You could have the best football teams in the world within say 10 years. You know why? The way you train your 'athletes' is second to none, you have possible the best facilities in the world. You also have such a large country (U.S.A. is 10 times larger than the Britain) so you have all the opportunities to find and scout players. Obviously you need the teams and interest first.
The Major Soccer League is very young compared to most leagues, a lot of players retire in the MLS and it seems that really good American Footballers come to England to play because we have the best league in the world.
I hope Football really takes of in the US, it would be good for your country and for Football in general!
By the way how many people have been to a Football match in the US? (English football)
We have 20 million recent hispanics in the US. Thats a built in market.
We also won the Women's Olympics/cup or whatever. Every jane, Paige, and barb around these parts plays soccer.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
I am a Soccer fan and played the whole time growing up (back when an 11 man squad in my part of the US meant 6 were Hispanic Americans, 3 were Asian Americans and the other two of us were mixed).
That poor goalie wasn't actually in a bad position he just F-ed up and waited/froze instead of backing up. Maybe he was daydreaming?
As far as the "Hispanic" built in market. It certainly does help.
The Hispanic leagues (Non-US) tend to have little defense and too much wannabe showiness on offense. Generally not a great example of the sport.
The MLS (United States League) is, well, just terrible.
These are some reasons why we (the US) struggles in World Cup play. However, this current team looks very promising. Probably not to win it all but certainly to make it into the Quarter-Finals. And if you saw the results in the Gold Cup and laughed at our 5-0 loss to Mexico by the US squad, know this: In the Gold Cup we literally played with our C team (as our A & B team just finished another, bigger tourney).
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/10/28 15:14:33
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Automatically Appended Next Post: @Slappywag - I don't agree with you. You're not just talking about changing a country's sporting preference - American Football is deeply ingrained within American culture. Imagine if someone tried to change our national sport! I honestly can't see American Football taking off in a big way over here, or Football gaining massive popularity over there. Whilst AF, Baseball and Basketball (maybe even Ice-hockey) still exist, the best american athletes will play them, as there is more money to be made.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/10/28 15:32:47
Automatically Appended Next Post: @Slappywag - I don't agree with you. You're not just talking about changing a country's sporting preference - American Football is deeply ingrained within American culture. Imagine if someone tried to change our national sport! I honestly can't see American Football taking off in a big way over here, or Football gaining massive popularity over there. Whilst AF, Baseball and Basketball (maybe even Ice-hockey) still exist, the best american athletes will play them, as there is more money to be made.
Yeah dude i know, i put "Obviously you need the teams and interest first."
I was going to put the 'Love and Passion' for football but that sounds a bit lame and didn't wanna get laughed at. lol
Besides I'm not asking them to change, lol, just pointing out they could dominate the world of football if they wanted to. It will never catch on as big as it is here, although it is getting bigger every season there.
US have a strong team for the world cup, 11th overall is pretty good. US can definitely cause problems to any team.
None of those Rugby players look to be 350+ or able to knock over a small hatchback with a shoulder slam.
As I said, there have been deaths and paralyzing injuries during football games, padding and all.
--The whole concept of government granted and government regulated 'permits' and the accompanying government mandate for government approved firearms 'training' prior to being blessed by government with the privilege to carry arms in a government approved and regulated manner, flies directly in the face of the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
Fateweaver wrote:None of those Rugby players look to be 350+ or able to knock over a small hatchback with a shoulder slam.
As I said, there have been deaths and paralyzing injuries during football games, padding and all.
Hmm, perhaps you should look up medical mishaps in the Rugby and Australian Rules football worlds. Some are pretty nasty.
Also, the whole safety issue of Soccer/Rugby vs. American Football is similar to the differences of Boxing and MMA. Boxers are so well protected that they actually endure many, many more punches than an MMA fighter and hence it is actually more dangerous in the long run.
American Football players are so well protected they play in a much more risky fashion (e.g. Leading with helmet, Horse-collar tackles, Chop Blocks, etc.) and increase the chances of injury. Not to mention health problems that those guys that can knock over small hatchbacks actually deal with.
I got to see Real Madrid play Chivas last year and also saw the US vs. Honduras World Cup Qualifier. I've also seen a ton of MLS games. I agree with slappy about the US possibly having the best team in the world, although I say it's 15+ years away.
I think that's the thing. AF players are more willing, I think, to make injury defying moves. Sometimes it pays off, most likely it won't.
Not sure if torn ACL's are common in Rugby but I'd say they are as common in AF as dislocated shoulders.
Not dissing on Rugby, I just don't see the comparison. Also, AF games are way flashier.
--The whole concept of government granted and government regulated 'permits' and the accompanying government mandate for government approved firearms 'training' prior to being blessed by government with the privilege to carry arms in a government approved and regulated manner, flies directly in the face of the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
How dare you put a picture of the Heresy that is the University of Texas up on this thread Fraz....
DR:80+S(GT)G++M++B-I++Pwmhd05#+D+++A+++/sWD-R++T(Ot)DM+ How is it they live in such harmony - the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Warhammer 40K:
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
"The Eldar get no attention because the average male does not like confetti blasters, shimmer shields or sparkle lasers."
-Illeix
youngblood wrote:I agree with slappy about the US possibly having the best team in the world, although I say it's 15+ years away.
Good World cup teams ebb and flow for every country. More so for the U.S. I think as we have so many other very popular sports to make more money in. This is probably one of the better we have had but only history can judge for sure.
Fateweaver wrote:...AF games are way flashier.
Certainly cannot argue that. Some broadcasts have worked up the perceived drama to rival WWE.
JEB_Stuart wrote:How dare you put a picture of the Heresy that is the University of Texas up on this thread Fraz....
ODG, let me guess, you're an Aggie?
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Frazzled wrote:
ODG, let me guess, you're an Aggie?
God in heaven no! Why would you assume such an awful thing? No, I am far superior to both: I am a Baylor Bear!
DR:80+S(GT)G++M++B-I++Pwmhd05#+D+++A+++/sWD-R++T(Ot)DM+ How is it they live in such harmony - the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Warhammer 40K:
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
"The Eldar get no attention because the average male does not like confetti blasters, shimmer shields or sparkle lasers."
-Illeix
GoFenris wrote:
American Football players are so well protected they play in a much more risky fashion (e.g. Leading with helmet, Horse-collar tackles, Chop Blocks, etc.) and increase the chances of injury. Not to mention health problems that those guys that can knock over small hatchbacks actually deal with.
This man speaks the truth.
Let us also remember that, as you go further in your football career, you also tend to wear less and less padding. Very few NFL players wear padding on their legs, and they generally wear undersized shoulder pads as well.
JEB_Stuart wrote:I am a Baylor Bear!
They still let Baylor play football?
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2009/10/28 19:41:27
Life does not cease to be funny when people die any more than it ceases to be serious when people laugh.
Frazzled wrote:
ODG, let me guess, you're an Aggie?
God in heaven no! Why would you assume such an awful thing? No, I am far superior to both: I am a Baylor Bear!
Oh jeez...run Ferris run!
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
DR:80+S(GT)G++M++B-I++Pwmhd05#+D+++A+++/sWD-R++T(Ot)DM+ How is it they live in such harmony - the billions of stars - when most men can barely go a minute without declaring war in their minds about someone they know.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Warhammer 40K:
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
"The Eldar get no attention because the average male does not like confetti blasters, shimmer shields or sparkle lasers."
-Illeix
JEB_Stuart wrote:I will destroy you both with Baptist Bullets....
I'd be concerned except its being fired by a Baylor Bear ,which means of course, I am completely safe.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
@Slappywag - by the rationale you used before, the USSR should have been a massive footballing nation. Yes football is popular there - but they're hardly a dominant power in the game. I think you are right about the 'love and passion' thing - football has been part of our culture for (at least) 150 years. Passion like that can't be re-created overnight.
Albatross wrote:@Slappywag - by the rationale you used before, the USSR should have been a massive footballing nation. Yes football is popular there - but they're hardly a dominant power in the game. I think you are right about the 'love and passion' thing - football has been part of our culture for (at least) 150 years. Passion like that can't be re-created overnight.
Sorry i should have been clearer. I was thinking of the population side of things. USA is like 300mill and Russia is 140mill (i think) so it's logical to think there would be more 18-30 year olds in US, along with their ability to train athletes and the facilities.
I could have wrote an essay on it to be really specific but I'm not that crazy.
Only taking into consideration of there ability to train athletes and having such a large number of people to chose from, US could have the best players in the world.
Your definitely right about passion not being re-created over night. I don't think the Yanks will ever have it in them to be truly passionate about the game as a nation. :(
Notable Russian players: Roman Pavenluchenko and Andrei Arshavin!
This is what motivates millions to watch AF over here in the U.S
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2009/10/28 23:48:50
--The whole concept of government granted and government regulated 'permits' and the accompanying government mandate for government approved firearms 'training' prior to being blessed by government with the privilege to carry arms in a government approved and regulated manner, flies directly in the face of the fundamental right to keep and bear arms.
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government.”
Alpha Legion - 15,000 pts For the Emperor!
WAAAGH! Skullhooka - 14,000 pts
Biel Tan Strikeforce - 11,000 pts
Certainly cannot argue that. Some broadcasts have worked up the perceived drama to rival WWE. 
No, I am far superior to both: I am a Baylor Bear! 
