The Soccer Thread (Version 13) — Winter World Cup Edition

I'm not saying this will be the reaction of hardcore soccer fans. I'm talking about the casual fan.

But it feels as if tomorrow's result is going to be a "referendum" on American soccer for those people. Do more people buy in to the sport with a victory? Do they just ignore it for four more years with a draw or loss?

People in the nation's soccer hotbeds can't fathom that there are other areas where almost nobody cares about the sport. And if they do realize that, they are personally offended by that fact.

 

No. This is a novelty for casual viewers. The thing that is helping the sort the most is the greater availability of good soccer. We have easier access to the European leagues and the MLS, though not as good, is being better.

Nothing short of a miracle cup win will move the needle for American fans. Besides, the Americans are not that good.

 

Good answer. I just have the feeling that MLS, especially, is a total non-entity for large sections of America. I don't think people in Iowa, or Arizona, or Oklahoma, even consider it. I mean, I like watching some soccer, and I can't tell you one player and his team in MLS.

 

I was being kind for the MLS lovers among us.

The fact is the Big 3 has a lock on Americans and soccer has to compete with hockey for a spot in the background. Especially in heartland states.

 

Ooooo, don't tell NHL fanatics that, either. (Although it's totally correct.)

 

Competition from international leagues on local TV has been an issue for MLS since the beginning, and it's only gotten worse as access to weekly Serie A, Premiership, Bundesliga matches, etc. have increased.

Back in the mid-90s when the league launched, it was trying to be all things to all people. It tried to market international stars to expats and young Americans to kids' teams. Success rates varied wildly based on the market. Is a kid's favorite team AC Milan or the MetroStars who stole the jersey design?

It seems like for this World Cup, MLS (and USL) have been highlighting the number of current and former players playing for many different countries -- not just the USMNT. Is it working? Again, I think that depends on the market. I have seen more hometown coverage for USMNT players than when they're with their MLS or even international teams. But in my experience, international matches -- club or country -- still draw far larger audiences at MLS stadiums than the home team does.

 

Tulsa’s USL team averaged 2,500 attendance in the 2022 season.

There’s a restaurant in Little Rock that has opened early for every match - including the 4 am Central starts. And it’s been SRO for most of them.

 

Also “soccer fans are trying to convert everybody!” is a column a quarter-century past its sell-by date.

 

That’s just it - soccer fans aren’t trying to convince people to convert. We don’t care if people don’t value the sport. We like it and that’s enough.

That said, 15.3 million viewers last Friday (19.9 if you add Telemundo) is a lot of people. Especially when you realize Ohio State-Michigan drew 17 million.

I have wondered if the embrace of soccer by other athletes has helped soften the hatred of it. If JJ Watt, Tom Brady, LeBron and the other top-tier athletes appreciate the game, then maybe it opens some doors?

 

I hear what the two of you are saying ... and I see evidence to the contrary on almost a weekly basis.

 

I don't know. Lots and lots of professional soccer teams in this country for a sport that's a 'non-entity.'

https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_soccer_clubs_in_the_United_States

Plenty of people like soccer. Plenty of people like soccer a lot.

What Americans don't like are losers.

People will care more about the USMNT if it wins something. Or even competes at a high level consistently.

The team - and the system responsible for creating it - has underachieved for so long people have largely given up on it.

 

No one said soccer is a non-entity, it just isn't the draw that football or basketball are nor is it what baseball can draw. Take the eyes from the World Cup away, what does domestic soccer actually draw? The US has plenty of "our own" sports that people are loving. A shit ton of teams does not equate gargantuan popularity. A lot of people can name maybe 5 MLS and if they can name more it's because they are blatant rip offs of European clubs.

But I agree, if USMNT was competing regularly with the top European teams, it would be different. But CONCACAF is weak. We can't compare to South America or Europe. USMNT doesn't underachieve. It's overhyped at home.