OT: Watching soccer and hockey

[JS School]

The Masters thread started to meander into a debate about soccer, which got me thinking about what sports I most like to watch. I'd guess most people like to watch any sport that they have played, but I haven't played either of these. For me, it feels like I'm sitting there waiting for lightning to strike. When I try to watch I find myself subconsciously reaching for something to read because they don't hold my attention. I'm glued to the TV during power plays in hockey or during the final minutes in either sport when a team is down by one, but the rest of the time my attention starts to wander.

Other sports always seem to have a situation where you can build momentum. In baseball you have a good chance of scoring some runs if the bases are loaded and nobody out. There's a sense of anticipation watching a football team move the ball down the field. In high scoring games like basketball a team can go on a spurt. There's a lot of drama in tennis when someone is serving for a set or match point. I imagine golf can seem awful to watch for someone who doesn't play, but when the leader finds a hazard while the guys chasing him have a short birdie putt or are reaching a par 5 in two shots it can be fun to watch.

I'm not demeaning soccer and hockey. In fact, I think they are probably among the most fun to play and interesting to watch if you know them well. I just find them more difficult to watch beyond the highlights.

 

[pittdan77]

I think the Masters looks nice on TV. I got some strange looks because I put it on Sunday. Everyone spent five minutes watching and agreeing that yes, it looks really nice.

Golf is right there with baseball for me. I get the tradition and the beauty of the game. Can't watch it.

 

[revampedpanthers]

The Masters thread started to meander into a debate about soccer, which got me thinking about what sports I most like to watch. I'd guess most people like to watch any sport that they have played, but I haven't played either of these. For me, it feels like I'm sitting there waiting for lightning to strike. When I try to watch I find myself subconsciously reaching for something to read because they don't hold my attention. I'm glued to the TV during power plays in hockey or during the final minutes in either sport when a team is down by one, but the rest of the time my attention starts to wander.

Other sports always seem to have a situation where you can build momentum. In baseball you have a good chance of scoring some runs if the bases are loaded and nobody out. There's a sense of anticipation watching a football team move the ball down the field. In high scoring games like basketball a team can go on a spurt. There's a lot of drama in tennis when someone is serving for a set or match point. I imagine golf can seem awful to watch for someone who doesn't play, but when the leader finds a hazard while the guys chasing him have a short birdie putt or are reaching a par 5 in two shots it can be fun to watch.

I'm not demeaning soccer and hockey. In fact, I think they are probably among the most fun to play and interesting to watch if you know them well. I just find them more difficult to watch beyond the highlights.

Agree I can't sit through a hockey whole hockey game unless its a playoff game. Same with baseball or soccer. Hell I can't even watch soccer for more than 5 minutes and my mind goes elsewhere. I do enjoy watching the end of a close game in most sports. I used to watch a whole hockey game so maybe the digital age of short attention spans has caught up to me.

 

[Swervin27]

Soccer and hockey have continuous play going for it very little time outs no stoppage is a play doing substitutions which translates very well on TV

I like college hoops but damn if it's not the most fragmented sport ever to exist. Wndlwss timeouts and commercial breaks, last five minutes is foul shooting contest.very very little actual

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

High Def really has helped hockey and golf.

 

[rpost3]

What is it about the Masters that gets golfers so excited? I don't know shit about golf, so I asked my woman who used to golf if it's like the Super Bowl of golf or something. Apparently not.

re: watching sports you play
I do jiu jitsu, surf, mtn bike and play soccer. Watch a lot of soccer. FS1, FS2 and beIN are the only reasons I pay for cable. The other sports I'll stream on YouTube every now and then or watch clips on social media.
Used to play lax but that sport is slow, soft and unwatchable now. 6 guys on offense passing the ball around the horn against 6 defenders who are afraid to pressure the ball or jump a pass. Awful.

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

I once watched a Super Bowl with a bunch of Europeans. It was a frustrating but utterly fascinating experience because they had no earthly idea what the hell was going on?

About midway through the game, one of them had a brilliant idea that he thought might change the sport forever.

He asked me, without a hint of sarcasm, "Here is what I don't understand about American football? Instead of running into the pile and falling down, why don't they just run around the pile?"

The group members also asked if "American football" had any rules because it sure didn't seem like it?

Many of the other people at the table agreed with those child-like assessments started to ask similarly ridiculous questions based on ludicrously poorly informed observations.

I started to answer some of them and then just threw my hands in the air - what was the point? This thread reminds me a lot of that conversation.

I am much more of a hockey guy than I am a soccer guy. I don't hate soccer or anything like that but I don't follow it nearly as closely as I do hockey.

I just don't think they are all that similar any more than football and rugby or Aussie Rules football. In fact, football is much more like those sports than hockey is like soccer.

One similarity in the sports though is that in both soccer and hockey teams build attacks and probe incessantly. Goals are not typically random "lightning strikes" but rather the result of one team systematically getting the best of the other and then finally breaking through.

Not always but usually.

And that "not always" part is a major reason why it is interesting to watch - particularly hockey. It's not a game of territory acquisition necessarily as much as it is a game of tremendous skill, phenomenal will, and on occasion, a whole lot of luck.

Hockey - like soccer - is also a game of great strategy. Once you understand what you're watching, and why teams are doing what they are doing, it's so fun to watch these coaches match up with each other on the fly and play high-speed chess.

Personally speaking, there is nothing in sports more interesting than a playoff hockey overtime, particularly in a Game 7 – there just isn't.

That's when the "lightning strike" feels like a sweet relief - like you just escaped with your life - or a mortal stab through your heart.

You know it's coming and it could all come crashing to the earth at any second but what you don't know is what side the coin is going to land on?

You know that you are experiencing something that you will likely remember for the rest of your life. However, what you don't know is if it will be a positive memory that you can bask in for decades or a negative one that will haunt your dreams?

And it all happens in a split second.

BOOM!

And just like that, it is all over but the handshakes.

There is no preparing yourself emotionally because the other team is driving and is now inside your 40 yard-line. You don't get to steel yourself emotionally.

There aren't men on second and third base with nobody out. You don't got to accept your inevitable demise or relish your impending triumph.

It happens in a split second and it is glorious… or completely agonizing! It is usually a just result but not always. Sometimes it's just dumb luck one way or the other.

It's also the very best thing in sports, IMO.

Mind you, as I told the Europeans about American football, I'm not trying to talk you or anyone else into liking any sports that you don't like or understand. That has to come from within and it is entirely up to you.

However, from my perspective, it is amazingly cool and completely unique, and I would not trade it for all the tea in China.

 

[RaleighPittFan]

 

[Dr. von Yinzer]

Yep, that's pretty much what I hear when I hear a lot of Americans discussing hockey. It's just so ridiculous that there's no point in arguing over it.

 

[Swervin27]

High Def really has helped hockey and golf.

great post.. watching Golf for the first few times on an HD Tv was ridiculous. I kid you not, I remember where I was and what I was doing the first time. it was almost like a watered down version of your first time doing "you know what." Lasted longer, that's for sure.


Football is a sport you have to start watching very young to have any hopes of it catching on. very tough to become a fan later in life. it's like learning an instrument, teach them young or you probably will never learn.

 

[OH Pete]

I think that Soccer would be better if they got rid of the offsides rule. If you don't want someone cherry picking, then guard him. I think there would be more scoring and more excitement if this change was made. I'd actually watch games instead of just having them on as background noise while I make breakfast on Sundays.

 

[PerchMan]

One of my great joys (besides tuning into Pitt under Duzzi now) in life nowadays is waking up at 7am or so, making a pile of biscuits and gravy and watching Arsenal. In my mind, Arsenal is a bit like Pitt. Fans have lofty expectations, but team fails them due to poor management (Arsene Wenger). They were dominating with Thierry Henry in the early 2000s (recall that wanker Wayne Rooney with Man U take a swan dive in the box to set up a penalty kick that ended Arsenal's Invincible Run). Now? Like Pitt, the conversation is always "what could be" and complaining about management as they are currently in 6th and out of the Champions League for next year. Fights are breaking out in the stands between fans and on ArsenalTV interviews. Not too far off this site and TOS with the constant sniping between fans.

I agree, soccer is not the most exciting when you are accustomed to American sports. However, the strategy and the build up to attack is fun for me to watch. The only thing I can't stand is them diving on the field like they've been shot with a .308 and 3 minutes later they are running again. That drives me a little insane, but I suppose when you have subjectivity with the refs in what are fouls and what aren't, you're going to get acting. I absolutely LOVE no commercial breaks. Love it.

Once you get beyond it and start following it, you are opened up to the rest of the world's sport with lots of news, drama, player movement, etc.

I get my sport fix between the two footballs.....couldnt' care less about any other really.

 

[Pitt79]

soccer fans need to realize it's just not gonna happen here in the USA and be happy of it's popularity world wide..

I wouldn't be so sure? American Football is on the downswing IMO, a lot of it is self inflicted wounds, and a lot of it will eventually be safety issues and lawsuits, and many parents aren't letting their kids play (if I had a boy, I would, I mean I survived all the way through high school, I wasn't a Navy Seal, lol), It might not happen this year or next, but maybe in 20-30 years? I wouldn't bet against it.

 

[Pitt79]

I agree, soccer is not the most exciting when you are accustomed to American sports.

You include baseball? I mean there is no sport in the entire world more boring, dull and slow than baseball.

 

[Pitt79]

The only thing I can't stand is them diving on the field like they've been shot with a .308 and 3 minutes later they are running again. That drives me a little insane, but I suppose when you have subjectivity with the refs in what are fouls and what aren't, you're going to get acting.

I don't get why that bothers people? Usually they call a foul or not and often times they start playing running right past the guy still laying on the ground. I'd COACH my players in any sport to at an opportune moment, try to draw a fake foul, it's part of the game.

 

[Swervin27]

I don't get why that bothers people? Usually they call a foul or not and often times they start playing running right past the guy still laying on the ground. I'd COACH my players in any sport to at an opportune moment, try to draw a fake foul, it's part of the game.

fake soccer injuries are hilarious. google up some of these, it almost seems fake if you didn't know better..

 

[Pitt79]

fake soccer injuries are hilarious. google up some of these, it almost seems fake if you didn't know better..

And it doesn't matter. They use it to draw a foul, usually it doesn't work, and to take a short breather, why not? There are no timeouts. I don't get why it bothers people? I think hockey players are IDIOTS for not wearing mouth protection and then being called tough (instead of stupid) for playing with their mouths wired shut.

 

[Swervin27]

 

[OH Pete]

But why should the 99% of the world that likes it the way it is change it so you will watch? Just sayin'

Well, I didn't say they should change it to suit me. I just said that I'd watch it more if they changed it. They can do whatever they feel is best. And I can choose to not watch it. But if they want to truly penetrate the market in the US, this change would help. They also need to scrap the current system and have playoffs and a championship game. Americans like a big game at the end of the year. We don't understand the relegation thing and don't understand the top 4 get to play in UEFA thing. Have playoffs and crown a Premier League champion for god sakes. I also suggest that they play the championship in US market prime time and screw the fact that it would be played at midnight on a Sunday in Great Britain. If they want us to watch, these are the things they will have to do.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I think that Soccer would be better if they got rid of the offsides rule. If you don't want someone cherry picking, then guard him. I think there would be more scoring and more excitement if this change was made. I'd actually watch games instead of just having them on as background noise while I make breakfast on Sundays.

Soccer would be best in an outdoor or indoor arena like hockey so the play is continuous. What kills soccer is the constant out of bounds throw ins that end up out of bounds 3 sec latter.

 

[BuffetParrothead]

I once watched a Super Bowl with a bunch of Europeans. It was a frustrating but utterly fascinating experience because they had no earthly idea what the hell was going on?

About midway through the game, one of them had a brilliant idea that he thought might change the sport forever.

He asked me, without a hint of sarcasm, "Here is what I don't understand about American football? Instead of running into the pile and falling down, why don't they just run around the pile?"

The group members also asked if "American football" had any rules because it sure didn't seem like it?

Many of the other people at the table agreed with those child-like assessments started to ask similarly ridiculous questions based on ludicrously poorly informed observations.

I started to answer some of them and then just threw my hands in the air - what was the point? This thread reminds me a lot of that conversation.

I am much more of a hockey guy than I am a soccer guy. I don't hate soccer or anything like that but I don't follow it nearly as closely as I do hockey.

I just don't think they are all that similar any more than football and rugby or Aussie Rules football. In fact, football is much more like those sports than hockey is like soccer.

One similarity in the sports though is that in both soccer and hockey teams build attacks and probe incessantly. Goals are not typically random "lightning strikes" but rather the result of one team systematically getting the best of the other and then finally breaking through.

Not always but usually.

And that "not always" part is a major reason why it is interesting to watch - particularly hockey. It's not a game of territory acquisition necessarily as much as it is a game of tremendous skill, phenomenal will, and on occasion, a whole lot of luck.

Hockey - like soccer - is also a game of great strategy. Once you understand what you're watching, and why teams are doing what they are doing, it's so fun to watch these coaches match up with each other on the fly and play high-speed chess.

Personally speaking, there is nothing in sports more interesting than a playoff hockey overtime, particularly in a Game 7 – there just isn't.

That's when the "lightning strike" feels like a sweet relief - like you just escaped with your life - or a mortal stab through your heart.

You know it's coming and it could all come crashing to the earth at any second but what you don't know is what side the coin is going to land on?

You know that you are experiencing something that you will likely remember for the rest of your life. However, what you don't know is if it will be a positive memory that you can bask in for decades or a negative one that will haunt your dreams?

And it all happens in a split second.

BOOM!

And just like that, it is all over but the handshakes.

There is no preparing yourself emotionally because the other team is driving and is now inside your 40 yard-line. You don't get to steel yourself emotionally.

There aren't men on second and third base with nobody out. You don't got to accept your inevitable demise or relish your impending triumph.

It happens in a split second and it is glorious… or completely agonizing! It is usually a just result but not always. Sometimes it's just dumb luck one way or the other.

It's also the very best thing in sports, IMO.

Mind you, as I told the Europeans about American football, I'm not trying to talk you or anyone else into liking any sports that you don't like or understand. That has to come from within and it is entirely up to you.

However, from my perspective, it is amazingly cool and completely unique, and I would not trade it for all the tea in China.

I did the opposite and watched soccer/ European football their verson of the playoffs running up to the championship from a bar /pub in Birmingham UK when I was on a two week business trip.
I have to say I had fun because they explained stuff to me and the place was jammed to the rafters with Euro football fans so it was easy to get into the action!
One observation since I've been to the UK alot there's no $1.50 sports bar beers. Those beers were like 3-6 pounds mostly like 5 pounds on average. The 3 pound beers were some American beer they had on tap.

 

[Swervin27]

I did the opposite and watched soccer/ European football their verson of the playoffs running up to the championship from a bar /pub in Birmingham UK when I was on a two week business trip.
I have to say I had fun because they explained stuff to me and the place was jammed to the rafters with Euro football fans so it was easy to get into the action!
One observation since I've been to the UK a lot no $1.50 sports bar beers. Those beers were like 3-6 pounds mostly like 5 pounds.

I was at a bar in DC called Fatos one time and it was during some final championship game of soccer. It was like noon, pretty early weekend and place was packed with fans of the team. reminded me of how I'd envision a pub in England during a soccer match. rowdiest bunch I ever saw, very cool atmosphere. got to give those soccer fans credit, they can create a cool atmosphere at a bar during a game.

 

[upj87]

You include baseball? I mean there is no sport in the entire world more boring, dull and slow than baseball.

yes, a 7-6 baseball game lacks the exhilaration of a 1-nil slugfest with a total of three legitimate shots on goal in two and a half hours.....

 

[Pitt79]

Well, I didn't say they should change it to suit me. I just said that I'd watch it more if they changed it. They can do whatever they feel is best. And I can choose to not watch it. But if they want to truly penetrate the market in the US, this change would help. They also need to scrap the current system and have playoffs and a championship game. Americans like a big game at the end of the year. We don't understand the relegation thing and don't understand the top 4 get to play in UEFA thing. Have playoffs and crown a Premier League champion for god sakes. I also suggest that they play the championship in US market prime time and screw the fact that it would be played at midnight on a Sunday in Great Britain. If they want us to watch, these are the things they will have to do.

Watch MLS then, the AMERICAN league, they have playoffs and a championship game at the end. I actually follow MLS and not EPL, I don't care that it's lower quality, I can relate to DC vs. NY or LA vs. Chicago better than trying to attach myself to some team in an English city. which I have found impossible. So I've become a DC United fan, because I can watch their games on local ASN, just like Buccos fans follow the local team on Root Sports, and the games are at night and not 7:00 am, those kind of things matter more to me than the "quality of play".

 

[Swervin27]

I'd be curious to see if baseball is indeed growing or declining in popularity. the assumption is that it is declining with the younger generation, too long and slow for young whipper snappers but i'll be honest, I work in north shore, leave work every day and see pirate fans and I see a lot of young people in their 20's and I don't see a lot of old timers.

I don't think baseball is as unpopular with younger people as a lot of people assume. Are they going to drink beer and hang out, sure. I don't think they are glued to the end of their seats, keeping score old scool in the program but that is the beauty of baseball, going, chillin out at the ball park.

 

[Pitt79]

Soccer would be best in an outdoor or indoor arena like hockey so the play is continuous. What kills soccer is the constant out of bounds throw ins that end up out of bounds 3 sec latter.

Then you might like Indoor Soccer, I also follow the Baltimore Blast, and go to a few games every year, they just won their 9th Indoor Soccer Title this past Sunday Night, it's played with walls on a hockey rink with turf laid over the floor, 6 on 6. Although I personally don't think the ball goes out of bounds too much in outdoor soccer and when it does, they throw it back in within seconds.

 

[Swervin27]

Then you might like Indoor Soccer, I also follow the Baltimore Blast, and go to a few games every year, they just won their 9th Indoor Soccer Title this past Sunday Night, it's played with walls on a hockey rink with turf laid over the floor, 6 on 6. Although I personally don't think the ball goes out of bounds too much in outdoor soccer and when it does, they throw it back in within seconds.

nothing better than the pre game at a Pittsburgh spirit game circa mid 80's. loved it. it was actually quite entertaining..

I'd like to see a 7 on 7 outdoor league. field seems over crowded to me. take a few players off, similar what they did with rugby. they did a 7 on 7 league and it made it much more amusing for non fans..

 

[Pitt79]

I'd be curious to see if baseball is indeed growing or declining in popularity. the assumption is that it is declining with the younger generation, too long and slow for young whipper snappers but i'll be honest, I work in north shore, leave work every day and see pirate fans and I see a lot of young people in their 20's and I don't see a lot of old timers.

I don't think baseball is as unpopular with younger people as a lot of people assume. Are they going to drink beer and hang out, sure. I don't think they are glued to the end of their seats, keeping score old scool in the program but that is the beauty of baseball, going, chillin out at the ball park.

I live near Howard County Maryland, where soccer is HUUUUUUUUUUUGE, in my area, there are probably 10 soccer leagues for every baseball league for kids. It is very rare to see baseball being played by kids in this area. My daughter would practice in this complex, there would be like 12 soccer teams practicing and there was a single little league field off in the corner with kids playing baseball . But yeah, young people got to Orioles games, I do too, maybe once or twice a year. In a lot of cities now, MLS is gaining popularity and attendance is pretty decent. http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2016-mls-attendance/

 

[Pitt79]

nothing better than the pre game at a Pittsburgh spirit game circa mid 80's. loved it. it was actually quite entertaining..

Baltimore Blast is playing the same game the Spirit did. In fact the Blast franchise is still the same one that played in that league with the Spirit in the '70s and the '80s, the Blast is the only franchise that has been in continuous existence since then, although in 3-4 different leagues. And it is very entertaining, we go to at least 2-3 games every year, they average about 6,000 fans and you can get great seat for about $25.

 

[Swervin27]

I live near Howard County Maryland, where soccer is HUUUUUUUUUUUGE, in my area, there are probably 10 soccer leagues for every baseball league for kids. It is very rare to see baseball being played by kids in this area. My daughter would practice in this complex, there would be like 12 soccer teams practicing and there was a single little league field off in the corner with kids playing baseball . But yeah, young people got to Orioles games, I do too, maybe once or twice a year. In a lot of cities now, MLS is gaining popularity and attendance is pretty decent. http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2016-mls-attendance/

you bring up a good point. playing it as a kid and attending it as a young adult are two different things. I see it improving in popularity for viewers and attendance but im sure it will be dominated (even more than now) by international players at the professional ranks..

 

[upj87]

I live near Howard County Maryland, where soccer is HUUUUUUUUUUUGE, in my area, there are probably 10 soccer leagues for every baseball league for kids. It is very rare to see baseball being played by kids in this area. My daughter would practice in this complex, there would be like 12 soccer teams practicing and there was a single little league field off in the corner with kids playing baseball . But yeah, young people got to Orioles games, I do too, maybe once or twice a year. In a lot of cities now, MLS is gaining popularity and attendance is pretty decent. http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2016-mls-attendance/

its cool that the kids that in the past could not make it in real sports now have an opportunity to play on a team and eat orange slices and drink juice boxes...good for the kids.

 

[Swervin27]

its cool that the kids that in the past could not make it in real sports now have an opportunity to play on a team and eat orange slices and juice boxes...good for the kids.

lol, oh no, and this is how it starts..

 

[upj87]

lol, oh no, and this is how it starts..

As I walk through the valley of sports fandom, I fear no foot fairy...

 

[OH Pete]

I'd be curious to see if baseball is indeed growing or declining in popularity.

From a fan perspective, I'm not sure. I think I agree with you that it is holding steady or maybe even growing. But I do know that from a participation standpoint, it is declining. It is not popular in the cities and hasn't been for a while. It has sustained itself on the suburbs, especially the upper middle and upper class suburbs because of the $ involved - fields need to be cared for and indoor facilities are needed for off season workouts. But now lacrosse is starting to peel those kids away. I'm seeing that most of the kids who play both are choosing lacrosse when they reach the point where they have to choose (around 6th/7th grade because the demands of travel ball and lacrosse become too much for most families at that point). I won't be shocked to see lacrosse overtake baseball from a participation standpoint in the next 10 years.

 

[Pitt79]

It does bother me that so many Americans are "soccer snobs", the way they refuse to follow the MLS and watch EPL at 7 am. I guess I need rooting interest, I MUST HAVE a favorite team or I can't watch, and I have always disliked England anyways, so I have found it impossible to chose one of those teams to root for, It's much easier to choose DC United and watch the games at a decent time on my local TV channels, and get to know the players I'm watching, I like watching in the evening, and can relate to the opponents cities LA, NY, Seattle. But again the "quality of play" means less to me than those factors. But the AMERICAN MLS will never get better if American fans won't watch it. I find a lot of their games pretty good.

 

[Pitt79]

From a fan perspective, I'm not sure. I think I agree with you that it is holding steady or maybe even growing. But I do know that from a participation standpoint, it is declining. It is not popular in the cities and hasn't been for a while. It has sustained itself on the suburbs, especially the upper middle and upper class suburbs because of the $ involved - fields need to be cared for and indoor facilities are needed for off season workouts. But now lacrosse is starting to peel those kids away. I'm seeing that most of the kids who play both are choosing lacrosse when they reach the point where they have to choose (around 6th/7th grade because the demands of travel ball and lacrosse become too much for most families at that point). I won't be shocked to see lacrosse overtake baseball from a participation standpoint in the next 10 years.

Where I live both soccer and lacrosse are way more popular with kids than baseball. Soccer is king where I live above lacrosse, even though MD is a traditional lacrosse hotbed, every community has multiple soccer clubs, with leagues, travel teams etc. I always am surprised when I drive past a little league baseball game, like ''WOW, there are kids actually playing baseball, strange?''

 

[Swervin27]

Where I live both soccer and lacrosse are way more popular with kids than baseball. Soccer is king where I live above lacrosse, even though MD is a traditional lacrosse hotbed, every community has multiple soccer clubs, with leagues, travel teams etc. I always am surprised when I drive past a little league baseball game, like ''WOW, there are kids actually playing baseball, strange?''

soccer is popular in youth, no doubt. it's once the kids get out of elementary school, it dwindles. there have always been many youth soccer leagues, both m 5 year old and 8 year old play soccer. lets face it, it's a great sport for little kids to play. everyone is involved, they run, they kick and an hour later, they are tired enough to give you time to go home and drink beer on the couch watching the game...

sports like baseball and basketball are pretty bad for 6, 7 and even 8 year olds to play. it's basically dad pitching to kid while 10 other kids are sitting in the field, waving at their mom in the stands. very little involvement and hand/eye coordination isn't there yet. basketball same thing, not strong enough to shoot, cant dribble, etc..

Soccer was never a problem for 6 year olds, it's the 14 year olds they cant keep interested..

 

[Pitt79]

Soccer was never a problem for 6 year olds, it's the 14 year olds they cant keep interested..

Maybe where you live, where I live there are literally thousands of 14 year olds busting their asses to get on travel teams, select teams, elite teams, high school teams, 37 girls where cut from my daughter's high school JV team (18 made it), kids where crying their eyes out, same with the boys team. Hardly anyone plays baseball or softball, it barely exists.

Where I live the cutoff is kind of around 11th grade, when kids who don't make HS Varsity, kind of move away from it, interestingly, some of them go to football or track because there's LESS competition to make the team. Where I live ages 12-16 are kind of the prime time of soccer, where lots of kids are trying hard to get on advanced teams.

 

[Swervin27]

Maybe where you live, where I live there are literally thousands of 14 year olds busting their asses to get on travel teams, select teams, elite teams, high school teams, 37 girls where cut from my daughter's high school JV team (18 made it), kids where crying their eyes out, same with the boys team. Hardly anyone plays baseball or softball, it barely exists.

Where I live the cutoff is kind of around 11th grade, when kids who don't make HS Varsity, kind of move away from it, interestingly, some of them go to football or track because there's LESS competition to make the team. Where I live ages 12-16 are kind of the prime time of soccer, where lots of kids are trying hard to get on advanced teams.

well the way you make it sound, the good ol US of A should be good to go in a few years with competing with the Ghana's of the world from your town alone. not sure where you live but let's just go ahead and consider the future of soccer in America great and only getting better..

Thousands of 14 year olds all busting their asses to get on elite travel soccer teams, in your hometown alone.. amazing.. and all of the rejects go play football and track huh.. you are a hard poster to take serious my man, think it's time to bow out of this one, it's gone from amusing to non sensical.

I SAID GOOD DAY

 

[recruitsreadtheseboards]

I live near Howard County Maryland, where soccer is HUUUUUUUUUUUGE, in my area, there are probably 10 soccer leagues for every baseball league for kids. It is very rare to see baseball being played by kids in this area. My daughter would practice in this complex, there would be like 12 soccer teams practicing and there was a single little league field off in the corner with kids playing baseball . But yeah, young people got to Orioles games, I do too, maybe once or twice a year. In a lot of cities now, MLS is gaining popularity and attendance is pretty decent. http://soccerstadiumdigest.com/2016-mls-attendance/

Baseball is harder. So it makes sense. Alot harder. In soccer, you can at least hustle and mitigate for alot of lack of athleticism. Baseball, you really need hand/eye coordination that many kids don't have.