Why isn't there a single great soccer player from the US?

[ryshy]

I agree with threadstarter

regardless of all the issues with soccer in the US - not ONE super elite player... EVER?

seems strange to me as well.

freddy adu was supposed to be the one but apparently he got addicted to heroin

 

[AITheAnswerAI]

There are 5 players on a basketball team, 11 on a soccer team with many leagues. The chances of a good soccer player making millions are far higher than a good basketball player making millions. I won't even get into comparing it to the NFL because EPL, Bundesliga, and Serie A all have higher average salaries than the NFL.

So? Soccer will never replace football and basketball in popularity in this country. Not to mention shyt like baseball, tennis, golf, hockey...I mean Americans like what sports we have. Let soccer flourish overseas...nobody is losing any sleep over that here.

 

[phillycavsfan]

freddy adu was supposed to be the one but apparently he got addicted to heroin

He wasn't good enough. Made the mistake of playing pro soccer at 16 instead of developing his game. It cost him dearly.

So? Soccer will never replace football and basketball in popularity in this country. Not to mention shyt like baseball, tennis, golf, hockey...I mean Americans like what sports we have. Let soccer flourish overseas...nobody is losing any sleep over that here.

Tennis is dead here bruh. After Serena's done we're gonna have no great tennis players.

And why are nikkas so scurred of soccer becoming popular? If anything, it's not taking the space of football or basketball; it's supplanting baseball.

 

[Malta]

So? Soccer will never replace football and basketball in popularity in this country. Not to mention shyt like baseball, tennis, golf, hockey...I mean Americans like what sports we have. Let soccer flourish overseas...nobody is losing any sleep over that here.

I think it will eventually replace those sports, it's just a matter of when

The more news that comes out about brain trauma with football, the less mothers you'll find allowing their kids to play football. I would never allow my son to play football, the risks outweigh the rewards.

 

[kingofnyc]

American hubris is a motherfukker. They think they overwhelm their opponents with raw athleticism, just like they think they can subject a people with military strength.

dat was the previous administration....

 

[The War Report]

dat da previous administration....

Drone strikes.

 

[ThaBoyBam]

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-...hes-mlb-in-popularity-with-kidssays-espn-poll


Are MLS players now America’s “Boys of Summer?”

For the first time in the 20-year history of the ESPN Sports Poll, Major League Soccer has caught up with Major League Baseball in one significant marker of popularity.

•Vote: Will MLS become one of U.S.'s Big Four?
In the survey, both leagues can claim 18 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds as avid fans of their sport, the poll said.

The ESPN Sports Poll Annual Report, which is managed by Luker on Trends, interviews 1,500 Americans

per month and tracks interest in 31 different sports. In 2012, the poll determined soccer was America's second-most popular sport for those aged 12-24, ahead of NBA, MLB and college football. Respondents are asked to rank their affinity for sports (how avid a fan they are), athletes, sponsorships and other trends.

The NFL led the poll with 39 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds saying they are avid fans. The NBA, NCAA football and NCAA basketball were all over 23 percent. The current poll was released on the eve of MLS’s 19th season.

And that's MLS, which is not close to a world class league.



Two different kinds of athletes play soccer, so that's not it.

Being a fan of sport is different from actually enjoying the sport. For example, I know several high level baseball players who don't watch games at all. Fun to play boring to watch.

Soccer is a very skilled sport. So, I agree that there's two diffrent types of athletes. However, that doesn't mean that a highly athletic kid couldn't be groomed. Take this scenario. Kid X has Bolt like speed. In football, hand him a ball and he's on his way to a D-1 scholly. Put him on a soccer field, he's a fish out of water. Be a star football player or less than mediocre soccer player (until developed)?

 

[Trip]

Being a fan of sport is different from actually enjoying the sport. For example, I know several high level baseball players who don't watch games at all. Fun to play boring to watch.

Soccer is a very skilled sport. So, I agree that there's two diffrent types of athletes. However, that doesn't mean that a highly athletic kid couldn't be groomed. Take this scenario. Kid X has Bolt like speed. In football, hand him a ball and he's on his way to a D-1 scholly. Put him on a soccer field, he's a fish out of water. Be a star football player or less than mediocre soccer player (until developed)?

That's not really true either.

 

[The War Report]

I think it will eventually replace those sports, it's just a matter of when

The more news that comes out about brain trauma with football, the less mothers you'll find allowing their kids to play football. I would never allow my son to play football, the risks outweigh the rewards.

Obama just needs to get on that immigration reform.

 

[The War Report]

Being a fan of sport is different from actually enjoying the sport. For example, I know several high level baseball players who don't watch games at all. Fun to play boring to watch.

Soccer is a very skilled sport. So, I agree that there's two diffrent types of athletes. However, that doesn't mean that a highly athletic kid couldn't be groomed. Take this scenario. Kid X has Bolt like speed. In football, hand him a ball and he's on his way to a D-1 scholly. Put him on a soccer field, he's a fish out of water. Be a star football player or less than mediocre soccer player (until developed)?

High level baseball players that don't watch baseball?

 

[ThaBoyBam]

That's not really true either.

So a kid with a 4 flat 40, breaking for 40+ yard touchdowns isn't gonna get a scholly somewhere?

 

[ThaBoyBam]

High level baseball players that don't watch baseball?

Some don't during their free time. They love to play it, but no watch. Not saying they don't at all, but some aren't tuning in like some of us fans do.

 

[GatorStaceyAdams]

http://www.espnfc.com/major-league-...hes-mlb-in-popularity-with-kidssays-espn-poll


Are MLS players now America’s “Boys of Summer?”

For the first time in the 20-year history of the ESPN Sports Poll, Major League Soccer has caught up with Major League Baseball in one significant marker of popularity.

•Vote: Will MLS become one of U.S.'s Big Four?
In the survey, both leagues can claim 18 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds as avid fans of their sport, the poll said.

The ESPN Sports Poll Annual Report, which is managed by Luker on Trends, interviews 1,500 Americans

per month and tracks interest in 31 different sports. In 2012, the poll determined soccer was America's second-most popular sport for those aged 12-24, ahead of NBA, MLB and college football. Respondents are asked to rank their affinity for sports (how avid a fan they are), athletes, sponsorships and other trends.

The NFL led the poll with 39 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds saying they are avid fans. The NBA, NCAA football and NCAA basketball were all over 23 percent. The current poll was released on the eve of MLS’s 19th season.

And that's MLS, which is not close to a world class league.



Two different kinds of athletes play soccer, so that's not it.

Not really too trustful of random internet survey's consisting of 1,500 respondents. How about this litmus test- if the MLS was growing so much in popularity, then:
1.) Why was viewership down 30% YoY
2.) How many kids have you met that were avid MLS fans?

How about some more objective statistics?
Via US Youth Soccer- kids participating in soccer leagues:
1995 - 2,388,719
2000 - 3,020,442
2005 - 3,050,465
2007 - 3,123,698
2008 - 3,148,114
2009 - 3,094,868
2010 - 3,036,438
2011 - 3,025,551
2012 - 3,020,633
Looks like excitement may be tapering off, or even damn near diminishing

 

[Trip]

So a kid with a 4 flat 40, breaking for 40+ yard touchdowns isn't gonna get a scholly somewhere?

no one runs a 4 flat 40 and that doesn't guarantee he'll be running for TD's either. It also doesnt guarantee a scholarship if he is. You serious dude?

The amount of kids running in the 4.4 - 4.6 range are a dime a dozen.

 

[kingofnyc]

Drone strikes.

karma a bytch