OT: Baltimore Pro Soccer? anyone care? [Archive] - Baltimore Ravens Forums and Message Boards

Mista T

07-21-2007, 08:55 AM

D.C. United wants a new privately funded soccer-only stadium, the District is balking at zoning and infrastructure costs, and DC United is possibly threatening to leave the District -- sound all too familiar? One of the stalking horse locations for a DC United new stadium being considered is the Baltimore area (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/07/20/AR2007072002470.html?hpid=topnews):

D.C. United officials suggested they would consider moving to Maryland or Virginia, possibly the Baltimore or Loudoun County areas, if the District was unable to help build a new stadium, the sources said. United plays at 46-year-old RFK Stadium and had hoped to have a new facility by 2009 or 2010.

I like soccer -- I used to play it in high school and as a kid visiting relatives in Europe. I thought, and still believe, that soccer is a better participatory sport than football or baseball for youngsters. But, as a spectator sport, and with all due respect to our Limey friends, sorry .... outdoor soccer can be about as exciting a spectator sport as watching grass grow. :(

If DC United were to move to Baltimore, let's hope that it does not come to Camden Yards, if it means intrusion into the already inadequate tailgate lots for Ravens games. Camden Yards would be a potentially inviting target because it already has the infrastructure in place -- something missing in DC or Loudon County.

It's probably not going to happen: Camden Yards makes a good stalking horse for DC United to threaten the DC govt, but Baltimore does not have a large Hispanic community to serve as a fan base, there aren't enough local Limeys or Irishmen, and -- I believe -- most American sports fans think like I do about watching outdoor soccer being played.

jonboy79

07-21-2007, 10:12 AM

There would be a pretty large Russian fanbase in this area. Remember, this is the number 1 sport in almost every other coutry, and the DC baltimore metro area has a comparatively low percentage of Local-Borns.
That said, I would certainly go see a game from time to time. maybe nto a fervently or often as a Ravens game, btu I would certainly go. The level of the Soccer in America is steadily getting better and better. IF it could become on par with the great Euro leagues I would liekly go a lot.
I'm sorry, I don't get that Soccer is a poor spectator sport. I think when points are hard to come by, they mean more. Baltimroe football teaches us that...

dbcw

07-21-2007, 12:36 PM

Moving the United to Baltimore would be a good investment for the area. They are one of the more talented teams in the MLS and have a pretty rich history.

As far as soccer being a boring spectator sport, I rank the MLS above golf, baseball, and hockey and put it equal to the NBA.

WHEN the MLS reaches the talent level of the English, Spanish, or Italian leagues, it will rank behind the NFL in the most popular sport in the US. The speed, action, and precision found in those three leagues rival any sport in the US.

section553

07-21-2007, 04:13 PM

I couldn't care less.

BigAl69

07-21-2007, 04:27 PM

If Mls ever begins to rival any of the European Leagues.... that really would be something to see. If any of you non fans ever were to watch the Premiere League or Serie A .... you would understand why this is THE number one sport everywhere else in the world. As far as Baltimore not having a large hispanic community....when is the last time you've been anywhere in the Highlandtown, Canton/Fellspoint area?

Down on that Canton waterfront area would be perfect for a new stadium. Right off of 95. It could also serve as a stadium for the USL Crystal Palace Baltimore... the farm club for Crystal Palace F.C. across the pond. Definitely something to consider.

Art-Florida

07-21-2007, 05:56 PM

I bet she cares...

http://badjocks.com/archive/images/porn-star-streaker.jpg

UKRaven

07-22-2007, 05:51 AM

UKRaven

07-23-2007, 03:03 AM

Greg

07-23-2007, 10:38 AM

Another reason for its large support is that it is played by every child in many countries. Mainly because it is easy to learn the rules and inexpensive to play.

As far as I am concerned it is a huge snooze fest.

If any of you non fans ever were to watch the Premiere League or Serie A .... you would understand why this is THE number one sport everywhere else in the world.
I have watched it and I really appreciate it on a Sunday afternoon when I want to take a nap. Is there a sport with more action that is completely meaningless? Even 3 and outs in football have importance in the game. Each series is important for field position and game strategy. Please don't try and tell me it is that way in soccer, the ball inevitably ends in the hands of a goalie and all preceeding game movement means nothing. The goalie kicks the ball back out to midfield and we start over. ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzz.

... Beckham is going to try and boost it here in the States. I love it, it is truly challenging, and takes great skill.
Beckham can try all he wants, soccer will never reach prominence in this country.

I think B More would be a great supporter of MLS. The Baltimore United sounds great to me. Anne Arundel county would be a great spot for it so both Baltimore and DC could enjoy it. It would surely have more follows than the Blast.
How many outdoor soccer teams have been in Baltimore before? I know we have had some and they all fail miserably. As for a bigger following than the Blast, I have seen indoor soccer as well and it is interesting and compelling. Outdoor soccer is neither.

camdenyard

07-23-2007, 11:20 AM

I like to watch my kid play it but as a pro spectaror sport...no thanks.

And anyone who thinks MLS could survive in Baltimore is kidding themselves.

jonboy79

07-23-2007, 11:37 AM

No offence to yourself intended, but the two reasons it's sooooo popular are: that most people are too thick to understand a more complex sport, and others are seldom allowed to see better sports!

Have you ever seen a rugby league game?

You repeatedly beat home your ignorant point? What do you have agaisnt soccer players, and the game in general. Did your wife run away with a footballer?

American Football may be a much more complex sport, but there are constant strategy breaks and all of the strategy comes from the sidelines with "dumb" chess pieces on the field. As much of the game occurs off the field, in between the downs as it does between the lines. Soccer, is a sport who's strategy is fluid, and comes from the players on the field, not the coaches int he box. Soccer is less about field position, and more about ball control. As in American football, thypically the team that controlled the ball the longest wins.

It is a simple sport to play at a basic level. That is why it is popular to play. It's popular to watch becasue it is popular to play. It will gain a lot in popularity in the near futre on our side of the pond, but it will still likely lag behind the big sports (NFL, Nascar, MLB, and the NBA. I do think it will overtake the NHL in viewership thogh.

flraven

07-23-2007, 11:58 AM

Outdoor soccer doesn't do much for me, entertainment-wise.

Is it football season yet?

Mista T

07-23-2007, 12:02 PM

It's popular to watch becasue it is popular to play.

Huh? :229031_confused2:

If that were true, why is outdoor soccer not popular with non-Hispanic Americans?

I played soccer at Annapolis High -- undefeated senior year -- it was a great participatory sport. But I honestly have never since been able to watch an entire game on TV since, and have never since attended a live outdoor soccer game (while I have many times attended Blast games, lacrosse, NHL, NBA, etc). And I believe that my sports viewing habits reflect the typical sports fan (except for lacrosse)

It will gain a lot in popularity in the near futre on our side of the pond, but it will still likely lag behind the big sports (NFL, Nascar, MLB, and the NBA. I do think it will overtake the NHL in viewership thogh.

Pro soccer has been around since at least the 70s. Remember the Baltimore Bays? Pro outdoor soccer has always remained on the fringes. What is different about 2007 that would make it "gain a lot in popularity in the near futre ". It seems to be going the other way: building small stadiums to house the small crowds.

The only way I can see outdoor soccer grow would be if the Govt cannot stem the tide of illegal immigration from Latin America. I don't think outdoor soccer would surpass NHL because NHL is faster, smaller playing surface is better for TV coverage, and it features Canucks fighting each other.

Rochardrik

07-23-2007, 12:20 PM

Soccer is a poor sport, watched by morons - sorry guys it's true! They are VERY good at making money out of people - for a third rate product!

Many 'soccer fans' I confront say that Football (as well as Cricket and both Rugby codes) is too difficult to understand!

Comparing the NFL to MLS is like comparing a symphony orchestra to a one-man band!

Nil - Nil anyone!

It's not hard to understand. It is, however, hard to stand! The sheer boredom is exhausting! The boredom factor is right up there with NASCAR!!!
I rank soccer behind only NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, NHL, AFL,(and I still haven't watched a full game of that),NCAA football, basketball, baseball, softball, track & Field, chess, and tiddly winks!:rolleyes:

jonboy79

07-23-2007, 12:51 PM

Why do I see it increasing in popularity over here?
2 very simple reasons.
1. Imiigration in this country will not slow down, and as mentioned multiple times, it is the number 1 spectator sport in NEARLY EVERY other country. That is where I was going iwth my previous "popular to play, popular to watch" comment.
2. Even more importantly, thew product has improved each and every year the MLS has been in existence. Beckham coming here drives the point home, but we are attracting much better footballers to play over here then even 3 years ago.
AFL is boring. I can't stand to watch American Football anymore without defense. When individual players are trying for double digit touchdown totals in individual games, there is a problem.

pyite32

07-23-2007, 01:27 PM

<b>Tragedy Strikes As 36 Crushed Fleeing MLS Match </b>

An all-too-common soccer tragedy that has hit many other parts of the world unfortunately struck the United States this weekend as 36 people were crushed to death – and dozens more injured – as fans packed against exit gates in fleeing a particularly unwatchable MLS match.
“This is a sad day for American soccer,” said MLS commissioner Don Garber. “But there’s always a bright side to everything, and I think we showed the world that American fans can be just as passionate about the sport and our league as they are the sport and their league. I just wish it was because people were trying to get into an MLS game, not out. I suppose that’s where the comparison kind of falls apart.”
Jason Lampard, who suffered cuts and bruises in Saturday’s disaster during the Chicago Fire-DC United match at Washington’s RFK Stadium, said he is unsure why so many fans chose to suddenly leave the sloppy, mistake-ridden contest.
“From the beginning I got the sense that a lot of people in the stadium, for whatever reason, had no patience for a typical MLS game that night,” said Lampard. “We’re all soccer lovers – or we wouldn’t be there – so that’s why watching MLS is so difficult for us. It blows. And when the mistakes started to pile up – a bad turnover here, a missed mark there, a trip and fall over there – the disenchantment really started to boil. I decided I’d rather leave, beat traffic and maybe catch a European match on tape delay at home, but as I looked around I caught the eyes of a lot of other people who seemed to be thinking the same thing. So I bolted from my seat to try to beat everyone else to the parking lot. But everyone else bolted, too. That’s when hell broke loose.”
Robin Jasmine, who lost her husband and a son in the disaster, says the scene as fans raced for the exit gates was unlike anything she has ever witnessed.
“A lot of people at MLS games have played soccer in the past and are in good shape, so the crowd was really moving at a fast speed,” said Jasmine. “But as soon as we hit the bottleneck at the exit gates, people started going down and were unable to push themselves back up – maybe because soccer players aren’t good with their hands, who knows. But I saw people go down all around me, including my husband and son. My dear son screamed out: ‘Save us, David Beckham!’ And as my husband had the life crushed out of him, I heard him cry: ‘Let heaven be like the Premiership, dear Lord.’ I miss them both so much, but I hope they are both up there enjoying fast-paced, skilled soccer – just like it is supposed to be played. And I hope that one day I will join them. And maybe even as soon as this weekend, because I have tickets to another match.”

bmorebirds_24

07-23-2007, 01:31 PM

who cares go ravens!!!!!!!!!

Greg

07-23-2007, 01:45 PM

Even more importantly, thew product has improved each and every year the MLS has been in existence. Beckham coming here drives the point home, but we are attracting much better footballers to play over here then even 3 years ago.
The "product" has not improved. The play on the field may have, but the product sucks. If they are ever smart enough to get rid of the off-sides rule or at least adjust it such that scoring might be likely instead of unlikely, I MIGHT get interested. But when scoring a goal a game is the average you can forget it.

Admin Steve

07-23-2007, 02:40 PM

It will have a tough time here because TV Networks will not allow commercial free periods of 45 mins at a time which is required if you show the game live.

I wish Becks all the luck in the world but the team 'dynamic' (sorry Brian) of him playing alongside players earning <$50K is amusing to me anyway. Granted the Galaxy have some high salaries (for Soccer) but DC United have 6 players that earn under $16K per year.

jonboy79

07-23-2007, 02:54 PM

Why in the world would they cahnge the offsides rule? That would ruin the game.
Most around the world have the exact opposite oopinion of the footballs... that Futbol, or Soccer here is the thinking man's game and football is for people who need to be told which team is winning the game.
So do you hate pitching duels in baseball too? I see more strategy, exelence and elegance from a 2-1 game with runners in the ninth, then a 21-4 blowout the Yankees left of the D-Rays this weekend. Yoiur a Ravens fan... can a 9-6 game be intersting? I think so. I don't need a scoreboard to tell me who is winnign the game, I have eyes.
The NHL was effective with some minor ruels changes to appease the simpleton viewership with more goals. I'm sure Gretzky is itchign knowing that Sid the Kid has a chance to break his record, simply because the fans want to see more goals. He is nowhere near the player Gretzky was, and it will be a tragedy if his record is broken because of simple fans. It likely won't though, as the NHL appears to be rekindling it's overspending ways and will fold completely.

So to complete my thought, the paly on the field improves every year, the quantity and quality of marketable players improves each year, as does coverage on major networks. Beckham is the icing on the cake, that is likely to help the transition. In no way do I think it will ever top the big three, NFL, Nascar and Baseball, but I do feel it will not be insane to speak of them together.
Soccer can't hold a candle to Nascar in the boring department, and that may overtake the NFL in viewership shortly.

Greg

07-23-2007, 03:43 PM

Why in the world would they cahnge the offsides rule? That would ruin the game.
It would make the game more interesting. Sorry, but it holds the scoring down by not allowing the athletic player to out run his opponent. It's like a rule to help the disabled.

Most around the world have the exact opposite oopinion of the footballs... that Futbol, or Soccer here is the thinking man's game and football is for people who need to be told which team is winning the game.
What? They put the score up on the screen just like they do in football (NFL) games. The difference is the announcers up date the score for those who might have just tuned in because there may have actually been scoring. And what is there to think about?

So do you hate pitching duels in baseball too?
I LOVE pitching duels. The thing that makes them exciting is that they are unusual. 1-0 soccer matches can often be described as blow-outs. A 1-0 pitcher's duel could change at any moment, a 1-NIL soccer game is likely to stay that way. There is a HUGE difference. I think MLB has hurt itself with all of the hitting, I think they need to expand the strike zone and raise the mound to help pitchers out. But that still doesn't change the fact that a baseball game might have 10 or more runs scored or it might be a 1-0 nail biter that could actually be changed in the bottom of the ninth.

The NHL was effective with some minor ruels changes to appease the simpleton viewership with more goals.
Great, so if one doesn't agree with your view they are obviously a simpleton.

As for the rest of your thought. Pele was brought to New York in the mid 70s to get soccer off the ground here. I would bet his name recognition was every bit or more of what Beckham's is even with the communication explosion since then. And what happened. ZIP. Same will happen here.

Then again, I am just a simpleton who has no interest in watching nil-nil contests.

FellsPointRaven

07-23-2007, 04:24 PM

In reply to the original question - no, I don't care. MLS is equivalent to second/third level of English football leagues, at best. I've been to a few DC United games and they were crap. Beckham hype is just that - hype - and for the reasons as expressed in this thread by the apparent anti-soccer majority in this country, coupled with the fact the sports media won't touch the sport with a ten foot pole, I don't see soccer ever becoming a major sport in this country.

Personally I love the sport and my passion for my English team is just as fervent as my passion for the Ravens. However, I'm not going to waste my time trying to convince Americans to enjoy it. You either like it or you don't. Although I'd advise that if you know little about the sport or are just subjected to an inferior version of it you shouldn't rush to judgement. Imagine trying to convince a European that football is a good sport based on NFL Europa.

Greg - two rebukes to you if I may. First - in my opinion the offside rule actually keeps things more interesting as it allows defenders to push up the field and creates space behind them for speedier forwards to get in behind them and on goal with a well timed run. An attacker only needs to be level with a defender when the ball is played. If it didn't exist you'd find 10 men behind the ball in their own area, limiting attacking football and forward momentum. Numbers of goals would be reduced, not increased.

Second, although not a high-scoring sport, more games than not at least feature a couple of goals. A one goal lead does not virtually guarantee a victory - I saw plenty of matches last season where games were levelled/won in the last few minutes. Normally against the team I support.

Anyway, I'll not go into the pros/cons of the sport because as I said I won't convince anyone here. I would advise you ignore UKRaven though, as he's a rugby league fan and that really is a crap sport!

jonboy79

07-23-2007, 05:17 PM

I wasn't getting at looking at hte scoreboard, I was getting at seeing the momentum shift in a tie game. The argument I contstantly receive from this side is lwo scoring = bad. I overwhelmingly disagree. i think in all sports but basketball, I like to see low scoring defensive battles.
Pele was a much bigger name a tthe time, and his precense, IMO, paved the way for today's stars to continue. The coiuntry appears to be more ready for it this time, or at least the owner of the Galaxy believes so, as Beckhams contract is better hten what AROD will get this summer...

Greg

07-23-2007, 05:25 PM

The argument I contstantly receive from this side is lwo scoring = bad. I overwhelmingly disagree.
I would agree with that, the problem is besides Fells rooting his team onto heart crushing defeats stolen from the jaws of victory a lead of 1 goal can be extremely comfortable.

A 1-0 baseball game is a great thing to watch because it could be 3-1 in a matter of seconds.

Fells, I don't know enough about soccer to know but every time I watch and there is a break away and I get the least bit excited I may actually see a score or a legitimate attempt the whistle blows because the offense had enough nerve to try and hurry down to the other side.

WxKevin

07-23-2007, 05:39 PM

[quote=jonboy79;40787]There would be a pretty large Russian fanbase in this area. Remember, this is the number 1 sport in almost every other coutry, and the DC baltimore metro area has a comparatively low percentage of Local-Borns.
This is more true for the DC area than Baltimore, especially the Northern and Eastern Suburbs of Balitmore.I would watch it. Although it is not as exciting as World Cup I would definitely pay attention to a Baltimore team.

elland

07-23-2007, 07:04 PM

Bill Shankley (manager in Lverpool FC) said the true words: Football isnt just a matter of life and death. Its much more serious¨than that

UKRaven

07-24-2007, 03:13 AM

[QUOTE=jonboy79;40880]You repeatedly beat home your ignorant point? What do you have agaisnt soccer players, and the game in general. Did your wife run away with a footballer?

:grbac: :rolling: Ignornat point :grbac: :rolling:

I live in a country where soccer is the 'norm'. :grbac:
My Dad (and Grandad) both player soccer at a high (but not prefessional level) Even he was converted to Rugby when watching me play rugby. Before that he went to a soccer playing school and watched soccer. NOW he watches rugby (and the Ravens) - because I showed him how to watch it!

If you feed people bread - they will eat bread. Give 'em a choice!

My wife HATES football, thanks for asking :glasses:

Winthrop19

07-24-2007, 08:42 AM

Many of the points given here are by people who are completely ignorant to the sport of soccer and everything about it. Now do I think Beckham will come over here and make the MLS more popular than the NFL, absolutely not. I do however know that some of the comments made by people on this board were made without knowing anything about the subject. Just a little bit of information for people knocking the interest of soccer in this country. By the end of the MLS and MLB seasons, DC United are on pace to outdraw the Washington Nationals. The arrival of Beckham will bring a sellout crowd to RFK which the Nationals will fail to do all season.

evade6317

07-24-2007, 10:48 AM

Soccer is too simple for the average American but basketball, hockey, baseball, NASCAR and golf are complex? Try again.

Baseball is about as inspiring as watching grass grow. Why did they invent the 7th inning stretch again?

NASCAR. Are you serious. Other than the road courses, it's mind numbing.

Hockey. I actually liked hockey. It's soccer with a stick. But they allow fighting which makes it about as sporting as professional wrestling.

Basketball=soccer but with using your hands. The high scores make it boring to me.

Golf. If you have ever sat and watched a round of golf on TV, then don't ever dare call soccer boring. Scoring a goal reqires as much precision, if not more, than it does to properly hit a golf ball, or even throw a pass through coverage in football.

I will gladly watch a high level soccer game anyday over any of those sports.

To each there own, but just like MMA took off recently in the US, the MLS is gaining ground. HS and college programs are starting to take their soccer programs more seriously and in turn so are the players because there is a possible future in the sport now.

Super Fan

07-24-2007, 12:58 PM

I can't believe my first post on this forum is about soccer versus the Ravens, but oh well. I think the reason MLS seems like 2nd division football is that a lot of teams still play in non-soccer stadiums. I believe there are six "soccer-only" venues in MLS now, which is a very good trend.

MLS knows that it has to rely on smart growth and it will be decades before they can compete in the transfer fee wars of Europe. They have to grow the league to a profit level where player contracts are not restricted. The MLS game however is maturing in that the ball spends much more time on the ground than being vollied back and forth in the air, as in a decade ago. In that sense, it is evolving closer to the game played in Europe and South America.

I agree with Fells on the offsides rule and the the futility of trying to convince others to like soccer. I will say that the low scoring can lead to a building of emotional momentum, which when released, is pretty amazing to participate in as a fan. Think of Stokely scoring the touchdown against the Giants and you can begin to appreciate what a single goal between Celtic and Rangers means to their fans.

flraven

07-24-2007, 01:12 PM

Golf. If you have ever sat and watched a round of golf on TV, then don't ever dare call soccer boring. Scoring a goal reqires as much precision, if not more, than it does to properly hit a golf ball, or even throw a pass through coverage in football.

I'm guessing you don't play golf. For those of us that do, striking a golf ball and having it go precisely where you want it to is no mean feat. That's why they televise it, fans and players of the sport marvel at how good most of those shots are.

But you're right, to each their own.

Denver John

07-24-2007, 01:59 PM

I wish the whole MLS experiment would just go away. Why is it such a big deal that we have a top tier soccer league in this country anyway? All MLS does is distract our best players from doing what they really need to do, which is to get over to England, Germany, Spain, or Italy and play against the world's best every day. I get great enjoyment watching the US, a country where soccer isn't even a pimple on the ass of the nation's consciousness, beat countries where soccer is the lifeblood of the nation. We already have passed Mexico as the best in this region, and that entire nation goes into a week-long funk every time we beat them. Having our best players going up against has-beens because they want soccer to catch on in the US doesn't help us fulfill that goal.

Brazil is the most fanatical soccer nation on earth, but where do all of their best players play? Europe. I watch English Premier League games all the time, but seldom MLS games. Just like I watch NFL games, but never once did I watch an NFL Europe game. Look where we get all of our baseball players from now. We have the world's best baseball league, and players from all over the world come here to play. The US does not support sports leagues unless it is clearly a showcase of the world's best. Soccer will never get there in the US. Let Europe have the great soccer leagues, and we'll handle football, basketball and baseball.

Greg

07-24-2007, 05:34 PM

Hockey. I actually liked hockey. It's soccer with a stick.

It is INDOOR soccer with a stick. Hence some goals being scored. I have nothing against low scoring, it is that there is NO possibility of high scoring.

The NBA does have too much scoring, you could turn on the game with less than 5 minutes to go and get all of the excitement the game has to offer. Soccer will have one or two huge moments, chances are I will be in line at the men's room or getting a beer when they happen.

Mista T

07-24-2007, 06:44 PM

By the end of the MLS and MLB seasons, DC United are on pace to outdraw the Washington Nationals.

:229031_confused2:

DC United attendance (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D.C._United#Average_attendance):

regular season/playoffs

1996: 15,262/18,946
1997: 16,698/20,202
1998: 16,008/14,903
1999: 17,419/12,647
2000: 18,580/missed playoffs
2001: 21,518/missed playoffs
2002: 16,519/missed playoffs
2003: 15,565/15,202
2004: 17,232/18,842
2005: 16,664/20,089
2006: 18,215/20,504
2007: 18,871/TBD (as of June 28, 2007)
All-Time: 17,619

Washington Nationals attendance (http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/attend.shtml):

2005: 33,728
2006: 26,581
2007: 23,062

Regardless, DC United playing in Baltimore wouldn't come close to the Orioles in attendance, currently averaging around only 25,000. We don't have the Hispanic community. IIRC, the NASL Baltimore Bays drew poorly -- like 5,000 per game. If DC United moved to Baltimore, I would be surprised to see attndance over 15,000, with most of them driving up from DC and Virginia..

ravensfan1996

07-24-2007, 10:50 PM

I agree with most people here, MLS is never going to catch on in the US, with Becks or not. I mean Becks playing in the MLS, is like when Roger Clemens plays in the minor league games, sure their attendance goes up, but minor league baseball doesnt get better or more interesting to watch on tv.

I dont know how the LA Galaxy can pay him 50mil a year in a league that 90% of americans couldnt name one team in the league.

I loved playing soccer as a kid up til i was 18, then after that, no one gets together for a pickup soccer game in this country.

Baltimore had a great following with the blast in the 80's, and H.S. soccer in this area is pretty good, but still just not enough interest.

p.s. Mista T, i was just about to post those attendance figures but you beat me to it! heeh

Bez513

07-25-2007, 12:21 PM

It's funny how posters mock others who like different sports. I love golf, play it and watch it. It's not boring to me. NASCAR...I watch it from time to time and go to a couple races each year. I like hockey and soccer too. Like it or hate it but soccer is very popular sport. I think a professional team could survive here better then a minor league hockey team or NBA team. We all love football but I don't see the Blackbirds lasting more then a season or two more here.

evade6317

07-26-2007, 07:44 AM

I'm guessing you don't play golf. For those of us that do, striking a golf ball and having it go precisely where you want it to is no mean feat. That's why they televise it, fans and players of the sport marvel at how good most of those shots are.

But you're right, to each their own.

I have played golf several dozen times. And while it is harder to put a golf ball where you want it, it is just as hard to put a soccer ball where you want it, even without being attacked by defenders and having a goalkeeper in the box. Go try striking a soccer ball into an empty goal from different angles and distances and make sure to put some leg behind it. It's just as hard as hitting a golf ball properly. Add opposing players after you think you have the hang of it.

I wish the whole MLS experiment would just go away. Why is it such a big deal that we have a top tier soccer league in this country anyway? All MLS does is distract our best players from doing what they really need to do, which is to get over to England, Germany, Spain, or Italy and play against the world's best every day. I get great enjoyment watching the US, a country where soccer isn't even a pimple on the ass of the nation's consciousness, beat countries where soccer is the lifeblood of the nation. We already have passed Mexico as the best in this region, and that entire nation goes into a week-long funk every time we beat them. Having our best players going up against has-beens because they want soccer to catch on in the US doesn't help us fulfill that goal.

It's a big deal because there are enough fans and domestic talent to make some money from it. Also, most of our best players wouldn't have a chance to play overseas if they didn't have the chance to hone their skills in MLS.

Another thing, the biggest reason we are able beat Mexico consistantly is due to the MLS. No MLS=No beating Mexico=No top 8 finish in the '02 World Cup.

The MLS isn't going anywhere. It won't beat out the NFL unless something seriously bad happens. But it does have the potential to beat out all the other sports in this country. When there's a chance for a kid from your local community, or better yet your own child, to strike it rich in MLS because of his phenominal soccer skills, people begin to take notice and become spectators. Similar to basketball.

Greg

07-26-2007, 10:19 AM

It's funny how posters mock others who like different sports.
Dude, I am not mocking your choices of what you watch, I watch golf on TV and understand why others do not. If you don't play it you don't understand how hard it is for Tiger, Phil, etc to do what they do.

And while it is harder to put a golf ball where you want it, it is just as hard to put a soccer ball where you want it, . . .
I have played soccer as well, probably more than you have played golf. I would challenge this. Mainly, with soccer you have two dimensions, height and width, to which to aim. Distance plays a part but if your soccer ball is on target the speed of the ball or distance it will travel is immaterial as long as it is hard enough to get there. Golf requires discipline in all 3 dimenions as well as skill in spin, etc.

Yes, there are no defenders in golf but you don't have water and sand hazards and thick grass the ball can get stuck in either. Overall, playing soccer might be harder but hitting a golf ball well is akin to hitting a pitched baseball. These are probably the 2 single hardest things to do in sports.

Bez513

07-26-2007, 10:23 AM

ravensfan1996

07-26-2007, 12:40 PM

I agree its harder to put golf ball where you want it then a soccer ball, but ever see this video:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=1FTXhyJszQ4

evade6317

07-28-2007, 11:47 AM

Dude, I am not mocking your choices of what you watch, I watch golf on TV and understand why others do not. If you don't play it you don't understand how hard it is for Tiger, Phil, etc to do what they do.

I have played soccer as well, probably more than you have played golf. I would challenge this. Mainly, with soccer you have two dimensions, height and width, to which to aim. Distance plays a part but if your soccer ball is on target the speed of the ball or distance it will travel is immaterial as long as it is hard enough to get there. Golf requires discipline in all 3 dimenions as well as skill in spin, etc.

Yes, there are no defenders in golf but you don't have water and sand hazards and thick grass the ball can get stuck in either. Overall, playing soccer might be harder but hitting a golf ball well is akin to hitting a pitched baseball. These are probably the 2 single hardest things to do in sports.

The virtual equalizer between the difficulties in golf vs soccer is that in golf, you are utilizing your hands. Any way you slice it, not being able to utilize one's hands raises the level of precision and coordination required by a human. Add in the fact that in golf you get to set up, you're not breathing hard, and silence is the norm for every shot I'll say they're on par with eachother in difficulty.

I'm not trying to knock golf, or baseball for that matter, I'm just debating that it's not any more boring than many of the other sports already prominant in the US.

And here's a nice compelation of some nice MLS goals from 2006.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6MHAX66YOdg

They're only going to get better and better.