World Cup Soccer

From what I have seen, it's only mainstream during World Cup times.  I have never seen a MLS game on TV.  If it is, it's on some buried channel somewhere, or maybe I just skip over it because I don't care.  I'll watch some World Cup.  I'll probably make it a point to watch USA play World Cup.  Other than that, soccer doesn't find it's way into my house.  Shoot, my brother played semi-pro soccer in the 80's for the New Jersey Americans and his son played soccer thru HS.  Neither of them even watch soccer on TV.

Watching parts of the world cup games reminds me of the truly miraculous nature of the sport.  Young adult athletic specimens who have gone thru world class conditioning fall, writhing in pain, grabbing a leg or an ankle, rolling on the ground, terrified of their fate.  Surely something is broken or, at least, very bad ligament damage... career likely over...  oh, wait...  back up and running fine.. IT'S A MIRACLE!!!!!!

 

... repeat about forty or fifty times per game.

 

On a more serious note... I did enjoy the patriotic passion of the players and fans at the Brazil vs Mexico game as they each sang loudly to their respective national anthems.

 

Hahaha.  So true!!!

We should play nice here.  Just think of what they say about baseball over on some Hs Soccer community, when the baseball  "world" classic rolls around.   They probably have a field day with our sport. 

How does hockey make it in the US? Isn't the clock situation similar to soccer? Yes, it stops when the puck goes out of play, etc but they don't take "media timeouts" do they?

There are three 20 minute periods.  Much different than two 45 - 50 minute periods.  And to be honest with you, I don't think hockey is all that big throughout the whole country until you get to the Stanley Cup.  Upper Mid West and North East - yes.  Most everywhere else, not so big.

Hockey does take media timeouts - usually at stoppages around the 6 & 12 minute of each period.

Gotcha. That's what I wanted to know! I don't watch much hockey. Even I was surprised when I sat down and watched nearly an entire game this spring when the Blues/Blackhawks were playing...

All in good fun, Slugger.  It is tradition for us middle-aged Americans and/or baseball people to knock soccer, whether we secretly like it or not.  My oldest son played HS soccer and I often go to HS games to support the baseball players I coach.  I actually do like the indoor version where there is more action and scoring opportunities.  My kids (and I) all played roller hockey and I love that as well.  BTW, no off sides and no flopping

 

I also totally get the negative perception of baseball to the casual observer and don't mind engaging in that debate.

 

Hmmm... the Brazil v. Mexico game just ended 0-0.  But then again, the Texas Tech v. Ole Miss baseball game is not much different at 1-0 going into the 9th!

 

 

 

 

At least someone will eventually win the Texas Tech - Ole Miss game.

plus for my money I will take a 1-0 baseball game over a 0-0 soccer game any day.  

There are MLS and Premier League games on Fox almost every week. There's also a lot of soccer on ESPN. Then there's Fox Soccer, MLS package and Premier League package.

Hockey is a boutique sport like soccer. Not everyone is into it. The complaint about hockey is the casual fan has trouble following the puck. Several years ago whomever was broadcasting the NHL at the time tried putting a blue streak behind the puck. It was real annoying to people who know the game.

 

Hockey doesn't break for ads. But there are ad breaks about every five minutes when play stops. If at a game the ad break seems like forever given the normal flow of the game. The twenty minute intermissions are loaded with ads.