any americans....

[carolfoy]

.... watch the world cup? just wondering, I know its not as big a news as your world series and superbowl but just wondered if you're bothering to watch?

 

[momof3disneyholics]

I work in a hotel where alot of Brits and Irish stay at and yesterday they were going nuts over watching this. It's like the Americans get when the Super Bowl comes on.
Oh, and yes, I watched it.

 

[Binkrin]

I work for ESPN. People are going crazy around here!

I actually like soccer but that might be because I am more exposed to it at work.

 

[rayelias]

It seems like much of the media is trying very hard to make it into a really big deal. But, overall, it's not that big.

MANY more people are watching soccer (football) in the US now than 5 or 10 years ago, but it doesn't compare to the excitement that much of the rest of the world puts upon it.

It's definately no Superbowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc. But, it is getting some exposure.

For me, it doesn't do anything.

I *think* one of the reasons it hasn't really taken off here vs. the rest of the world is geography.

The US is huge - made up of 50 different states. We've got just one team. With other US sports, you've got your "local" team to root for, so there's some sort of pride in seeing them win.

It would be akin to Europe having just one soccer (sorry, football) team, instead of there being one from each country. Germanys is rooting for their team. England is rooting for their team.

I think if there was the New York team playing Germany, and the Texas team playing England - that would get us more excited and more involved. We have no "hometown heroes" to root for.

Plus, we like to think we're better than the rest of the world, so when the US soccer (ugh, FOOTBALL) team eventually loses (because we're not that strong, from what I understand), it hurts our ego. Case in point - have you noticed that in the US, the ratings for the Olympics aren't nearly what they used to be when we pretty much dominated.

(and please don't take that as a slam against the US. IMHO, this is the very best country to live in and I love America. But, frankly, we do dominate most things over the rest of the world - finance, technology, wealth, military might, etc. We're not used to losing or not being as good as some other country, especially something that is so important to the rest of the world, like soccer (sigh... football). If (when) we lose, we would not like the sight of another country's fans running through the streets burning and spitting on American flags over a game. We don't do that here over important things. Just an observation.)

YMMV.

 

[DISUNC]

What's "The World Cup"?????????????????

 

[Minnie824]

DH has been watching and Tivo'ing every game! Loves the World Cup. He went years back when it was in CA also.

 

[RadioNate]

Dh has been watching, but he's a sports talk show host.

However, our local TV affiliate showing the games pre-empted them in favor of an informertial so that might give an indication of how many people are watching.

 

[soccerfreak_08]

I have been trying but cannot find a tv channel with it on there.

 

[Binkrin]

I have been trying but cannot find a tv channel with it on there.

What do you mean? All the games are on ESPN/ESPN2 and ABC! Even if you don't have cable for the ESPN games you can at least get them on ABC, that's part of basic cable!

 

[RadioNate]

What do you mean? All the games are on ESPN/ESPN2 and ABC! Even if you don't have cable for the ESPN games you can at least get them on ABC, that's part of basic cable!

unless your ABC afffiliate bumps them for informercials, which is what happened here.

 

[WIcruizer]

It's definately no Superbowl, World Series, Stanley Cup, etc. But, it is getting some exposure.

Maybe that's true in your locality, but as a nation there is more interest in the World Cup than the Stanley Cup. It's not on the same level as the Super Bowl or World Series, and probably never will be. But as long as a match is in HD, I will watch it.

As an American, I want to see the USA do well in any sporting event that's on a world wide stage. And you hear so much asbout Beckham, that it's intriguing to actually watch him play.

 

[Annam26]

Univision is hosting the games live. That's a broadcast channel....and yes, I'm watching!

 

[jcsbama]

My DH is a big soccer fan and he goes nuts during the World Cup. We were at Disney during the last World Cup when USA was doing pretty good. No matter what time they played, DH was up at watching. He also did it for other teams he liked. I don't remember where the World Cup was played last time, but I know the games usually came on at 3:30 or 4:00 am.

Funny, DH is home sick today and it happens to be USA's first World Cup game. But, he really is sick. It takes a lot to keep him home. Even then he's in the recliner with his laptop. It's just a bonus that the US is playing today.

 

[cardaway]

Two things work against it. The time difference and the US team not being a top contender.

Personally I know a lot of people really into it, but most of them play on a regular basis and have played soccer (football) at the national level.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

Univision is hosting the games live. That's a broadcast channel....and yes, I'm watching!

Not everywhere. Here in Richmond Univision is a cable channel.

I'm not a soccer fan, so no, I'm not watching.

I think what rayelias said is on the mark. Here in the US we get involved with local teams, be they professional or college, but not as much as we do with national teams.

 

[WIcruizer]

Two things work against it. The time difference and the US team not being a top contender.

That is true, but the nation's interest in soccer is the #1 reason (by far) why the World Cup isn't as popular. The Super Bowl could be on at 3:00AM and the ratings would be sky high. Even if the US team was a contender, it would have very little impact on ratings and interest level.

 

[soccerfreak_08]

What do you mean? All the games are on ESPN/ESPN2 and ABC! Even if you don't have cable for the ESPN games you can at least get them on ABC, that's part of basic cable!

Thanks. We just got DishNetwork and I am lost as far as all the channels go. I will keep checking back on those channels now.

 

[N.Bailey]

My son has been playing soccer for 9 years now. Next year (well this year really) will be the first year he's allowed to play for the school. Our HS soccer team starts in 9th - prior to that, you play for the community center. His coach has made it a requirement that the entire team must watch the World Cup. So, while we've not watched in the past, I'm sure we'll be required to watch for the next 4 years.

 

[Binkrin]

Thanks. We just got DishNetwork and I am lost as far as all the channels go. I will keep checking back on those channels now.

Sorry for all the exclamation points... I just know how hard everyone is working over here

 

[Binkrin]

My son has been playing soccer for 9 years now. Next year (well this year really) will be the first year he's allowed to play for the school. Our HS soccer team starts in 9th - prior to that, you play for the community center. His coach has made it a requirement that the entire team must watch the World Cup. So, while we've not watched in the past, I'm sure we'll be required to watch for the next 4 years.

Don't worry, it only happens every 4 years. You are clear after this summer