To non soccer fans, do you believe you will or are open to the possibility of becoming more interested in the sport during or after WC 26?

[Simba's Mom]

To non soccer fans, do you believe you will or are open to the possibility of becoming more interested in the sport during or after WC 26? I ask because currently it's been difficult in supporting the USMNT lately and we are 442 days until the world cup. Many of us American soccer fans have waited decades for the world's largest tournament to be in North America again. The main hope of this tournament was to inspire new fans and turn haters of the sport to at least become tolerant of it or by the off chance, actually attend matches in the future. USL and MLS are both trying their hardest in gaining new fans and supporters leading up to the world cup (and after) and I personally do hope that does happen. But with every day passing leading up to the WC, it's feeling like no one (who wasn't a fan before) will honestly become new fans post WC 26. It makes me partly sad that most on this board (no judgment though on anyone) have never really given their local teams support by watching on tv/streaming or going to matches in person. I'm not saying everyone in the country should have soccer as their number 1 sport but as a fan, I wish more people would genuinely support their national team outside of just the WC every 4 years. We have a regional tournament (Concacaf Gold Cup) coming this June (the second biggest tournament for the USMNT), and without my other thread, how many on this board have actually heard about it before or have actually watched the tournament in the past? It's not meant to be insulting just a disappointment I feel because of the lack of passion for the sport in the majority of the country's adult demographic in general. I know it's growing slightly among young people but that passion is mostly for overseas leagues or national teams other than our own. I genuinely wonder if any non soccer fans will watch the Gold Cup this summer even if it's just to see what soccer is truly about. And yes, I'm aware some people find the sport boring or are not into sports at all. I have nothing against that. But all this does just make me sit down and think how will the WC, all the fanfests, and the fanfare in general actually move the needle of the sports interest, popularity and participation post WC 26 overall. Thoughts?

A few of us are old enough to remember the same hope when the World Cup was held in USA in 1994. Unfortunately, its presence really didn't do much of anything to inspire people to become soccer fans.
Some of us already are-Three members of our family have played recreationally, select club level and school teams, been certified as referees and refereed, and now referee from their armchairs (they yell loud enough) the different country teams!
One person I talked with gave me an interesting thought-he said that soccer won't become popular in the United States until more fathers give their little boys soccer balls instead of footballs.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

No interest.

I have really tried. I grew up in a town that was big into soccer and used to go to the games, I have friends whose kids play/played collegiate and professional soccer, several of my coworkers are really into the sport, and DH really enjoys women's soccer. It just bores the living daylights out of me. It's funny because one of those soccer loving coworkers and I have talked about football, baseball and even softball vs. soccer. We both find the other's sports of preference boring and slow. So, I guess it's just personal preference.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Nope. Let it go. You aren't going to convert people.

Not trying to convert anyone. I just like to see if any opinions changed after a length of time or big event.

No interest, just seems boring and reminds me of kick-ball we played in grade school. I am sure many pro soccer players are good athletes, but the sport doesn't appeal to me. I would assume there are soccer forums you could join if have an interest in finding others who also share your enthusiasm.

I'm just more comfortable talking about the sport (even if it's me just posting information on sport in a thread) on the Disboards than other soccer forums. Everyone is nice here and polite for the most part. On actual soccer forums, that isn't really the case any more in my opinion.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I do have a follow up question. If some on here watch the World Cup every 4 years because they say they just follow the national team, then why don't most Americans also watch the smaller tournaments they participate in as well?

 

[Buzz Rules]

A few of us are old enough to remember the same hope when the World Cup was held in USA in 1994. Unfortunately, its presence really didn't do much of anything to inspire people to become soccer fans.
Some of us already are-Three members of our family have played recreationally, select club level and school teams, been certified as referees and refereed, and now referee from their armchairs (they yell loud enough) the different country teams!
One person I talked with gave me an interesting thought-he said that soccer won't become popular in the United States until more fathers give their little boys soccer balls instead of footballs.

This is true and another reason why minor league soccer expansion is vital in grassroots soccer in this country.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not trying to convert anyone.

Your repeated begging for everyone to "give the spot a chance" would say differently.

I just like to see if any opinions changed after a length of time or big event.

Except the "Big Event" is still over a year away.

I'm just more comfortable talking about the sport (even if it's me just posting information on sport in a thread) on the Disboards than other soccer forums. Everyone is nice here and polite for the most part. On actual soccer forums, that isn't really the case any more in my opinion.

It would be great if you were talking about the sport. However, that's not what you do. You repost social media and YT videos. Yea, I know, "they say it better than I do". Sorry, that's not a conversation (or talking).

If someone wants that kind of information, they have access to it themselves.

That being said, I have used your threads as notice that there's a MNT or WNT game coming up, and if I happen to remember, I'll tune in. Personally though, I don't want to scroll through 50 social media posts and 20 videos to find out the game is at 8P Tuesday and it will be on TBS (for example).

 

[Buzz Rules]

No interest.

I have really tried. I grew up in a town that was big into soccer and used to go to the games, I have friends whose kids play/played collegiate and professional soccer, several of my coworkers are really into the sport, and DH really enjoys women's soccer. It just bores the living daylights out of me. It's funny because one of those soccer loving coworkers and I have talked about football, baseball and even softball vs. soccer. We both find the other's sports of preference boring and slow. So, I guess it's just personal preference.

Can I ask what you find slow about it? I understand how the old long ball style is a slower tactic but most teams now use possession attacking styles when playing. So the action greatly increases in the matches. It helps the atmosphere with the fans at the matches themselves. Just my opinion of course. Thanks for the response.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Your repeated begging for everyone to "give the spot a chance" would say differently.

I've done that less now. I thought in the past that maybe some on the community board never really tuned into a match recently. The quality and tactics of the sport has changed and more local options for people to experience the game have appeared through the expansion of teams. It's not about converting people to soccer lovers. It was originally about the almost fan who had maybe a question on the sport or heard about a league or event that they knew little about. I'm sorry if it makes me look pitiful or annoying in your eyes. It was not my intent.

Except the "Big Event" is still over a year away.

That isn't alot of time. And topics we can't discuss here are putting a negative spotlight on the event at the moment.

It would be great if you were talking about the sport. However, that's not what you do. You repost social media and YT videos. Yea, I know, "they say it better than I do". Sorry, that's not a conversation (or talking).

I repost social media about the sport because they often show cool clips about the teams/event. I would happily talk more rather than repost content but I often don't recieve responses on the thread. So to keep the thread going, I repost relevant social media information. I do often delete social media posts on the thread to not clutter it up once the event is done.

If someone wants that kind of information, they have access to it themselves.

Some people aren't aware about upcoming soccer events. I just put it out there so they can do further research if they want to, no one is forcing anyone to participate.

That being said, I have used your threads as notice that there's a MNT or WNT game coming up, and if I happen to remember, I'll tune in. Personally though, I don't want to scroll through 50 social media posts and 20 videos to find out the game is at 8P Tuesday and it will be on TBS (for example).

It's better than just saying bump to a thread every week in my opinion.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've done that less now. I thought in the past that maybe some on the community board never really tuned into a match recently. The quality and tactics of the sport has changed and more local options for people to experience the game have appeared through the expansion of teams. It's not about converting people to soccer lovers. It was originally about the almost fan who had maybe a question on the sport or heard about a league or event that they knew little about. I'm sorry if it makes me look pitiful or annoying in your eyes. It was not my intent.

Buzz, first let me say I respect your passion for the sport. I don't think any of your posts make you look pitiful. Yes, granted, I've been annoyed by some of the posts, but I've also learned to ignore most of them. Mainly because they're not "conversations". I generally don't care what some "expert" has to say about a team.

That isn't alot of time. And topics we can't discuss here are putting a negative spotlight on the event at the moment.

I agree to that. But you said you wanted to know if opinions have changed AFTER a "big event".

I repost social media about the sport because they often show cool clips about the teams/event. I would happily talk more rather than repost content but I often don't recieve responses on the thread. So to keep the thread going, I repost relevant social media information. I do often delete social media posts on the thread to not clutter it up once the event is done.

Just my opinion, but the damage is done. I know the odds are of what I'll find in one of your soccer threads, so I generally don't open them.

Some people aren't aware about upcoming soccer events. I just put it out there so they can do further research if they want to, no one is forcing anyone to participate.

And as I said, I appreciate the reminder that there's an upcoming game. For good or bad, I get that from the title change, not from what's in the thread.

It's better than just saying bump to a thread every week in my opinion.

Like everything else I posted, this is just my opinion, but if you need to "bump" a thread because no one's participating, the thread just needs to die.

I will readily admit everything I've posted here are just my thoughts and opinions. You are totally free to ignore them.

Now, a side note... my city used to have a minor league hockey team. My company used to get free tickets and I'd occasionally win them and go. DW and I enjoyed it. It was a good atmosphere, fun to watch, and the price was right. That was also before we had kids and had to worry about babysitters or their activities. Going to those games didn't turn us into hockey fans. That team has since left.

A couple of years ago we got a USL soccer team. We went to our first game last weekend. Again, because of free tickets. We enjoyed ourselves (it helped that it was a 1-1 draw vs a loss), and might go back in the future. I looked at what buying tickets would cost, and prices ranged from $20-60. Slightly more than I would like to pay, but we'd probably still do it.

Of course, we're VERY casual fans of the sport already. We understand most of the rules (foul recognition is a little questionable if I'm being honest) and the strategy and skill level involved. Someone going with no clue other than "put the ball in the net" I doubt would enjoy it.

 

[TiggerTrigger]

Can I ask what you find slow about it? I understand how the old long ball style is a slower tactic but most teams now use possession attacking styles when playing. So the action greatly increases in the matches. It helps the atmosphere with the fans at the matches themselves. Just my opinion of course. Thanks for the response.

It's hard to describe, but there's a certain monotony to it that makes it really drag for me to the point of being like watching paint dry. There's just so much back and forth, up and down the field, to the point of being repetitive and redundant. Shots on goal seem like they're supposed to be the biggest excitement, but even at the highest levels, so many of those look like obvious failures from the setup or right after the ball leaves the foot. Blocks and steals also do nothing for me aside from making me groan that it's leading to more back and forth. I know some soccer fans take issue with me using the word "slow" as soccer players are running much of the time and moving far more than baseball or football, but it's that monotony/back and forth with little reward that I previously noted that makes this "fast" game seem as slow as molasses. Having gone to some big games in high school, it was always more fun in person, but that's true of pretty much any sport. Getting to be part of an excited crowd is great and all, but that's really just love of a party vs love of the game on the field.

Honestly, any of the games that use this sort of setup tend to bore me. I like hockey a little bit better because the players can get really aggressive, but I can't sit down and watch a whole hockey game either.

 

[barb969]

No interest

 

[Buzz Rules]

Buzz, first let me say I respect your passion for the sport. I don't think any of your posts make you look pitiful. Yes, granted, I've been annoyed by some of the posts, but I've also learned to ignore most of them. Mainly because they're not "conversations". I generally don't care what some "expert" has to say about a team.

I agree to that. But you said you wanted to know if opinions have changed AFTER a "big event".

Just my opinion, but the damage is done. I know the odds are of what I'll find in one of your soccer threads, so I generally don't open them.

And as I said, I appreciate the reminder that there's an upcoming game. For good or bad, I get that from the title change, not from what's in the thread.

Like everything else I posted, this is just my opinion, but if you need to "bump" a thread because no one's participating, the thread just needs to die.

I will readily admit everything I've posted here are just my thoughts and opinions. You are totally free to ignore them.

Now, a side note... my city used to have a minor league hockey team. My company used to get free tickets and I'd occasionally win them and go. DW and I enjoyed it. It was a good atmosphere, fun to watch, and the price was right. That was also before we had kids and had to worry about babysitters or their activities. Going to those games didn't turn us into hockey fans. That team has since left.

A couple of years ago we got a USL soccer team. We went to our first game last weekend. Again, because of free tickets. We enjoyed ourselves (it helped that it was a 1-1 draw vs a loss), and might go back in the future. I looked at what buying tickets would cost, and prices ranged from $20-60. Slightly more than I would like to pay, but we'd probably still do it.

Of course, we're VERY casual fans of the sport already. We understand most of the rules (foul recognition is a little questionable if I'm being honest) and the strategy and skill level involved. Someone going with no clue other than "put the ball in the net" I doubt would enjoy it.

To help next time you watch a match:

https://www.thefa.com/football-rule.../football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct

 

[Allison]

Like everything else I posted, this is just my opinion, but if you need to "bump" a thread because no one's participating, the thread just needs to die.

I agree with this. Also, if someone isn't getting many responses to a thread, there is no reason to keep adding to it. People aren't interested in it.

 

[sam_gordon]

To help next time you watch a match:

https://www.thefa.com/football-rule.../football-11-11/law-12---fouls-and-misconduct

I've seen plenty of soccer over the last dozen years. I've gone through the rule book. What I would need is someone saying AT THE TIME "here's why this is/isn't a foul". One of DS' teammates dad refs. I've asked him during games and he's explained things.

 

[eandt]

To non soccer fans, do you believe you will or are open to the possibility of becoming more interested in the sport during or after WC 26? I ask because currently it's been difficult in supporting the USMNT lately and we are 442 days until the world cup. Many of us American soccer fans have waited decades for the world's largest tournament to be in North America again. The main hope of this tournament was to inspire new fans and turn haters of the sport to at least become tolerant of it or by the off chance, actually attend matches in the future. USL and MLS are both trying their hardest in gaining new fans and supporters leading up to the world cup (and after) and I personally do hope that does happen. But with every day passing leading up to the WC, it's feeling like no one (who wasn't a fan before) will honestly become new fans post WC 26. It makes me partly sad that most on this board (no judgment though on anyone) have never really given their local teams support by watching on tv/streaming or going to matches in person. I'm not saying everyone in the country should have soccer as their number 1 sport but as a fan, I wish more people would genuinely support their national team outside of just the WC every 4 years. We have a regional tournament (Concacaf Gold Cup) coming this June (the second biggest tournament for the USMNT), and without my other thread, how many on this board have actually heard about it before or have actually watched the tournament in the past? It's not meant to be insulting just a disappointment I feel because of the lack of passion for the sport in the majority of the country's adult demographic in general. I know it's growing slightly among young people but that passion is mostly for overseas leagues or national teams other than our own. I genuinely wonder if any non soccer fans will watch the Gold Cup this summer even if it's just to see what soccer is truly about. And yes, I'm aware some people find the sport boring or are not into sports at all. I have nothing against that. But all this does just make me sit down and think how will the WC, all the fanfests, and the fanfare in general actually move the needle of the sports interest, popularity and participation post WC 26 overall. Thoughts?

0.0% chance …. I was so relieved that my kids apparently inherited the no soccer ever gene from me

 

[Buzz Rules]

I've seen plenty of soccer over the last dozen years. I've gone through the rule book. What I would need is someone saying AT THE TIME "here's why this is/isn't a foul". One of DS' teammates dad refs. I've asked him during games and he's explained things.

Do you listen to any soccer podcasts? They help understand that concept.

 

[Buzz Rules]

0.0% chance …. I was so relieved that my kids apparently inherited the no soccer ever gene from me

Why relieved?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I agree with this. Also, if someone isn't getting many responses to a thread, there is no reason to keep adding to it. People aren't interested in it.

It makes me happy.

 

[eandt]

Why relieved?

Because I didn’t have to subject myself to the brutal monotony of that sport … 0-0 ties, nobody ever knows how much time is left, Uno cards raised for who knows what reasons … relieved is being nice

 

[Buzz Rules]

Because I didn’t have to subject myself to the brutal monotony of that sport … 0-0 ties, nobody ever knows how much time is left, Uno cards raised for who knows what reasons … relieved is being nice

I get it. Those are really easy questions to explain though. Anyway, you do you.