World Cup South Africa, 2010 Thread

[Jagger]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I would think it may be of concern if they want to grow the game...you know...in North America.

I simply don't see it happening to a huge extent in North America regardless of this entertainment value you're looking for.

The old NASL was supposed to do that when they had the likes of Pele playing in the league.

The World Cup in '94 was supposed to grow the sport and, even though it was a pretty good WC, it didn't light the sport on fire in the states.

The MLS was supposed to do it too and while it has been relatively successful it has not made that much headway against the status quo other major sports and probably never will. They have done well and deserve credit for their success in a tough market though.

It's just not going to happen over here I'm afraid. It is simply not part of the culture, people don't 'get it', exactly as you've stated T99. I grew up with the sport, I've lived and died following my team, Liverpool, in England and Europe. It becomes part of you, more than just a sport. Some people over here, however, do start to understand the appeal, especially if they manage to attend a few matches in Europe or South America. It becomes infectious, a real event, much more than attending most sports. I've been to NHL games, MLB games, NFL games and, sorry, they just don't compare. You cannot explain it to outsiders, most simply will never really get it unless they really experience it. I've accepted that now.

It's ingrained in me and now my kids are the same. They are avid supporters of Liverpool Football club and, by extension, England.

Nothing else to say, Tranny. I feel like it's your loss but there's probably no way you'll be ever be able to really get it. Here's an idea though, go attend a match at Anfield, say, Liverpool vs Manchester United, and see if anything registers with you. That could make a believer of you. You never know.

[Nuje]

Originally Posted by Jagger

I simply don't see it happening to a huge extent in North America regardless of this entertainment value you're looking for.

The old NASL was supposed to do that when they had the likes of Pele playing in the league.

The World Cup in '94 was supposed to grow the sport and, even though it was a pretty good WC, it didn't light the sport on fire in the states.

The MLS was supposed to do it too and while it has been relatively successful it has not made that much headway against the status quo other major sports and probably never will. They have done well and deserve credit for their success in a tough market though.

It's just not going to happen over here I'm afraid. It is simply not part of the culture, people don't 'get it', exactly as you've stated T99. I grew up with the sport, I've lived and died following my team, Liverpool, in England and Europe. It becomes part of you, more than just a sport. Some people over here, however, do start to understand the appeal, especially if they manage to attend a few matches in Europe or South America. It becomes infectious, a real event, much more than attending most sports. I've been to NHL games, MLB games, NFL games and, sorry, they just don't compare. You cannot explain it to outsiders, most simply will never really get it unless they really experience it. I've accepted that now.

It's ingrained in me and now my kids are the same. They are avid supporters of Liverpool Football club and, by extension, England.

Nothing else to say, Tranny. I feel like it's your loss but there's probably no way you'll be ever be able to really get it. Here's an idea though, go attend a match at Anfield, say, Liverpool vs Manchester United, and see if anything registers with you. That could make a believer of you. You never know.

Yyyup. For me, I wasn't born with Liverpool FC, but I just immerse myself more and more. Now, having been there...I was blown away.

As far as soccer never catching on here, I doubt it will fully. I think if the MLS makes their prices competitive though, they could get a decent following in Canada. While markets like Calgary are small compared to those big US markets, the only sports rooted here are hockey, and the CFL. The NLL has some following too, but then that's it. All but the NHL are quite affordable (that includes CHL hockey as well of course). If the MLS ever comes to Calgary, that's where I likely spend most of my non Flames-related sports dollar, unless the Hitmen are deep in the playoffs.

[GirlySports]

I think one needs to go to Europe to enjoy a match.
I would recommend this read

http://www.amazon.com/Bloody-Confuse.../dp/0767928083

It's an clueless American Sportswriter going to England to discover the sport.

Excerpt:

I felt confounded at mysterious words such as "Hotspur" (that''s the nickname for the North London club Tottenham Hotspur), "Everton" (that''s an actual and first-rate club set in Liverpool), and "Sven-Goran Eriksson" (he''s the dour Swedish former coach of England''s national team). I pictured "West Ham" as some gumdrop village somewhere in the countryside, when it''s a storied club in gritty East London. I feared I would mispronounce the words "Arsene Wenger" in public, for he''s the revered Frenchman who manages Arsenal, the globally revered North London club. I could not for the life of me define "bung," but I felt relief when I learned that''s an illicit and illegal payment, because illicit and illegal payments had a ring of familiarity from American college sports. I had only just learned the home city of the mystically titled "Aston Villa." (It''s Birmingham.) Only after marveling at the sublime TV talent of soccer''s foremost studio host, Gary Lineker, did I learn he''d actually played the game and played it for the national team, belying the habit of former players of becoming unenlightening cliche-spewers. I suddenly learned that in addition to the Premiership, the European Champions League, and the FA Cup, clubs played for a fourth annual trophy formerly called "League Cup" but by now named for a Canadian beer (the Carling Cup).

[GirlySports]

I'm looking forward to Chile play. They're supposedly a high-octane ultra offensive side. They play a 3-3-1-3 or even the old 1950s W-M (3-2-2-3)
Curious to see if they can run Honduras over.

I know there are Chilian fans here who can give me more details

[Cactus Jack]

Originally Posted by transplant99

I understand what you are saying here, but I completeloy disagree and even see that as a condemnation of the sport in fact.

I dont watch NBA during the season nor even the early rounds of the playoffs, because I dont have a team I care about (among other reasons), but when their showcase event comes around I can still get some enjoyment out of watching it because it is 2 teams trying to win the whole thing.

If I have to have some emotional attachment to a team to enjoy a sport, i suggest that sport has problems. It should stand alone on its entertainment value IMO, and so far in this WC, it has failed to staggering degree.

I'm not saying you need an emotional attachment to enjoy the game, but it helps. By brining up other NA sports I don't watch, the point I tried I get across is that I can watch a World Series, Superbowl, NBA final, golf tourney or NCAA tourney and not give two craps about the excitement or level of play. I thought 3/4 of the Steelers superbore games last year sucked and I used to be a big NFL fan.

I support Chile and I like Brazil in soccer (football) but for years Chile was terrible and hard to watch. I went to a Chilean league final game in Santiago in 2007 and it was amazing. My first ever soccer game in person and it blew the doors off anything in North America. 100X better atmosphere and more fun than the Flames game 6 against Tampa.

Originally Posted by GirlySports

I'm looking forward to Chile play. They're supposedly a high-octane ultra offensive side. They play a 3-3-1-3 or even the old 1950s W-M (3-2-2-3)
Curious to see if they can run Honduras over.

I know there are Chilian fans here who can give me more details

What do you think? I thought they were fantastic today, particularily in the first half were they had over 60% of possession and half a dozen shots on goal. Beausejour's goal was a lucky one but Chile was all over them. They did slow a bit in the second half, however. Udinese striker Alexis Sanchez and Midfielder Mauricio Isla really stood out on the right side. They attacked constantly and could have had a few goals between themselves. Isla set up Chile's goal.

5 of Chile's starters were from the under 20 team in 2007 that played in Toronto (Isla, Sanchez, Medel, Carmona, Vidal) so they are still quite young. Our 2 setup midfielders/CFs Valdivia and Fernandez disappointed a little but you have to remember Chile was playing without its top and really only true striker Humberto Suazo who should return for the second game.

It was great to see Chile win their first game, now they need to beat the Swiss in order to advance. The Chile-Spain game will be something else to watch.

VIVA CHILE, MIERDA!

[Locke]

WOW. Swizterland 1, Spain 0.

Does the choke job continue?

[Pastiche]

Wow. Spain choking.

[transplant99]

LOL...that Swiss guy flying through the air there was awesome. Wow did that happen in a heartbeat or what?

[Pastiche]

Got to think Torres is coming on soon.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by transplant99

LOL...that Swiss guy flying through the air there was awesome. Wow did that happen in a heartbeat or what?

You interested now? Nothing says excitement like succesful underdogs...

Switzerland = The World Cup's Philadelphia Flyers!!

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Locke

You interested now? Nothing says excitement like succesful underdogs...

Switzerland = The World Cup's Philadelphia Flyers!!

Actually, and going back to my original post in this thread, I have been "interested" since the beginning...all i was saying was I havent seen a alot to keep my attention moving forward.

Doesnt mean i want to stop watching as it has been pointed out that these early games are often this poor, just that for the most part...its been rather abysmal entertainment value IMO.

Pretty obvious that this Spanish club is really good however, and to see them trailing at this point is a bit of a surprise. Reminds me of the Avs beating the Sharks while getting outshot 56 - 18 or whatever it was.

[GirlySports]

Predictably ######ed

[Locke]

Holy CRAP!! Alonso just SMOKED the bar!!

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by GirlySports

Predictably ######ed

LOL!!

All tongue in cheek. Reilly is great. Though i am sure this will upset the die-hards.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Locke

Holy CRAP!! Alonso just SMOKED the bar!!

Not that there is anything wrong with that!!

[GirlySports]

How did the Swiss not score there?!

I hope you all think this is entertaining. That ugly Swiss goal might have been the one to finally wake up this World Cup.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

they did use the ball in the Bundesliga for the last 4 months of the season though, and which team has looked the best so far...

I never heard of this, but if true the Germans are the smartest team in the world and the rest are wild idiots. If you could use the ball for 4 months prior to the World Cup to get used to it why in the world wouldnt you?

[Regorium]

I heard the beginnings of a chant for a couple seconds, and then BZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

I'm amused that Spain almost got scored on twice by the exact same play.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Locke

I never heard of this, but if true the Germans are the smartest team in the world and the rest are wild idiots. If you could use the ball for 4 months prior to the World Cup to get used to it why in the world wouldnt you?

handing a distinct advantage to the Germans because of the ball's use in the Bundesliga since February.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...l-2001398.html

[Locke]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...l-2001398.html

Thats an interesting article, and England are idiots, it sounds like they just ignored the fact that they could use it and wasted the opportunity. You'd think having all of your international players playing in the same league would make acclimatizing to the new ball dead simple.

I predict a 1-1 tie in this game by the way, and I think Spain will feel lucky to get it from these plucky Swiss!