Soccer beats Hockey in the US

[Cropduster]

We don't call California "Mexifornia" for no reason. Or well Northern Mexico.

Not being racist but that's what a lot of people call this area now.

maybe Scott Gomez should come to LA?

 

[Wranglers110]

Um, yeah, because it popped probably an 80 share in Mexican-American households, and 10 of the other 20 share probably had a family member watching it somewhere else.

If it was Canada-Guadalope?

Exactly true: nobody would watch anything from Canada.





edit....and I kid, but this rationalization of "it's just the dern forners" isn't a very good way to explain it away. "Soccer's more popular than hockey cuz more peopil lik soker" isn't a very good way to argue that hockey is really more popular, brainiacs. I don't understand why people insist on continuing this Pejorative Slured reasoning.

The sport that we love is at stake here. Listen....if the MLS folded, soccer's image and popularity wouldn't be worse off for it. If the NHL folded, then I don't know what the heck I would do as a hockey fan. This rationalization of "don't worry, it's only those Mexican-speakin' forners" isn't a helpful assesment of the situation.

 

[Hasbro]

This rationalization of "don't worry, it's only those Mexican-speakin' forners" isn't a helpful assessment of the situation.

Neither is cherry picking the ratings of a single game and using it to state that soccer has surpassed hockey.

Or the constant stream of hype for soccer. Soccer would be a lot more popular if it weren't for the way it's crammed down our throats.

 

[ukyote]

This is just one game and the Stanley cup is seven.

I'd be so sad if Soccer is more popular then Hockey . The reason why Soccer doesn't succeed in NA is cause of Basketball. It's a better sport and just as cheap to play .

I think pretty much everyone other than Americans would disagree with you on that one!

 

[Hasbro]

I think pretty much everyone other than Americans would disagree with you on that one!

Yes the human cost is higher.

 

[Unholy Diver]

I watched just about as much of the Soccer game as I did the Stanley Cup finals, granted that equates to about 10 minutes of each

If the Pens or a team that I cared a bit more about were in the finals I'd probaby have watched a good bit more but I couldn't really care less about the Ducks or Sens so I just watched MLB (Pittsburgh Pirates) games instead

 

[DaveMatthew]

I just find it funny how many of the posters who criticize American media for being close minded and not truly learning, understanding and appreciating the sport of hockey have the exact same attitude as them when it comes to discussing soccer.

 

[Lainlight]

I'm glad football is getting over with the fans in the US; the MLS is becoming more competitive, and with stars such as Beckham and Shevchenko at least considering coming over to play, that can only put the sport on the international level.

Frankly, I don't know why football isn't the #1 or #2 sport in the US; it is the world game, and does not get enough credit as a quality sport. The NHL has been lacking in recent years, so I'm not surprised they were surpassed.

Thats cuz america comes up with their "own" sports such as "AMERICAN" -football or baseball. They call it soccer (americanized) while THE WHOLE WORLD call it football, futball, fotboll etc. Soccer is "not-american" its europian and theyre not good at it, so they rather compete with japan, cuba, panama in baseball...or watch commercial at a NFL-game.

 

[Chileiceman]

Thats cuz america comes up with their "own" sports such as "AMERICAN" -football or baseball. They call it soccer (americanized) while THE WHOLE WORLD call it football, futball, fotboll etc. Soccer is "not-american" its europian and theyre not good at it, so they rather compete with japan, cuba, panama in baseball...or watch commercial at a NFL-game.

Actually the term Soccer is very old and invented by british people. It is short for Associated football. Back in the 19th century, when the game of football was being developed, there were many types of rules of football. One became rugby (and its offshoot american football) and the other soccer.
In Britain Associated football became the most popular way of playing it, so it just became football. Whereas in America the Rugby type rules (that later developed into American Football) were more popular, so it became known as football.

 

[Chileiceman]

I watched just about as much of the Soccer game as I did the Stanley Cup finals, granted that equates to about 10 minutes of each

If the Pens or a team that I cared a bit more about were in the finals I'd probaby have watched a good bit more but I couldn't really care less about the Ducks or Sens so I just watched MLB (Pittsburgh Pirates) games instead

Example 472847483278957 of why the NHL has a large fanbase but gets awful national ratings. Its fans only care if their team is playing.

 

[nyr7andcounting]

What a joke. Stanley Cup game they're referring to was on NBC during prime time too. The US-MEX Gold Cup final was on 2 channels and the English speaking one isn't even included in the ratings.

 

[krudmonk]

Actually the term Soccer is very old and invented by british people. It is short for Associated football. Back in the 19th century, when the game of football was being developed, there were many types of rules of football. One became rugby (and its offshoot american football) and the other soccer.
In Britain Associated football became the most popular way of playing it, so it just became football. Whereas in America the Rugby type rules (that later developed into American Football) were more popular, so it became known as football.

Indeed. Furthermore, the US is not the only country to call it soccer. Canada (Canadian football), Australia (Australian rules football), Ireland (Gaelic football), South Africa, New Zealand and Wales (both rugby codes) and so on. Not only all that, but the term originated in England. Us calling it soccer is not out of arrogance but mere tradition.

 

[JVR]

I'm kinda starting to follow FC Toronto and have a soft spot for them.

Not following MLS because it's inferior in quality to the EPL is a stupid point.

Should fans of Legia Warsaw stop following their team because the Polish league is probably not better than the MLS?

The FC Toronto fans show pride in their local team and city and with that pride and enthusiasm the league and soccer will grow.

I just find it funny how many of the posters who criticize American media for being close minded and not truly learning, understanding and appreciating the sport of hockey have the exact same attitude as them when it comes to discussing soccer.

 

[frivolousz21]

I appreciate soccer and watch usa world cup matches.


im not going to watch the mls which is a bad league..ive seen EURO cup games tv..then watching the mls is like pro baseball to A ball if that.

thats why the MLS isnt shyt

 

[Rocket]

I appreciate soccer and watch usa world cup matches.


im not going to watch the mls which is a bad league..ive seen EURO cup games tv..then watching the mls is like pro baseball to A ball if that.

thats why the MLS isnt shyt

If every soccer fans in this country had the same attitude as yours MLS wouldn't have a chance to grow to even this point, let alone have the potential (and foundation) to grow much bigger in the future. It would have folded long ago.

 

[frivolousz21]

almost every kid....and dont take this as racist..almost every white kids when I grew up in the 90's played soccer...if you didnt play in a league you played in fields..on streets..we played 2 on 2....we shot around, we did hardest shot.

soccer is a fun sport to play..exp indoor since its small and you can play it as an adult and not get wipped out.

however out of all the kids who played? how many watch the MLS or any other pro soccer league on a regular basis?

hardly any...its not some attitude..why would you expect us to watch the mls..when clearly the talent level is considerably less than other leagues.

I guarentee you if 90 percent of the NHL top players went overseas and we still had a league filled with college kids, juniors, ameatures..it would fold.

same with any other american sport.

it is what it is.

if all the soccer talent came here..then yes the MLS would grow...but it still woudlnt even make it to the NBA status with all the stars in the world.

but I guess with all these illegal immigrants coming it would work on tv.

Ive been told..soccer has been americas number 1 youth sport since 1970s and guarentee number with white kids...and nationally its still minute.

 

[Hasbro]

I just find it funny how many of the posters who criticize American media for being close minded and not truly learning, understanding and appreciating the sport of hockey have the exact same attitude as them when it comes to discussing soccer.

And it's this attitude that keeps soccer from selling here.

And if anything the media overindulges hockey because plenty of sports outlets are making money off soccer outside the US and are just trying to use the programming stateside.

 

[Rocket]

..why would you expect us to watch the mls..when clearly the talent level is considerably less than other leagues.

If you are a soccer fan and want America to have one of the best soccer leagues in the world someday supporting MLS and helping it grow would be your best bet. Millions of soccer fans in this country simply accepted that MLS will never be big without realizing that they themselves have the power to make it happen. They can support the league and set up a chain reaction that would start the whole process:

More fans => more money + better stadium atmosphere => more quality player signings => even more fans, including the casual fans going to more games per year => more money, including from better sponsorship and TV deals + better media coverage => even better player signings, close to their primes => More fans, including many of those who grew up playing the sport and other bandwagon jumpers + much more lucrative sponsorship and international TV contracts => much more money => ... and so on (throw in the possibilty of the US national team improving, somewhere in there, as a result of better competition and thus increasing soccer's profile even more) ...

If you are not a fan of the sport or if you only want to be able to follow the top European leagues on TV (and don't care about the fact that you may never be able to attend a live game from those leagues) ignore this post.

 

[Refuse]

I'm kinda starting to follow FC Toronto and have a soft spot for them.

Not following MLS because it's inferior in quality to the EPL is a stupid point.

Should fans of Legia Warsaw stop following their team because the Polish league is probably not better than the MLS?

The FC Toronto fans show pride in their local team and city and with that pride and enthusiasm the league and soccer will grow.

While I agree with what you're trying to say, that you can still follow a league you know is not the best one out there, the polish league is probably better than the MLS, like many european leagues.

 

[TheMoreYouKnow]

Neither is cherry picking the ratings of a single game and using it to state that soccer has surpassed hockey.

It's not really cherry picking is it? the Gold Cup Final isn't exactly the best soccer can offer, it's in fact a bit of a diddy tournament without much relevance in the world of soccer. And Mexico plays the US all the time too. This wasn't some unique soccer contest that sparked everybody's fascination. But on the other hand what would be a bigger showcase for the NHL than the Stanley Cup Finals?

It's pretty obvious that the NHL as far as national TV viewership goes is below plenty of other sports, many a lot more embarrassing than soccer. Everyone knows soccer beats out hockey at the grassroots too. The one area where soccer in America can't beat out hockey is the level of the pro league. The NHL is more professional, more established and more popular than MLS. But the MLS is 3rd rate in soccer, the NHL is the best hockey can offer.

Or the constant stream of hype for soccer. Soccer would be a lot more popular if it weren't for the way it's crammed down our throats.

Is it crammed down your throats? Soccer gets barely more media attention in the US than hockey if that. Only the World Cup is really covered at all by the mainstream media and that's often enough in a novelty style. Soccer is mostly a foreign sport in America and thus by default doesn't get nearly as much play as homegrown sports. If you don't like soccer however you will perceive any kind of marketing effort on part of the sport as "cramming it down your throat"

 

[Metallian*]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/soccer/06/26/bc.soc.goldcupratings.ap/index.html

The Gold Cup Final showing USA vs. Mexico rated 41% higher than the final game of the Stanley Cup Finals. The numbers are probably even understated in favor of the soccer match considering it only tabulates one of the two stations that aired the soccer game.

Well....

of course that would have good ratings. look at the spanish population in USA plus the mexican immigrant population.

 

[EbencoyE]

Of course soccer is more popular than hockey in the U.S. If you didn't know that, you're probably mildly Pejorative Slured.

EVERY high school in the country has a soccer team. Very few have hockey teams.

99.9% of kids play soccer growing up (an estimate, but probably pretty close to actuality) 1 or 2% probably play hockey. But probably not even that much.

Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, so even Americans have plenty of knowledge about the sport.

Hockey, on the other hand, is a wealthy white-domianted sport found rarely outside of certain geographic areas.

In my area for example, rich white kids go to prep schools to play hockey. Soccer, however, is played by kids of all ethnicities at free public schools.

I played soccer for 8 years as a kid before I got into hockey. I didn't even know what the hell soccer was but my parents made me play it. It's cheap and safe, afterall. That's all parents care about.

I had to discover hockey on my own and beg my parents to let me play. Then I had to quit awhile later because my mom couldn't afford it anymore.

Like I said, it's pretty obvious which sport is more accessible and it should be no surprise that it's more popular than hockey.

 

[Bear of Bad News]

Of course soccer is more popular than hockey in the U.S. If you didn't know that, you're probably mildly Pejorative Slured.

Thanks for the kind words.

Especially considering that, as stated, your comment isn't necessarily true. As a participatory sport, yes, soccer is more popular than hockey in the United States. As a sport for attending games or watching games or following the sport? You're going to need more proof than calling dissenters "mildly Pejorative Slured".

 

[AM]

Soccer

Is a better more universal game then hockey, but hockeys a darn good game as well.

That said, any sport is alot better if you are a fan. I wouldn't watch hockey if I wernt a fan off the oilers, and the only reason I'm a fan of the Oilers is because they are in Edmonton.

You dont need to look any further then that to account for these TV numbers.

There are alot of fans of Mexican and Americain soccer who watched that game.

 

[Valhoun*]

I watched just about as much of the Soccer game as I did the Stanley Cup finals, granted that equates to about 10 minutes of each

If the Pens or a team that I cared a bit more about were in the finals I'd probaby have watched a good bit more but I couldn't really care less about the Ducks or Sens so I just watched MLB (Pittsburgh Pirates) games instead

The Pirates? Whose AAA affiliate are they these days?