Soccer is a virtual religion here (UK), not liking it is almost a social faux pas.

to be a good cure for insomnia. Almost as good as televised American football

My taste in sports extends to wrestling and MMA, everything else just bores me.

It is much faster moving than American football, certainly.

There's not a lot of scoring, which I think is what most people mean when they say it's boring.

But the match yesterday was over in 2 hours. No commercial breaks during the half, which helps a lot.

The Germany-Portugal match WAS boring, very one sided. But the US-Ghana match was nail-biting for me.

has become. I mean, they have players who only come in on 3rd and long, 3rd and short, etc.

Last edited Mon Jun 16, 2014, 11:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Editing, since the OP was edited.

I don't follow it year round, but I do get into the World Cup, and I appreciate the international draw of this sport. I also have never understood the need some have to look at any particular pastime that gives other people enjoyment and a break from the stresses of everyday life and to belittle it and its fans in order to feel cooler/more superior. If it's something that causes some harm, that's one thing. A sport or form of entertainment that you just don't happen to like and are irritated others are so into? You'll be happier if ya just learn to live and let live

Once I understood the rules and strategy involved I gained an appreciation for it. Yes, it can be tedious at times, but the thrilling moments make up for that.

Don't see the appeal.

but not a particularly fun game to watch. But you know what they say about opinions.

actually, played in Gyms

there are reasons why I would not go watch an exhibition game again, and I let the management of the America know exactly why after they fumbled that one four years ago, but if we had an MLS team in San Diego, I would not have an issue with it. I would love to take an afternoon off and go watch a good soccer match.

On the other hand, you will not get me to watch or support an NFL team (will make an exception for the Bruins this year due to Michael Sam, but his story is both a sports story and a political story), or a baseball or basketball team.

And it is quite liberating to watch world class soccer and really not be behind any of the teams.

Here, some info for you as to this growth.

so I've been a soccer mom. Still, unless it's live, so far it's boring.

I'm aware that it's growing fast, and of its benefits relative to football.

I also appreciate your observation about the liberating feeling of watching the world cup games with little investment, though I had fun watching the US beat Ghana. Our crowds in Chicago's Grant Park went nuts.

I'm sure I'll adapt.

I grew up in Mexico, where soccer IS big. I enjoyed watching the games with dad, have many memories. Or hearing it on the radio, or taking, true story, a small transistor radio to school during the 1974 World Cup. It was fun.

These days, we will watch the little powerful mice get trounced by Brazil. IF they manage to tie or beat Brazil, I guarantee, Mexico City will go absolutely crazee.

DO THE THING!

WIN THE POINTS!

I played. Personally I don't like it. If I said I don't like tennis or baseball yet never played and don't know the rules or history or tactics or strategy or anything else, I'd be called small minded, ignorant,
and much worse. Game set match.

So they don't have to watch it.

their excitement.



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TOD

you watch hockey? How about water polo? Either of them has similar strategy to get to goal. Unlike hockey a soccer game is not first and foremost a brawl.

because there are more opportunities to score a goal while in soccer half the time is spent in the middle of the field.

sans brawls, it is essentially the same game. Though you might want to watch the far smaller cousin played in gyms. The field is 1\3 the size, and I think there are six players plus goalie, and it is a far "faster game"

Moreover, I tend to like quintessential working class games, Soccer is one, Hockey is not.

lol

Well-played.

team has struggled in the past. It's good to see them doing well now as well.

Hate the business. Professional soccer is probably the easiest to throw or to take a dive. Professional sports business has ruined most great sports.

I put soccer up there as one of the most healthy team sports of any. When played as a team sport with rules that are reasonably followed it's a great game in non-pro form.

But the fake shit that goes on in professional soccer is just plain idiotic.

We try to get to Timbers games when we can. We have a sort of dedicated wall in a room, with team paraphernalia everywhere there.

Honestly, though, I love my Oregon Ducks football way more.

You're seeing the world's best compete. I was going crazy watching the US today. But after this tourney I really wouldn't watch it again until the next World Cup 4 years from now.

I've known people who are really into it and it is great exercise.

Never played the sport, but I didn't care for most ball games either. Not all of us are meant for team sports, we solo sports.

The world seems to love soccer more than any other sports, just going by sheer numbers. I wish they didn't have those stampedes and riots at times. I can't imagine wanting to be at a big game.

I suspect that's true of a lot of people for a lot of things...

I'm hoping for a soccer stadium in Miami.
http://www.thewire.com/culture/2014/06/miami-really-doesnt-want-david-beckhams-soccer-team/372578/

I would same the same of baseball--stripped of its cultural trappings, it's objectively not an interesting game.

how I feel about baseball, which I don't bother with unless the Red Sox happen to be in the World Series.


Never really cared for soccer much, but the World Cup stuff is exciting, and I've been watching.


Oh, and just an aside...my main sport is American football, so it disturbs me when the playoffs for that (and baseball with the World Series) include the word "world" in the final championship games.

Conference winners and Superbowl winners get shirts and hats that proclaim them to be "world champions".

Baseball teams play in the World Series.

Where the hell do they get that stuff? What other world teams did they play to get to the finals? None, that's what.

So, while I love American football, it always sort of pisses me off that they arrogantly call themselves "World Champions".

Beyond that, I have no opinion.

Where 90 minutes can go by and nothing exciting happens.

Last edited Tue Jun 17, 2014, 02:04 PM - Edit history (1)

On the other hand, basketball has too much scoring.

That's why football (the American kind, that is) and baseball are far and away my two favorite sports. There's enough scoring to keep things interesting, but not so much scoring that it's overwhelming and loses its luster.

And of the two, baseball is the greatest, just because it's so much different than any of the other sports. (No clock, different sized playing fields, head coach is a "manager" and wears the same uniform as the players, etc.) The other sports are all different variants of the same game--getting the ball/puck from one end of the perfectly rectangular field to the other. Baseball is totally unique.

But if other people love soccer--and lots of people do--that's alright with me.

Kind of boring. World Sup soccer is kind of interesting.

its was very popular here during the first world war. Yes, particularly among new immigrants that were working in industry. Local shipyards in the northeast had big matches sometimes down in NY city where all could come to watch. Lots of Irish, English, and Scots were working the steel along with Italians and others from Eastern Europe countries.

I find it super super exciting.

I can't believe the complaints that it is "slow" Soccer is move move, move, run all the time -unlike Football and baseball, which are really slooowwww...

There's a reason why soccer is (by FAR) the most popular sport in the world.

I'm not a soccer expert. But, i know how to watch a sporting event. You say it's move, move, move, yet yesterday i saw midfielders coming to complete stops 5 paces beyond the centerline over and over. I saw a huge number of retreats where the ball was kicked back from the the other teams half of the pitch to 30 or 40 yards backwards.

Sorry if it seems like i'm picking on you, but i've been hearing that about soccer forever and all one has to do is watch a high level game to know that it just isn't the case.
GAC

I mean, I'd rather be having sex than watching soccer. But I'd rather be watching soccer than having a root canal.

So you see, your question as asked cannot be answered in a qualitative sense.

But since you asked, I sort of enjoy watching it. It's fast moving, strategic, and not hampered by idiotic time outs and endless commercials. A game for those who think.

and that's the main reason it's not popular here.

Because there are dots on the ball.


If that's not definitive, I'd like to know what the hell is.

Obviously I'm in the minority Worldwide

My number one problem with soccer is that nobody gets tackled, if somebody even pulls their arm, they get a penalty. The only people who shouldn't get hurt are children when they play soccer.

...rugby if you like to watch people getting hurt.

As to the common complaints about low scores, haven't anyone ever watched an American football game where only one or two touchdowns are scored? If a soccer goal was worth 3 points, or 5 points, or whatever, would that really make a difference to those who just don't care for the game? I doubt it. Would people still watch American football if a touchdown was only worth 1 or 2 points?

and though I enjoy the World Cup, I actually prefer club football. More specifically the EPL and Arsenal..

Such a great spectacle showcasing the best talent from around the world. It is huge for some countries.

"I hate soccer"

"World Cup is stupid, boring sport, fans are maniacs."

I absolutely loved that too. World Cup is stupid. The sport is boring. The fans are maniacs. That is great. Probably the first time I have ever been described as a maniac. Your passion is admirable.

Love the beautiful game

in reality I get bored silly after five minutes of any type of sport. I just don't have the interest or attention span to watch sports.

Love Football, lacrosse, hockey.....don't care for basketball, baseball, tennis, golf, soccer.....

Water polo is better - at least there's a chance of someone drowning

I'm neither a better person or a worse person than those who love it and those who love it are neither better nor worse people than me.

Next question?