Soccer Has NOT Arrived in U.S.

I'm sorry, but just because the U.S. broke through with a big goal in the game against Algeria to move on to the second round of the World Cup does not mean soccer in the U.S. has arrived. Just because lots of people were watching the morning telecast on a weekday, does not mean soccer has arrived in the U.S.

Until we see football stadiums filled to capacity in every major city for Major Soccer Leaugue games here in the U.S., then no one can say that soccer has arrived. Soccer is not even in the same ballpark as NHL hockey, which is clearly a notch below the other three big sports, football, basketball and baseball. Hockey fans in most of the big cities in the north fill their indoor stadiums, usually seating about 20,000, to capacity for most regular season games. The NBA in many cities underperforms hockey.

Soccer, played outside, is usually played in small stadiums that seat 20,000 to 25,000, and they remain half empty for most games.

All the interest in the U.S. team right now will wane once the World Cup is over. I would venture to guess that not even a World Cup championship would result in anything resembling soccer's arrival in the U.S. You will never see soccer become as popular as American football in this country. NEVER.

Most Americans simply find it boring. The game is slow, except for an occasional flurry of shots on goal at some stages. The players whine, and do play acting on the field to draw fouls. While it can be rough at times, it is clear that soccer players are nowhere near as tough as hockey players.

Americans like to see LOTS of spectacular action during a game. We like to see the athletes make spectacular plays throughout, not just a few times during the game. I equate watching soccer with watching baseball. It is boring. The only reason baseball flourishes here in the U.S. is that it was created here.

Soccer is so boring, we tried to Americanize it with indoor soccer. That helped to speed up the action a bit, but eventually, most of those leagues failed too.

Soccer in the U.S. is more like the Olympics. We have an interest in seeing American athletes do well in the biggest event held every four years, but once they are over, we don't pay attention. And I certainly do not ever expect there to be any interest in a soccer draft in my lifetime. If a kid is good, he is off to Europe to play, just like all of the best players in the world.

No matter what though, I will be cheering for our team just like everyone else. Just don't try to tell me that it's the next big thing here in America. They've been trying to tell us that for the last 20 years.