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I'm glad soccer isn't growing any faster than it is
Posted on 7/2/14 at 9:33 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 9:33 am
This isn't a thread saying I don't want soccer to grow or that I'm some hipster that's afraid "my" sport will sell out out to the masses.
Honestly, I think the rate of the game's growth here in the States is steady and healthy. I'd be concerned if it were just growing astronomically every year. We've (well, not me personally) seen what happened when soccer literally exploded onto the scene back in the 70's and disappeared just as fast. It was almost literally dead for 20 years. Longer, depending on your definition of "dead".
I think this rate of growth is perfect. When the game's detractors are saying, "Soccer's popularity hasn't changed in 20 years!", to me, that just means it's happening slowly and steadily and it won't turn out to be some fad like it did back in the 70s. Owners and investors aren't being forced to shell out money they don't have.
Honestly, I think the rate of the game's growth here in the States is steady and healthy. I'd be concerned if it were just growing astronomically every year. We've (well, not me personally) seen what happened when soccer literally exploded onto the scene back in the 70's and disappeared just as fast. It was almost literally dead for 20 years. Longer, depending on your definition of "dead".
I think this rate of growth is perfect. When the game's detractors are saying, "Soccer's popularity hasn't changed in 20 years!", to me, that just means it's happening slowly and steadily and it won't turn out to be some fad like it did back in the 70s. Owners and investors aren't being forced to shell out money they don't have.
2
Posted on 7/2/14 at 9:35 am to thesoccerfanjax
I think slow growth will help to build a US culture that isn't just a copy of the rest of the world. Nothing wrong with American soccer having a different attitude, vocabulary, etc. from the rest of the world.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 9:36 am to Pettifogger
I think we are starting to see that now. The US team is being praised for their bold style of play. Well, we've always had that bold style, but now we are getting better at it. We just don't have the pieces yet for that to come to full fruition, but you can see it starting to happen.
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 9:38 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 10:33 am to thesoccerfanjax
Looking at the MLS site, in 2007, there were 4 players with seven figure salaries. In 2014, there are 12. I'd say that's pretty solid growth. Attendance figures are solid pretty much across the table. I wouldn't call it fast, but it is growing.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:00 am to MLSter
It's been "growing slowly" since the 70's.
It's the slowest-growing sport in American history.
It's the slowest-growing sport in American history.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:01 am to SportsGuyNOLA
quote:
It's been "growing slowly" since the 70's.
It's the slowest-growing sport in American history.
You are a pretty shitty Sports Guy.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:03 am to Broski
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:03 am to Broski
New Orleans needs a team ASAP.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:04 am to SportsGuyNOLA
quote:
You feel better, now?
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 11:04 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:04 am to SportsGuyNOLA
quote:
It's been "growing slowly" since the 70's.
It's the slowest-growing sport in American history
Nah. It declined in the 70's and through the 80's. It's only been growing again since the early 90s.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:05 am to thesoccerfanjax
quote:
Nah. It declined in the 70's and through the 80's. It's only been growing again since the early 90s.
What caused the re-growth in the 90's?
The WC we hosted?
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:08 am to SportsGuyNOLA
Qualifying for '90 WC. Hosting the WC in '94. Creation of a domestic league.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:13 am to Pettifogger
quote:So far, that is definitely NOT happening. Quite the opposite.
I think slow growth will help to build a US culture that isn't just a copy of the rest of the world.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:39 am to thesoccerfanjax
My response to all the soccer guys who try to push this onto everyone and want some overnight explosion of fandom.
Let it happen people! It's an awesome game that will slowly grow in the States.
Let it happen people! It's an awesome game that will slowly grow in the States.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:39 am to Patrick_Bateman
quote:
Quite the opposite.
So you are telling me that soccer is regressing?
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:42 am to SportsGuyNOLA
quote:
What caused the re-growth in the 90's?
IMO, it was only a small part due to the 94 world cup.
I think the expansion of local youth groups and the soccer mom phase really gave it a boost. A lot of the 30 year old age group grew up playing and have a love for the sport.
A lot of credit should be given to the US Soccer Association for that growth. They were a huge part of the reason these kids leagues started everywhere. Before that push the only sport kids were traditionally hauled around to were baseball games.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:49 am to Duckie
Pretty much. I can just barely remember the 94 WC, but I definitely remember the founding of MLS. Back then, the average American didn't know professional club soccer EXISTED. It just wasn't part of the sports landscape at all. I mean it was literally seen as a sport for little kids, like T-ball, and nothing more. Hell, my favorite sport was soccer and I barely knew professional club soccer existed until my coach started having my team over to watch Arsenal around 95.
Posted on 7/2/14 at 11:52 am to thesoccerfanjax
quote:
Pretty much. I can just barely remember the 94 WC, but I definitely remember the founding of MLS. Back then, the average American didn't know professional club soccer EXISTED. It just wasn't part of the sports landscape at all. I mean it was literally seen as a sport for little kids, like T-ball, and nothing more. Hell, my favorite sport was soccer and I barely knew professional club soccer existed until my coach started having my team over to watch Arsenal around 95.
me too. Had no idea that there was something other than the world cup until I was older.
But as embarrassing as the soccer mom phase was, it was an essential piece in what is going on today. It made the sport explode onto the scene. Plus, the soccer mom phase is almost completely gone now. Very rarely will you hear that being thrown around.
I grew up during that time and played. I continued to play competitively my whole life. There are thousands like me. Although there are those that quit after the soccer mom phase ended, they still understand the game from a player perspective.
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 11:54 am
Posted on 7/2/14 at 12:01 pm to Duckie
A lot here have probably seen it already but there's a great doc (can't remember where or by who) that tells the story of the USMNT leading up to the 94 WC. I remember Lalas saying he was talking to a woman on a plane and she asked what he did for a living. He told her he was a professional soccer player and would be plying in the WC. She kept asking, confused, "but what do you DO? For money". I think he was at Milan at the time. I think even the most soccer ignorant people in the country now know that there is money (and a lot of it) to be made in soccer and it's not just a kid's game.
This post was edited on 7/2/14 at 12:02 pm
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