Beckham

[RMT]

 

I mean, I'd rank Liverpools Riise as one of the worlds best left-backs. Any Yanks ever heard of him? Probably not. Best player in the Liverpool team - nope. But great at what he does.

You forgot to mention that when he scores (which is a regular thing) f*cking hell does he. He's possibly scored more spectacular goals than alot of strikers and midfielders.

 

I watched MLS a few years back when I was in the states. I can see why the Americans have the conception that it's boring. The pitch they played on was so crap that it was like they were playing on Velcro. I don't think either team bothered to have an attempt on goal since they spent most of the time fishing the ball out of the grass.

 

Watch some Premiership football, you do get some stinker of matches. But they are better paced than MLS.

 

Edit:

 

Edited July 26, 2007 by RMT

[Cuse510]

 

I mean, I'd rank Liverpools Riise as one of the worlds best left-backs. Any Yanks ever heard of him? Probably not. Best player in the Liverpool team - nope. But great at what he does.

Ouch, Swarzy... major ouch . Believe it or not, there are some Yanks who are very knowledgeable about the EPL and footy in general. Not all of us think any sport that America doesn't dominate at (which is getting rarer are rarer) sucks... To answer your question, I know who Riise is, as well as I'd reckon about 90-95% of first teamers in the EPL

[XN22]

American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

That's why the country can't go for more than a decade without starting or participating in a war. I bet if we didn't have air conditioned humvees and helicopters to ride around and get blown up in, we wouldn't find war too entertaining either.

 

Sorry to go off topic, but that is the single most bullsh*t statement I think I have ever heard.

[Dome Piece]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

[gizmo]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

I'm sure Americans can play soccer, we just have more sports to choose from than most other countries so some would-be soccer players end up basketball players or football players or whatever sports they choose.

 

Steve Nash played soccer, but he's better at basketball I guess...but I think he's Australian or Canadian...I don't remember, but you get my point.

[Cuse510]

Steve Nash played soccer, but he's better at basketball I guess...but I think he's Australian or Canadian...I don't remember, but you get my point.

Canadian. His brother, Martin Nash, actually plays on the Canadian national team as a midfielder. I saw him play in the Gold Cup, not bad... I think Steve played on the U-21 team but obviously saw that basketball would work out better.

[The Killa]

I honestly don't understand why Americans disliked the Beckahms arrival in the US. Whats there not to like? I suppose it's the majority of Alabama ticks that are eagerly waiting for (American) football season to start.

 

Personally, living in LA and having a job that's in the semi-Hollywood scene, I'm exposed to this kind of stuff constantly. And I like it. I appreciate the Beckahms coming to LA and choosing to live their lives here and have their future here. It's a nice choice. And I will be following the Galaxy now that Beckahm's here. It's bandwagon, I know. But they succeeded in what they wanted to do: make soccer more popular.

 

Oh well, if the Galaxy doesn't perform well, there's still my New Orleans Saints.

[gta_player5]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

Tell that to the many good players playing for teams in the Premier league. I can name about 10 of them off of the top of my head. Yes, the majority of Americans don't like football (soccer) and to be honest, I don't know why. People say that it's because Americans need sports with high scores, that is an incredibly ignorant statement. For example, you can have a baseball game where the score is 1-0, 1-2, etc, and it is a great game. But to say that we don't like the sport because we can't play it, that's another ignorant statement. I can't play the sport very well but I like it, I understand the rules, I enjoy watching it.

 

Can I say the same about the British and baseball? You don't like the sport because you're not very good at it? No, because I guarantee that there are people in the UK that like baseball. Anyway, I'm done with this rant of mine.

 

Personally, I don't like Beckham, he's overrated. He does well on free kicks but I'm pretty sure that his celebrity status makes him seem like a better player than he is. Back to the bit on "Americans can't play football", I think the lack of talent here isn't because we cannot play the sport, but rather because if anybody has a good level of talent they make the trip to Europe where they can make good money and play at a high level, where they can learn from good players and become better,.

[The Killa]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

Americans don't like soccer because most Americans grew up playing / watching a bigger variety of sports.

 

When I was growing up in the late 80's / Early 90's, when my brother wanted to play something, he didn't say "Lets play some football, mate.", he said "Let's play baseball / (american) football / basketball". You catch my drift?

 

In other words, countries have different cultures, buddy. It's a no-brainer to realize and accept that.

 

 

 

[gta_player5]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

Americans don't like soccer because most Americans grew up playing / watching a bigger variety of sports.

 

When I was growing up in the late 80's / Early 90's, when my brother wanted to play something, he didn't say "Lets play some football, mate.", he said "Let's play baseball / (american) football / basketball". You catch my drift?

 

In other words, countries have different cultures, buddy. It's a no-brainer to realize and accept that.

That's a stupid statement. You say that we have a wider variety of sports like we are the only nation in the world who play baseball, or basketball. If you haven't noticed many other nations play basketball or baseball, and many of them have been getting better at them. So saying that we are not good at football (soccer) because kids would say "Let's play basketball" is a stupid statement, because people all over the world play the same sports that we play. There is a European basketball league, there is a Chinese basketball league, there are baseball leagues all throughout Latin America, and there is a baseball league in Japan. So as you can see we are not the only people who play those sports, so using that as an excuse just doesn't make sense.

[The Killa]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

Americans don't like soccer because most Americans grew up playing / watching a bigger variety of sports.

 

When I was growing up in the late 80's / Early 90's, when my brother wanted to play something, he didn't say "Lets play some football, mate.", he said "Let's play baseball / (american) football / basketball". You catch my drift?

 

In other words, countries have different cultures, buddy. It's a no-brainer to realize and accept that.

That's a stupid statement. You say that we have a wider variety of sports like we are the only nation in the world who play baseball, or basketball. If you haven't noticed many other nations play basketball or baseball, and many of them have been getting better at them. So saying that we are not good at football (soccer) because kids would say "Let's play basketball" is a stupid statement, because people all over the world play the same sports that we play. There is a European basketball league, there is a Chinese basketball league, there are baseball leagues all throughout Latin America, and there is a baseball league in Japan. So as you can see we are not the only people who play those sports, so using that as an excuse just doesn't make sense.

I think you missed my point.

 

Soccer is not popular because Baseball, football and basketball etc overshadowed it here in the US. Other countries such as England, soccer (football) was the most popular and most idled sport. While here in the US, "the other three" were the most idled. Thus hence the reason that in America soccer isn't as popular as "the other three" and in England "the other three" aren't as popular as soccer.

 

I know that there are other countries that play baseball, basketball etc. But I was not referring to those countries. If I was then it would be totally irrelevant to my point.

[gta_player5]

I got it. I guess the way you said it at first was a bit confusing. I took it as "we're the only country to play these sports" but now I see what you were getting at. Thanks for clearing that up.

[All-Blacks]

 

While here in the US, "the other three" were the most idled. Thus hence the reason that in America soccer isn't as popular as "the other three" and in England "the other three" aren't as popular as soccer.

The UKs' overall national sport is football, yes. But Rugby Union, Cricket and even Rugby League (even more popular than football in northern England) are not too far behind. Not to mention Rugby Union is extremely popular in Wales (the national sport) and Ireland (behind just Gaelic Football). Tennis is also the most participated sport in the country, so to say no sport in the UK isn't idled above or just as much as football is far from the truth. I'd say the UK has a more variety of popular sport than any other nation.

[norniron]

While here in the US, "the other three" were the most idled. Thus hence the reason that in America soccer isn't as popular as "the other three" and in England "the other three" aren't as popular as soccer.

The UKs' overall national sport is football, yes. But Rugby Union, Cricket and even Rugby League (even more popular than football in northern England) are not too far behind. Not to mention Rugby Union is extremely popular in Wales (the national sport) and Ireland (behind just Gaelic Football). Tennis is also the most participated sport in the country, so to say no sport in the UK isn't idled above or just as much as football is far from the truth. I'd say the UK has a more variety of popular sport than any other nation.

Pretty much sums its up.

[8ballsoffire]

I hate how they are comparing this to when Gretzky came to LA.

Gretzky is way cooler than Beckham will ever be.

Cause Gretzky is a real man playing a real AMERICAN sport!

 

GO AMERICA!

 

Anyway, Beckham is a nice exciting spot in MLS but give a year and, poof, he'll vanish like a fart in the wind. American's don't care enough about soccer because it's boring an uneventful...

 

"Oh, he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way, and he's down field, looks like he's going to score and, OH, that other guy fell down and there's a penalty. Now play goes the other way again...."

 

And so on until I punch myself in the dick for watching soccer.

Way to make you nation look like its full of arseholes.

 

Americans don't like FOOTBALL because they can't play it.

 

Practically every other country in the world idolize the game, its only ignorant prats like you that don't. - Dome Piece

Americans don't like soccer because most Americans grew up playing / watching a bigger variety of sports.

 

When I was growing up in the late 80's / Early 90's, when my brother wanted to play something, he didn't say "Lets play some football, mate.", he said "Let's play baseball / (american) football / basketball". You catch my drift?

 

In other words, countries have different cultures, buddy. It's a no-brainer to realize and accept that.

That's a stupid statement. You say that we have a wider variety of sports like we are the only nation in the world who play baseball, or basketball. If you haven't noticed many other nations play basketball or baseball, and many of them have been getting better at them. So saying that we are not good at football (soccer) because kids would say "Let's play basketball" is a stupid statement, because people all over the world play the same sports that we play. There is a European basketball league, there is a Chinese basketball league, there are baseball leagues all throughout Latin America, and there is a baseball league in Japan. So as you can see we are not the only people who play those sports, so using that as an excuse just doesn't make sense.

I think you missed my point.

 

Soccer is not popular because Baseball, football and basketball etc overshadowed it here in the US. Other countries such as England, soccer (football) was the most popular and most idled sport. While here in the US, "the other three" were the most idled. Thus hence the reason that in America soccer isn't as popular as "the other three" and in England "the other three" aren't as popular as soccer.

 

I know that there are other countries that play baseball, basketball etc. But I was not referring to those countries. If I was then it would be totally irrelevant to my point.

first off, the word you're looking for is "idolised".

 

secondly, from what i can tell the jist of your argument is that football isn't popular in america because it isn't popular.

 

"Soccer is not popular because Baseball, football and basketball etc overshadowed it here in the US."

 

my god he's on to something there.

 

finally, Beckham was a great player in his time and would certainly make his way easily on to many a dream team selection during his man utd days. he had a less prolific run at real but still did alright. but now it's time to face facts, he's an athlete and he's getting old. he's no longer at his prime and his chances of getting regular first team football in the top flight are slim. he could have easily went to play for a mid-premiership team or even a championship side but he's done the smart thing and gone to a team where he'll get regular first team starts and will never have to worry about money again.

[The Killa]

 

first off, the word you're looking for is "idolised".

 

Wowo thx alot dood. i wonzt sure thar 4 a sec.

 

 

secondly, from what i can tell the jist of your argument is that football isn't popular in america because it isn't popular.

 

"Soccer is not popular because Baseball, football and basketball etc overshadowed it here in the US."

 

my god he's on to something there.

 

Yes, it did overshadow it. And?

 

 

Allright. Thanks for your epic post.

[Forty]

I'm tired of hearing about David Beckham. But to be fair, it's not his fault that the media have made a f*cking circus out of his arrival here in the States. It is absolutely ridiculous the attention swirling around him and his family. Is he gonna play? Why isn't he playing? Why is he getting paid so much? Is he worth the money? Is he still good? WHEN IS HE GONNA PLAY?!??!?!

 

It's just too much. We have such serious media and idolization issues.

[All-Blacks]

Thats the media for ya, anywhere. They're still sapping the life out of the Madeleine kidnapping (which occured late April) as of late here in England. Its getting to the point where no one gives a toss anymore, much like the Beckham case (in fact, did any of you Yanks actually care in the first place?).

[Forty]

(in fact, did any of you Yanks actually care in the first place?).

The fourteen or so fans of the L.A. Galaxy care. The other 350,487,963 Americans don't and never will..

 

Most guys only care about Victoria. But to be honest, she has gotten bone skinny and terrible looking. That horrid fake tan and the nasty blonde hair, and her little stick legs poking out of tiny shorts. She is slipping from hotness fast.

[Crokey]

Whats the big deal? Is he the MJ of soccer or something...?

Yeah except he doesn't fiddle kids... oh you meant Micheal Jordan, my bad.

 

But Seriously he is a well known player, and aside from the obvious money that he's getting, he's probably the best person to try and promote the game in the US because of that reason. He'll probably have a much better job of it than previous big-name player who have gone to America to boost the game, like Pele (who in my opinion is a much better player), purely because he is such a Media-Whore that he's going to get the attention which will then also highlight Football in the States.

 

I can't really see Football being that big in America within the next few years while he's there but it will get there, for numerous reasons. Those that dismiss the game because of some of the quality of the MLS in the past which has been poor but is getting better and that's going to take a while to sink in that it's not such a dull game as they first thought. Those that think its a 'girls' game or a 'kids' game, first because the Women National Side is actually pretty damned good and second it's a fair and easy game for Kids to learn and this doesn't sink in that well with the 'macho' image that other sports like Gridiron, Hockey and Hacky Sack have. It will sink in when a lot of Americans learn to love their Neighbour Mexico as the Mexicans love the sport and thats why there are a few teams with big support from the Latin American supporters in America.

 

But I still don't think that the US will really care and give it the recognition it deserves until the National Side win the World Cup at least once maybe twice. But I also think you've got a good opportunity there as everyone in the UK knows that he would only come back to the UK if he could play for United again, which he won't do while Fergies still in charge of the club. So all round I think it's a good thing for the game in America and in some ways for us that don't support United, as we'd get sick of hearing from him again.

 

@40: Since when was she good looking in the first place?

@Those who think it's boring: If could find it I'd show you a match between Real Madrid and Man United where Real won 3-0, that was the most beautiful game I've ever seen, that will change your mind in no time

[Cuse510]

 

@Those who think it's boring: If could find it I'd show you a match between Real Madrid and Man United where Real won 3-0, that was the most beautiful game I've ever seen, that will change your mind in no time

Any match where ManUre loses is a beautiful match to me

 

About soccer/football becoming big in the US: it definitely faces an uphill climb, as it is very counter to traditional (stereotypical) American sports culture. As we know, Americans tend to value concrete things, like goals. But because goals are rare in soccer/football, the fan has to be able to recognize the beauty in the subtleties of the game, and Americans are not used to that. It also doesn't help that there are many "old school" sports fans who hate soccer just for the sake of hating soccer

 

However, I think things are changing for the better. Even in the past few years, I've noticed soccer/football becoming more popular. Part of that is globalization (a fan in the US can now easily watch European games, or if they don't want to pay for a channel they can get all the information they want on the internet) and technology (Americans watching clips of Ronaldinho on YouTube can only help). These factors will only increase in the coming years, and I think (hope?) that the soccer-haters will start to die down and the US will begin to appreciate the sport. I'm not saying it will ever over take American Football, Basketball, or Baseball in terms of popularity, but I think that in time it can be named among the "major sports" of the country.... the US winning the WC wouldn't hurt either

[Forty]

purely because he is such a Media-Whore that he's going to get the attention which will then also highlight Football in the States.

It's because he's so pretty.

[T-Cipp]

got tickets to see him against the whitecaps. apparently it is sold out. wanna get his jersey. landon donovan (sp?) is good too.. for a american. go galaxy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

david beckham's wife is hot...

[Mister Pink]

Cuse made some very good points there. Subtlies are not really a U.S. thing. It is one of the things that contibuted me to not liking football a first. Now I do and appreciate it.

 

Also, I do see football or soccer getting big in the U.S. It's easily played amongst friends. 5 a side etc, on the street or in the park, unlike American football or rugby. It also tranlates very well to computer games unlike Rugby or Baseball.

 

It is football though. If it's seen as a pussy sport in the U.S. that's a shame. hy wouldn't they call basketball a pussy sport? Because it's mostly played by big tall black guys? You can't even touch the oposition. Football is more of the art of ball control with your feet. That's hard and the skills to utilise ones feet as a means to play attack or defence are at an amazing standard.