1. As expected, within hours of the World Cup opening ceremonies, The Big Picture was swift in publishing some remarkable images as they always do when reporting major events. I particularly love this photograph of a South African boy playing soccer in an open field as the sun sets and that show the complete enthusiasm that the people have for the sport 24/7. Admittedly, soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with 175 countries considering “football” to be their national pastime but unfortunately the sport has a long uphill battle for popularity in the US. Favorable results from the US Soccer team in the World Cup I think could help raise more interest but it would help even more if a major powerhouse media partner like ESPN would actually transmit some tournament games. The occasional soccer matches I do watch are broadcasted on Univision or Telemundo but for complete game coverage, you have to pay extra via your cable provider. Changing the Mindset Maybe Americans will never truly embrace soccer because it is a low scoring game as oppose to basketball, hockey or football. The US is a nation of flash and dash and to some friends, soccer comes across as extremely slow. How can players run around for 90 mintues kicking a ball and still have no one win they ask. I think it’ll be impossible to fully appreciate the sport until your mindset changes from “when will they score” to “these guys can score at any moment”. It’s the suspense of it all that makes for compelling matches. The goal scoring to me is a bonus. I hope that soccer becomes more popular in the United States. Having famous clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona or AC Milan, Chelsea play matches in the US certainly helps grow the popularity of soccer and of course these clubs will benefit from gaining new fans in the US. I grew up playing soccer and so I’m as equally excited if not more about this major event than I am about the Olympics.

    As expected, within hours of the World Cup opening ceremonies, The Big Picture was swift in publishing some remarkable images as they always do when reporting major events. I particularly love this photograph of a South African boy playing soccer in an open field as the sun sets and that show the complete enthusiasm that the people have for the sport 24/7.

    Admittedly, soccer is the most popular sport in the world, with 175 countries considering “football” to be their national pastime but unfortunately the sport has a long uphill battle for popularity in the US.

    Favorable results from the US Soccer team in the World Cup I think could help raise more interest but it would help even more if a major powerhouse media partner like ESPN would actually transmit some tournament games.

    The occasional soccer matches I do watch are broadcasted on Univision or Telemundo but for complete game coverage, you have to pay extra via your cable provider.

    Changing the Mindset

    Maybe Americans will never truly embrace soccer because it is a low scoring game as oppose to basketball, hockey or football. The US is a nation of flash and dash and to some friends, soccer comes across as extremely slow.

    How can players run around for 90 mintues kicking a ball and still have no one win they ask. I think it’ll be impossible to fully appreciate the sport until your mindset changes from “when will they score” to “these guys can score at any moment”. It’s the suspense of it all that makes for compelling matches. The goal scoring to me is a bonus.

    I hope that soccer becomes more popular in the United States. Having famous clubs such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona or AC Milan, Chelsea play matches in the US certainly helps grow the popularity of soccer and of course these clubs will benefit from gaining new fans in the US.

    I grew up playing soccer and so I’m as equally excited if not more about this major event than I am about the Olympics.

    1 year ago  /  1 note