Beckham

[marc26]

he played against the New York Red Bulls over the weekend and packed the house with 67,000 fans
they said the scene before the game was great , with tons of soccer games going on in the parking lot, kids everywhere wearing Beckham jerseys
i may be biased, but i think he would have been better off playing in NYC

anyways, good to see the crowds

[Masterwoodsman]

Originally Posted by marc26

he played against the New York Red Bulls over the weekend and packed the house with 67,000 fans
they said the scene before the game was great , with tons of soccer games going on in the parking lot, kids everywhere wearing Beckham jerseys
i may be biased, but i think he would have been better off playing in NYC

anyways, good to see the crowds

Although football (soccer) is not so big in the U.S right now, the introduction of the most highlighted footballer in the world is certainly going to help the U.S's campaign to promote the most popular sport in the world..... of course it comes with a hideous price tag !!!

[dawsey]

Originally Posted by marc26

he played against the New York Red Bulls over the weekend and packed the house with 67,000 fans
they said the scene before the game was great , with tons of soccer games going on in the parking lot, kids everywhere wearing Beckham jerseys
i may be biased, but i think he would have been better off playing in NYC

anyways, good to see the crowds

It can only be good, when a player of his quality has decided to play in the US. Its obvious he will draw the crowds, and if, in doing that he is promoting the game there, then that is good. TV companies are happy, LA Galaxy are happy, the crowd is happy, and Beckham gets richer 5555

[IJ]

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

Although football (soccer) is not so big in the U.S right now, the introduction of the most highlighted footballer in the world is certainly going to help the U.S's campaign to promote the most popular sport in the world..... of course it comes with a hideous price tag !!!

if pele couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by IRISH JONNY

if pele couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

if beckenbauer couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

[brit]

The US national team is getting better, sweden let me down big time tonight not putting more goals past them...

[Patrs]

I have to disagree with you Marc26. Beckham is not the solution. The approach they're using has not work in the past and it will not work now. At the core of the problem, is the level of soccer ( football) in the MLS. Some of you may disagree with what I'm about to say. Beckham is not a great player, he's a great free-kick taker. Like many before him who came from the European system, his best years are behind him.

[keith67]

Originally Posted by Patrs

I have to disagree with you Marc26. Beckham is not the solution. The approach they're using has not work in the past and it will not work now. At the core of the problem, is the level of soccer ( football) in the MLS. Some of you may disagree with what I'm about to say. Beckham is not a great player, he's a great free-kick taker. Like many before him who came from the European system, his best years are behind him.

Your right i think everyone would disagree with your comment, Beckham is undoubtedly one of the best free kick takers the sport has ever seen he also has the ability to cross the ball to almost any player he chooses with pinpoint precision, if you can tell me of any player in any american team at the moment that has this ability i will hold my hands up and appologise but i know this will not happen.

[keith67]

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

Although football (soccer) is not so big in the U.S right now, the introduction of the most highlighted footballer in the world is certainly going to help the U.S's campaign to promote the most popular sport in the world..... of course it comes with a hideous price tag !!!

What i have to wonder is why he chose to play his game in America, we all know he had a choice of teams that would only be too willing to sign a player of his quality, it makes me wonder how much of Roy Keans comments are true about the wives having too much of a say these days......

[Patrs]

You misunderstood what I said, in my opinion he's a great free-kick taker, but not a great player. A kind of player that when he has the ball the opposing players are backstepping. I'm not a big fan of MLS, give me the Spanish League, Premiership or the Italian league any day.

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by IRISH JONNY

if pele couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

Originally Posted by ub2yoo

if beckenbauer couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

Soccer is only going to get bigger in the US. Some of the things that are working against the sport are:
* Many sports fans over a certain age have never gotten involved with soccer and do not understand the sport
* The fan base is still too small for prime time TV
* There is not much room for commercials (money still rules)

On the other hand as the current youth grow up I think that picture will change. I dont have any firm statistics, however, I believe more young people play soccer than football as the barrier to entry to football is higher and many parents prefer their kids playing soccer over injury rate.

Well ... time will tell.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by IRISH JONNY

if pele couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

Different era IJ.......that was 30 years ago.........but l do agree, it will be a major struggle.

From what l understand your average septic don't give a feck about football (soccer)

Weren't there some amazing stat in 1994 when they hosted the World Cup, that 90% of the population didn't even realise it was on 55555555

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Mav

From what l understand your average septic ....

How exactly would that be?

[Masterwoodsman]

Correct, its a different era and we must not forget Beckham has gone to the states not with a tag saying he's the best player but to promote football. He's set up his own football academy in U.S to encourage youngsters from an early age that football is an alternative to NFL, baseball, basketball etc...

Just for the record he played like a complete tw#t last night against the Germans..... but wasn't alone either !!!

[Dodger]

Beckham hasn't gone to the states to promote football, he's gone to promote the beckhams. The american market is one of the biggest in the world and he needed an angle to break in. Job done Mrs Beckham treated like she is royalty, he is a superstar, Beckham brand now accepted worldwide, that'll do nicely.

[nelsonone]

I'd like a buck off every "soccer" shirt he sells in the Galaxy strip...

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Patrs

I have to disagree with you Marc26. Beckham is not the solution. The approach they're using has not work in the past and it will not work now. At the core of the problem, is the level of soccer ( football) in the MLS. Some of you may disagree with what I'm about to say. Beckham is not a great player, he's a great free-kick taker. Like many before him who came from the European system, his best years are behind him.

where did i ever say Beckham was the solution???
all i did was he got 67,000 people out at Giants stadium and from every report i read, the crowd was electric
i am a newbie when it comes to soccer, and was just commenting on Beckham in NYC
nothing else

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Dodger

Beckham hasn't gone to the states to promote football, he's gone to promote the beckhams. The american market is one of the biggest in the world and he needed an angle to break in. Job done Mrs Beckham treated like she is royalty, he is a superstar, Beckham brand now accepted worldwide, that'll do nicely.

but wouldnt you do the same thing?
he obviously still has loyalty to England
as a "superstar" wouldnt you want to corner every market

[Mav]

Originally Posted by MrDK

How exactly would that be?

How exactly would what be?.....l don't understand your Q

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Mav

Different From what l understand your average septic ...

Originally Posted by MrDK

How exactly would that be?

Originally Posted by Mav

How exactly would what be?.....l don't understand your Q

It should have read: "Who exactly would that be" (your your average septic)?

[Dodger]

Originally Posted by marc26

but wouldnt you do the same thing?
he obviously still has loyalty to England
as a "superstar" wouldnt you want to corner every market

Certainly would Paul, he is coming to the end of his career only a few more years left in him. He tried to break the market before and didn't succeed. America is one of, if not the biggest market for them to sell team Beckham into. After football casreer winds up he will be on television and starring in films.

Loyalty to England, yes very much so, and I do hope he gets his 100 caps, he deserves it and was a good captain for the country. I also think he is a bit more than a great free kick specialist, he passes the ball better than anyother player in the world. Tackling has always been his weakness but heck let the full back do that sort of stuff!!!!

[marc26]

Originally Posted by Mav

Different era IJ.......that was 30 years ago.........but l do agree, it will be a major struggle.

From what l understand your average septic don't give a feck about football (soccer)

Weren't there some amazing stat in 1994 when they hosted the World Cup, that 90% of the population didn't even realise it was on 55555555

it is a different era and people in the States do follow "your football" much more than back in 1994
i couldn't have cared less back in 1994 about the WC but didnt miss too many that were televised this last time around
and the coverage it got in the media was tenfold than it ever got

the problem is you have a sport that is so dominant here, our football, plus inferior play in the MLS

[nelsonone]

yes but isn't "soccer" the no1 brand of "football" in the USA for player participation.....stands to reason that the kids wil grow up and follow....perhaps even play....as seniors if it is wothwhile as a spectacle..

I think Galaxy is on a winner.....on football shirt sales alone he was meant to be paying his own way for the first few years at Real!

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by nelsonone

yes but isn't "soccer" the no1 brand of "football" in the USA for player participation.....stands to reason that the kids wil grow up and follow....perhaps even play....as seniors if it is wothwhile as a spectacle..

Exactly my thoughts.

When I mover to the US I was an avid fan and spectator of soccer, however, at the time there was no way to find a game to follow.
I ended up loosing interest.

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by nelsonone;

yes but isn't "soccer" the no1 brand of "football" in the USA for player participation.....stands to reason that the kids wil grow up and follow....perhaps even play....as seniors if it is wothwhile as a spectacle..

You are right and you are wrong. Right about soccer football being the sport that all the kids play from grades 1 to 8. They all play, they all love it, and it is quite competitive and exciting for the kids and their parents. Kids grow up playing soccer these days in California and don't play American football much at all.

But when they hit Grade 9, it all begins to change. Then only the very best soccer players continue to play. The rest start spending Saturdays hanging at the mall or going to the beach, surfing or playing volleyball. None of the kids go watch their soccer team play. But loads of them go to the football game on Friday night as it is totally the place to strut your stuff, see and be seen, and all the hot parties are after the football game. Although few kids go out for football, 'cause let's face it you have got to be big and/or tough, but those who make first string are the BMOC, and get their pic of the girls.

As far as playing sports, by 7th or 8th grade, basketball is already beginning to overtake soccer as the sport kids want to play, and you will see the playgrounds filled with young boys playing basketball both weekends and after school. Guys continue to play basketball well into their 20's and sometimes 30s, whereas most give up soccer by the age of 13.

And from start to finish, it is football, basketball, and baseball that they watch on TV, even when they are playing soccer every day as kids, they don't watch it. By the time they are in their teens, very few have any interest in watching soccer, if they ever did at all.

So the rise of soccer as the game kids play the most in their elementary school years, has so far made very little impact on establishing soccer as a professional spectator sport in America. We have a lot of immigrants and I think they are probably the ones who go to pro soccer games, them and the player's mothers.

[Mav]

Originally Posted by MrDK

It should have read: "Who exactly would that be" (your your average septic)?

Bill Fkn Clinton

OJ Fkn Simpson

Derek Fkn Jeter

Bill Fkn Smith who lives on the corner of 2nd and Fkn Fifth streets downtown Fkn Detroit...........how the fu ck should l know.....AVERAGE is Fkn AVERAGE FFS

[JayBee]

Originally Posted by Mav;

Bill Fkn Smith who lives on the corner of 2nd and Fkn Fifth streets downtown Fkn Detroit....

.

I think you mean John Fkn Smith. Bill lives halfway down the block. I don't think they are even related, IIRC.

[Nicke]

Soccer to America sounds like Floorball in Sweden but slightly different.

Every kid plays it, at school, kindergarten, after school. Its great fun, when you grow older people play with friends, play at work for exercise. Its very popular in all ages.

Its however boring to watch, we have leagues and such for the best motivated players but will never be big for TV or big crowds.

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by ub2yoo

if beckenbauer couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........butit will be interesting......

if Cruijff couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........but it will be interesting......


PS: Ub2yoo, I guess you were just waiting for this one...

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by MrDK

Soccer is only going to get bigger in the US. Some of the things that are working against the sport are:
* Many sports fans over a certain age have never gotten involved with soccer and do not understand the sport
* The fan base is still too small for prime time TV
* There is not much room for commercials (money still rules)

On the other hand as the current youth grow up I think that picture will change. I dont have any firm statistics, however, I believe more young people play soccer than football as the barrier to entry to football is higher and many parents prefer their kids playing soccer over injury rate.

Well ... time will tell.

IMHO I don't think football will ever get as big as in Europe or South America, where in some countries it is even more important than religion. Lars makes a few comments which I agree with. Especially about commercials on TV. I remember a few things about commercials on North American tv and sports.

Once I was in the Montreal Forum and the play was stopped for a face off and there was a big white light on at he officials table. Having never seen this before, I asked one of my friends what was the use of this light. He replied, that it was an indication for the referee that the commercials were still being played on TV !

Also I was watching on of the Holland games at Euro 2000 on a Canadian sports channel. Think it was TBS. Every five minutes the game was interupted by a commercial. You could still see something on a mobile phone size picture. I guess here in Europe, the tv station would have been bombarded with complaints, if they would do such a thing here.

It is also funny to see that women's football seem to be quite popular in the US, whereas MLS doesn't reach the same popularity as here. Probably because Baseball, American football and hockey are so much more integrated in the US culture.

[ub2yoo]

Originally Posted by Nanook

if Cruijff couldnt do it............i doubt no one can........but it will be interesting......


PS: Ub2yoo, I guess you were just waiting for this one...

What took you so long 5555

[Nanook]

Originally Posted by ub2yoo

What took you so long 5555

Busy at the office and I had to call my Tilak...

[MrDK]

Originally Posted by Nanook

IMHO I don't think football will ever get as big as in Europe or South America, where in some countries it is even more important than religion.

I agree, this could not be in out life time, but give it another 10-20 years ... soccer will become one of the major sports here.

Originally Posted by Nanook

Once I was in the Montreal Forum and the play was stopped for a face off and there was a big white light on at he officials table. Having never seen this before, I asked one of my friends what was the use of this light. He replied, that it was an indication for the referee that the commercials were still being played on TV !

When the World Cup was played in the US, the was a request from the American sponsors to chance the game rule to 4 times 25 minutes instead of 2 times 45. Obviously that was not granted.

[nelsonone]

Originally Posted by MrDK

I agree, this could not be in out life time, but give it another 10-20 years ... soccer will become one of the major sports here.


When the World Cup was played in the US, the was a request from the American sponsors to chance the game rule to 4 times 25 minutes instead of 2 times 45. Obviously that was not granted.

TV RULES!!!!

[marc26]

[QUOTE=MrDK;372484]I agree, this could not be in out life time, but give it another 10-20 years ... soccer will become one of the major sports here.


QUOTE]

i dont think there is no way that soccer will become a major sport
the play is far inferior and will not change because the better players will always play overseas
do you really see soccer being able to break through when one of the 4 major sports, hockey, has been on a steady decline?