Why are Americans so ignorant/dismissive towards Soccer (Football)?
369290
Too many sports in this country and not enough media coverage.
1002905
theres no need to bash football .. just because americans suck at it...
1120686
So tired of this question... \n\nWhy is the rest of the world so insecure because Americans have a game that is more fun than soccer and decided to call it football.  I'm thinking of starting a petition to change the official name of the American sport from football to:\n"THE GREATEST GAME IN THE WORLD AND TONS BETTER THAN DUMB STUPID SOCCER BALL"  \nWe'll still call it football for short though and insist that persons from Europe must call it by it's formal name.  Anyone want to sign up?  \n\nIf you are really interested in how American football got it's name, see the link below.  Everything you ever wanted to know.
817534
I am from England and i love to watch nfl. I play all the Madden Games and my favourite team is the Chicago Bears. I think there are a lot more Europeans that like NFL than there are U.S people who like soccer. But that is understandable with so many huge national sports anyway, unlike in England where football (soccer) is king and only a few other sports, like rugby, circket and tennis are followed. America has a lot of tradtional sports; baseball, basketball, amercian football, ice hockey, whereas soccer is a new sport in the states.
1112860
Absolutely not!  They love football, but it is American footbale play by hand! 99% of American do not care soccer. I tried to watch Mexico against Angola yesterday and only Spanish channel show this match. During that period of time, three other sport channels were showing other sport!\n\nHow do they expect their team would advance to next round this year? US team did a very good job in 2002 World Cup. This should increase the popularity of this sport in the US. But, obviously, it is not.\n\nNone of the newspapers in the US shows the World Cup' s matches schedule. No analysis has been drawn up. \n\nUS seems to enjoy sports that other countries do not play. The biggest sport in the world, Soccer, has been intentinally igonored!
1086145
Superb answer voetbal, I couldn't have said it better myself.\n\nBeing from the US, I'm constantly being berated by the "jocks" in this country for being a football fan.  Yeah thats right, a football fan.  The word "soccer" makes me cringe.
999835
To answer your question: soccer is more popular around the world, therefore even foreigners have more recognition than Americans. Americans appreciate and recognize the USA soccer team - but not nearly as much as other sports here in America. \nThe culprit: Money. There is very little incentive for someone to excel in soccer, here in America - as an athlete, because it just doesn't pay well , compared to the top 4 sports and other sports that may not be as "popular", but more lucrative, like tennis. \nMLS was quite popular in the 70's here in America - largely due to Pele playing here at the end of his career. It went bankrupt and defunct - due to the competition of other sports literally out paying and out marketing soccer. 11 years ago - corporations, led by new MLS execs brought back MLS and have had a good amount of success, considering they started at "zero" again. \n\nUSA soccer and MLS still dont have the power of the dollar, for TV revenue and stadium revenue, when compared to all other sports, but again that is slowly changing. \n\nI personally believe if more money is out behind TV contracts, during the summer (between NBA/NHL and NFL) - their only competition is baseball. MOst baseball contracts for TV are regionally based - which in my opinion is an opportunity for MLS to market and capture a national TV audience. Unless my Mets are on TV - here in Atlanta (about 30-40 games a year) - I may watch another baseball game, but would be more inclined to watch a good MLS match if nothing else is on. Luckily the Atlanta MLS team just completed their stadium 10 miles form my condo - so I will be going to games. \n\nIn America - it is all about the dollar when it comes to sports. If and when MLS spends the money and pays players on par with other major sports - to develop the best talent form their youth - then we will see soccer take off. Considering Americas Latino population (great soccer lovers - paying fans) is growing , Europes population here and quality athletes out of 300 Millio people - soccer will take off in America. I believe the 2010 USA team will be far ahead of the past 4 WC teams - in talent, expectations and success.
1131369
I DIDNT HAVE TO READ THAT TO AGREE WITH YOU. IT IS SAD TO SEE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND FOOTBALL BASH IT.MAKE ME WANT TO SHOVE MY HAND DOWN THEIR THROATS. I HEARD RECENTLY THAT AUSTRALIA PLAYS BETTER "FOOTBALL"(handball as I like to call that crap some go crazy for) THAN AMERICA DOES. HECK,THE BEST NBA PLAYER NOW IS CHINESE!! IMAGINE THAT!!!!!\n\nI LIVE IN US AND IF YOU DON'T LIVE HERE AND ARE A TRUE FOOTBALL FAN,YOU WON'T KNOW WHAT I HAD TO ENDURE EVERYDAY. THE MEDIA HYPED THE TEAM SO MUCH. SO MANY PEOPLE CAME TO THE TEAM'S DEFENSE SAYING THEY'RE RANKED FIFTH BEST IN THE WORLD WITHOUT CONSIDERING THEIR OPPONENTS OF WHICH MEXICO IS THE ONLY GOOD TEAM. IF YOU BEAT CANADA IN FOOTBALL,THAT IS NOT CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION BECAUSE CANADA DOESN'T CARE EITHER WAY. THE TEAM WAS TOUTED AS "MOST LIKELY TO MAKE IT TO THE FINALS AND EVEN WIN THE CUP. I ONLY WATCHED THEIR MATCH TO LIFT MY MOOD BECAUSE IT WAS FUNNY.\n\nTHE ONLY THING USA IS/USED TO BE GOOD AT IS TENNIS AND MAYBE THEY SHOULD STICK TO THAT.OH WAIT,THEY CAN'T BECAUSE THE FRENCH TOOK THE CUP RECENTLY. *snickers*. I guess pride really does go before a fall and for the sanity of us all who really get the sport, it is FOOTBALL AND NOT SOCCER. AMERICA IS THE ONLY COUNTRY I KNOW THAT CALLS FOOTBALL SOCCER. YOU HAVE TO GET THE NAME RIGHT BEFORE YOU CAN ACTUALLY WIN A GAME,HAI NA? i am dying from giggles right now
216230
many americans are ignorant unwilling to accept cultures or learn anything about a culture other than their own.  So don't take notice of the greatest sport in the world.\n\nIt's their we have everything we need here already philosophy, which also means that most don't travel outside their own country, great shame given proximity to South America.
434452
I think most Americans have a very short attention span, and soccer is simply too low scoring for them.  They like the high scores of American football, or even the seemingly random Hungry Hungry Hippos action of professional basketball.\n\nMaybe if you took the goalies away Americans would watch more soccer.
370061
I believe that it is the nature of America.  We like movies with explosions and quick action.  We love sports that have a lot of scoring like basketball.  Soccer is boring to us, we don’t appreciate 0-0 ties.  Also, our athletes here tend to be better suited for stop and go sports.  Like sprinting rather than marathon running, football and baseball, where the action stops constantly and we can have commercials.  Having said that, I could see soccer becoming bigger, as young kids here are playing it more and more so we’ll see.  Plus the last world cup brought together a great deal of people in America b/c we actually won something for once.
600130
well most americans have not yet been exposed to the spirit of soccer.\nLuckily though americans have started to make a move in the right direction. I hear of new MLS teams arrising each season and also more MLS stadium being revamped. \nSo hopefully in a decade or two soccer will be more of a adrenaline rush here too.
951655
why?\nok we play football(the sport in which u use ur FEET to hit the ball and not throw or jump on other people). we play ayo or awale(original version of mancala). we watch tv, play video games, other stuff. i love nigeria!!!\n\njust look at all these racist american answers up top. americans are so ignorant and sad....... i bet none of them have been to africa, or even south america......
191556
Basically everyone is either true to their personal country or against it. Not everyone in the US believes we are better at soccer,but the ones who do think that are loud in their belief.
327317
The U.S. simply doesn't have the talent or speed to handle other teams around the world. You know a team will suck if their best player plays in the MLS. Oh and the NFL sucks the big one, NFL is almost or as gay as high school wresting.
349555
Because they have a problem or course.  Americans like the sports they invented and just for this reason they think US sports are the best.  But Football the original, not American football, has greater dimensions than any other sport, and that is why the whole world knows it's the best.
1070212
How are American sports fans dumb if we follow a sport (football) which is much more technical than soccer could ever hope to be?