Soccer is the world's most popular sport, but has not caught on with adults in America. Arguably, the world's best soccer is going on now with Euro 2008 and this young American is starting to like soccer.
I am beginning to understand why my soccer-playing friends are so passionate about their favorite club teams. The fans are so into their teams, and the star players are often like rock stars in their countries. More of the top athletes this country has to offer need to play the game though.
It would make a huge difference if America’s top athletes played soccer instead of the two major sports of basketball and football. Soccer would have more attention in the sports conscience of America. Americans gravitate towards football and basketball because of the exhibits of athleticism that take place.
There are so many chances to show just how athletic players are when players like Allen Iverson crossing over an opponent, or Josh Smith is blocking a shot from the other side of the lane, or when Kobe Bryant skies over the defense and throws one down in basketball.
Football players can bounce a run outside and elude every tackler on the field like Hall Of Famer Barry Sanders, light up somebody in the hole like Ray Lewis, or intercept a pass with one hand like Antonio Cromartie. It is just more exciting to watch athletes exhibit their skills in those two sports.
If these athletes were on the soccer pitch, not the basketball court or the football field, using their athletic ability then Americans would be much more inclined to watch these athletes work and the sports media would most likely expand their coverage of soccer.
Just imagine
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USA Soccer would not be stuck in the mid 20s of the FIFA World Rankings if the top athletes played soccer. The US would rank at the top among the great teams like Argentina, Brazil, and the aggressive Netherlands. The highly athletic US team would most likely be aggressive, seeking to attack throughout the 90 minutes.
The American public would be more likely to support the team if the product was stimulating and high stakes are involved. I have become a casual soccer fan thanks to Euro 2008. The games are contested and the fans support their side to no end. I especially enjoy teams like the Dutch and the Spanish that attack the goal aggressively.
Basketball players have a slightly easier transition to soccer than football players because of the endurance and creativity needed to be good at basketball.
Steve Nash, Chris Paul, and Tony Parker (note: they are all point guards) would make the best soccer players from other sports because of their vision to see things before they happen and the ability to maneuver themselves through complex defenses.
However, football players, in particular, wide receivers like Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Smith would also be able to make the switch to soccer because of the essential abilities of jumping, separating from defenders, and making plays in space.
There is only one reason I can think of that a young American athlete would play soccer over being paid millions to play in the NBA or NFL. This young athlete could become a global superstar and be put in the same breath as a Pele, Maradona, or a current player like Thierry Henry or David Beckham.
All of these players produced results for their clubs and for their countries on the global stage at the World Cup. The World Cup captures the attention of whole world in comparison to The NBA Finals and Super Bowl, which do not even captivate all of America’s attention.
Only a few athletes have a mindset to think in advance to that extent, but money is not a reason to be a soccer or rugby player.
Maybe an American-born soccer superstar can bring about a change in the cultural dynamic of America, but it is a catch-22 or chicken and the egg situation. Americans want something inspiring and exciting to happen in soccer for it to garner its support, but the athletes of a sport need tangible support and coverage to be noticed.
Americans paid attention to soccer during the US Soccer Team’s surprising run to the final eight in the 2002 World Cup. On the other hand, a superior athlete would not want to go into a sport with no support and no coverage from the media.
Demarcus Beasley burst on the international soccer scene in the 2002 World Cup, but little has been heard about him since due to the apathy for soccer in America.
The US Men's National Team needs some of the top athletes America has to offer because top athletes bring a better chance to win and attract attention that is desperately needed to keep soccer from further disappearing from the American psyche.
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5 months ago
Excellent read mate.
You are 100% right in what you say about global recognition. No offense to basketball, but ask anyone this side of the atlantic about who is the greatest basketballer to grace the game and you will hear the name Jordan. Ask anyone in the World who the greatest soccer player to grace the game is and you might very well recieve a heated debate over Maradonna, Pele, Garrincha, Zidane, Puskas, Best or Ronaldo(the Brazilian).
So in that sense, soccer is Worldwide, North America, South America and Europe and slowly but surely we are starting to see ore and more Asian players enter the English Leagues.
If you become a legend within America say for basketball etc, then I honestly think it is extremely hard to be recognised outside America, while soccer players legend seem to last an enternity all over the planet.
Maybe Im wrong...maybe an American superstar will prove us wrong, enter the soccer world and change the face of soccer in the USA.
I had high hopes for Freddy Adu, who as a Manchester United fan, I kept as close eye on because he was on trial here for a short period but failed to impress, and now ply's his trade at Benfica.(Although I hear his performances for the National side are impressive.)
Again Jerimiah, great article. Hope to hear more from you soon.
Keith.
5 months ago
The reason its hard to be known as a Basketball ledgend outside of America is because there are no real basketball leagus or players to compete with USA so they lose interest. With football, with World Cup in 94 and Beckham and co. coming over to the MLS, its becoming attractive in The States.
5 months ago
Ive seen Steve Nash play and he's a pretty tasty footballer. I think his old man played footy. He's a Tottenham fan too. Legend!!
from 5 months ago
His brother Martin is an on-and-off member of the Canadian national side. Steve recently said he wants to bring MLS to Vancouver:
http://www.nationalpost.com/sports/story.html?id=590155
from 5 months ago
quality. Fair play to the guy. To be honest, it's a shame some of the owners and potential owners of Premier League sides here in England don't have the same drive and passion for the sport. It's all money. Nash would be very welcome at White Hart Lane (Tottenham) any day!
5 months ago
Jeremiah: First off, Steve Nash is Canadian, and Tony Parker is French, so if they played soccer they wouldn't be helping the US National team any.
If in the US we could just have every kid who was going to be under 5'11 playing soccer instead of basketball, and every kid playing soccer until they were 15 years of age instead of football, we'd be all set. If you're under 5'11 professional basketball is an ultra longshot. And playing American football before you're 15 seems pointless.
5 months ago
One word...money. Kids growing up want to play a sport where they will be paid millions and be on TV all the time and get the endorsements. Unless soccer starts paying more and brings in more big time talent in America, we won't get the best athletes playing soccer.
The best athletes want to play big time college football, they want to play in the NFL, they want to play in the NBA. That's where the dollars and prestige are.
5 months ago
Kobe Bryant played soccer growing up in Italy. to this day, he credits soccer with helping him in his footwork. He actually wanted to be a soccer player in Italy (dreamed of playing for AC Milan). I heard he was actually really good and is very passionate about it. Then he came to US and realized soccer wan't big here and decided to just focus on basketball. To this day, he is an avid soccer fan. He wants his daughters to love soccer; he also was thrilled when Beckham came to US hoping more Americans would enjoy soccer. Kobe was Beckham's guest for Galaxy game and Beckham was his guest for Laker games. Kobe talks about nothing but love for soccer; he even when on Jimmy Kimmel live last year and said he loved the sport; thrilled that Beckham is coming and his favorite player is Ronaldinho. He is good friends with Ronaldinho (Barcelona is his favorite team now) and he even hosted a parade for Barcelona in LA. He and Beckham talk about basketball and soccer. He says he hopes to play both sports with Beckham so they both can improve both can learn from each other.
Even Phil Jackson a week ago said that the only other sport that Kobe is passionate about is soccer. (in response to would Kobe ever play another sport)
5 months ago
I know Kobe's favorite sport is actually soccer and favorite athlete ronaldinho (barca is his club), so he probably has some skills. I know Steve Nash grew up playing it nonstop, and his father played proffesionally in south africa i believe? I have a really hard time imagining someone from the NFL or MLB being competitive in soccer due to the vast differences in gameplay, but basketball is pretty similar in gameplay so there's potential there.
4 months ago
KB24 loves soccer. i bet he is amazing. He credits his footwork from soccer. He mentioned a couple of weeks ago that it would be amazing if some of these NBA players played soccer. He wants his daughters to play soccer. Kobe is an awesome athlete, I am sure he was really dedicated to soccer. Loves to watch soccer highlights.
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