I’m not a soccer fan, but I admit I did watch the U.S. Women’s Soccer team come back from the dead and tie Brazil last week. Abby Wambach’s amazing header with 30 seconds left in the game was one of the more unlikely goals I’ve ever seen. Then, in the shoot-out, the U.S. Women’s soccer team’s goalie, Hope Solo (great name!), made a key save that allowed the U.S. to win. I watched the dull game against France where the U.S. women came to sudden life near the end of the game to score a 3-1 win. Now, the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team is one win away from a world title. I’ll be watching again this afternoon to see if this group can overcome the Japanese team. I don’t think soccer will ever be a major sport in the U.S. It’s too tedious. Americans love scoring. Watching any sporting event for 90+ minutes with little or no scoring is not going to gain a large viewership in this country.
Same with hockey for me. Well, actually pretty much all sports although I can watch a football game if Lions ever had a good season. And I used to love baseball.
I follow the Buffalo Bills and the Buffalo Sabres, Patti. I’m a casual fan for all other sports: golf, baseball, etc.
On the other hand, soccer is one of the games where American women can shine–I would guess because most of them have played in league soccer since they were young. American boys go on to football, baseball, basketball, hockey; but once girls get into soccer (I know there are exceptions), by and large, they stay with soccer.
You’re right, Deb. Both my son and my daughter played in youth soccer leagues when they were young. The best players on the team (not my kids) stayed with it.
Growing up I followed 4 New York teams: Yankees, Giants, Knicks, Rangers in that order. It has pretty much stayed that way over the years, waxing and waning as the teams had their ups and downs, though currently I’m only really following the first two.
I agree with George that despite the current hype and the fans who call it the greatest game in the world, soccer (or football, as the world would have it) will never be a major sport in the U.S.
Looks like crappy weather in Germany for the final – 64 and raining currently.
Hope Solo is hot!
😉
I wouldn’t mind some of that Germany weather right now, Jeff. Western New York is going to be in the 90s all this week (that’s HOT for us). I prefer cool temperatures which is why I stay in the A/C all Summer long.
Hot here this week too, George. I admit we tend to think of you as being in a much cooler area but it looks hot there now.
Lake Erie and Lake Ontario act as air conditioners in the Summer, Jeff. But we still can be prone to a Heat Wave for a week or two.
Soccer is boring to watch, but a lot of fun to play.
Hot in my town. Temps will be between 96-100 for this week.
The U. S. Women’s Soccer Team had their chances to close out the Japanese, Drongo, but they failed. I’m okay with the Japanese team winning and inspiring their ravaged country.
Soccer: yawwwnn.
No pro sports in Oregon except the Trailblazers, who aren’t very good and pro basketball isn’t one I care about at all, and the Timbers, and I’ve already made my statement on soccer.
The Mariners haven’t even had a hit in over 30 innings, talk about pathetic. The Seahawks may get better if they had a good draft, but how are we to know with the darn NFL strike / lockout? Except in college football season, when the Dicks and Beavers are the Big Deal, the sports section front page of the Oregonian gives preference to high school athletics. Today it was track and field. MLB? Page 5.
The Buffalo Bills have missed the NFL playoffs for a dozen years, Rick. The Sabres have been in the NHL for 40 years, yet haven’t won a Stanley Cup yet. Being a Buffalo fan is the definition of futility.
Great typo, Rick: “…the Dicks and the Beavers…” That’s Ducks, folks. As for pro sports, I like baseball and football. I just wish we had decent local teams worth watching in the PNW.
I think the Seahawks will have a pretty good season as soon as the NFL lockout ends, Bob.
Alas! A World Cup for the American women was not to be.
I’m okay with a Japanese win in the World Cup, Deb. They were playing to inspire their ravaged country. You have to applaud that.