yes plz
OT: USA World Cup Qualifier vs. Costa Rica
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:22 PM | 
6 million out of roughly 300
6 million out of roughly 300
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:42 PM |
300 million kids?
300 million kids?
I think you might need to adjust your population figures just a bit.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:01 AM |
Very true, and my mistake.
Very true, and my mistake.
Very true, and my mistake. If you're talking about 0-14 years, we've got about 60 million. That would be 10%. Brazil registers a youth participation of roughly 70% for 2012.
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:05 AM |
80% of kids 0-14 play soccer?
80% of kids 0-14 play soccer?
80% of kids 0-14 play soccer? I'd like to see where you're getting that statistic. Wanna know why you're trolling now? Making up statistics.
Soccer will never be the number one sport here. But our population is big enough to where a significant minority can still build a strong squad.
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:17 AM |
When did I say 80%?
When did I say 80%?
When did I say 80%? And if the U.S has enough participation to build a "strong squad," why hasn't it done so in the last 80+ years?
March 23rd, 2013 at 2:44 AM |
And I'm not making them up.
And I'm not making them up.
And I'm not making them up. Go spend 5 seconds on google and look up the BFA registration numbers.
March 23rd, 2013 at 8:55 AM |
These "math" arguments are terrible
These "math" arguments are terrible
So I'll make one too :-)
The Dutch, English, Italians, Spanish, Portugese all have amazing soccer teams with a fraction of the population of the USA. If you've got 1/5 the population of the USA and 5x the participation, you've still got the same number of players playing. With the resources in the USA and the fact that soccer is a cheap sport to get into and is percieved as relatively safe, I think the future is bright for USA soccer. Sure, Brazil has amazing talent and a big population, contributors to their success, sure. But saying the USA has no chance is just ludicrous. It's just going to take time.
March 23rd, 2013 at 8:56 AM |
Forgot to add Germany
Forgot to add Germany
Heck, even Japan is solid. Basically every country that has a high GDP and decent population can eventually be good. The difference is hundreds of years of passion and development. It'll take time. But the USA loves a winner and when we start winning, the USMNT will be the hottest ticket out there.
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:46 PM |
I think part of our problem
I think part of our problem
I think part of our problem is being in the CONCACAF. It doesn't offer enough high-level competition. There should be a single federation for all of the Americas.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:08 AM |
I think part of our problem
I think part of our problem
I think part of our problem is the morons above who refuse to admit that U.S. soccer needs major changes to be competitive on a world stage. But honestly, what else can you expect from this blog? It's basically devolved into one big sunshine-blowing orgy thanks to Brian, Ace, and the 14-year-olds.
This place used to pride itself on objectivity. What a sad decline.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:12 AM |
And you wonder why people
And you wonder why people
And you wonder why people don't like you. You're morphing into BRCE. Hell, you may be BRCE.
Nobody is forcing you to stay here.
I put up a tough front, but deep down I just want to be held.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:29 AM |
I know full well why people
I know full well why people
I know full well why people don't like me. I point out that Beilein is a poor defensive coach who's never had a defense in the top 25 and only made the top 100 twice: TROLL! I point out that U.S. Soccer has never made the World Cup Semifinal and needs major reform in terms of interest and youth participation: TROLL! I illustrate that Funk has a weak record of offensive line development: TROLL! I argue that Borges is past his prime based on statistics and has never had serious offers to be a head coach: TROLL! I argue that Burke shooting 2-12 and relying too much on 1-v-1 is bad for the team: TROLL! I point out that director cup standings demonstrate a recent decline in UM sports: TROLL!
It's a joke. We're about one step away from RCMB, and it really is sad. The board used to be different, as several mods have pointed out. I hope it comes back.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:34 AM |
step away from the keybouard
step away from the keybouard
your'e drunk
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:38 AM |
I'm actually completely
I'm actually completely
I'm actually completely sober, and nothing I said is wrong.
March 23rd, 2013 at 9:04 AM |
Basically, I concur with your assessment
Basically, I concur with your assessment
One of the reasons I have been a faithful reader of this blog is to get fresh information, new insights, and a diversity of views. Howver, I too feel like there has been a trend to "homerism" and prejudicial down-voting of bloggers who traditionally offer a different perspective. Now, I tend to enjoy reading the "flamebait" comments, especially if they're part of a thread, and find that, too often, rather than addressing the blogger's arguments, the board resorts to name calling and dismisses the controversial blogger.
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:15 AM |
"I hate this place. I can't
"I hate this place. I can't
"I hate this place. I can't leave."
~TheGhostofYost
March 23rd, 2013 at 1:48 AM |
I think...
I think...
Another part of the lack of interest in youth soccer is that we also have 4 of the worlds best leagues in other sports in our country to draw interest and we have the financial means as citizens to pursue those other sports. Countries like Argentina and Brazil, the majority of the population doesnt have a pro football or competitive pro basketball league to aspire to play in nor do they have the financial means to play the pay-to-play leagues they do have on the same scale as us.
You see this in the inner cities of the US where the money is tight it is just that in the US the poverty strucken youth play basketball instead of soccer. All you need to play basketball or soccer is 1 other person and a ball (or some other round object) whereas you need many more people and equipment to play other sports.
just a thought.
Wherever you go, Go Blue!
March 23rd, 2013 at 11:03 AM |
There are cultural factors at
There are cultural factors at
There are cultural factors at play. Soccer in the U.S. has the reputation as a suburban, "white" sport, but in Europe, soccer is often perceived as an inner-city sport, much like basketball here. This is notably the case in France where participation is extremely high among the black and North African minorities while being lower among whites (who are often more into rugby).
March 23rd, 2013 at 12:30 AM |
Please find a time machine
Please find a time machine
Please find a time machine and go back to your native land, circa 1998.
March 22nd, 2013 at 10:59 PM |
Was that an elbow to the head a CR player
Was that an elbow to the head a CR player
just administered to one of our guys? Perhaps they're like people who shout when they first start using phones, they think snow makes everyone blind?
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:02 PM |
Where are the video replays in soccer?!?!
Where are the video replays in soccer?!?!
The B1G looks at every head contact... although I guess it IS the lamest rule we have. Would be nice if they ever called something off of it.
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:01 PM |
"This game will be won by the
"This game will be won by the
"This game will be won by the back four of the US."
That assertion makes me nervous.
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:02 PM |
Can't believe
Can't believe
I can't believe there are 4 tournament games on right now and I've been watching soccer but this game is too crazy to miss. Definitely should've had a penalty when Dempsey was taken down in the box. Getting no help from the ref. I just hope he doesn't call it before we can finish
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:07 PM |
Is this Dempsey?
Is this Dempsey?
Is this Dempsey?
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:11 PM |
No this is
No this is
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:08 PM |
Funny to tune into a soccer
Funny to tune into a soccer
Funny to tune into a soccer game, and the announcers have trapper hats on.
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:11 PM |
Really glad the US scored early...
Really glad the US scored early...
besides the obvious reason to be glad about that, they are much less likely to cancel this game and start all over again (tomorrow?) now that one of the teams has a lead
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:16 PM |
Not a huge fan of soccer, but
Not a huge fan of soccer, but
Not a huge fan of soccer, but I love America, and snow. So don't tread on us!!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:18 PM |
Second half needs to be
Second half needs to be
Second half needs to be finished! We need the points.
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:22 PM |
Over/under when the first red card comes?
Over/under when the first red card comes?
Some nasty collisions are inevitable.
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:22 PM |
I feel like they could have
I feel like they could have
I feel like they could have plowed the whole field at halftime.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:23 PM |
Uh oh
Uh oh
Dangerous free kick here
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:24 PM |
We dodged a bullet there!
We dodged a bullet there!
We dodged a bullet there!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:25 PM |
Phew!
Phew!
Phew!
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:26 PM |
how dare they
how dare they
consider stopping this game
I do it for my love of the Streets
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:26 PM |
Uh-oh, game stopped.
Uh-oh, game stopped.
Uh-oh, game stopped.
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:29 PM |
Both teams want to play... So
Both teams want to play... So
Both teams want to play... So play the damn game.
Edit: well the ref got it right
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:28 PM |
It blows my mind how often
It blows my mind how often
It blows my mind how often the people in charge of these types of things are the dumbest and most unreasonable people in the room. Why the hell couldn't they plow the field during halftime instead of pausing now? And why do they have to pause if the players want to play?
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:28 PM |
YAY! PLAY ON!
YAY! PLAY ON!
YAY! PLAY ON!
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:28 PM |
Game on!
Game on!
Party on Garth!
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:31 PM |
They need to keep shoveling
They need to keep shoveling
They need to keep shoveling lines when the ball is on the other end of the field
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:32 PM |
Of all the sporting events on
Of all the sporting events on
Of all the sporting events on TV, this soccer game has captivated me. That is saying something, considering hockey and basketball are my preferred sports.
This is MICHIGAN
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:34 PM |
I don't think I would use any
I don't think I would use any
I don't think I would use any subs in this game. It's just gonna take the sub ten minutes to get used to the conditions. The guys who have been in are better options.
"Michigan Defense" is dominating everything, in every aspect of life. That's a rough definition.
-Craig Roh 10/29/2011
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:36 PM |
ARGH! WTF, REF?!
ARGH! WTF, REF?!
ARGH! WTF, REF?!
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:40 PM |
Jones, you got lucky there.
Jones, you got lucky there.
Jones, you got lucky there.
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:40 PM |
Stupid foul. Can't make
Stupid foul. Can't make
Stupid foul. Can't make mental mistakes like that
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:41 PM |
Phew, offsides!
Phew, offsides!
Phew, offsides!
Michigan Resurgent? Michigan Resurgent!
The beatings will continue until the uniforms improve!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:42 PM |
At least the refs got that
At least the refs got that
At least the refs got that one right!
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:42 PM |
I really hate when offsides
I really hate when offsides
I really hate when offsides is called that close to the goal.
Most of the time.
"We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"
- Mark Dantonio
Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:44 PM |
?
?
What difference does it make?
"I don’t wanna live in Rainbow Land, and you can’t make me!"
6 million out of roughly 300 million. Go look up the youth participation in South America and Central/Western Europe and come back to me.
I'll give you a hint: It's way more than 2 percent.