Semi-OT: "America Goes to a Soccer Game"...(at Michigan Stadium)
For the soccer fans here, one fan's account of attending the game and ruminations about what's the "right way" to be an American soccer fan.
One quote stands out:
"Sorry, if the only pro soccer games you watch are summer friendlies, then you are not a American soccer fan. I have spoken." — Alexi Lalas
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2014/08/america-goes-to-a-soccer-…
August 13th, 2014 at 10:28 AM ^
Yeah, Lalas is right. I don't want to watch the MLS. I do want to watch teams like Man U and Real Madrid. I am infact not an American soccer fan.
August 13th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
Does "American soccer fan" mean being a fan of American soccer, or an American being a soccer fan in general? I watch the EPL and maybe some other big Euro games if they're on, but I can't bring myself to get into MLS for some reason.
August 13th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
That's the way I interpreted it. Although I wouldn't mind listening to Lalas try and explain that I'm not an American and/or not a soccer fan because I watch friendlies and Arsenal matches only.
August 13th, 2014 at 12:02 PM ^
I got into watching soccer through the Sunday morning EPL games on NBC Sports last season and the World Cup this summer. A few weeks ago, I happened to watch the second half of a Chicago Fire game, and I was amazed at the difference between an EPL game and the Fire. I had no appreciation for the difference.
I would consider taking my kids to watch a game in person, but I doubt I'll set aside the time to watch on TV.
August 13th, 2014 at 10:50 AM ^
I've always thought that Lalas was extremely fortunate to be thumbed by ESPN as their guy for all things soccer. It could have been any number of people and now he's got a very very cushy job. Over the last couple years he has become more of an instigator of sorts, stirring the pot and saying unpopular things, and it's unclear to me if it's ESPN asking him to do it, or if he is really just kind of off the wall and saying random stuff. (as an aside, he's got Twellman in his sidecar saying all sorts of ridiculous things) The really interesting thing to me is who will shine over Lalas when soccer really IS big in the US, and people demand REAL commentary.
August 13th, 2014 at 11:50 AM ^
... I'm going to defend him for a fewreasons.
1) He's from SE Michigan, so there is that.
2) I've met him a few times through mutual aquantenances (this is like 20 years ago, mind you), and he was just this nice, funny, goofy dude.
3) He has come a long way. When he first started for ESPN, he was stiff and uncomfortable. I find him to be much more tolerable (I have a low bar for sports commentators) these days. I actually liked the round table banter of the World Cup.
Regarding his comments -- yes, they are stupid. But as a Seattle Sounders fan, there really is this under the radar American fanbase that actually enjoys watching MLS. The quality is relatively poor, but the fans are great, you get to see a combination of young american talent, and older European stars, and do it in an environment that is like nothing else in US sports. If atmosphere really matters, as so many on this blog believe it does, American soccer (at least in the PNW) is superior to other American sports (I'm looking at you MLB, NBA, and NHL).
August 13th, 2014 at 12:54 PM ^
Yes, it's great to love the MLS. But here's where Lalas is ironically hurting American soccer by bitching about people: Not every major market has a team. I.E. Michigan.
What Seattle and Portland and Denver and Salt Lake City have is amazing and great and wonderful. I WANT it in Detroit. Yes, the MLS is poor quality - that's what prevents me from caring about it without a home team.
BUT if I had a home team, you can bet that I'd be more into it.
SO, according to Lalas, I'm not an American soccer fan because, what? I haven't adopted the Chicago Fire (and the one game of theirs that might be on my TV per year) as my team?
August 13th, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
I agree. His comments were stupid. And I agree, I wish more cities had MLS teams. Affordable family events, with great atmosphere, with mostly modestly paid talent playing a sport for the love of it. It's like professional sports in the US 40-50 years ago.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:29 PM ^
Oh yeah, I wasn't actually trying to refute or combat anything you wrote. I just wanted to rail on Lalas and his dumb comments.
August 13th, 2014 at 2:44 PM ^
So let me get this straight: an ESPN employee said it was bad for Americans to watch EPL (and other European club) soccer and good for Americans to watch MLS soccer?
You have to think that his opinion might be based less on honest belief and more on self-interest (and the interest of his employer), right?
August 13th, 2014 at 11:15 AM ^
August 13th, 2014 at 12:01 PM ^
I don't watch any soccer at all, so my question is not snark but rather coming from my ignorance about the fine points of soccer play:
If you'd agree that the level of play in college football is generally severely lacking compared to that of the NFL, does that mean that it's difficult for you to watch college football? If not, why the difference between watching college football and MLS?
August 13th, 2014 at 12:53 PM ^
You have "home teams." In many cases these "home teams" are teams that you spent 4-6 years of your life living with, studying with, watching play in person.
You have organic rivalries that have been cultivated over decades.
So, it's a bit of apples and oranges comparison. But, the MLS is getting there. Seattle and Portland have games that are beginning to be "must-see," at least for the fringe soccer fan.
It would be nice to have a Detroit-Chicago soccer rivalry.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
I don't think you can compare football and soccer in that way. I've never found talent level to be a huge driver in my interest level when watching a football game, but I do find it to be a big driver in soccer games. I don't want to get all "soccer v. football" here, and I'll throw in the defensive-caveat that I grew up playing and watching football (and continue to watch), but I think it comes down to soccer being a much more intricate game than football.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:25 PM ^
Like I said, I'm basically ignorant about soccer, but from what little I've watched and played, I can't see that at all.
Just out of curiosity, any idea why talent level doesn't affect your enjoyment of college football whereas it does in soccer?
August 13th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
I think I see a better comparison to MLS with college hockey. In general, there are many players less skilled at controlling the puck, controlling their bodies, and hitting the spots required to make the game move at the highest level.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:35 PM ^
Well, would you enjoy watching a high school game you have no rooting interest in?
That's the better comparison of talent divide. The real place that makes the game different to watch is the QB's ability to throw the ball. However, in college you can still get excited about running the ball, about defense about everything else.
In soccer every position on the field requires a high level of skill. When you look at a downgrade in skill level among every player, the cumulative effect is a slower, uglier game.
August 13th, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
There's a lot more decision making going on by the players. That's where it comes in for me. I think if you wanted to compare it to a major US sport, the closest you'll get is hockey. And at least for me personally, I find college hockey nearly unwatchable. I'll watch Michigan because it's Michigan, but you're not going to see me watching Boston College and Wisconsin by choice.
EDIT: I see quigley beat me to it.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:06 PM ^
Also, I think college football is almost a different game from the NFL. I know many of us do not follow the NFL at all. CFB doesn't aspire to be like the NFL and neither does its fans want it to. It has its own (richer) history and traditions. Whereas, I imagine the MLS aspires to have the kind of talent and tradition that other soccer leagues have.
August 13th, 2014 at 12:33 PM ^
I think MLS compares favorably to Ligue1 (minus PSG and a stripped down Monaco), the Dutch and Portguese leagues. Developmental players, older players, and real young talent will get snapped up by a teams in a bigger league.
I really love the Champions League games and the bigger EPL matchups and "El Classicos" (Barcelona v. Real Madrid). Otherwise, many of the EPL games becomes a "baby seal" matchup. Every once in a while the big teams stumble, but you will see a 6-0 scoreline with Real beating up a small Spanish side, or Chelski steamrolling Cardiff, QPR, etc.
August 13th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
August 13th, 2014 at 11:55 AM ^
Good luck finding it anywhere.
August 13th, 2014 at 4:01 PM ^
At least, Fox acquired the Bundesliga rights and we can watch it on FS1 next year.
MLS is garbage. I can't stand how they sign washed up players like Henry and Kaka. Also, don't get me started on the fieldturf. Nothing worse than watching soccer being played on carpet, it's such a joke the way the ball bounces and spins. Take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnUtySrw4eM
August 13th, 2014 at 12:19 PM ^
and Voltron is Handsome hasn't negged this thread yet. He's slipping
August 13th, 2014 at 12:56 PM ^
I wouldn't normally say something like this, but there needs to be an organzied effort to drop him below 100 points so he loses the right to vote.
Not that it matters, but I would chuckle at him getting butthurt about not being able to portray his butthurtedness by irrationally voting.
August 13th, 2014 at 1:22 PM ^
Give him time. He'll come through.
August 13th, 2014 at 2:09 PM ^
if you compare its quality to many world class leagues. In Europe practically no one would go watch a university club match, which is different than the college football mania that we have here. No right or wrong just a matter of taste. I personally like both ends of the spectrum, supporting my local teams and also bucking up to see the very best in the world. The exhibition at the Big House had many quality plays that one would simply not see at any MLS game. when the MLS has a Detroit team I will support it. I would rather hit myself with a hammer than support anything associated with the dregs in Columbus.
August 13th, 2014 at 3:05 PM ^
August 13th, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
Have you checked out Detroit City FC? http://www.detcityfc.com/
Not MLS, but The Northern Guard Supporters fangroup does a great job of supporting the team. Games are $8 and very fun.
Reddit page: http://www.reddit.com/r/detroitcityFC
August 13th, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^
I've been to Stamford bridge and a couple of other european venues, and I felt the Sounders game easily matched the spectacle of those. While it was under unique circumstances (nationally televised game, etc), the crowd of 50k+ was amazing and the play was actually better than I had expected. Yes, there is less effective/creative ball movement and overall athleticism, but it was much better than even a few years ago. To be honest, I think the top US teams would have a real chance to avoid relegation in the EPL, not to mention the Superliga and some lesser european leagues. That's not a long term goal, obvs, but still a real improvement.
August 13th, 2014 at 3:32 PM ^
I've been to Stamford bridge and a couple of other european venues, and I felt the Sounders game easily matched the spectacle of those. While it was under unique circumstances (nationally televised game, etc), the crowd of 50k+ was amazing and the play was actually better than I had expected. Yes, there is less effective/creative ball movement and overall athleticism, but it was much better than even a few years ago. To be honest, I think the top US teams would have a real chance to avoid relegation in the EPL, not to mention the Superliga and some lesser european leagues. That's not a long term goal, obvs, but still a real improvement.
August 13th, 2014 at 10:17 PM ^
But no way do they compete in the Premier League. Yedlin just signed on to play for the SPurs in 2015- 2016. This is good news for USA soccer.
August 14th, 2014 at 12:18 AM ^