World Cup

[ModAdmin]

No argument from me that Canada scored a big event in a sport that is loved and appreciated by millions around the world.

But I have to say, when compared with the NFL or the CFL there is no comparison.  Soccer doesn't hold a candle to American and/or Canadian football for excitement.  Often watching soccer is like watching paint dry with all the passing back and forth seemingly getting nowhere in the process. 

And don't get on the subject of penalties which, far too often, is like watching fake wresting with players consistently going down like they were pole-axed with a seemingly minor tap.  The acting and grimacing is sad and takes away from the authenticity of the game.

Anyway, my apologies to all the true and loyal soccer fans but I had to get that off my chest.     

[theaardvark]

The problem with other sports is that the actually enjoyable play/action interferes with the merry making and drinking...

Soccer doesn't interfere with getting hammered.

[bomb squad]

No argument from me that Canada scored a big event in a sport that is loved and appreciated by millions around the world.

But I have to say, when compared with the NFL or the CFL there is no comparison.  Soccer doesn't hold a candle to American and/or Canadian football for excitement.  Often watching soccer is like watching paint dry with all the passing back and forth seemingly getting nowhere in the process. 

And don't get on the subject of penalties which, far too often, is like watching fake wresting with players consistently going down like they were pole-axed with a seemingly minor tap.  The acting and grimacing is sad and takes away from the authenticity of the game.

Anyway, my apologies to all the true and loyal soccer fans but I had to get that off my chest.     

I was where you were decades ago. Until my brother introduced me to the "heritage" aspect of World Cup fandom. Now there was a dog I had in the fight, and it became interesting to me.  And it helped that that dog was a perennial contender. That made me start watching the World and Euro Cups religiously. And I started to "get" the game strategy and appreciate that as well. The popularity of the World Cup has grown by leaps and bounds in North America over the last 30 years. There's no denying that. That's a testament to our ever changing demographics.

The "acting" you alluded to was a thing and it was tough to watch. I don't know if you've watched lately, but they've really managed to take a lot of that out of the game from what I've seen. 

I know where you're coming from though. But, sometimes it just takes giving something that wasn't a part of your upbringing a chance. 

[dd]

soccer players still grossly exaggerate injuries that don't happen and delay the game for their weak theatrics. In other sports ie hockey, football, any embellishment like that gets a penalty, not in soccer, every player is dying every 5 minutes.

The rules should be changed to if you go down due to injury, you're off the field, that will end it right then and there, but that will never happen, the europeans will never let it happen, its who they are, weak babies trying to draw a foul. The refs have to get tired of it, me as a fan am tired of it and will never respect the game because of it.

[The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB]

I get the hate. I haven't watched the NBA for a couple of years thanks to the OKC coach training his players to flop around all over the floor after even initiating contact with a defender. It's become a league wide epidemic now. Unwatchable embarrassing trash. It's a shame because SGA is such a good player, he didn't need to become a basketball terrorist.

In other sports ie hockey, football, any embellishment like that gets a penalty,

I've never once seen embellishment flagged in a CFL or NFL game.

The rules should be changed to if you go down due to injury, you're off the field, that will end it right then and there

That would likely just cause more fouls on star players. Best thing to do is give a yellow card to the diver. It happened in the USA vs. Paraguay game.

[Pigskin]

Canada with a 6-0 win.

[ModAdmin]

I was where you were decades ago. Until my brother introduced me to the "heritage" aspect of World Cup fandom. Now there was a dog I had in the fight, and it became interesting to me.  And it helped that that dog was a perennial contender. That made me start watching the World and Euro Cups religiously. And I started to "get" the game strategy and appreciate that as well. The popularity of the World Cup has grown by leaps and bounds in North America over the last 30 years. There's no denying that. That's a testament to our ever changing demographics.

The "acting" you alluded to was a thing and it was tough to watch. I don't know if you've watched lately, but they've really managed to take a lot of that out of the game from what I've seen. 

I know where you're coming from though. But, sometimes it just takes giving something that wasn't a part of your upbringing a chance. 

I hear you.  I grew up playing soccer.  I have no intention of dissing the sport but compared to North
American football for on-going action and interest  - well there is no comparison IMHO.  I'm no expert and I can't argue with the world interest in the sport. 

[blue_gold_84]

The popularity of the World Cup has grown by leaps and bounds in North America over the last 30 years.

The US hosting the World Cup 32 years ago played a major part in that, IMO. The 1994 World Cup was the most financially successful World Cup tournament at the time and it broke attendance records that still stand to this day.

[blue_gold_84]

[blue_gold_84]