Soccer

[justinkick]

Why is soccer loved with a passion by billions in virtually every country except for the U.S.? Why do cities stop and countries hold their breath for the World Cup or European Championships, while the U.S. rumbles on, barely noticing the anticipation of so many souls?

I (think I) know the answer, but your points will be appreciated.

Comments

[justinkick]

i agree completely, and in fact, this demonstrates an exceptionalism in american sports culture; every one of our sports is dominated by and (according to myth) was created in America. as keith said, our need to be 'American' and a strong sense of nativism during the formative periods of modern sports in our country basically limited soccers development into culture in america.

also, because none of the sports we play are played anywhere else, or at least when the competition(s) started they werent played anywhere else, it makes sense for them to be called 'world' championships, since it is literally all of the competitors in the world.

what i find more interesting is that a country so (apparently) nationalistic as america, does not have a clear outlet for it. not one other team sport is played on a national level in the u.s. sure baseball has their world baseball classic, but most of the players are not what you consider 'america's finest.' the same with basketball. in short you find a distinct lack of nationalistic pride (at least in terms of an outlet in sports) in america. odd innit?

[thehopelesscaus]

i think it all stems from america's original intent to be an isolated country.
honestly, our sports truly are our last bastions of isolationism, as it has become flat impossible to thrive as a country and not be involved in foreign affairs or the global economy.