Soccer is a joke.

[Shockwave180 0]

It has a lot to do with the fact that many regions have a much deeper and longer history than we do here in America, and soccer had traditionally been tied to other social and political animosities. Although, with the increasing globalization and commercialization of the game, those identities are getting watered down.

I'm a History major, and I'm actually writing my Senior thesis on the historical roots of the two biggest football (soccer) rivalries in Great Britain. It'll be done in less than a month. I'd be happy to post it or send it to anyone who's interested.

[omnipotent_hudler 0]

I'm a History major, and I'm actually writing my Senior thesis on the historical roots of the two biggest football (soccer) rivalries in Great Britain. It'll be done in less than a month. I'd be happy to post it or send it to anyone who's interested.

I'd love to read it... Can't get enough history, add in sports and I'm hooked

[GoalieManPat 1,007]

Football holds a lot of power

Most people in America don't understand how much power it really has.

I know its an older thread but I just noticed it and had to post. Hockey only gets mentioned in major US press when something bad happens. Does that mean the sport is a "joke" as you say? Soccer dwarfs every other sport in worldwide popularity. 99.9% love the game and are just there to see a sporting contest. Its that .1% that ruins it for everyone. Now if you figure in how many soccer fans there are worldwide that .1% is unfortunately a pretty large number. Hooliganism as a whole has gone down somewhat but there are still very big problems with it especially in Italy, England and South America. I was in Germany for WC2006 and there were issues. Again 99% of people there were enjoying themselves and having a great time. Then that .1% (mostly England fans) were starting things.

The cultures for watching sport are completely different in the US than pretty much everywhere else in the world. Here we all come in sit down and cheer when someone scores and maybe yell a couple obscenities at a ref. Maybe if they are lucky half the crowd does the "Lets go *insert team name*" chant after being persuaded by the jumbotron. Read a newspaper between the 40 commercial timeouts. In soccer matches worldwide you have supporters all up signing and cheering throughout a whole match. Its basically a big party. I tell everyone I know to try going to a soccer match and sit with the main supporters section. It is a completely different environment for watching and enjoying a game than anything else. Ive never had someone tell me that it wasnt hte most fun they've had watching sport.

[Ziggy Stardust 0]

Well said.

[seeinred 1,488]

It has a lot to do with the fact that many regions have a much deeper and longer history than we do here in America, and soccer had traditionally been tied to other social and political animosities. Although, with the increasing globalization and commercialization of the game, those identities are getting watered down.

I'm a History major, and I'm actually writing my Senior thesis on the historical roots of the two biggest football (soccer) rivalries in Great Britain. It'll be done in less than a month. I'd be happy to post it or send it to anyone who's interested.

Which 2 rivalries are they? I started getting more into football/soccer a while ago, and especially English football. I'd love to read your thesis.

[Ziggy Stardust 0]

Probably Celtic - Rangers and Liverpool - Manchester.

[Shockwave180 0]

Which 2 rivalries are they? I started getting more into football/soccer a while ago, and especially English football. I'd love to read your thesis.

Celtic-Rangers and Newcastle United-Sunderland.

ManU-Liverpool was going to be the third, but I ran out of space, time, and energy. Plus, their rivalry really is not quite as historically deep and is more of a media creation than the other two (although it does still have its own historical and cultural roots as well).

I'm handing the paper in next Wednesday. I'll post it on here after that.

[cirov19 1]

soccer is terrible, it's pretty bad when the fans are tougher than the players. they are the biggest wimps ever.....

Your post is unecessary and I'm not even going to try argue with it's stupidity.

For the OP:

People fight over it because soccer is not just a game to these people, it's a lifestyle. We think we love our team, but compared to scocer fans we have no idea what it's like to love a team. Their lives depend on the game and the team they follow. These people HATE each other over team rivalries whereas we just dislike the opposition.

As much as people disagree with it over there it's accepted more because it's been going on for well over a hundred years.

Most Hooligan's are from England though.

Edited April 21, 2008 by cirov19

[uk_redwing 495]

ManU-Liverpool was going to be the third, but I ran out of space, time, and energy. Plus, their rivalry really is not quite as historically deep and is more of a media creation than the other two (although it does still have its own historical and cultural roots as well).

Theres no media creation about it.

We hate those manc twats.

[Shockwave180 0]

My thesis is done. If anybody wants a copy, just PM me your email address.

[playboy666 0]

soccor sucks,, the only cool thing bout soccor is the kick ass riots other than that kicking a ball around is lame mide as well be playing monopoly by yourself its about as exciting and competetive...lol i guesws if you like it you like it for a reason but i don't understand it,, i tried in school but the only fun i found in it was the ankle tackles you could make but then everyone would cry about you doing that so whatever i siad lets play some hockey...