Which would you want?
by iamalex13 on Apr 11, 2011 8:36 PM CDT
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PrintSoccer season recently started for me, and when that happens, I tend to devote a lot of time to soccer. I'll wake up early to watch EPL games, I'll watch the USA international friendlies, and start following the sport online as well. I followed the World Cup like a freak last year and I'm still lamenting the fact that the next World Cup is 3 years away. I've probably watched that Landon Donovan Goal Reaction video about 30 times by now, and I'll probably watch it thirty more by next year.
I know many people that regularly participate here at BHGP are either soccer enthusiasts or at least like to follow soccer every four years when the World Cup comes around. I'm going to assume that at least 95% of the regular users on this site cheer for the USA for the World Cup. I'm also going to boldly assume that almost everyone here cheers for Iowa to win a national championship every year, whatever sport is happening at the moment.
As a lifelong soccer fan, I'm fairly curious as to how much the sport is growing here in the States, and I've been bouncing this question around in my head for a while.
EDIT: Also, please defend your decision. That way some discussion can happen.
Unless otherwise expressly indicated by BHGP editors, this FanPost is strictly the viewpoint of the author and is not endorsed by BHGP in any way.
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Whoever voted USA world cup win,
must forfeit their Hawk-fan card, and will no longer be admitted to Kinnick or Carver.
/I’m not joking. If you’re an Iowa fan, you should be ashamed.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
Easiest poll answer ive ever answered
i would literally weep from joy if Iowa won a national title in football, and probably basketball too. nothing outside of family related things such as childbirth and marriage would ever top that moment for me
by justsomehawkeyefan on Apr 11, 2011 10:24 PM CDT reply actions
None of my teams have ever won a Championship
Padres = 0
Chargers = AFL doesnt count
Iowa = 1950s is cool and all, but the present is better
Iowa is what I want more than anything. Padres and Chargers would be cool. But Iowa, I would buy evey piece of merchandise. I dont knot how I would react. Likey embarass myself in the process
This
Let’s be honest, for most of us, it’s only even been theoretical once or twice in our lifetimes, 1985 and 2009 (obviously a stretch even before the potato took out Stanzi).
Not that a USA World Cup has been likely either, but for me it just doesn’t carry the same importance
It never gets to be easy.
Why the fuck doesn't it ever get to be easy?
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 12, 2011 5:43 PM CDT up reply actions
Easy vote
Honestly, I would care more about another wresting title or even a field hockey title than I would about a USA World Cup victory. Ok, field hockey might be a stretch, but I’m more interested than bringing the NCAA Championship back to its rightful home (entitled much?) than I am about soccer in any form.
IH7 – I will take a couch to the ped mall and set it on fire if Iowa win’s a football championship. Hell, I might even take a couch to Morgantown and torch it there.
That would be the only blazing on the PedMall that Ricky approves of.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 11, 2011 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I would have to light something on fire too
I wish I could teleport from the NC game to Iowa City. If only the NC was during school, the rage fest in Iowa City would be off the charts
by IrishHawkeye7 on Apr 11, 2011 11:31 PM CDT up reply actions
I guarantee that if it does happen there are enough year round students or students who would come back to IC just in case they won
That the ensuing brewhaha would be epic.
I would totally take a beanbag to the chest for a national title.
And maybe a few rubber bullets and some tear gas too.
by DJK's bongwater on Apr 12, 2011 6:37 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I never attended U of I,
and I might make the trip from Waterloo.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 12, 2011 9:55 PM CDT up reply actions
This
I would want to be in both places at once.
The football title rager would be incredible, but basketball would be impossibly epic. That would be about 10 days of rage from the Elite Eight game (preferably the Saturday night Elite Eight games) to the early hours of Tuesday morning after the title game. The whole student body would be present, too. Holy shit, that would be out of control. I’m talking call in the National Guard out of control.
Comedy is where the mind goes to tickle itself.
I have nothing against soccer, and really kind of enjoy it,
but really? Come on, dude.
They should have sent a poet.
by Bucketochicken on Apr 11, 2011 11:43 PM CDT reply actions
I am really surprised at these results.
I voted for USA (obviously), for a variety of reasons. First of all, its the USA. Cmon. Has Ricky taught us nothing? Second of all, the US winning a world cup would be more surprising and a much bigger deal than an Iowa championship.
An Iowa championship would make all Iowans happy, sure, but it wouldn’t be particularly memorable for anyone else. Within ten years, it would be forgotten by anyone not in the state of iowa. A USA world cup would be remembered for eternity because winning a world cup is such an elite group.
I can count on two hands the different countries to win a world cup. And the last reason: Iowa is closer to a national championship than USA is to a World Cup. Got to go with the bigger upset.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
I think we're pretty Iowa centric here
Also, I think there are a lot of us who just don’t care about soccer. I’m not a soccer hater, and I’ve had good times at Milwaukee Wave games before. Then again, indoor soccer is a much different game a la Arena Football.
If you had said Iowa Nat’l Championship or another Men’s Olympic hockey gold medal, I would have said USA! USA! USA! But that’s because I love hockey and it’s only been 14months since the heartbreak in Vancouver.
In hindsight,
I was probably a little naive to believe that too many people would vote for the US. No offense to anyone, but I’m guessing the majority of users just didn’t have the background growing up to be a big fan of soccer. In the 70’s and 80’s soccer was almost non-existent in the States. Now it’s the most played youth sport. Soccer is more of a younger generation sport I guess. (Seriously I’m not trying to call anyone old).
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
That's not fair
It is a sport for pretentious douchbags of all generations!
by NorseHawk on Apr 12, 2011 12:02 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I'm 26 and I voted for Iowa
I played organized soccer for 15 years before college and then off and on since then. I follow the WC and USA soccer religiously, but I still went with Iowa. Iowa football means more to me than USA soccer.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 8:03 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm in the same boat.
I would love to see the US win a World Cup, but I definitely care more about Hawkeye football than the USMNT.
by The Mexican't on Apr 12, 2011 11:43 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes, this.
The U.S. winning the World Cup would rate pretty highly up there, but an Iowa national championship in football or basketball would be far sweeter.
"I want to be a cowboy. I don't want to be a panda. Pandas are boring, stupid and boring. Bad panda!"
As a big soccer fan, I would love nothing more than a US World Cup win
Except to see Iowa win a football/basketball championship. Iowa outweighs US Soccer just enough.
There are more people in this country who cheer for Iowa football than who care about soccer so you are still wrong.
78% of statistics are made up on the spot.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
26% of the time there's at least a 15% margin of error.
They should have sent a poet.
by Bucketochicken on Apr 12, 2011 6:06 AM CDT up reply actions
60% of the time it works every time
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Apr 12, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm going to have to strangle you.
"'Do you have a go-to move?' 'I have seven of 'em.' 'Do you want to share maybe a few?' 'Naw, you'll see 'em.'"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2011 7:44 AM CDT up reply actions
That's the sort of thing...
that someone from Iowa who went to KU would say.
Also, if you consider yourself an Iowa fan (do you?) and you root for any national team more (Olympics, World Cup, whatever), then how big of an Iowa fan are you, really?
/end rant, over the fact that World Cup got 8 votes.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 12, 2011 9:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't really see where the KU part ties in.
I definitely consider myself an Iowa fan, but considering the fact that mNC doesn’t hold as much weight as it used to, and the sheer scale of the World Cup, I would rather see a USA victory.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Things like this are why those of us who are soccer apathetic get ripped into for saying we don't care about the sport
But then again, Haters Gonna Hate.
Sorry, while I don't feel as strongly about this as NorseHawk, I have to defend him.
I get goose bumps whenever I watch the 1987 Fiesta Bowl or the 1983 Sugar Bowl and I’m not old enough to remember those games. Iowa football needs a real national championship, a Rose Bowl win, and a fake BCS “national championship”, in that order. I probably would have had fake BCS “national championship” ahead of the Rose Bowl until that ridiculous “game” between Auburn and Oregon.
"'Do you have a go-to move?' 'I have seven of 'em.' 'Do you want to share maybe a few?' 'Naw, you'll see 'em.'"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2011 7:46 AM CDT up reply actions
No thanks.
I like having opinions.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Also since you are apparently not grasping this I am just fucking with you
But seriously soccer is dumb
Perhaps he is just fucking with you?
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
I find NorseHawk funny
But that may not be the best endorsement
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 16, 2011 2:09 AM CDT up reply actions
I played for 17 years and I still had to vote for Iowa without question.
I would LOVE for the US to bring home the cup, more than almost anything. But not an Iowa MNC.
Battles are won with a hammer, wars are won with a scalpel
Not even close.
I don’t like soccer but I respect people who like soccer. But my heart is 100% Hawkeye football when it comes to sports. I think if you wanted a more balanced poll, maybe a World Cup/Baseball Classic choice would’ve been better. Good idea though.
I got 99 donuts cuz a bitch ate one.
by Pain in the Sash on Apr 12, 2011 12:12 AM CDT reply actions
In your hypothetical poll, option C "Who cares?" would probably win
Not to demean either event, but I’m pretty sure that would be the result.
The thing that never got me excited about the Baseball Classic
was that countries never seemed to have their best players. If the best players aren’t playing, why watch? It could also be a byproduct of me being a Royals fan though.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
It's like when the best NBA players decided that they weren't going to be on the national team anymore
I stopped caring and wasn’t even upset when the team lost major tournaments. I care more now, but only to the level that I care about the NBA. So less than football, hockey, or baseball.
Right
That’s what I would vote. But I really don’t even see these comparable. Not taking away from the poll/post because I don’t like doing that to anybody who isn’t being a troll. But as johnhartlieb said…THIS IS A HAWKEYE BLOG. Sorry. I had to.
I got 99 donuts cuz a bitch ate one.
by Pain in the Sash on Apr 12, 2011 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions
but its also the most patriotic blog on the internet?
amiright???
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Yeah.
But if you know the context of JH’s comment (which I’m assume you do. It’s kind of BHGP folklore) what is more patriotic than pro wrestling?
I got 99 donuts cuz a bitch ate one.
by Pain in the Sash on Apr 12, 2011 12:34 AM CDT up reply actions
Not to sound stupid
but I always see jokes about John Hartlieb, and I am relatively new to reading this site. What is the context?
by Let's See Some TD's on Apr 13, 2011 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
He was a poster who had some issues with a non-Iowa event getting a liveblog over a Iowa wrestling match
Go here and look for John Hartlieb to see firsthand.
He called us posers, even.
Isn't the baseball classic that thing where a United States team, playing "America's Pastime"
goes up against communist Cuba and communist Asia, and loses?
Nope, not watching that.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:16 PM CDT up reply actions
That's a stupid argument, and we are all stupid for having read it.
Thanks.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 11:47 AM CDT up reply actions
I was not being serious
But apparently I’ve offended you. Now go roll around on the ground for five minutes and hold your ankle while grimacing.
Yeah, I wasn't sure (thought we all had this discussion last week) so I went with the strongly worded (go with it) joke reply.
I thought you might have been kidding, but I was hedging my bet.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 12:07 PM CDT up reply actions
I played soccer for a few years growing up (until tackle football started)
I liked it and I understand it (you can understand something and still not love it). However, if someone posed this same question to me but it was a US world cup win or an Iowa soccer (women’s or if they had men’s) national championship, I would pick Iowa. I want to see the football championship more, but in the improbably event that I would have to choose I think I would always pick Iowa success over International success in any sport.
To me, watching soccer is like watching NASCAR, just fast forward me to the 10 seconds of the game that something actually happens and I can forget the rest. Also, if the Americans played a little more like the Germans, I might be more interested.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
My problem with the poll is who it pits against each other.
I would always rather see an Iowa mNC in basketball or football (thought US WC would be a close second). But if it’s World Cup win versus any other Iowa sport, well I’d have a tougher choice. I love Iowa, and want them to win everything, every time… BUT maybe y’all don’t quite grasp what a World Cup means. It would be like jNW marching through aOSU, USC, and pretty much every other powerhouse on their way to a mNC Bowl Win. That’s how improbable something like that would be.
Also, and it isn’t you Lycurgus, but I’m tired of hearing about how there’s no action. The entire fucking game is action. You are arguing that nothing happens in soccer, and yet you watch a sport where they only play for 6-10 seconds out of every minute. I love football, but that’s a bad argument.
Soccer is war made into a sport. There are advances and retreats. You try to capture your objectives (goals) while trying to deny the other side in their pursuit of your targets. And sometimes, at the end of the battle, there is no winner (something we in America used to understand, but DAMMIT THERE MUST BE A WINNER). It’s beautiful in its simplicity, and yet surprisingly complex.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 12:00 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Very much this.
Especially first two sentences. World Cup win over Field Hockey or Baseball national championship any day.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 12, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
I don't disagree with what you are saying
I tend to enjoy the soccer I do watch. As far as action, I think the answer usually lies somewhere in the middle, between the constant action and the no action arguments. There is constant movement in soccer, but a lot of it is more or less strategic with no impending push to score. Just for the record, I think soccer is a great sport, but one that I don’t usually go out of my way to watch. I actually prefer the German physical style of play to the Americans. Just as long as we can agree that not being particularly interested in a sport doesn’t mean that you are necessarily ignorant of it.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
Yeah, agreed (and to put a fine point on it, I wasn't singling you out)
And no one wants to watch bad soccer. If it’s all midfield with no push to score, unless they are doing some amazing footwork and/or tackling, it’s gonna suck to watch.
But just because I love Hawkeye football doesn’t mean I want to watch my sad sack high school team.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions
Ah, so soccer is like war?
I believe the phrase is 95% boring, 5% pure terror?
"'Do you have a go-to move?' 'I have seven of 'em.' 'Do you want to share maybe a few?' 'Naw, you'll see 'em.'"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Only if you are terrorized by the prospect of taking balls to the face.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
Which fucking hurts with braces by the way.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Not trying to be a smartass...
but I think you have your styles mixed up. Unless you are referring to a historically physical German side. At the World Cup the Germans probably played the most beautiful soccer I’ve ever seen. Also, Americans tend to be one of the most physical sides. BUT ANYWAYS.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Eh, when I have watched, and I am no expert, I always feel that the Americans
get pushed around.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
Yeah, we definitely are NOT physical.
We get physical at times and we aren’t fancy-dance dribblers. The USMNT is a lunchpail kind of team. Role players, working together.
Not always the prettiest, not always the strongest, but usually effective enough (at least some of the time).
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 12:11 PM CDT up reply actions
Maybe I didn't watch enough of the 2010 World Cup qualifying
but whenever I try to think of an identity for the US team, I keep coming back to that US – Italy game in the 06 WC.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
I'd say the correct term is "Gritty."
But if you’re going off the Italy 06 game, then I suppose I could see where you’re coming from. That was aggressive grit.
I now see the identity of the team (going forward) being Dempsey and Bradley. Those two work their asses off for everything. Watch the Donovan goal against Algeria again, and you’ll see it’s Dempsey putting his body on the line (for like the thousandth time that game) to separate the ball from the keeper’s hands (good technique too- – he just brings both feet together on the ball and flicks them as he falls forward over the keeper, keeping the defender on the ground while the ball rolls loose with no one to grab it/jump on it and a trailing Donovan as the clean up man- – none of that was a mistake- – Dempsey, knowing exactly where he is and what he was trying to do, even looks at Donovan as he tidies up).
Also, Timmy Howard is the man.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Dempsey is probably my favorite on the USMNT.
But that goal vs. Algeria is impossible to ignore. Whether it was Donovan’s work or not, it’s easily one of my top 5 sports memories. Donovan is also an easy person to like because he’s very humble and honest.
I also think Stuart Holden will become the Kaka (If I can say that) of the team. He plays with a lot of creativity and its a bummer that he’s out for six months. Hopefully he recovers. The possible tandem of him being an “attacking” center-mid and both Bradley and Edu being holding center-mid gets me giddy. That leaves room up top for Donovan and Dempsey to come off the wings and attack with a (hopefully improved) Altidore playing as the target man.
And of course Timmy is the man.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Sadly I think
Edu won’t be in the fold for much longer, unless he gets a move away from his current club
My 3rd grade math teacher's husband used a stop watch to time the actual "action" in football.
8 mins, 39 seconds. Out of three-plus hours, there was less than 9 minutes of actual action. crazy.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
As if working all night to get 8 minutes of action is a foreign concept to most on this board.
by The Final Gun on Apr 13, 2011 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
Plus game clock is 60 minutes. Players aren't doing much during TV timeout/halftime.
Hey Dolph, you look like I need a beer.
by Give Eddie a Beer on Apr 13, 2011 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
My deal with soccer
Like most people I played soccer for a few years as a kid and it was actually a pretty fun sport to play. That being said when the opportunity to replace soccer with football came around I jumped at the opportunity and never looked back. In my years at Iowa I ran into a lot of soccer fans that tried to get me back into the sport. I watched some games but as a spectator I can honestly say I just don’t enjoy watching it all that much. I tried to give it a fair chance but it was just not all that exciting for me. This leads to my problem with Soccer. The fans always tried to convert me all of them had the same argument about why it was better than football. “It’s the most popular sport in the world”, they would always tell me, as if this was supposed to make it more exciting or as if that assigned value to the sport.
/start soccer rant
Here is the truth of the situation. Soccer is like McDonalds. McDonalds sells more cheeseburgers than anyone else in the world. Is it because they have the best cheeseburgers in the world? Absolutely not, it is more because they are cheap and accessible than because they are good. Soccer is one of the most accessible sports in the world. In third world countries all you need is a few sticks in the ground and some sort of ball and voila.. you have a soccer game. Just because a large portion of the world has no choice for recreation but soccer and therefore chooses soccer does not mean that the sport actually has a great value from a spectator’s perspective. I tried to get into it, i tried to like it, but my opinion is that it is not fun to watch and all the millions of people in the world that disagree with me because it was the only option they had will not change this.
/end soccer rant
All that being said, as many people have already said there are very few things in the world that would rise above Iowa winning the MNC for me. As far as sports are concerned this is the number one thing that I want to see in my life. My vote goes to Iowa.
"If you're easily offended, we thank you for stopping by but ask that you turn your browser elsewhere." -- BHGP Disclaimer
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Apr 12, 2011 8:27 AM CDT reply actions
I agree with a lot of what you said
but I have to disagree with this:
The fans always tried to convert me all of them had the same argument about why it was better than football. "It’s the most popular sport in the world", they would always tell me, as if this was supposed to make it more exciting or as if that assigned value to the sport.
I’ve never once used that as a reason why someone should give soccer a chance. I just told a coworker this yesterday, “There is a reason why its also called the beautiful game.” Soccer is amazing to watch at a high level where there is constant flow and action. The beauty of it is in the passing and movement, which is then followed by a shot or move that you would think is impossible. It’s not as violent as football but it is violent.
There are stretches of games that can get boring due to a lack of action and I understand how that can turn people off, but don’t play the “the only reason its popular is because the poor people don’t know any better” card. I wasn’t poor growing up and I think it’s a great spectator sport. Are there economic conditions that play into soccer’s popularity in third world countries? Yes. Does that explain why its the most popular sport in western Europe? No, not even close. I get your McDonald’s analogy and think it might be close to the truth, but it also carries with it a negative connotation that I think makes the comparison inaccurate. Why do rich people in developed countries love soccer so much? That would be like a millionaire wanting to go to McDonald’s just because there are 3 on his drive to work. Your comparison works when you only account for 3rd world countries, but falls apart when you consider soccer’s popularity among all countries and socioeconomic classes.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 9:34 AM CDT up reply actions
I'm a firm believer that you need to have a rooting interest to enjoy watching soccer
I’m a pretty big soccer fan (and played through College), but I have a hard time watching when I don’t care who wins. However, watching the US play in the World Cup, or even going to an MLS game and rooting for the home team is incredibly fun. I went to a Kansas City Wizards game a couple years ago and sat right next to the crazies with the drums and chants – that was a blast.
by DJK's bongwater on Apr 12, 2011 10:21 AM CDT up reply actions
I reacted almost the exact same way to the game winning field goal against PSU 08 as I did to Donovan's goal to push the USMNT through to the knock-out stage last summer.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Funnily enough, I didn't.
I reacted to the PSU 08 game with unparalleled joy, racing through my house screaming as loud as I can. When Donovan scored, I almost cried because I couldn’t decide which emotion i was feeling. There was relief, joy, fatigue (lots of this), and restraint because my mom was downstairs and I didn’t want her to see me crazy haha.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
This was the "comment too far."
When Donovan scored, I almost cried because I couldn’t decide which emotion i was feeling. There was relief, joy, fatigue (lots of this), and restraint because my mom was downstairs and I didn’t want her to see me crazy haha.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 12, 2011 10:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Um, why? It's a perfectly legitimate sporting emotion.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 11:13 AM CDT up reply actions
agree to disagree
with this point
"There is a reason why its also called the beautiful game." Soccer is amazing to watch at a high level where there is constant flow and action.
I tried it and just didn’t enjoy watching. Personal preference i guess. I understand your point about well off Western Europeans loving the sport. Obviously they do not love it because it is their only option. (It is more likely that their affection for the sport is more due to tradition than this reasoning) but it would probably not be the most popular sport in the world if you took away all African/Latin American/South American/Eastern European countries that grew up with the sport because its the only option. There is room for people to be fans of both sports and I’m not trying to talk anyone out of being a fan, I am just saying that I don’t enjoy it and giving my theory on why it is so popular.
"If you're easily offended, we thank you for stopping by but ask that you turn your browser elsewhere." -- BHGP Disclaimer
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Apr 12, 2011 10:23 AM CDT up reply actions
Agree on this point
it would probably not be the most popular sport in the world if you took away all African/Latin American/South American/Eastern European countries that grew up with the sport because its the only option
and that’s why I never use that to try to get someone to give soccer a chance. If someone watches soccer, understands whats going on and still doesn’t like it, then it’s like me with the NBA… I find it boring (with the exception of Derrick Rose. He’s awesome). Everyone has different likes and I’m not going to try to force someone to like it if they’ve given it a fair chance.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions
I appreciate the NBA reference
because as a die hard basketball fan I think it should die.
"If you're easily offended, we thank you for stopping by but ask that you turn your browser elsewhere." -- BHGP Disclaimer
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Apr 12, 2011 1:03 PM CDT up reply actions
The NBA is awesome
you just have to go in knowing its a slight variation to the game of basketball. And you have to know which teams to watch in the regular season (Bulls, Thunder, and those types of teams that actually go hard).
The intensity of the NBA playoffs is in my opinion unmatched this side of wrestling.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
Your last sentence is the problem with the NBA.
They should just cancel the regular season and just do the playoffs every year.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
That is why I said you have to know which teams to watch.
I only watch the Thunder and Bulls consistently (and Spurs because they are insanely efficient) and if Boston, Miami, LA, etc. if they are playing someone good. It is annoying, but as a Thunder fan is is something I can take pride in… that my team is one of the few that actually plays hard night in night out.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
thats the thing
I want nothing to do with a league that only has a handful of teams that actually are going to play to the best of their ability every night or in the playoffs. Though I will agree that playoff ball is fun to watch.
"If you're easily offended, we thank you for stopping by but ask that you turn your browser elsewhere." -- BHGP Disclaimer
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Apr 12, 2011 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I can stand it, barely.
Its 82 games so it is almost impossible to play hard for all 82, especially when guys start to get up there in age. And NBA players do try harder than most give them credit for, they really get a bad rap. But it is really a sight to watch good teams playing hard, the skill level and athleticism is ridiculous.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
This is what hockey already does, correct?
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 12, 2011 1:23 PM CDT up reply actions
/quick check in the t.v. guide
It appears so.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Most people around here know me as a major soccer fan
but I’ve always quibbled with the idea that it’s popularity is universal outside of the U.S.
The 10 most populous countries on Earth are as follows:
China
India
U.S.
Indonesia
Brazil
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Nigeria
Russia
Japan
Those 10 account for two fifths of the world’s population and only in Brazil and Nigeria (and to a lesser degree, Russia) is it considered a major sport. The simple number of countries that love soccer is overwhelming, but when taken as a number of actual people it’s less-definitive.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I have never seen it presented that way. That is quite interesting.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 14, 2011 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
And to be clear
it’s still the world’s most popular sport by a wide margin. But it’s absolutely not the “America’s the only place where this sport isn’t huge” argument you get all the time. Hell, even in places we think of as soccer-mad in World Cup terms (France, Colombia, S. Korea, to name a few) it ends up being a secondary sport or one equal to other options for much of the population.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't disagree really
but in France they have two leagues, with relegation and promotion and all of the other big time soccer stuff
in the US we can’t even get fans to go to the games of the ONE league we have (and the one league we have seems like it’s on par with Ligue 2 in France, but I’ve not seen enough French matches to say that difinitively)
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 12:19 PM CDT up reply actions
Except it still doesn't come close to the mania soccer has in other Euro countries
let alone the NFL in the US. Cycling, F1 Racing and rugby are just a few of the other sports the French enjoy. Yes, Ligue 1 is superior to MLS but the French aren’t as soccer-obsessed as other places.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 3:18 PM CDT up reply actions
I think its become the premier sport in Japan.
If only because Kosukei (probably spelled that wrong) Honda is amazing. And Japan are the Asian champs now.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
There's no way it's bigger than baseball.
Maybe when the national team is playing, but the day-to-day of the J-League isn’t the same.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 15, 2011 1:25 PM CDT up reply actions
that's true I forgot about baseball.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
I would gleeful;ly watch a USA soccer world cup championship game but
I would give my right and left nuts and exhume my dead father and throw in his nuts (with his heavenly blessing, I’m sure) for an Iowa National Championship.
"Make it tasteful, but dongier" - Blackheartnopants
I think if the US made it to the quarter finals or finals for World Cup
the citizens of the US would be soccer crazy, until late July or early August when football ramps up and re-runs are ending.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
I want to like soccer,
but many games are just not captivating. I think football is a bit more, on average.
Also, a huge part is (about to give credence to the WWL, puke) the marketing and notoriety. Most Americans don’t know an American national team soccer player outside of Donovan and maybe Howard. Even if you aren’t much of a college football fan, you’ve probably heard of Tebow, or if you live in Iowa, you’ve heard of DJK, Stanzi, etc.
I’ll enjoy soccer when America scores more than 1.5 goals a game, and when we get a “signature win”. We don’t necessarily have to win the whole damn thing, but we need to beat someone better than Cameroon.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 12, 2011 10:13 PM CDT up reply actions
"signature win" depends if you only watch the World Cup
We beat Spain in the Confederation Cup when they were #1 in the world right before the World Cup (fits my definition of signature win) and nearly beat Brazil in the final. Then we lost Dempsey, one of our top offensive players, shortly after that, so keep that in mind with World Cup results.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
Sorry not Dempsey, its Davies
Too early in the morning…
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
Yeah, Spain went into that match with a 15 game win streak and a 35 game unbeaten streak.
There’s your signature win Chazz, but you never heard about it because tWWL had, like, a pre-season NFL game to pre-view or something, so it never got marketed to the American people.
No one ever explained to casual viewers that the win was a BIG fucking deal.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 12:21 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah.
But does anybody care about the Confederation Cup? Or is it like winning the Big 12 North: somebody has to.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 13, 2011 4:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Its a tournament between all of the top rated teams in each continent.
Along with the hosts of the next world cup and the winners of the past one. The USA got really lucky to get out of the first round by beating Egypt (a really good team) 3 – 0. They beat Spain 2 – 0 in the Semis and then lost a heartbreaking game to Brazil 3-2 in the final. Imagine Iowa coming out of nowhere to beat someone like 05 USC 27-14 on neutral ground in the nonconference. Except much bigger.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
You neglect to mention
the US was ahead 2-0 in that Final against Brazil. Absolutely heartbreaking.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
I said it was heartbreaking, but yes.
That game SUCKED. And I didn’t get to watch it. I was braving the desolate six hours it takes to get from KC to Iowa City. I couldn’t even listen to it on radio.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Confed or not
We beat the world’s number 1 team, who was going for a World Record 36 matches unbeaten (if they had beat us) so it’s not like they had nothing to play for.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
If you really want Iowa fans to like soccer
then convince the university to start a mens soccer team. iowa already has around 3 more womens teams than mens and the athletic department is apparently self sustaining so why not?
by justsomehawkeyefan on Apr 12, 2011 8:56 AM CDT reply actions
Because by popular vote, Iowans want more beach volleyball.
"Make it tasteful, but dongier" - Blackheartnopants
Iowa has won national championships...
a lot of them in fact. If you mean win a national championship in football vs. USA winning World Cup, that is a tough call.
That's funny
soccer had some really nice things to say about you.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
to your face
but as soon as you leave the room soccer acts like a total douche
"Make it tasteful, but dongier" - Blackheartnopants
He and Lacrosse are creepy roomies.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 12, 2011 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
You should call homely Field Hockey back though
cause he seems like the shy, sensitive type. Not pretentious at all.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree.
It looks like a bunch of people kicking a ball around to each other, the occasional fake injury, and then the even rarer score.
As far as rooting for US teams, it’s fun to root for teams/individuals in the Olympics and I always want the US to win everything it’s involved in. Rooting for Michael Phelps (and especially that relay where his team beat the Frenchies by the slimmest of margins) was absolutely exhilarating, but it wouldn’t hold a candle to Iowa winning a national championship. Shit, it wouldn’t hold a candle to Iowa winning a Big Ten championship—or even finally beating OSU (or fjNW for that matter). Why? The rivalries and comaraderie as a poster further down brings up.
One of the main reasons I like World Cup soccor is
A run of the mill collision takes place on the field. One man continues to pursue the ball. The other writhes on the ground in obvious pain. Grabbing at his knee. One can only imagine the trajic mess this joint must now be. Certainly there will be many operations and years of rehab for this poor fellow. And you can see his anguished realization of this as he grimaces and screams. Here comes the stretcher. There he goes. Godsend my strong and brave fellow!
Five minutes later he’s on the field playing footsie again. Pussy.
I voted Iowa football.
It's so sad how a family can be torn apart by something as simple as a pack of wild dogs.
by FiveSecondRuleChef on Apr 12, 2011 11:52 AM CDT reply actions
Riiiiiiiiight.
Because american-football players (or NCAA wrestlers) never fake injuries for the sake of a little strategic rest. I guess every sport is full of pussies these days.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:07 PM CDT up reply actions
Fainting Irish come to mind
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 1:15 PM CDT up reply actions
I think that European footballers
take the faked injury routine to a whole new level. The game is fun to watch but the level of acting one sees is oscar worthy.
"Make it tasteful, but dongier" - Blackheartnopants
It is the
Italians, West Africans and some of the South American countries that are the real offenders. Most of the Northern Europeans, Asian countries and others don’t have the same level of flopping that the others do.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
Hmmm.
Italian team
West Africa
S America
Italy and S America employ some tiny strikers, and even midfielders.
W Africa tends to have tallish players, but who are as skinny as a rail.
When going up against bigger guys they get knocked down. The flopping just emphasises the power disparity in an effort to get a break from the ref (i.e. he’s getting knocked over anyway, so play it up so the ref takes note- – basketball charging calls are the same way, and basketball players are coached on how to flop effectively to get the charging call).
If you don’t get the call you can still take the time to catch your breath.
I will not say that all flopping is okay. Some of them are stupid. Cristiano Ronaldo, and others who flop without being touched, deserve to be shot (not literally) for their aweful acting.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Andres Nocioni and the whole of Duke basketball would like a word.
They feel left out.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
PLEASE
you aren’t really going to try to defend the Oscar-caliber acting that goes on in almost every international match to what happens in other sports are you? If soccer is to be believed, we can shutter every hospital in the world and cancel all medical school classes, because all that is needed to cure the most horrific of injuries is a 3 by 5 inch yellow piece of paper.
I ate the blue ones ... they taste like burning.
No
Just saying that faking injuries happens in almost every sport. But there is a reason why this was made:
Italians take it to a whole different level
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
Image post fail
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
No flopping necessary here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp2DbvWmu4M&feature=related
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
I remember seeing that on sportscenter.
She should have been kicked off the team.
"You don't become a Hawkeye fan, You're born with Black and Gold in your veins." - Me
by BStylin Hawkye on Apr 12, 2011 2:14 PM CDT up reply actions
She probably should have been thrown in jail.
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
I doubt there is a judge that would have flinched at that given the evidence.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 9:11 AM CDT up reply actions
This was one of the weirdest things I've seen in the past ten years of sports.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
I see this kind of shit (minus the injury histrionics) in nearly every NBA game.
There are degrees of acting/gamesmanship in every sport. Luckily, it seems as though this is usually ingrained in specific soccer cultures. If I may paint with a broad brush, you see much more of this from Latin American and Mediterranean countries than you do from the U.S., Asian, African and N. European sides.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions
Yup.
It’s the Spaniards’ Blood I tell you.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 12:27 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes. NBA has become a giant pile of crap.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 13, 2011 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions
No, you missed the point
and I’d argue the NBA is as good now as it’s been in nearly 10 years.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 8:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, but I'd argue that is more of a comment on how bad the NBA was
in the early to mid 2000s.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 13, 2011 9:03 PM CDT up reply actions
NBA is the best it's been since Jordan left. By far.
People who continue to hate have not been watching lately. Yes, it sucked 5-10 years ago. It is great now. And has easily blown MLB out of the water for #2 sport people care about. A couple pieces of evidence:
1) Which baseball athlete could even dream of getting THE DECISION on air?
2) When was the last time you had an in-depth discussion about baseball or baseball news with somebody? How many discussions about NBA or NBA news in that time?
3) If I ask the American populace to name the 20 highest-paid players in both sports they’d get a hell of a lot more NBA than MLB correctly.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 13, 2011 10:27 PM CDT up reply actions
That's fine,
but just because baseball sucks, does not mean that NBA doesn’t suck.
And, to be fair, I’ve been a bit disenchanted with the NFL this past season. Perhaps my depression is kicking in again.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 13, 2011 11:08 PM CDT up reply actions
You're a vikings fan, aren't you?
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
Nope.
49ers. And Colts (although less so now that Sanders is gone).
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 14, 2011 4:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, the 9ers did suck pretty bad last year and the Colts were down.
Might that have contributed to your disenchantment with the current NFL product? Either that or you’re on Brett Favre’s Circle and got some interesting text messages.
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
I'm sure it did contribute.
But even the really good teams seemed pretty beatable at times last year. With my team in the shitter, I need a team that’s kicking butts to admire. And Atlanta didn’t really fit that description.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 15, 2011 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
I would disagree.
I think MLB is the clear cut number two sport in the US right now. They might not have a single player dominating the sport like LeBron does, but the amount of hype thrown at Strasburg and other young players makes up for it.
I honestly can’t remember the last time I’ve had an in-depth discussion about the NBA. Maybe never.
I don’t think the 3rd one would work either. Three words: New York Yankees.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
OK, here we go then on #3
A-Rod, CC Sabathia, and Texeira are 3 of the top 4 in MLB. Only one other Yankee makes Top 25 money. Name him without looking. Now try to name the other 2 of the Top 5. You got all three of those incorrect, didn’t you?
Linky
Baseball is fucked up, I haven’t cared in 5 years.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 14, 2011 5:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I missed one of the two top 5 and was wrong on the other Yankee in the top 25.
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
Top 5: A-Rod, CC, Tex, I know Santana is up there, idk the other one.
I’m pretty sure Jeter is/was up there, but I’m not familiar with his new contract deal. I’m fairly sure Burnett is the other Yankee, I remember him getting a big contract.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
Joe Mauer has to be close.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 15, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Call me when basketball isn’t the WWE with more travelling.
"I am almost ashamed at my actions, but not really." - usn_kologi, 197 lbs
by ReadingRambler on Apr 14, 2011 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
NBA basketball, that is
"I am almost ashamed at my actions, but not really." - usn_kologi, 197 lbs
by ReadingRambler on Apr 14, 2011 7:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Not the Big East?
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 9:24 AM CDT up reply actions
Triche just took three steps without dribbling while I wrote this.
Ugh.
"I am almost ashamed at my actions, but not really." - usn_kologi, 197 lbs
by ReadingRambler on Apr 14, 2011 12:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I'm not about to enter a debate about which sport is better
especially if we’re basing that on popularity (which would require me to recognize NASCAR as a sport). What I will say is that it’s easy for those who abandoned the NBA years ago (as I did) when it was a league dominated by the Alan Iversons and Vince Carters of the world to assume it’s gotten worse. The reality is that there is more team-oriented basketball being played league-wide currently than since the Bulls’ first Threepeat™.
Adding to the fun is that franchises like the Knicks, Celtics, Bulls and Lakers are all good at the same time. This is good for the sport and for the excitement that rivalries bring. As much fun as it’s been to see Michigan and Notre Dame suck, I think it’s safe to say that in the long-term the sport of CF is better when they’re competitive.
That said, professional baseball (and soccer) have always been my favorite pro sports, so I’m not biased when I’m saying to give the NBA a shot right now.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions
I'll bite.
1) What’s THE DECISION? Is it like The Situation? I’ve heard of that douchebag, but have never seen him “on air” (though I assume hair gel is involved, and that rarely ends well).
2) I spend all of my time here, talking about Iowa. I don’t talk about the NFL, MLB or NBA. Sorry, but I’m of the belief that free agency killed those leagues. I grew up with teams being marketed as teams, with players whose names you knew so well you dreamed about them. You CARED about that player, and they LOVED the city they played for. And it was heartbreaking when your favorite player got traded. It sucked to see someone whom you’d given so much adulation wearing another team’s jersey. Now players regularly get traded multiple times in a short span. Now players don’t even know what city they’re in half the time.
Soccer didn’t trap themselves with that kind of personal/emotional marketing. In soccer you cheer for a Club Team. The Club is what’s important. And just like club membership changes all the time, the team changes. It’s just the way it is, and there’s no pretense of “personal stories”, it’s just The Club.
3) What does that mean other than basketball has more individuals who can make an impact by themselves, whereas baseball is way more of a team sport, and that the NBA’s marketing is better than MLB’s?
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 1:11 PM CDT up reply actions
The Decision
was when LeBron James went on TV for an hour and said he was “taking his talents to South Beach.”
As for the whole “free agency ruined sports” thing, I can’t get behind that. First, it is un-American. Second, franchises had to wait 5 to 7 years to get better through drafts only. Third, it bilked the players (although they are probably over-paid, now).
Finally, regarding individualization in sports: baseball has the same issues, but it is just less of the culture of that sport. In the NBA, (almost) any guy can go for 25 points and 10 rebounds in a night and become over-rated. Then, they hang around for 12 years in the name of “veteran leadership.” The NBA has been, is, and always will be a league of “stars,” even aging ones (see Shaq).
MLB teams have to rely on more role players. And they always have a ton of guys (in the minors) waiting to take your spot. Any guy can become the goat on any night by kicking a ball or two around (see Bill Buckner). Any pitcher can have a bad night and be sent packing within a half-year. Any hitter can have a bad month and be traded a half-year later. Any guy can have a great night and be forgotten a week later by all but the most rabid fans. By nature, unless you are really good in baseball for a fairly long time, you aren’t a star.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 14, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
MLB teams have to rely on more role players.
That’s because they play eleventy billion games a year.
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
Yes.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 15, 2011 3:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Chazz has me covered on the first 2 points
Though I will say that free agency is quickly making ticket prices unreachable for most fans, so there needs to be some work done there.
I don’t really agree with either of you on point #3 but I’m too tired to make the argument right now. I’ll move on to other topics, Deity bless the BHGP commentariat for the intelligent and rational viewpoints from many angles and on a true cornucopia of topics.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 15, 2011 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Regarding point #2
I work in a manufacturing facility. Many of the guys there are far more sports obsessed than I am, and I can’t remember ever having a discussion about the Bulls. They’re happy when they win and all, but under normal circumstances, it’s all Cubs and Sox, but mainly, it’s Blackhawks this time of the year. The NBA just doesn’t resonate with them or with me.
It never gets to be easy.
Why the fuck doesn't it ever get to be easy?
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 16, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Fair enough
This may be a function of the fact that I don’t have a TV and get my sports info from one of three sources: BHGP (much love!), ESPN.com, or personal conversations.
Obviously there’s little NBA or MLB talk in general on BHGP, so I’m leaning heavily on the other two in this regard. It appears to me that ESPN.com heavily favors NBA over MLB, perhaps largely due to younger demographics of who is online. As for personal conversations, I am a white-collar yuppie selling insurance to (white) CEOs/CFOs. In L.A., that demographic does not have the rabid Dogers following that other parts of the city will have, it’s primarily Lakers fans.
It’s the general notion that culture moves inward from the coasts, so maybe I’m just seeing the future here. Like the current future for Iowans that has too much Ed Hardy. Boo on that. Not all culture is good or valuable.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 16, 2011 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Well, if you aren't a huge Dodgers fan,
that just means you’re a bit less likely to die before your time (from a trip to Dodger Stadium).
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 16, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
If I understand it right
even huge Dodger fans don’t bother showing up till the 3rd
It never gets to be easy.
Why the fuck doesn't it ever get to be easy?
by chitownhawkeye on Apr 18, 2011 10:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't hurt
that they have the one radio man that can make listening to a game better than watching it.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 20, 2011 10:13 AM CDT up reply actions
Vin Scully >> Vin Diesel
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 20, 2011 10:41 AM CDT up reply actions
I think you've got the wrong team
Lakers yes, Angels yes, pretty much any other team. But Dodgers fans get there early and care like a mofo. It’s a mostly drunken, poor Hispanic fan base with a lot of gang following (Raider-fan 2.0 in some cases) that can indeed be a little bit scary at times. The ones that might leave early are the premium seats that the rabid fans can’t afford.
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 20, 2011 10:45 AM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
Those yellow seats are always open or in flux.
But I’m guessing the other areas are usually fairly full.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 20, 2011 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions
No, I'm just pointing out that you can't call soccer guys pussies if you aren't going to call wresters pussies.
Broad brush strokes make a messy painting.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 12, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Honest question for those that watch a lot of soccer
are the players that flop ever ridiculed for it? Like the ones where they clearly weren’t even touched and they go down with the worst injury of their life? The reason I ask is because I think in sports like Football and Wrestling if the replay showed that the player wasn’t even touched and he faked this huge injury he would be mocked without mercy for it.
"If you're easily offended, we thank you for stopping by but ask that you turn your browser elsewhere." -- BHGP Disclaimer
by SaturdayMorningKegStanzis on Apr 12, 2011 1:43 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd be shocked if they aren't.
But that doesn’t stop Duke, now does it?
"'Do you have a go-to move?' 'I have seven of 'em.' 'Do you want to share maybe a few?' 'Naw, you'll see 'em.'"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 12, 2011 1:48 PM CDT up reply actions
They are mocked completely by opposing fans
but they keep getting calls because the game is fast paced and there are only 3 refs for the entire field. Just google “cristiano ronaldo dive”. You’ll find some epically funny dives there.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions
You can get carded for faking an injury in soccer
you don’t get penalized for faking an injury in football or wrestling. But I would say the ridicule would be higher in the other sports.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
Diving definitely gets heckled and is looked down upon.
You get carded for it, so in theory it’s as bad as giving an injury. Sometimes, I think new soccer watchers will think someone’s faking it when there not though. It definitely hurts to get your foot stepped on by cleats while both of you are sprinting. The tops of soccer cleats aren’t usually that protective since striking the ball accurately is pretty important in soccer. There are times when a player gets injured and fans will automatically say their faking because its soccer.
Also, USA players tend to not dive more so than any other country I’ve seen. Except for Dempsey, he will dive occasionally.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
I absolutely love watching soccer.
But I would go with a National Championship in Mens Bball, football, and wrestling over a soccer World Cup. The two volleyballs would be a tough choice (I go to Penn State, volleyball is a big deal here, not sure about you guys). Hockey would probably be thrown in there once we get our team. But I’ll take the World Cup over anything else, I think.
The World Cup is special because everyone in America is rooting for the same team, but the big college sports are special because you spend a ton of time around people who want your team to lose. There are rivalries because there are Iowa fans and Iowa State fans living in the same places and you can rub success in their face and they will rub it in yours. In the World Cup there is a rivalry with Mexico because we share a border, maybe that matters to people in Texas but I could care less. When the US loses nobody is going to talk crap about it because most of us only hang out with Americans and the best way to build your fandom is for someone to start trash talking your team.
Finally many of you, I’m sure, go to Iowa games as I go to PSU games. I don’t know a single person who has seen the Mens National team play. Its always moving around and often in foreign countries. It is a lot easier to build a bond with a team and players by watching them and you don’t get the same experience on TV. Also, you know that they are living in the same area you are or once did so you can relate to them. They are college kids, most of us are or have been college kids and that makes a difference. For you guys, the Iowa Hawkeyes are Iowans through and through. Even a professional team in a nearby city doesn’t feel that way to me. That is why it is really an unfair arguement in my opinion. In my experience, people who don’t live in major cities will take their college team over everything else 99 times out of 100.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
As someone who voted for a Hawkeyes NC,
It was not an easy choice. Just watching this clip made me remember how pumped I was over Landon Donovan’s goal in the POOL PLAY.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbn3rOPmR9w&feature=related
That said, I think if the US won the World Cup i would be more proud, whereas I would rather see Iowa win the NC because I would be much more excited and could talk shit for days to all my ISU and Nebraska friends.
Black Hearts - Black Shirts - Black Friday. Hell yes.
Also to clarify, I am not at all a soccer fan
I just love me some AMERICA
Black Hearts - Black Shirts - Black Friday. Hell yes.
Jacobi's silence on the subject thus far betrays his leanings...
You got no fear of the underdog; That's why you will not survive!
by YouCanPutYourEddsInIt on Apr 12, 2011 2:55 PM CDT reply actions
I will say that US soccer is growing on me
and it would be cool to win the world cup. with that said, i have been a Hawkeye fan for 21 years and a united states soccer fan for 8 months.
by justsomehawkeyefan on Apr 12, 2011 3:08 PM CDT reply actions
Are all the World Cup American Team members Americans?
Is it like the Olympics where citizenship/nationality is kind of important?
"Make it tasteful, but dongier" - Blackheartnopants
Is this a serious question?
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 12, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Well there are players that are born in a country that play in another.
For example, there are three German born USA players right now. I’m not sure of the exact circumstances surrounding all of them, but I know one of them’s dad was an American and just lived overseas when the player was born. I’m pretty sure the rules are you have a choice between your native country or any country you have citizenship in.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
FIFA's rules are not too clear if I recall
They more or less, aside from some guidelines, leave it up to the national federations to determine eligibility. But once you play in an official competition for a country, I think you’re locked in with them except for a few special conditions.
FIFA's rules are not too clear
Big surprise there… I hate FIFA. But I think you are right, you have a fairly lenient selection, but once you play you are locked in.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
This is true, once you play for a country you are pretty well locked in
But you also have to have some sort of claim to citizenship prior to playing for a team, such as the dual citizenship, parents from two countries, etc. You can’t just decide that you want to play for Brazil and get in if both your parents are Canadian and never stepped foot in Brazil.
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 13, 2011 8:19 AM CDT up reply actions
Yeah, there's a lot of variation depending on specific federations.
Some of you may recall that Poland had a nationalized Nigerian on their WC team in ‘02. Eduardo da Silva is a Brazilian by birth but a Croatian citizen. Even US player, Hercules Gomez, had a lot of conflict whether or not to play for Mexico (turns out he probably wanted to play for them but wouldn’t have made the team). England still allows you to play for them if your parents are English: see Canadian-born Owen Hargreaves. There are even certain countries so desperate for talent that their rules bend even further. For example, if my children turned out to be really good at soccer they would probably be allowed to play for India despite being only a quarter Indian and never having set foot in that country.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 9:19 AM CDT up reply actions
The UK has some pretty odd rules
Since there are 4 national teams, but no official citizenry of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales, you can pick based on your birthplace, your parents, or your grandparents.
And FIFA (and FIBA)
are encouraging them to unite as a single unit for the Olympics (which I’m sure the Scots will love).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions
As long as everybody understands...
that the fans have to wear blue face paint.
We will become more intensity!!! --What Reading Rambler thinks Tom Brands should do.
by WaterlooChazz on Apr 13, 2011 5:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Not a fucking chance i would like this
It will basically be like having an England team with your token Scottish/Northern Irish/MMaybe Welsh benchwarmer, aprt from goalkeeper Scotland usually churn out some good uns
Exactly the response I expected from you.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 20, 2011 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Right, you have to decide you want to play for Brazil
go become a citizen, then play for Brazil.
WE'RE DANCIN!!!
Yup
Exactly
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 13, 2011 3:14 PM CDT up reply actions
Once again, the great sport of rugby is left out.
Only real men play rugby. It’s like football played in a soccer-style.
In the past 10 years, just four team owners have not paid a luxury tax and are not on pace to pay one this year: Donald Sterling, Jerry Reinsdorf, Chris Cohen (Golden State), Bob Johnson (Charlotte).
Two owners’ teams averaged an operating income of over +$10 million per year while their teams have lost over 60% of their games: Donald Sterling and Jerry Reinsdorf.
This is like the guys who come into wrestling threads
and bitch about it being “gay”. If you’re not interested there’s always the option of not paying any attention.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 9:20 AM CDT up reply actions
What about that rugby team from Ohio?
You know, the Cleveland Fakemen.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 1:21 PM CDT up reply actions
It took me a few seconds but this ended up being pretty easy.
Despite the fact that I spent yesterday afternoon in a soccer bar watching Man U./Chelsea (after having been at work since 3AM), I would easily say Iowa MNC.
I’ve learned to be a soccer fan (although I’ve now spent more time in my life as a fan than not) but Iowa is imprinted on my DNA. There are pictures of me in Iowa onsies, I went as a white-pants’d Hayden Fry for Halloween when I was 10 (nobody knew who I was supposed to be), I applied to only one college of high school.
If the US team were to win (and I truly believe they’re only a generation away) I would be overjoyed and would find plenty of others to revel in the win with. However, I still get the feeling that, despite my own enthusiasm, most of those with whom I would celebrate would go back to not caring for another four years within a week or two of the event since they were all likely pretty incognito (or nonexistent) until the WC began.
Being a Hawkeye is different. I know my customers who are Hawk fans. We greet each other with “go Hawks!” or “how ’bout them Hawkeyes” in the way I’d say “hello” to anyone else. There’s a bond and emotional depth of meaning for us that I just can’t begin to describe. I’ve literally had dreams about the Hawks which have left me in states of awake ranging from giddy to distraught. In short, there are few things not pertaining to my family that I want as bad as an Iowa championship in football (or basketball, honestly).
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
Yours is the most succinct, and honestly accurate post so far.
WC would be huge
mNC would be bigger still
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 13, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
We've been making a somewhat unfair comparison
For me at least anyway. I see it as a 90 to 95 on the fan passion scale versus a 100. Either option is great, but Iowa winning a championship is just too much to top.
I think of it this way
The US wins the WC, and everyone is happy, but who do we talk shit to? Maybe foreign exchange students, I don’t know. But high fiving eachother wears off if you can’t talk some direct shit to someone. And it would get people excited. But if Iowa wins a mNC, well think about those possibilities. Iowa fans would live in a sustained orgy of fandom for years. And the shit-talking. My goodness, what would ISU fans do? What would Minnesota fans do? That is some hatred I would love to receive as an Iowa fan. mNC gets my vote.
Hey Dolph, you look like I need a beer.
by Give Eddie a Beer on Apr 13, 2011 1:43 PM CDT reply actions
I can think of two or three
pretentious South- and Central Americans that I would email immediately.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
I could talk shit to my entire neighborhood
if only I spoke any of their languages.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Just walk through any walmart and have at them!
I am epic win. It is much inspirational, no? No pain, no pain - Rich Russian Guy from directv commercials
If US Soccer made it to a World Cup title game, I would throw a party or go to a bar and cry if they won.
If Iowa Football made a national championship game, and it was on the moon, I would steal a spaceship. I swear I would.
by The Final Gun on Apr 13, 2011 2:40 PM CDT reply actions 1 recs
Also, if Iowa made a National Championship game, those would be the most expensive tickets in the history of ever.
I really think that there are at least 50,00 Iowa fans who would pay $1000 for a ticket to that game.
by The Final Gun on Apr 13, 2011 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
I would
Not joking
"I shoot, I score. He shoots, I score." - Dan Gable
by ClaybornSmash on Apr 13, 2011 3:15 PM CDT up reply actions
Easily
I spent half my life's earnings on wine, women & song. The other half I wasted.
by therealCatnuts on Apr 13, 2011 5:49 PM CDT up reply actions
9 months from that game
Iowa would experience the greatest population boom in its history.
Der Hoelle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen
I love this comment.
And if you disagree with me I will fight you!
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 13, 2011 2:47 PM CDT up reply actions
A better question might be:
would you rather have a U.S. Soccer National Championship or a regular-season win over Ohio State in a 6-7 win year.
I have to think that one through.
I don't.
I don’t know any smug Mexicans or foreign people. There are many Mexicans here, but few speak much English (Most English-speaking Hispanics here are quite Americanized) and even fewer strike me as smug.
Ohio State fans are the biggest douchebags on the planet. Jake Christensen beating an undefeated Ohio State team would be the greatest thing since the Battle of Midway.
"'Do you have a go-to move?' 'I have seven of 'em.' 'Do you want to share maybe a few?' 'Naw, you'll see 'em.'"
by ReadingRambler on Apr 13, 2011 2:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Um, I think you meant WORLD Championship.
I understand your point though.
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions
And not a stupid Baseball or Football World Championship
where they only other part of the world competing is Canada
by Eyeheartfreedumb on Apr 14, 2011 1:53 PM CDT up reply actions
I'd kill for the U.S. to win the Cup
But only if they changed their style of play. I love watching Euro soccer, because they play it the right way IMO. Us Americans? We play what I refer to as “boom ball.” The extent of our skill is to kick the ball as hard as we can and rely on our superior athleticism to get the ball in the net. American soccer does not have the brutal precision of Germany, the creativity of Brazil, or the ruthless efficiency of Argentina. In short, Americans play ugly soccer. Until they learn how to keep the ball at their feet and actually make plays, I won’t care nearly as much about the national team as I do the individuals who play in Europe.
by imadirtyoldman on Apr 14, 2011 10:24 AM CDT reply actions
Ugly-ing it up is the way a lot of teams with talent gaps maximize potential.
Right now the US just doesn’t have the talent to win by playing free-flowing soccer. Does that mean they should just play balls out and get their asses handed to them? Ugly or not, they’re playing the right way for the talent they have right now. This is how Greece won Euro 2004, how Butler made it back to the MNC this year, how the Pistons beat the Lakers in ’04. It may not be pretty but I have to admire teams that recognize their limitations and win in spite of them.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 14, 2011 11:49 AM CDT up reply actions
Does anyone else see the resemblance between US soccer and 2009 Iowa Football?
Except Iowa won more. The US generally relied on a strong defense (Tim Howard) and won games on luck/grit/sheer determination. Take a look at the World Cup alone. Giving up early leads in EVERY game. They tied England on a howler. They beat (yes, beat. Fuck Koman Couliabaly) Slovenia on a ferocious comeback. They beat Algeria on a last minute play from the team’s most celebrated player. And ultimately, they lost because their flaws caught up with them in a game where they lost to a team (Ghana) that has given them trouble in the past.
I see the UNI game, the Ohio State game (with a different result), the Michigan State game, and the jNW game. The only thing missing is a Donovan injury to equate to Wootenocalypse. But the US definitely had to deal with injuries. Onyewu, Altidore, and Davies to name a few.
There is no way that Paki rushes for nine yards. -KenOKeefeIfuckinghateyou.
I don't think their exactly the same
but I also don’t think we’ll ever know how devastating the Davies injury was; I don’t know if he would have wound up having the same importance to the team that Stanzi had for Iowa, but the results from the previous trip to SA indicated he was well on his way to being a dynamo.
Less memorable than Sam Okey's Hawkeye career.
by Kyle McCann't on Apr 15, 2011 1:29 PM CDT up reply actions
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