Let’s Face it: Most Americans Don’t Care About “Soccer.”
The US didn’t make the World Cup and…scene
I’m not going to bore you with the numbers of people that watch the World Cup. Not going to babble on about how great the game is. None of that. Because chances are, only 30+ people will read this.
You know why?
Yes, the title says it all. Most Americans don’t give a good hot damn about nobody’s “Soccer.” And since I know it and you know it, what’s the point of stating the obvious, right?
Because no one is saying it and it’s irking the shit out of me.
If you type in “Dream Team” in any search engine, the group in that picture will come up. People who don’t follow basketball know at least two or three people in that photo.
Prior to the Dream Team, the US Men’s Basketball Team was comprised of amateurs that got their butts kicked in the 88 Olympics. Americans hate losing. So if you ask me, I think Dave Gavitt, president of the United States Amateur Basketball Association pulled a CIA move.
Let me not slander dude. But I find it odd that when the governing body of international basketball (FIBA) proposed to allow professionals to play in the Olympics, Gavitt would be one of the 13 votes AGAINST the proposal…despite the fact that the US would benefit the most (I’m glad the AP lead with that because, duh).
Had to be some covert vote-swaying because the resolution passed 56–13, pros would be allowed to play in the 1992 Olympics. Shortly thereafter, “the greatest collection of basketball talent on the planet” were assembled.
I think you know the outcome. The USA merk’d the competition, whopping people by an average of 44 points. Of course they won the Gold Medal. Of course.
Wherein I explain the National Team that competes in the World Cup.
Like the Olympics, the World Cup takes place every four years, and like the Dream Team, the teams that compete are comprised of each country’s best professionals.
I’m an Arsenal fan…so by default I’m a France fan. The Manager for the past 20 years, Arsene Wenger, has been infusing the Gunners with French flavor since he first set foot in the North London offices back in October of 1996.
So the French team is comprised of two players from Arsenal, a couple of players from PSG, a couple from AS Monaco, etc. These are players who play in the most competitive leagues in the world. These are the Jordan, Magic, & Bird of Futbol.
All National teams are like this.
Sometimes they lack chemistry, sometimes the play is a little off. But with a good manager and clear tactics all that gets ironed out. When that happens, it’s magic. Watching France dismantle the Netherlands 4–0, where young stars like Lemar and Mbappe put on a clinic, is the stuff that National game play dreams are made of.
It’s hard for me to look at that image. Ick.
Graham Taylor wasn’t selected to take on the Manager’s position of England’s National Team because he was a loser. Nah. Taylor took a team (Aston Villa)— damn — hate the sports lingo barrier. What Graham Taylor did was the equivalent of taking a Triple A baseball team to the World Series.
Nothing short of amazing.
Sadly, the only thing that happened amazing with him as Manager of England was he allowed himself to be filmed resulting in the documentary, The Impossible Job, where you get to see him suffer as England fail to qualify for the 94 World Cup.
The Nation of 57 million wanted his head. And The Sun paper chose to make that head a turnip. The moniker, ‘Turnip’ Taylor, stuck. Graham Taylor could have taken it as joke…but it wasn’t.
If somebody puts a turnip on your head it gives an impression to people of a certain intellect that they can treat you like anything. And there were a couple of incidents where that’s happened, by people who’ve had too much to drink, want to eff and blind, spit at you or throw beer over you, because the Sun newspaper’s given the impression they can do that to this fella. Graham Taylor
Graham Taylor was unable to shake the failure of not qualifying. Even right before his death he talked about how he was haunted by the events that took place 24 years ago:
When you’re committed and fail, the pain doesn’t go away. Twenty years on and we’re still talking about it. People say I’m silly, but the truth is I’ll take this to the grave with me: I am the England manager who failed to qualify for the World Cup. Graham Taylor
Now contrast that with the words of America’s losing Manager, Bruce Arena:
Nothing has to change. To make any kind of crazy changes I think would be foolish. We’re building a good system in our professional league. We have players playing abroad of some quality.
And you know why Arena can say that? Because he doesn’t have to worry about going out somewhere and being spit on or doused with beer. He can “take the blame” and whatever other accountable terms that you’re trained to use because there are no constant and immediate consequences. When he flew back to America, he wasn’t greeted with angry fans and press. I would bet that he walks through most places in the U.S. unnoticed.
And you know why? Americans don’t give a damn about “Soccer.”
I’m spoiled.
I support a team (Atlanta United) that can draw 70,000+ into a $1.5B stadium. A stadium electrified by exciting play and fans who stand, cheer, and chant for 90 minutes.
Most MLS teams aren’t like that. Most MLS teams are lucky to fill 20,000 capacity stands. And the crowds that are at those games…aside from the supporter groups…they’re polite at best.
MLS in most cities is an alternative recreation. Hell, in Denver, you can’t even find a Rapids Kit (Jersey) any where in the city. Not even in Dick’s Sporting Goods…the company that purchased the naming rights to the Rapids stadium!
So when I see people online talking about how hard it is for them to imagine that the US won’t be going to the World Cup, or I see posts about all the things that need to be fixed, I chuckle. Because none of their proposals address the fact that Americans are indifferent to “Soccer.”
For the past 20 years or so, the word “Soccer” has been attached to Moms (something else that originated in Denver, btw, use your Googles, check Susan B. Casey). That’s how most Americans view the sport. Something that a middle-class white woman shepherds her kids to four times a month.
“Soccer” is something that children grow out of (even my own Messi-like daughter has claimed retirement at the ripe old age of 13).
Despite the fact that Atlanta United is winning team, a team that’s breaking attendance records and changing the perception of what an expansion team can be — despite all of that, Atlanta Media gives the Five Stripes little to no coverage.
Let me tell you…this is me pulling my punches. Because the real reason that “Soccer” doesn’t matter is something that NO ONE wants to address. It’s that elephant in the room that Americans tense up around. Yup. You guessed it Racism.
I know we’re not gonna sit around here and pretend that we would watch the NBA if there were no Black folk. Or that the NFL would be anything without 70% of the players (who happen to be Black). Or that the ratings of baseball didn’t slump as soon as Black folk began to disappear from the sport (you know the NHL ain’t never been profitable…you know that, right?).
I can’t say it enough — until you have Lebron James, Kyrie Irving, Steph Curry calibar players on the US National Team, America will not win a World Cup…and even if they do (they won’t), the people still won’t care.
Americans think the game is boring…but they wouldn’t if there was Brothas on the pitch.
Can America recognize that if they want to get this country excited about “Soccer,” that the way to do that is through the people that they once enslaved? Can America recognize that their present model of exclusion is failing them?
Nah. Not as far as my eyes can see. Because I read all of what people’s solutions are. And none of em made any mention of us. Because Americans don’t care about “Soccer.” They care about White Supremacy.
But don’t take my word for it. Look at what they’re doing to the NFL players. If that’s not enough proof, then I’m wasting my words.
Coda: Bruce Arena resigned today, 13 Oct 2017 around noon.
