Another US soul brought over to watching soccer even when I am not there

[thebes20]

Are there any people out there, in the US, that are making soccer fans of people that have NEVER watched the game? The guy that I have been dating has NEVER watched soccer. He is now watching all of the games. (Even when I am not siiting there with him). I tell him that his son in law, who was a pro for a while, has two young kids that are going to be playing shortly, and that he better get up speed and to understand the game and love it. He is. I love turning non soccer people on to the sport.

 

[spikeman]

I havent been able to yet but Im looking forward to the first time I do.

My rs friend actually turned me on to football. Good thing I didnt start to support his club.

 

[Nordecke]

Are there any people out there, in the US, that are making soccer fans of people that have NEVER watched the game? The guy that I have been dating has NEVER watched soccer. He is now watching all of the games. (Even when I am not siiting there with him). I tell him that his son in law, who was a pro for a while, has two young kids that are going to be playing shortly, and that he better get up speed and to understand the game and love it. He is. I love turning non soccer people on to the sport.

Welcome to my world.. It feels like my job sometime to get people into the beautiful game..

I usually dont make them watch it though, not first anyways.. I usually convince them to play, if their fit enough, and that is the best method I think..

A few difficult things to explain:

Club vs. International
Diving / Cheaters
Offside rule

 

[Muggins]

I havent been able to yet but Im looking forward to the first time I do.

My rs friend actually turned me on to football. Good thing I didnt start to support his club.

you made the right decision mate!!!

 

[turner]

it's called football, sir. association football.

 

[Rook]

With the exception of the sports media who don't understand the sport and therefore are afraid of having to comment on it, Footie is now for the most part accepted in the US. The country likes football just in small doses, like the Olympics. The WC gets higher and higher ratings and suprisingly Euro 2008 which was shown for the 1st time on regular TV got great ratings (it was always assumed that Americans wouldn't watch it because the US isn't in it). However when it comes to supporting a club that's an all-year thing and 1/2 of the season runs concurrent with NFL/CFB. Americans aren't and may never be ready for that kind of committment.

I've found out that its easier to get women liking the sport over men. The rules are easy to understand and the games aren't 3-4 hours long. Compare to the NFL in which I spent 4 minutes discussing the rules of a freaking punt to my friend. Plus even if they don't like the sport they could just oggle Rodwell's abs.

 

[Aztattooedfootballfan]

The World Cup has been the starting point for many fans who then proceed to get a curiousity in club football. It might be a particular player from a particular country and they hear mention of which club he plays for. I see it quite often on various forums when people start to mention how they became a supporter of a particular club.

 

[jdeezy]

Hate to say it, but I think an enormous amount of significance in order to witness any major spikes in popularity rests on the outcome of wed's game. And even that may not be enough, so hopefully beat algeris & then find a way to advance at least 1 more game (although 2 wins in knouctout stage would be HUGE!). Che country is ready to get behind it, they just need a reason. And then ESPN needs to finally integraste it into their coverage...and stop making backhanded jokes about the sport. And you know how we can make that happen? Ratings. Particularly U,S. Games, preferably for several more matches!