Soccer Fans?

[On The Fly 6]

I think soccer is a good game, but it will never catch on in the USA until they get a bona fide league with American players. How about that Phil Mickelson, a true American won the British Open (sorry "on the fly", but you started it on the Open thread). And golf is definitely a sport. Have you ever tried it?

Quoting Happy Gilmore "golf requires goofy pants and a fat butt." I like to play it, sure, but like many of the activities in the Olympics I don't see it as a sport. Im glad an American won I guess.

[stlfisher]

US is looking good so far. Granted the competition is not great, but they have been deystroying teams as of late.

Klinsman has them actually attacking instead of always sitting back. It will be very interesting to see them in the next World Cup. I think they are progressing in the right direction.

[ollie]

They have always found ways to score goals. It's the giving them up part they need work on! As far as catching on here in the states, just look at attendance for some of the teams. Some of them sell more tickets then their counterpart baseball teams in the same city. Sporting KC outdraws the Royals every game and some of the bigger markets outdraw even NBA and NHL. Those are just the stats. I had read somewhere that the reason baseball and football were so popular was that when they were invented here in the states it was at a time when many immigrants started to convert to those sports just so they would be accepted. I mean think about it, your family moves over here from Germany in the 30s or even 50s and all the kids are playing stickball in the streets. If you want acceptance you had better learn how to play or you will be left behind. I mean back then you WANTED to be an American so you did what it took to fit in.

[On The Fly 6]

Yeah, Klinsman is doing what shouldve been done a long time ago. I think they'll have no issues making it to the final, and I hope it's against Panama!

Well stated Ollie, plus soccer is not promoted as much as the other big 4 sports in the US (baseball, basketball, football, hockey) and its seen more as a "kids game." I don't know how many times I've heard sports analysts speak negatively about it or blow it off altogether. I've been to two MLS games and had an awesome time and plan on going back! I'd love to see the team that OKC is getting develop into a new expansion team. I've been a Galaxy fan ever since the league started because of Cobi Jones, but I'd cheer on a team from my home state!

[Nick Williams]

I assume you guys have heard, but if not, Klinsman has been suspended from being on the sideline for the final. I didn't get to see the last game but I guess he got sent off in the last few minutes of the game? Should be an interesting game!

[Nick Williams]

What team is OKC getting? I haven't heard anything about that.

[ollie]

Haven't heard anything from OKC, but rumor I heard was Miami. Should be a good game tomorrow. Go USA!

[ollie]

Great win for the USA!! Some thoughts on the game however. First I was glad our local Fox network even showed the game! Now then, I was expecting to see a more offensive game and that is not what we got. Looks like Panama was content to set back for 120 minutes and then decide the game on PKs. That was real obvious when the MNT was able to keep ball possession at 75%! Panama just packed it in the backfield and was waiting for the counter attack, but lucky for us it didn't ever really happen. Donavan was great like usual, but I don't think Eddie Johnson deserves to be starting up top. He missed a golden opportunity that Dempsy or Altidore would have put away. I didn't like Beasly in the back either. He's just not built to be on the back line and it showed. He's not a bad player, but that position doesn't suit him very well. There were 3 players that I was impressed with however. Bedoyo played a solid game except he was letting his emotions get the best of him. Corona has good foot skills on the ball and I think he could be a threat when he decides to shoot and not hold on to the ball for sooooo long. To me, Beckerman was the biggest surprise. I think he was spot on in just about everything he did on the field. Good positioning, marking, passing, and he was consistent in the way he played. I could see him in the starting line up for WC. Granted this was Panama and there is still a LOT of work to be done if we are going to make it against the big countries like Brazil, Spain, and Germany, but the way we strung passes and attacked made us look pretty good.

[Nick Williams]

I didn't even get to see the game, and didn't record it. I didn't know it was playing on the local network though! I'm bummed now. From some other guys I talked to though, they described it as boring. But in the end, a win is a win, and that definitely is a step up for US Soccer!

[On The Fly 6]

Yeah, OKC is getting a team but they haven't picked a name yet. Here's a link about it

http://www.businessofsoccer.com/2013/07/31/nasl-grants-expansion-team-bids-to-oklahoma-city-and-jacksonville/

Klinsman got sent off because during the Honduras game, the ref refused to dish out any cards for foul play and he spoke up about it. The Concacaf refs are terribly biased anyway.

I was impressed by Beckerman the whole tournament, and I see him possible making the WC team but he won't get a lot of playing time because Bradley is the starter in that holding mid position. I hope Johnson makes the WC team, but as a backup for Altidore ( if he keeps playing well). I also hope Mexico keeps playing bad.