2022 World Cup

[jack webb]

For an American team to reach the final 16 is impressive, given that the game just isn't that big of a deal in the U.S., particularly in terms of attracting the best athletes. Really good athletes here who want to play a team sport play football or basketball. Soccer was supposedly the next big thing back when I was in high school. Forty years later, same. With demographic changes, better promotion, etc. a kid born today might live to see soccer as a top-two or top-three sport in the U.S. I don't expect to.

 

[smittycl]

For an American team to reach the final 16 is impressive, given that the game just isn't that big of a deal in the U.S., particularly in terms of attracting the best athletes. Really good athletes here who want to play a team sport play football or basketball. Soccer was supposedly the next big thing back when I was in high school. Forty years later, same. With demographic changes, better promotion, etc. a kid born today might live to see soccer as a top-two or top-three sport in the U.S. I don't expect to.

We were scrappy enough to get out of the Group stage with its draws and crazy math. Facing a team like the Dutch was obviously too much for us.

I keep thinking soccer will take over as demographics change and parents don’t want their sons playing football and racking up concussions. Not holding my breath but will buy my jersey and hopefully attend a 2026 game in Philly or New York.

USA! USA! USA!

 

[breakaway01]

For an American team to reach the final 16 is impressive, given that the game just isn't that big of a deal in the U.S., particularly in terms of attracting the best athletes. Really good athletes here who want to play a team sport play football or basketball. Soccer was supposedly the next big thing back when I was in high school. Forty years later, same. With demographic changes, better promotion, etc. a kid born today might live to see soccer as a top-two or top-three sport in the U.S. I don't expect to.

I understand your point but the US has a much larger population than any of the good European countries, particularly in terms of children/teens. There are 25 million in the 12-17 age group and about 30 million in the 18-24 age group in the US. The equivalent numbers in the Netherlands are about 1 million each. Even if American youth athletes enter high level soccer academies at 5% of the rate of Dutch youth athletes, the talent pool will be similar.

IMO the big differentiator is not the interest level but the quality of youth training. A highly skilled American 12-year-old is not going to enjoy anywhere near the same level of training as a Dutch 12-year-old with all of the European academies.

As the quality of MLS improves I hope the quality of US soccer academies also improves. This, more than anything else, is going to determine the future of American soccer 2-3 World Cups from now.

 

[breakaway01]

Look at what is happening in European women’s soccer—stronger domestic leagues and elite youth development. Now the US women have legitimate challengers and will be overtaken. NWSL is good but more money in Europe now I think.

 

[smittycl]

Look at what is happening in European women’s soccer—strong domestic leagues and elite youth development. Now the US women have legitimate challengers.

Very good to see!

 

[ter1413]

For an American team to reach the final 16 is impressive,

They won exactly ONE game. They backed into the final 16, in my opinion. Really not that impressive to me.

 

[SixOhNine]

Soccer was supposedly the next big thing back when I was in high school. Forty years later, same. With demographic changes, better promotion, etc. a kid born today might live to see soccer as a top-two or top-three sport in the U.S. I don't expect to.

It's the classic old joke:
Soccer is the sport of the future, and it always will be.

 

[Fueco]

For an American team to reach the final 16 is impressive, given that the game just isn't that big of a deal in the U.S., particularly in terms of attracting the best athletes. Really good athletes here who want to play a team sport play football or basketball. Soccer was supposedly the next big thing back when I was in high school. Forty years later, same. With demographic changes, better promotion, etc. a kid born today might live to see soccer as a top-two or top-three sport in the U.S. I don't expect to.

For a team ranked #16 to reach the top 16 is not surprising. The thing that’s surprising is that people think this team is better than the one that was ranked #4 in 2006.

 

[Adsky Luck]

You like soccer?

2 defenders... 3 deferenders

 

[Omega Male]

England - France is going to be a hell of a game.

 

[cross22]

Aller les bleus!

 

[smittycl]

New World Cup Fan Frantically Searching Online For Any Information He Can Find On Country Of ‘United States’

BETHESDA, MD—Trying to learn more information about the team he recently decided to root for, new World Cup fan Brian Edman was frantically searching online Friday for any information he could find on the country of the United States. “This is my first time getting into the World Cup and I...

www.theonion.com

 

[HRoi]

So based on the form of the teams I’ve seen…kinda looking like France might repeat, non? This is a weak take because i know they haven’t really been tested yet…

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

France is missing several key players due to injury. That will be a problem when they face better teams.

 

[cross22]

JPNCRO game sucks