FanNation - The Republic of Sport

What does he want? Power plays?

he obviously doesn't play the game - can't really blame him for being foolish I suppose, the poor guy is destined to live without knowing what true passion for a game is. of course as an agent, I guess thats the job description.

I think hes right in his saying that soccer doesnt fit the taste of the "American sports" fan. I have always felt like that as well. Besides, the game not being susceptible to commercial breaks doesnt help soccer being sold to big TV channels who usually rake in on those commercials.
He also realizes that well you cant change the game and that is why soccer might be stuck behind the "American sports" forever.

Hooray for ignorant comments! What is this guys name, Jim Rome?

Soccer will likely never be as popular as Football, but it can certainly be on the same level as basketball and baseball. Give it time.

He's pretty much right with everything he said except that it needs to be tinkered. Most people who have never followed or played the sport dont understand the "games within the game" and will say stuff like this. The guy just needs to stick with what he knows...

Stop apologizing to soccer. The state of soccer in America is better than it's ever been and only getting bigger. If you want to compare it to American football, you're a moron. First and foremost, understand that soccer is by far the most popular sport in the world. Nothing even comes close. The 2006 World Cup in Germany was the most watched event in the history of the world and the biggest sporting event ever. EVER. No disputing it. The Olympics don't even come close to TV ratings. And nevermind that thousands of people migrate to each World Cup EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE TICKETS! That's how much soccer is loved. People will go to the events just for the atmosphere.

I'm an American, and I love football just as much as the next guy (GO PHINS! Shut up, this is a new year) but there is something magical with an injury-time winner or a freakish leap for a save that ensures a win. Or watching the little guys with a fraction of the buget slay the giants, like Barnsley.

Sorry soccer doesn't wait for Americans to catch their breath or grab a beer or watch ANOTHER Doritos commercial. That's fine with me, I'll hold on to the best kept secret in American sports, which just so happens to be the most popular sport everywhere else on Earth (save Australia, but Aussie's don't matter that much anyway... j/k. AUSSIE-AUSSIE-AUSSIES!).

Adu/Altidore for President.

*The first line should have read "Stop apologizing FOR soccer..." my bad.

I'm still trying to figure out why this story is relevant at all. Just because Steinberg is a husstler doesn't mean the guy knows anything about sports outside of the US. I think that's pretty evident from his dumb comments about THE MOST POPULAR SPORT IN THE WORLD.

Just more evidence of American Arrogance. Don't speak on things you know nothing about, TOOL.

STOP IT!!!!

What is success or failure for soccer in America anyway??? I don't even know what that means. If we're not watching Monday Night MLS on Fox or NBC does it mean the sport has failed? If the beer-bellied rednecks and the ghetto-fabulous aren't eagerly looking forward to the next LA derby by the year 20-- does it mean the sport has "failed"?? If all you care about is MLS being as big as the NFL, MLB, or the NBA then I think you've missed the point.

It's never going to happen and that's FINE. I'm not going to fall out in the floor kicking and screaming because Americans don't "get it". They'd rather watch guys beat the **** out of each other on CBS than show the grace, power, speed, skill and non-stop action of soccer. There seems to be a timetable for the success or failure of soccer in America. Problem is, there's no such thing as success or failure - it is what it is and MLS is strong enough that it's not going anywhere. If you don't like soccer CHANGE YOUR F*CKING channel and watch golf or better yet..........poker. Ahhhhh, now there's a grueling sport for ya.

Yes, we Americans love our fast paced action to lead into a 3 minute commercial break. Perhaps it's becuase when there is a chance at a play making the coveted " top 10" on ESPN, the anchors say FENERBATTEN instead of FENERBACHE. There is never a break down of a game, explanation to the casual fan of why this worked why that didn't. Those idiot sports guys don''t know Sh#T about this game, and is quite sad. Where the hell is our MLS 2nite? NFL 2nite has been running all fricken year long! MLS needs to work with ESPN to get more exposure, the thursday night game on ESPN2 doesn't get a mention on sportscenter.

Steinberg needs to ****. If Americans can't take Soccer for what it is, then they do not need to watch it.

Orlando, Well said and quite inspiring. This "sports" agent is an idiot. Its got more tv exposure then ever before. The deal MLS signed last year with ESPN is the biggest TV deal they've ever signed. The slow growth model that the MLS has is great and insures that it wont be like the quick too burn NASL.

Jerry Maquire needs to remain silent and try and resurrect his career as an agent. If he were interested in soccer at all, he would make an attempt at having some players as clients. He can have his opinion, that's fine, but his 'I would suggest tinkering with soccer' phrase needs to go away. We tried that already Lee, remember? Shoot out, the countdown clock, etc? Of course you don't because you were busy learning scientology with Tom...

The majority of americans just don't have the attention span to enjoy soccer for what it is. It is a low scoring game. Perhaps that is why players and fans go ape **** when a goal is scored. Scoring a goal in soccer is the hardest thing to do in team sport. But scoring isn't the only reason to tune in. Some of the most entertaining matches I have ever seen ended in scoreless draws.

soccer is never going to be on the top 4 list for popular sports in america, but who cares if you like soccer you'll find a way to see it, since most americans thinks it's such a horrible sport, but for the few american soccer fans that have to watch the world's most popular sport alongside some of the hottest women in the world shame on you for liking soocer yeah i'm really sad to be an American soccer fan LOL if you don't like soccer that's cool more ladies in the stands to accompany me while i watch my favorite sport. Honestly you have Brazilian, swedish, colombian, argentinian, french, italian chicks the list goes on that are passionate about soccer LOL yeah shame on me for choosing soccer as my favorite sport.

its true. most americans are ignorant ppl who cant stand to watch a game that doesnt have scoring every 4 minutes. also futbol wasnt invented in america so they havea bias. however there are some intelligent ones out there (myself included) and more power to em!!! futbol=most beautiful game

"Americans like fast burst of action and scoring."

Well, most soccer games I've watched this year have both, so what's the problem?

After MLS's launch year these guys were predicting the end of the league every successive year because of the money investors were losing. Every year they said "American sports fans won't watch soccer because.." Well, every year soccer continues to grow and find it's audience in the US.

I believe the audience has ALWAYS been here, it just needed access to the product. Now with cable, satellite, and internet streaming the access is there and the fan base continues to grow.

Relax, these guys are not anymore prescient about sports in America than your typical next-door neighbor. They just have a more visible soap box .

The only way US is ever going to have some interest in soccer is If the MSL have the Europe idea 3 LEVELS. The MLS only put teams in major markets what about mid major markets with 1 or no pro sports team? have a top league a second league and a third league. with drops and promotions if you don't understand on each level. the bottom 3 drop to the lower league. and the top 3 move up to the higher league above them. Many mid major cities will never have a major league team and people in those cities want a team they can call there own to support and beat a major city team

The reason why soccer needs big-time TV coverage is to take it to the next level. Our gifted athletes need role models to emulate, and the pay day that goes along with "Big Time-TV" coverage otherwise they will continue to dream of one day playing in the NFL or NBA not the MLS.

Right now there is more interest in Soccer than Hockey. Everywhere I go this time of year I see thousands of kids on the pitch having a blast. With a good TV contract Soccer would takeover NHL's place in the "Big 4" almost overnight.

From there it would only be a matter of time before it was competing with MLB.

steinberg=money grubbin ambulance chaser...idiot

as far as tinkering (i've played and watched for 35 years)...I think the game could be tinkered with and improved in the following way:

lighten up on the offsides...it seems to me the refs are too eager to disallow goals and all too often favor the defense on the calls. sort of a if it is close, disallow it mentality....I say do the opposite, if it is close it is onsides. this one minor change in the interpretation would make the games more exciting and much less frustrating...year after year onside goals are disallowed by overly conservative linesmen.


just my opinion.