World cup

[mamba]

Well as some of you might know the world cup is fast approaching and is the biggest event in football or soccer for those that wish to argue it.

but this isnt about names be it soccer or football, its a great equaliser, it requires nothing but a ball, if that. A can will do. It means that anyone can play no matter what the background, race or beliefs it brings everyone down to the same level. Its popular all over the world and is like a universal language that everyone understands.

The one thing that gets me is that it is partially lost on the americans, ys i know this is a broad sweeping statement but it seems to me at least that most americans view football as that funny little game that they kick a ball around and dont see the true potential that football has in being a strong political tool for uniting nations. granted there are the few that spoil it for the rest by taking it too seriously but that is going to exist nomatter what, no matter when, and football has taken steps to try and eradicate, violence, racism, sectarianism from any and all aspects of the game. anyway i guess iv rambled a bit what are your views on it? has america missed a trick (even though you are in the world cup :p). or am i way of the mark with my thoughts?

and since you have read through all my tripe here are some videos of what im talking about. (you might need to extend your browser window to the right slightly to get the scroll bar to get all videos.)
http://nikefootball.nike.com/nikefootball/siteshell/index.jsp#,en,0;jogatv,,0,0,0

[Jay]

Hey, that looks pretty awesome!

Brazil to win, Australia to semi-final. :D (Hey, he did it with the South Koreans and the Dutch...)

[paul]

GO GOGOGOGOGO KOREA!!!
(I'm chinese, but china sucks, and korea doesn't)

My Korean friends' nationalism have rubbed off on me.

[blank slate]

I live in the US and it's pretty much treated as a wuss game with people diving all the time, not really considered a sport. That's slowly changing though. Personally, I love football. It's just a shame that players see the MLS a stepping stone to another league, which is why people don't watch it, all of the talent leaves. I think the US is going to take it this time around.

[Jay]

It IS a wuss sport and people DO dive all the time. :rofl:

You should see some of the pussies act like they were just whacked in the shins with a lead pipe. :innocent:

[blank slate]

Soccer isn't the only sport with divers. Need I bring up Derek Fisher and Vlade Divac of the NBA who were known as flop artists? Everyone praised them for being so smart about it, yet when a soccer player does it, it is dispicable.

[Jay]

Diving is one thing, even soft trips, but when you grab your leg and roll and scream on the pitch, great a football player as you may be, you just look like a dumb badly-acting twat...

[Urban~Ninja]

Diving is one thing, even soft trips, but when you grab your leg and roll and scream on the pitch, great a football player as you may be, you just look like a dumb badly-acting twat...

I remember seeing Greece vs Czech and the Greek Guy got hit in the leg and ghe grabbed his face...if your gonna act hurt, atleast grab the right place....

Soccer players over-react, in Rugby you get you ass taken down they leave ya there, nobody comes to check on you unless you cant walk or you broke something.

Rugby We Dont Grab Our Legs......And We Dont Even Have Shin Guards.

[Jay]

I remember seeing Greece vs Czech and the Greek Guy got hit in the leg and ghe grabbed his face...if your gonna act hurt, atleast grab the right place....

Wasn't that a Brazil match? Ronaldo got the ball thrown at his knee and went down clutching his face, and got a penalty kick from it?

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Ronladinho as a child...? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGzrfE8rJg&search=Ronaldinho)

SO cool. Anyone got "tha foe-wan-wan" on the background song? Quite catchy.

[MeneerDijk]

PErsonally i'm not a big fan of football either, but that has more to do with the fact that a lot of Dutch people take it way too serious. It has become the norm to have riots in national matches. People are causing great damage to shops, cars and eachoter because they support another team. I associate national football with a bunch of cretins. (not all of them ofcourse, but it's the small percentage that gives it a bad name) I will follow the World Cup though, because then suddenly the country is united behind the Dutch football team. I will try to watch as many matches with my dad though, just because of old times sake.

[Jay]

<---- cretin :P

[haterllnation]

Baião Destemperado by Barbatuques is the song off the video.

That dude is sick even as a child. I enjoy that kind of playing.

[Monkey]

Soccer players over-react, in Rugby you get you ass taken down they leave ya there, nobody comes to check on you unless you cant walk or you broke something.

Rugby We Dont Grab Our Legs......And We Dont Even Have Shin Guards.

I always say that American Football is just pansy Rugby anyways. All that body armour and stopping to take a break every ten seconds... :P

Unfortunately for Football(soccer) it has reached the point where you actually have to dive, otherwise the referee will think that you are fine and just carry on. So the players take no risks and make sure that the ref can see them screaming.

[Tungtvann]

But still, the occasional divers (be honest, it's not every player in every game) can hardly be an argument against the sport. Sure it can be annoying or silly, but if your team's player wins an advantage from a bit of acting, you'd never complain.

Anyway, I am really looking forward to the WC and I can't wait to see the world's best players and teams playing the the most important competition in the world.

[mamba]

granted it will happen and there are times when its acceptable like they may get clipped and they could stay up or go down, then getting the advantage is fine but its those that act as if they are going to die and roll about 10 times before comming to a stop. those are the ones that spoil it. as for ronaldhino its impossible not to like that man, not only is he a great fotballer he is very honest about it. im fairly sure that even if he was paid nothing then he would still play because he loves to play its what he enjoys and it shows through his playing.....and the fact that i dont think i have ever seen him not smiling whjiloe he is playing. he is basically pele he was the same, young enjoyed the game and smiling nearly all if not all of the time. :P

i actually forgot to mention it but has anyone heard of the homeless world cup?

[Jay]

I remember that one vaguely.

Elaborate.

[mamba]

well its basically a tournament of street football played by teams of homeless or excluded people from around the world. It is tring to help end poverty and also instill a feeling of belonging into the players, from thescottishh executive website about last years tournament had these stats from 2004:

Figures from the 2004 Homeless World Cup suggest that
sport can make a real impact on problems experienced by
homeless and excluded people. After last year's event, more
than 90% of people said that it had a positive impact on
their lives and 74% had made a significant changes in their
lives as a direct result of their involvement.

Sixteen players from the 2004 Homeless World Cup have
been signed professionally or semi-professionally in a
playing or coaching capacity by football clubs.

Research carried out amongst the 204 players involved in
the 2004 Homeless World Cup revealed:

* 188 players (92%) have a new
motivation for life
* 78 players (38%) found regular
employment
* 95 players (46%) improved their
housing situation
* 70 players (34%) have pursued
education
* 56 players (27%) gave addressed
their dependency
* 146 players (72%) continue to
play football after the Homeless World Cup.

its been played in austria, scotland, sweden and is going to south africa this year, its just some proof of what footbal can do.

[Overkongen]

Soccer is a stupid sport.

1. Diving. Enough has been said on the subject.

2. Soccer riots. Mamba said shit will go down in any sport if it's big enough. I have a bit more faith in humanity than that. Seriously, soccer fans deserve to be tag-teamed by the fab five. Last match here in Copenhagen, I think it was about 150 people who got arrested. Pathetic.

3. Someone on another forum said something along the lines of: How can anyone possibly think that a 90 minute game that ends 0-0 was interesting? Nothing really happened? While I know that this statement is overdoing it, still... Some matches, you might get 7-8 chances to score a goal. Which means that the game is interesting once every 12 minutes. I'll take any other sport, thank you.

[Jay]

...burn the heathen.

[Angelyne]

How can anyone possibly think that a 90 minute game that ends 0-0 was interesting? Nothing really happened? While I know that this statement is overdoing it, still... Some matches, you might get 7-8 chances to score a goal. Which means that the game is interesting once every 12 minutes. I'll take any other sport, thank you.

Agreed. I tried watching the last World Cup to see what the hype was about, but I just can't get into for this reason. 90 minutes where nothing happens? /snore Same reason I can't stand baseball.

The fact that I don't really know any of the athletes playing doesn't personally help my interest. At least I can name some famous baseball players, even if I loathe the sport. Sports are more interesting to me when you know the stories and drama behind the players.

Plus, the American coverage of the World Cup kind of sucked last time. I ended up watching part of it on Telemundo, and I don't even know a word of Spanish. The Spanish speaking commentators just sounded far, far more excited and interested in the game than the bored, droning English commentators.

[Josh]

Americans don't like Football for the same reasons Europeans don't like American Football. Thats your answer right there.

But we can all agree that nobody likes Hockey... Hockey just blows.

Im going to watch the world cup though because im part Mexican and its illegal for me not to. I don't have a favorite team though, I just like the watch. :)

[Overkongen]

I'm european. I think American football and hockey rules! Also, as I said before, soccer sucks ass.

[Admiral Luis]

Portugal ftw

[Josh]

Im not saying that some europeans dont like american football or hockey, just a large majority dont.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Baião Destemperado by Barbatuques is the song off the video.

That dude is sick even as a child. I enjoy that kind of playing.

Agreed. And thanks on the info for the song! Can't get enough of it.

Americans don't like Football for the same reasons Europeans don't like American Football. Thats your answer right there.

But we can all agree that nobody likes Hockey... Hockey just blows.

... Don't make me get Jarrko Ruutu after you. You're a bastard for saying that.

[Daishikaze]

Well, at least I got a DVD drive in my computer, because my wife will be dominating the TV for the World cup, at least until whatever random teams she chooses to support are out of the running

[blank slate]

ESPN had an awesome piece on football earlier tonight. American football's biggest game (superbowl) gets about 90 million viewers, Basketball can only manage about 45 million, Hockey probably couldn't muster 4 million, baseball got 30 million, yet the world cup gets 1.3 BILLION people. On the stance of riots, wasn't it the LA laker fans that rioted after winning?! Why is it only a big deal when riots happen after football games?

[Josh]

Yeah, those numbers are about right from what I've read about it over the last couple years. Soccer is the worlds favorite sport, sans a couple countries of course.

Alan, AOTS lol. I miss Kevin Rose. The home rowed skit was effin awesome.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

The only hockey-mad cities are Detroit, New York (both Rangers and probably Islanders), New Jersey, Philadelphia, Colorado, and Pittsburgh.

[haterllnation]

Redwings ftw...well to me anyways. Anytime it's Redwings vs. Avalanche, it's something. Riots can happen anywhere, concerts, church gatherings gone awry. It just seems a lot funner when its soccer. Everyone in anticipation...a kick. NO, its off the post, wait it's back in. OMFG clenched win. Desperation and frustration to the fans of the losing team. Gloating to those who waited for glory. Its bound to get something started. Especially when the games ride on 1 point a good portion of times.

NP DSV it's a cool song.

[Josh]

Anyone else find it funny when somebody says something positive about the redwings? If you dont get what im talking about go to urbandictionary.com and search for redwings. Surprise, Surprise!

Redwings FTL... FTL big time.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Redwings ftw...well to me anyways. Anytime it's Redwings vs. Avalanche, it's something.

Whenever it's that, though, the Red Wings are always the eventual winner. :P

Sad, though, they were upset by Edmonton. And Cheelios did everything he could in Game 5.

Goodbye to Yzerman, that ol' dirty bastard. He did good for Detroit.

Josh: Haha! "the oldest team in the NHL not by age of franchise but by average age of players".

:D

[haterllnation]

Well, so far it has been sexual preferences. Guess what I found on your blessed urbandictionary..

01. One of the finest hockey teams known to man. Headquartered in Detroit, MI, USA and captained by Steve Yzerman- a living legend of on-ice talent, leadership, and courage. My team has 10 Stanley Cup winning seasons- does yours?


..the last 3 negs were submitted by morons.

[Josh]

My hockey team is only my hockey team by default. Virginia doesnt have any sports teams so D.C. teams become mine. Therefore the Capitals are my team. I have no real pride in them or anything though so eh.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Well, so far it has been sexual preferences. Guess what I found on your blessed urbandictionary..

01. One of the finest hockey teams known to man. Headquartered in Detroit, MI, USA and captained by Steve Yzerman- a living legend of on-ice talent, leadership, and courage. My team has 10 Stanley Cup winning seasons- does yours?

Canucks fan, here; my other favourite team, the Montreal Canadiens, well...

They've got 24 Stanley Cups. :D

[haterllnation]

thats what the urban dictionary thing said. Ha wasn't me boasting it or anything..Hey I have 40 of them, but if we are being legal and all...I have none.

[erbiumfiber]

The only hockey-mad cities are Detroit, New York (both Rangers and probably Islanders), New Jersey, Philadelphia, Colorado, and Pittsburgh.

ISLANDERS RULE!!!

Hey, I'm from Long Island and we're always getting overlooked because of New York City. So, YAY! WE HAVE A TEAM OF OUR OWN!

And, umm, I think they were winning a lot in the 80's, when I lived on Long Island. That is, before I turned 18 and escaped New York altogether...anyhow, everyone played ice hockey- my brothers ruled! Or, until our dog learned what fun it was to steal the puck...

Oh, yeah, back to the topic:

Doesn't Iran still refuse to play Israel in every sporting event? I don't really see soccer as the great uniter...

Japan is hoping to get to the semi-finals. Seriously. And I think Brazil is in their first-round group or whatever it is. Hmmm....

[Yachiru]

I LOVE Football. I really do like it... It makes me very emotional and passionate. It's such a beautifull sport... I can't understand that some of(f) you find it boring it's so sensational/touching/moving/thrilling/fascinating. As a matter of fact I'm going to watch the Champions League Final today.
Football You gotta love it !!!!!:karate:

[Overkongen]

Football You gotta love it !!!!!:karate:

And yet, somehow, I manage not to.

[delen]

Gooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo oaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll llllllllll!!!!!

[Jay]

*takes in breath*

-oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaa aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaalllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll lllllllllllllllllllllll!!!

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

ISLANDERS RULE!!!

Hey, I'm from Long Island and we're always getting overlooked because of New York City. So, YAY! WE HAVE A TEAM OF OUR OWN!

And, umm, I think they were winning a lot in the 80's, when I lived on Long Island. That is, before I turned 18 and escaped New York altogether...anyhow, everyone played ice hockey- my brothers ruled! Or, until our dog learned what fun it was to steal the puck...

Yeah, the 80s was the decade for the Islanders and the Oilers.

The fucking Islanders were bastards back in 1982... They swept my Vancouver Canucks in the Finals... :(

... Actually, BOTH New York teams are bastards... we were so close in winning the Stanely Cup back in 1994 against the Rangers...

DAMN YOU, MARK MESSIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!

[The Republic]

go DRC dude. Zaire all the way in the world cup...

wait are they in it?

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

.... The Under-20 Tournament...

Brazil against Canada... Last night....

CANADA WON!!!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!

[Praetorian]

I think both football and American football is insanely weak and boring.

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

American football, yes.

30 minutes of planning the attack, and about 30 seconds of quick adrenaline.

Then it's back to 30 minutes of planning again.

And some idiot jock says football is more aggresive than hockey. Bullshit.

[The Republic]

I agree american football isnt that fun to watch, but i will refrain from thrashing it because it might be cool to hate americans. NEways, how bout them Spurs? CAn anybody say "world record comeback" on Monday night!?

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

Fuck 'em, go Phoenix Suns!

[blank slate]

I like both football and american football. I also like Basketball, a shame that the Kings are already eliminated. :(

[Ichisan]

Yes the whole world is wrong except for America: football is crap.

[Cihan]

If you dont like football then you really shouldnt be in this thread, better for all of us...

I love the World Cup, great atmosphere and drama. This year I will be rooting for South Korea and Japan because I like underdogs and Asian stuff and dont moan at me because I dont have a country of my own so I can root for whoever the hell I like. :D

[Jay]

Japan's going to be blown away by AUSTRALIA, baby, just like Croatia... and Brazil.

Did I just say that?

You bet I did! :D

We're going to be the sleeper of the World Cup, you watch. ;)

[Snake eyeS]

Holland FTW.

Its going to be very intresting to watch all the matches again with mates.

Ofcourse holland will be the winner, but everybody already knew that *cough* Van Basten*cough* even though brazil is favorite at the moment, everyone fears the dutch, as they should. We rule.


And its hilarious to see you guys talk about America getting in the finals, i bet they dont even make it out of their pool (sp) alive.
I would say America is the weakest in their pool : Italy, Czechia, Ghana and America. the pools (http://www.voetbalzone.nl/competitie.asp?uid=1)

Netherlands are strongest in their pool, our talent will beat their passionate football. we are the rox.

[blank slate]

Not so fast Snake. The Czech republic is going through some injury problems and Italy has the whole scandal thing going on. It should open the door for the US to make it through.

[Snake eyeS]

Ahh yes ofcourse, Czechia is having problems.. to bad, they are badass with their offence.

I've been on holiday to Italy and the passion for football is HUGE, so they will atleast give their best from the start, as holland will only go all out when they need to be (we often lose because we are arrogant against lesser teams)

[mamba]

like the dutch loss to scotland in the 70's with the archie gemmil wunder goal.

[Ichisan]

America's in a real tough group. Americans should be supporting them cos they'll need it.

Any sport is boring when you don't grow up with it, don't know what it feels like to play, and don't understand the rules. American Football looks boring to me and I can come on here and rationalise it and talk about padding and stopping time but the real reason is I don't understand what's going on. Should I start a thread for ignorant people to come on and say how lame American Football is? I don't think so.

Anyway, American Football, Rugby, Football, and Australian Rules Football all share the same basic origin, don't they?

[chibi1284]

America's in a real tough group. Americans should be supporting them cos they'll need it.

Any sport is boring when you don't grow up with it, don't know what it feels like to play, and don't understand the rules. American Football looks boring to me and I can come on here and rationalise it and talk about padding and stopping time but the real reason is I don't understand what's going on. Should I start a thread for ignorant people to come on and say how lame American Football is? I don't think so.

Anyway, American Football, Rugby, Football, and Australian Rules Football all share the same basic origin, don't they?

The Superbowl gets like atleast 80 million viewers, which is highest number of viewers for any television show or event for the year in the US. I doubt that 65% of the viewers truly enjoy American Football or understand whats going on.

I watch football, dont play it tho, thus I dont fully comprehend the game. I learned most of football terminology, strategy, and skills, playing Madden on PS2.

[Jay]

Holland FTW.

We're going to kick shit out of you in our upcoming friendly. :P

Netherlands are strongest in their pool

Argentina.

[Josh]

Im hoping the Americans beat a couple teams at least. Im not hoping for much, but I dont want an early elimination.

There isnt 30 minutes of planning in AF. Its a minute at the most. Gosh... lol.

Edit: Besides, its cool if the rest of the world doesnt like AF. Gives us our own little game. Unlike baseball.

[Jay]

The Seppos did okay in the last World Cup - semi-finalists who got beaten by Germany, if I recall.

Anyway, American Football, Rugby, Football, and Australian Rules Football all share the same basic origin, don't they?

No. Not even slightly.

[kilreli]

韓国！！！！！
ive had a korean guy living with me for 5 years. we're close. i just got a korean jersey and J.S. Park shirt. too bad almost everyone i know in japan hates korea with a burning passion...but their just pissed cause korea did way better than them in the last world cup(i made sure to buy the dvd game of korea vs. italy....its not so great watching it now...but it was that night..)
anyways.....why did hiddink leave?! :(
hiddink for korean pres.....

edit: im also gonna follow the U.S. and Japan. Im not very fond of Japan...probably cause Japan and Korea are somewhat rivals, but since im living here...ill cheer um on!
though...japan, korea, and the U.S. have some touch teams to face...

[mamba]

well rugby and football stem from the same place at least, that i do know

[Jay]

American football stems from another place again, so far as I know.

And Aussie Rules is... well, Australian. :D

[Josh]

Lets agree to disagree as long as we all agree Rugby is awesome. Because it is. Its the only good thing to come out of Australia... lol j/p.

[Idlethought]

The only world cup that matters is the one in my pants.

[Jay]

Lets agree to disagree as long as we all agree Rugby is awesome. Because it is. Its the only good thing to come out of Australia... lol j/p.

Rugby was invented in England.

In a school in Rugby, to be precise, when a football (soccer for you uneducated out there) player got tired of kicking the ball around and picked it up and ran it into the net instead. :D

[Vic_Rattlehead]

Rugby was invented in England.

In a school in Rugby, to be precise, when a football (soccer for you uneducated out there) player got tired of kicking the ball around and picked it up and ran it into the net instead. :D


Cheating fucks! :bang: More or less like Peil Ghaelach (Gaelic football)
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Vault/7249/dub_offaly.jpg

If that was Italian football, he would be diving! :D

[Yachiru]

We're going to kick shit out of you in our upcoming friendly. :P.

No you won't


Argentina.

Holland !:karate:

[Josh]

Rugby was invented in England.

In a school in Rugby, to be precise, when a football (soccer for you uneducated out there) player got tired of kicking the ball around and picked it up and ran it into the net instead. :D

My bad jay. Lemme correct myself. "Rugby is awesome. I guess there really isnt anything good to come out of Australia though. lol, j/p"

[Jay]

No you won't

So will. We have the master. :D (Until the end of the World Cup at least, then I don't care what happens, so long as we do reasonably well between then and the next Cup.)

Holland !:karate:

No. Argentina are stronger than Holland - even you can't deny that. ;)

My bad jay. Lemme correct myself. "Rugby is awesome. I guess there really isnt anything good to come out of Australia though. lol, j/p"

Oh no? ;)

http://www.samanthasteele.net/gallery/gallery_files/06AT2911.jpg

[Josh]

Pic from above

Whoa... whoa! I think this Jew just found Jesus!

What a friend I have in Jesus!

[Jay]

Aww, you named your penis, how cute!

[chad mullet]

Rugby , Football, Australian Rules etc. Muddy oafs to a man.

Ugly games for ugly people.

[Josh]

My penis is called "Superbly Unique Beautiful Penis Aberdab Rackashack" thank you. Or just S.U.B.P.A.R. for short.

[Ichisan]

I'm just going to have to post this picture again because...well I have to. Sorry, what was this thread about again?

http://www.samanthasteele.net/gallery/gallery_files/06AT2911.jpg

[Jay]

Rugby , Football, Australian Rules etc. Muddy oafs to a man.

Ugly games for ugly people.

I didn't know you liked rugby.

See, isn't this nice? We're learning more about eachother! :)

[chad mullet]

I didn't know you liked rugby.

See, isn't this nice? We're learning more about eachother! :)

Yes but the more I learn, the less I understand.

[kilreli]

Cheating fucks! :bang: More or less like Peil Ghaelach (Gaelic football)
http://www.geocities.com/Eureka/Vault/7249/dub_offaly.jpg

If that was Italian football, he would be diving! :D
oh my goodness i love you. gaelic football is amazing. i watched it a few times back in ohion.ot on tv though. me and my mom went out to where some teams played. apparently they traveled all around the surrounding states playing teams. that was interesting

[rameek]

I will keep my eye on group e and f US and Japan respectively....
Football/Soccer is one of the most racist sports in the world :mad:
The only reason I have developed a deeper interest is because my son has become fond of it.
I have friends that are into but as well and play in recreational leagues.
I dont think the sport is taken seriously in the US after the children get 8 or so years old. Kids tend to gravitate to basketball, football and baseball.

[blank slate]

It's only racist in Europe. I'm sure you'd be hard pressed to find any racism at games here in the states (MLS or USL). They were discussing the issue of racism in the European leagues on ESPN. That is a social problem, and the sport itself can't be blamed for it.

[Vic_Rattlehead]

I think its the Poles and the Greeks that're the most vicious. Spanish are quite against black people though. Although its never good to get caught in the crossfire between celtic and rangers...but that's totally down to sheer sectarianism.

[Ichisan]

I will keep my eye on group e and f US and Japan respectively....
Football/Soccer is one of the most racist sports in the world :mad:
The only reason I have developed a deeper interest is because my son has become fond of it.
I have friends that are into but as well and play in recreational leagues.
I dont think the sport is taken seriously in the US after the children get 8 or so years old. Kids tend to gravitate to basketball, football and baseball.

Unfortunately true. It's very tribal and racism and hooliganism is the ugly side.