I am working on a theory why pro soccer is not as popular in America as in the rest of the world. The America-originated sports of baseball, football, and basketball are purposeful and organized in a way soccer is not, and I believe this appeals to Americans.
Soccer is more random and arbitrary. To see my point, observe how in a soccer match things continuously do not go the way the player intended. Just imagine every time, for example, a kicked ball goes to the wrong player that the kicker says “I MEANT to do that!” You’ll find yourself saying that again and again.
A game in which a player has so little control over the results of his actions may appeal to Europeans and their former colonies (besides the U.S.), but I think most Americans are less likely to believe the universe is so random.
(Soccer’s rejection of the use of hands is another topic.)
I am working on a theory why pro soccer is not as popular in America as in the rest of the world. The America-originated sports of baseball, football, and basketball are purposeful and organized in a way soccer is not, and I believe this appeals to Americans.
Soccer is more random and arbitrary. To see my point, observe how in a soccer match things continuously do not go the way the player intended. Just imagine every time, for example, a kicked ball goes to the wrong player that the kicker says “I MEANT to do that!” You’ll find yourself saying that again and again.
A game in which a player has so little control over the results of his actions may appeal to Europeans and their former colonies (besides the U.S.), but I think most Americans are less likely to believe the universe is so random.
(Soccer’s rejection of the use of hands is another topic.)