So... I'm surfin' around reading commentary on tonight's game... which was awesome, in case I didn't mention it... and came across this:
Which qualifies as the year's WTF? moment, maybe even the decade's. Soccer? There was some sort of soccer game? Who knew, other than our futbol-friendly compadres in Kallyforneeya and... regrettably... New Mexico (which was 51% to 49% in favor of futbol)? Aiiieee. Shoot me now. Yeah, I know... hockey did win but the margin was only 55-45. And who knew Arkansas was such a hockey hotbed?
Respectfully disagree with the hockey being bigger assertion...the U.S. is actually GOOD in hockey. Yes, it was a big rivalry game, and yes, Canada was favored, but there was actually discussion/debate on who was going to win. Contrast that with the U.S.-Spain game, which came completely out of left field. Before that game NO ONE would've predicted the U.S. to win, especially with their performance in the tournament up to that point (it was somewhere between terrible and abysmal). Also, while I understand it's a little different with hockey, that soccer game was at a major FIFA tournament (okay, the Confederations Cup is sort of like a pregame for the World Cup, but still) as opposed to the Olympics, which really don't matter as far as soccer is concerned.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have to say "everybody's different", I guess.
ReplyDeleteI did watch some of the hockey, but Virginia Tech-Duke game was on and ...
Yeah, hockey is big in Arkansas. Truth is, it's pretty big in Louisiana. We've got a CHL team here in Bossier City that draws 5 to 6 thousand fans per match. Not bad for a 300,000 metro area in the Southeast.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand how ANYONE can watch (and enjoy) a soccer match. My youngest son played one season. I could fall asleep sitting up straight in the bleachers. Literally.
But, that's just me...lots of folks enjoy it. Especially our ever-growing Hispanic population.
This will all be settled when they allow the NFL in the Olympics!
ReplyDeleteAnd pole dancing
lol
I love soccer. It has become a big sport here in the south over the last 30 years - much bigger than hockey in these parts - probably because if you have a football field, you can have a soccer field. People can start their kids in soccer at a very early age - just given a ball and let them start kickin'. Yet, it is still not televised much, which is a shame.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, Buck. I had no idea there even was a USA - Spain futbol match. I guess we're both abysmally ignorant dinosaurs :-)
ReplyDeleteAbysmally ignorant... that would be me! Although I would like to see pole dancing in the Olympics.
ReplyDeleteSeriously, it is a case of "to each his own." And thanks for education, Mike.
Yeah, like I said, it wasn't THAT big of a deal as far as the tournament goes because the Confederations Cup is basically a pretournament for the World Cup. However, I am very excited for the World Cup...we got a fairly good draw.
ReplyDeleteWHAT??? What is bigger and more important than HOCKEY???
ReplyDeleteNOTHING!!! (sayz this Canadian)
Kidding! When soccer is in full swing, many communities accross Canada are glued to TV set across the nation and its just as crazy as hockey season - if not more!
Its just to slow of a sport. I like my sports fast, quick, men wearing tight uniforms and tight buns... and I'm happy!
I can see the point of soccer for kids. There's not many injuries, and it's low cost in terms of equipment. But that doesn't mean I want to watch it.
ReplyDeleteI agree, Gordon. Soccer is fine for kids but as a major league sport? Nah.
ReplyDeleteKC: Agreed on the slowness of futbol... as a spectator sport. It's a whole nuther ball o' wax when you're on the field however. At least my feeble memory recalls it as such from my high school days.
Mike: I've been in few pubs when England was in the World Cup and the atmosphere is electric. So I kinda sorta know from whence you speak.