How to Grow Soccer in America
The United States seems to gain a sudden interest in soccer every once in a while, usually because of the World Cup. However, this interest always seems to slowly fade away. If the sport wants to gain and hold popularity in the country, the following should be achieved:
Less Flopping: I understand the reason behind flopping, which is to fall over and hopefully your team gets a free kick, penalty shot, etc. This act, while maybe advantageous, is something Americans cannot stand. If LeBron James flops in a game there will be countless criticism via sports talk, articles, memes, or any other platform and he plays one of the most popular sports leagues in the country. If soccer removes flopping, it will be a step in the right direction for fans in the States.
More Scoring: The two most popular sports in America are arguably basketball and football, both of which score at high rates. No American wants to see a 0-0 draw. As long as soccer has extremely low scoring games, many Americans will be turned off.
Faster Pace: Hockey is relatively popular in the U.S. yet it has lower scoring. This is because the sport is insanely fast paced. Soccer players sitting back on defense and passing the ball around is boring to Americans (and don’t get me started on milking the clock after a dead ball).
These changes are not necessary, nor may they be the right changes for the sport according to many countries. If the goal is to raise viewership in the United States, these changes can lead to more fans.
~ Steven Hold
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