why is the sport of soccer not very popular in the u.s.?
447180
Soccer is a very popular youth sport in the U.S. but the youth eventually transition into more popular sports.  What make the other sports more popular, money.  In the U.S. profit is the bottom line and if it doesn't make a profit, no matter what value it has to offer, it is ignored.
216350
Because the pro sports league (MLS) historically hasn't been as big as the other pro sports leagues (primarily MLB, NBA, NFL and NHL). Until the MLS makes it as big as these four sports, the US Soccer team will probably always be popular once every four years during the world cup.
625812
Well, soccer isn't popular in the U.S., so why would a varient of it be popular?  I think it's amazing that ice hockey became as popular as it is in the U.S., and unless you're a die hard fan of it, in the U.S., you vaguely know that it even exists.
1182855
No.  Soccer is not very important nor popular in this country like other countries.  You watch like a two hour game and only see like one or two goals.  Very slow and boring game to watch on TV.  Might be more exciting if you could be at the game itself though as the people are very entertaining and it would be cool to see some fights.
930535
People don't think that football is a popular sport.  IT IS THE MOST POPULAR SPORT IN THE WORLD.  That's a fact.  You must be an American to ask a question like this.
355933
pitiful. in Europe, their futbol is as popular as our football, baseball, basketball and hockey combined. Fans have both killed, and been killed over the game. the entire professional entertainment world revolves around the Premier League scheduling. In the US? name 5 of the professional soccer teams in the US.....
999835
To answer your question: soccer is more popular around the world, therefore even foreigners have more recognition than Americans. Americans appreciate and recognize the USA soccer team - but not nearly as much as other sports here in America. \nThe culprit: Money. There is very little incentive for someone to excel in soccer, here in America - as an athlete, because it just doesn't pay well , compared to the top 4 sports and other sports that may not be as "popular", but more lucrative, like tennis. \nMLS was quite popular in the 70's here in America - largely due to Pele playing here at the end of his career. It went bankrupt and defunct - due to the competition of other sports literally out paying and out marketing soccer. 11 years ago - corporations, led by new MLS execs brought back MLS and have had a good amount of success, considering they started at "zero" again. \n\nUSA soccer and MLS still dont have the power of the dollar, for TV revenue and stadium revenue, when compared to all other sports, but again that is slowly changing. \n\nI personally believe if more money is out behind TV contracts, during the summer (between NBA/NHL and NFL) - their only competition is baseball. MOst baseball contracts for TV are regionally based - which in my opinion is an opportunity for MLS to market and capture a national TV audience. Unless my Mets are on TV - here in Atlanta (about 30-40 games a year) - I may watch another baseball game, but would be more inclined to watch a good MLS match if nothing else is on. Luckily the Atlanta MLS team just completed their stadium 10 miles form my condo - so I will be going to games. \n\nIn America - it is all about the dollar when it comes to sports. If and when MLS spends the money and pays players on par with other major sports - to develop the best talent form their youth - then we will see soccer take off. Considering Americas Latino population (great soccer lovers - paying fans) is growing , Europes population here and quality athletes out of 300 Millio people - soccer will take off in America. I believe the 2010 USA team will be far ahead of the past 4 WC teams - in talent, expectations and success.
1028134
The reason being is becuase United States hasn't been that big in soccer untill like 10 years ago. The reason why Everyone on the other side of the world is so much better, is becuase they all grew up with it, They play and practice everyday and it has been over there for many many many years so they familirize themselves better and better where as the United States is still learning many ways and skills in soccer.
1017742
I've yet to understand the popularity of baseball myself but hey to each there own.  When I ask my family about world cup and I have to tell them it's soccer. They roll their eyes and yawn.  To those that never played the game it is rather boring and you can catch all the action on the highlight reel of the late night news.  When you get down to it, when one doesn't know someone that's actually playing it's hard to spark interest.  Baseball players, basketball etc...have become household names and hence an increase of popularity.
117934
According to wikipedia, over 240 million people regularly play soccer (aka football) in more than 200 countries.\nhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soccer\n\nHere is a very unscientific survey of self-proclaimed most popular sports: http://www.johann-sandra.com/popular.htm
1181746
Oh, come on...  Let's stop with the derogatory answers about the US and soccer.  I, for one, absolutely love it.  I've had a great time watching the World Cup.  My roommates (both Americans) and I have recently spent our afternoons watching the games.  I'd also really like to play, but I'm pretty bad at sports so I don't know how that would go over.  \n\nHowever, not everyone in the US loves soccer.  I think this has something to do with the fact that soccer is televised without commercial breaks.  This makes the major television companies less likely to carry it (even though there is a Fox soccer channel you can subscribe to) because they make a lot of their money on advertisements, which sports like (American) football allow for.  Still, soccer is a popular sport in American high schools, and I hope to see its popularity increasing as people become more drawn into the World Cup this year.
1089311
Its because we don't have a chance for it to grow on us. America is a culture that relies on the media heavily. Soccer isn't made for tv. It would be impossible to show commercials or anything like that. All of the other sports in America actually make breaks so that they can show commercials. Soccer just wouldn't fit in with what most people are used to. Therefore no big network would risk it.
385355
well, most people who say soccer is slow dont watch baseball or golf.\n\nalso people dont score enough.\n\nlol they should change the scoreing thing so its like 100 points a goal.\n\nalso in america you're cheering for a state, most of which are larger than the countrys you cheer for in soccer.
361067
Basketball is mostly popular in america and a bit in some countries but soccer is loved worldwide so soccer wins the battle.
998975
The main reason why Football is not as popular in the US is because of money.\nThere is no $$$ in football. All the games aired on TV, get a ton of sponsors/marketing/advertising because there are many intervals during the game, like basketball, american football and baseball. But in football there is only one interval of 15 minutes during more than 90 minutes of game time.\nAlso, America already has 3 Major sports, i.e, American Football, Baseball and Basketball. \n\nThe game will only catch on once more money comes into the sport, so more colleges can offer scholarships and the soccer leagues can offer more pay, and this is all possible only if there is more sponsorship/marketing.
40539
The international game known as Football (or Futbol) - what Americans refer to as "soccer" - has only gained popularity in America in the last few years, and has never been a popular spectator sport here.  Although American football does involve hand-touching, it is one of the few games played here that involves kicking the ball, so that's probably where the name came from.
1112860
Absolutely not!  They love football, but it is American footbale play by hand! 99% of American do not care soccer. I tried to watch Mexico against Angola yesterday and only Spanish channel show this match. During that period of time, three other sport channels were showing other sport!\n\nHow do they expect their team would advance to next round this year? US team did a very good job in 2002 World Cup. This should increase the popularity of this sport in the US. But, obviously, it is not.\n\nNone of the newspapers in the US shows the World Cup' s matches schedule. No analysis has been drawn up. \n\nUS seems to enjoy sports that other countries do not play. The biggest sport in the world, Soccer, has been intentinally igonored!