Off-Topic Forum

For those that follow the beautiful game Ibra did what Ibra does. First match in MLS, what does he do? Scores twice in 5 minutes, brings his club level and makes sure everyone knows he's announced himself. Welcome to the States, may you dominate another league...

Being from America (ok North America), I know it is selfish, but I really wish MLS would become the pinnacle of their sport that the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB are.  Soccer is the most underrated sport by those that don't know it, and the only exposure they get is MLS.  It would be awesome if MLS (there are Canadian teams as well) would become the dominant league because then North America I feel would follow soccer and it would become more mainstream.  They have made a lot of strides since inception of the league, but they need to keep there foot on the pedal.  It would be sad for the other countries leagues if the best came to America, but sometimes it is ok to be selfish!

Doesn't help it's a disjointed mess here. With 300+ million in the US alone (Canada makes it, what 350?) it should be easy to field a top flight on par with or better than anywhere else. It's just not institutionalized and cultural here as it is everywhere else. And yes, it's kind of a shame. We are in football/soccer, like other countries are in our sports. I can see it just in the youth club system alone. My son is at U12 right now playing in the club system as it exists here in the US. Whereas almost everywhere else the club system is propped up by the top clubs in their countries here only a few area actually do it that way. Heck I think I've seen more foreigh clubs have sponsored areas than MLS clubs. But it's not unified here. Despite the club system being under US Soccer auspice they do things differently everywhere. Played in FL last year and CT this year an outside of the schedule it's a different beast.

Today's match was against an independent team, one of many throughout the area. Kids play to play and aren't suppoted through the club set-up. But to show the cultural difference some parents from the other team were confused by my son's club name, CFC, which is the CT Football Club (state-wide club system here in CT). She honestly thought that it was a bunch of kids who play football as us Americans call it trying to play soccer. No clue that this use of football was to mean soccer.  

The 40yrd screamer for his first goal was a bit special. 

Surprised man u didnt keep him for another season he did great there.

One of my all time favorite players. I hope to get a chance to see him in person sometime.

ManU saw a 36 y.o who had been out for far too long. Better to bring in fresh blood, especially with the pressure they face to win. But yeah, that 1st one was a beauty. His reaction afterwards was pure Ibra and probably a little something that is needed here stateside.

Wow!  Great statement . Where should I start so you can understand why it will never happen here. Money is the first reason. The UEFA Champions League contract rivals that of the NFL or NBA. MLS will never get that kind of money. And that doesn't include their national tv contracts which would be more. Culture is the second reason. Every weekend people sit down to watch their favorate team like NFL fans here in the US. It's ingrained in the culture, and weekend routine. The NFL is the only league with that kind of following here in the US. (That's why I laugh when the NFL says they want to put a team in London, it will never work.)The third reason was  mentioned by jimetal7212.  The truth is if you want to watch very high level soccer here in the US, you have be home at 2:30 pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Champions League, or get up early on the weekends to watch La Liga, EPL, Bundesliga, or Serie A. Or do like I do, record the game, and watch it when you can.

Until players stop acting like they've been shot every five minutes rolling around on the ground in agony waiting for a card I'm not going to take them seriously and neither are the rest of Americans. I've tried to like soccer, but the competitive level of MLS is no where near European soccer, it's much slower.

OMG, watched a replay of the LA Galaxy v. LAFC match last night and couldn't wait for the 70th minute to see what the fuss was about.  I am so glad I did.  Those two goals, oh my!  That first goal was beyond words amazing.  I literally just stood there with my jaw dropped.  The second was one of the first times I have seen a player with enough awareness to realize he was off sides and fade away from the ball instead of attacking to the result was beauty.  Those two goals and the excitement they generated was the perfect example of how awesome soccer was.  What was great too was the level of insantiy in the stands, where a sold out stadium of Americans screamed in soccer euphoria.  It was a great moment for MLS.

I agree that flopping is bad for sport, but in general, I feel like those that call it out only in soccer are those that will just refuse to like soccer and go for the first excuse they can get.

My favorite sport is American football.  Not just my favorite sport, but my lifelong passion.  The game has gotten ridiculous with similar instances of people trying to get calls, which is all flopping is.  I think it is a standard part of every pass pattern resulting in an incomplete pass for the WR to stare down the ref with his hands in the air, regardless of any contact being made.  I almost feel like it is a trained and practiced part of the route.  And on every play D-Lineman look to the ref for a holding flag, even where there isn't holding.  Let's not forget those punters who the announcers praise for their ability to win an Academy Award when their flop after punt finally draws the 15 yard flag, or at least the 5 yarder.

The NBA and NHL implemented anti-flopping rules to combat what was becoming an issue in both leagues.  The flopping didn't cause any fans to stop watching nor did the rules increase the fan following.  As long as there is sport, there will be players doing what they can to gain a call.  A simple rule change and enforcement cleans that up quickly.  If soccer strictly enforced a flopping rule tomorrow, I am not sure it would change the level of viewership or following in America.  I think better understanding of the game and giving it a chance with an open mind would.