1080373 <p>As I was driving to work this morning I was tuned into an interview on a Sports Radio station not named ESPNRadio and listened as to my surprise one of the guests was a Women's Soccer Player. On a station that rarely even covers Hockey, venturing into Soccer seemed like a stretch. Though it would later turn out that the show's main hosts were off getting a burger or something and their replacements were the show's producer and newsman, and both proceeded to conduct one of the worst sports radio interviews in the history of the world.&nbsp;</p> <p>However the discussion did turn to the question of what's holding soccer back, and it's no doubt been said before.&nbsp; I don't think it's the lack of scoring that's the issue, I think it's the fact that TV has no chance of capturing what's really going on, on the field. A few years ago on a lark I had some time and stopped a Big East Championship match up at UConn between USF and the Huskies.&nbsp; The crowd was not huge but filled quite a few seats and they were rowdy, involved and enjoying themselves. Of course UConn is one of the top programs in the country with a long history, but all the same.&nbsp; I watched the match and realized the fifteen or so things going on at once across the field, the various defense battles, and offensive maneuvers which, if you can see them in person are very exciting.&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>These battles are what determine the fate of the game.&nbsp; If they're lost eventually a goal will be scored, unless....the goalie comes up with the stop.&nbsp; The problem with TV is that it does its best but I've found that it's much harder to follow on TV then in person.&nbsp; It's just the way things go.&nbsp; Hockey is similar, though there isn't as much of a difference between a hockey game on TV and in person as compared to Scoccer in person and on TV.</p> <p>Thus the only way to truly appreciate Soccer is to be at the game.&nbsp; Generally one would think it's easier to get someone to change a channel to a game then to travel to one at least in terms of national marketing.&nbsp; But that won't lead to the game catching on.&nbsp; People have to be in the stands first, and then maybe they'll watch it on TV. So the key is to get them there, but if they don't know it's going to be any good, will they go?</p> <p>And of course there is the matter of the scoring.&nbsp; A lot of fans like offense, thus defensive battles in Baseball and Football generally aren't as appreciated as the offensive shootouts.&nbsp; But, there is hope at least, if more fans can just give the games a chance maybe they'll learn to appreciate the defense.</p> <p>I was surprised to learn just how much Soccer is available for fans. Maybe one doesn't go to an MLS game at a major stadium but when one adds up all the professional and amateur leagues for both genders, and then the fact that most colleges have teams.&nbsp; It's not that hard to go check a game out.&nbsp;</p> <p>If more people did the sport might gain more traction.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> true 2009-06-23T23:31:51Z 87934 0 2009-06-23T23:31:51Z