The Zidane Incident

[TheMalcolmConnection]

NASCAR. Yarrr.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

Is this the "Taking A Massive Dump Smilie"?

[TheMalcolmConnection]

No, that's the "I can't get it out!" smiley.

[724Skinsfan]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

No, that's the "I can't get it out!" smiley.

Not to be confused with the depressing "I can't get it up!" smilie!

[BDBohnzie]

that one's sponsored by Viagra and is blue...

[TheMalcolmConnection]

Edit.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Where'd you hear that?

ESPN Radio.

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by Buster

ESPN Radio.

Touche. Poker isn't pulling in better numbers than World Cup though

[jamf]

Originally Posted by TAFKAS

Touche. Poker isn't pulling in better numbers than World Cup though

Thread Hijack: Does anyone else hate those Apple Touche commercials?

[SmootSmack]

what commercials are those? Do you hate them so much it makes you want to headbutt the tv screen? (see how I bring it back around)

[hooskins]

Originally Posted by Buster

I agree with you about that and you've pointed out the attitude that turns so many people off from soccer, despite it's boring pace.

I do know about soccer. I used to play soccer, as well as basketball and baseball.

Soccer is a boring spectator sport. It has nothing to do with the low scores, as baseball and hockey contain action without a ton of scoring. It's the nature of the game that is boring. The field is HUGE and most of the 90 minutes is spent kicking the ball way down the field only to have the other team return the kick once they can't advance the ball past mid-field. Maybe the field needs made smaller or the goal made larger. Also, ties aren't decided by playing the game in a sudden-death overtime, they have a little kicking contest. It would be like football having an extra-point contest, baseball playing a game of pepper instead of extra innings or basketball having a game of horse to decide the championship.

It's only the most popular sport in the world because it's all they have or can afford in most nations. If OUR football was able to be played in every nation, it would easily be more popular. Look at how crazy fans in Japan or even Mexico go for an exhibition game with our worst teams like the Arizona Cardinals, 49ers and Lions' players who won't even make the team. When I watch NFL-Europe games, the hooligans are out with face paint, jerseys and the stadium is packed in their little 6-team league that has survived a LOT longer than I would've ever predicted. They look like the Raiders fans for the equivalent of a practice squad game or "minor league" game. If the world could have the NFL or MLB, they'd love it. Look at baseball in Japan. The best players come to the United States.

I don't hate soccer. I, like most Americans, just can't stay awake through a whole match. I am beginning to hate the reactions from soccer fans when I can't share their enthusiasm. They always fall back on this talking point of "but you don't understand the nuances of the game". That's crap. I know every soccer rule and have given it many chances to watch it before. I got slightly interested in the 1994 World Cup because the USA team was the best we've ever fielded with Alexi Lalas, Tab Ramos, Tony Meola, etc. I still couldn't love watching it though...the interest was more out of my love for America rather than the love of the sport.

It's ok for people not to like soccer. Well, to some people...it's not. We're expected to "embrace" the game because it will make us look better to the world community. That's a load of crap. Soccer has been pushed in front of us with popularity campaigns since the 1970s and it hasn't taken off. No one will go to the MLS games...no one will suddenly start following Manchester United because they're told to do so. Until the final, which was hyped NONSTOP...poker on ESPN and NASCAR races kicked the World Cup's butt in ratings in the USA. The outdoor AND indoor soccer teams that were in local cities for me have both folded because no one went to the games...and they were championship teams repeatedly!

It's ok if you like soccer. Just don't expect everyone else to. Soccer is a thing like Star Trek or chess tournaments. There's a few people who love it and find a ton of enjoyment in it and that's GREAT for them. Everyone should have a passion. However, when you try to push your passion on everyone else, all you'll accomplish is making people hate it rather than just not caring.




Uh huh...sure. How can someone outside of soccer ruin the game? More than anything it's a combination of the drunken hooligans who kill people over a soccer match...maybe it's the slow pace of the game...maybe it's the pompous attitudes from the soccer "experts"...maybe it's the fact that the equivalent of Dennis Rodman gets rewarded for losing the tournament with his bad temper. Oh wait...Dennis Rodman HELPED his team win. I'm flattered that you think I hold that much influence in the world.


I don't want to start anything personal with a fellow Redskins fan, especially over something like soccer not being popular in our nation. I'm not to blame for that, despite your accusations.

I hope we can go back to cheering for the Redskins with no grudges after this. That's why we're really here. However...I do think you overreacted.

The MVP scored 3 goals in a whole tournament and you stated that's a LOT of scoring...I don't think I have to explain why the sport hasn't taken off after that exchange.

I don't care of you like soccer. Good for you if it makes you happy. Just don't try to talk people into liking something that they just don't like with a tone that they MUST like soccer or they're somehow less of a person.

Sorry I have kinda been away from the fire I have started . Yeah I was a bit upset when I made that post, but I still stand by the points I have made, and of course we are both entitled to our opinions. If you read the last lines of my post, you will see why I was upset. Like BD said, I do not like it when people blindly stab at soccer, and with your earlier posts, you were doing just that. I am glad you know about soccer, and even though I do not agree with your opinion, I am glad you are backing your position.

As I had said before, this arguement isn't only about soccer to me, it's about all sports, and how we as a nation want that. Many of us feel it's ruining that game, and come on we are all frustrated when Shawn Springs gets calls for pass interference in the 4th quarter of a close game because he may have touched the reciever. In the context of soccer, I vent my anger and frustration because I feel the rule changes are ruining sports across this nation, from soccer to football. I guess in many ways I am not calling you out specifically, but the fan base of sports in general.

I do not feel I am overreacting, because yeah its just a game we are talking about, and there are def. no hard feelings, maybe there would be if you were a Cowboys fan . I am sure the people on this board think I am some crazy anti-American soccer loving, commie, foriegn bastard lol, non of which are true of course.

[MightyJoeGibbs]

Originally Posted by TheMalcolmConnection

And it wasn't even in the other guy's head! The only time I've seen someone go down from a headbutt is when they get hit IN THE HEAD. That's insane.

If you watch a highlight clip of Earl Campbell running the ball with the oilers he hit a rams defender like that thru a gap, and decimated the guy.

Whover Zidane butted, I kinda saw a Divac flop in it.

[BDBohnzie]

while I agree it hurt like a b!tch, Materazzi did flop to make sure that Zizou got tossed.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by hooskins

I am sure the people on this board think I am some crazy anti-American soccer loving, commie, foriegn bastard lol, non of which are true of course.

If you were an anti-American commie or a liberal nutjob, there's no way you could be a Redskins fan. Remember, we're the "racist" team.

I don't think anyone would think that about you on here.

[Monkeydad]

Originally Posted by MightyJoeGibbs

If you watch a highlight clip of Earl Campbell running the ball with the oilers he hit a rams defender like that thru a gap, and decimated the guy.

Whover Zidane butted, I kinda saw a Divac flop in it.

What do you expect...he's a European too.