MLS equals MLB in popularity with kids

[WhawhaWhat]

Are MLS players now America’s true “Boys of Summer?” For the first time in the nation’s history, Major League Soccer (inaugural season: 1996) has caught up with Major League Baseball (founded in 1869) in a significant marker of popularity. Both leagues can claim 18 percent of 12-17-year-olds as avid fans of their sport.

The startling statistic comes from the 2013 Luker on Trends - ESPN Sports Poll Annual Report -- the complex database that tracks the minutiae of fan habits surrounding 32 major sports, studying how Americans watch, play, buy and express their fandom. This is the very same poll that, in 2012, determined soccer was America's second-most popular sport for those aged 12-24, outstripping the NBA, MLB and college football.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Hog

Sporting KC also has the perfect soccer names for example Zusi just sounds like a pussy name

Chipper is much worse.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by BWillie

I didnt really follow MLB either until I was 19, but its no surprise that younger ppl and kids like MLS. I dont get soccers appeal, I really dont. Ive tried to give it a chance, but its so boring. I get theres always running and pundits against baseball say it's boring and sitting around but I still find it much more interesting. Even when comparing other minor sports ive tried to get myself to watch like rugby, aussie rules football, tennis, lacrosse, hockey,....every 1 of those are way more interesting than soccer. Its a world obsession I will never understand. But I have no doubt that in 20 years when many of the old farts keeping MLB relevant pass away MLS will start to exceed MLB as a whole

Did you ever play soccer? To what level.

It's definitely harder to appreciate if you never played at a competitive level.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Why did only one word get an apostrophe in this post?

Typin on my ph bro

Sorry internet message board police.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Did you ever play soccer? To what level.

It's definitely harder to appreciate if you never played at a competitive level.

I played it when I was a little kid. Hated it. Parents made me play. I also didn't really like baseball, but not because it wasn't fun. It was fun, I just wasn't good at it. I wasn't a very good hitter. But then I found golf and basketball, which I found much more fun because I could actually play those well. I never really found soccer fun, running around for 2 hours, then the game ends and its 1-0. Just seems like a waste of time.

[aturnis]

When you're a kid, you're not really playing soccer, there's a reason it's referred to as bumble bee soccer. When you get to a cooperative level, where skill starts to develop, and you can appreciate not only the skill involved, but the creativity truly skilled payers introduce, it leads to a greater appreciation.

[blaise]

Kids get past bumble bee soccer pretty quick these days. At least around here. Some kids are just out there running around but there's other kids doing step overs. Shootin over other kids heads. Passing backwards. My 9 year old played a game last season where a team did a header in for a goal off of a corner kick. Intentionally.
Most games don't end 1-0 either. 8-1 or 9-1 is more common. Which sucks if your kid is on the wrong end. If your kids team is still doing the bumble bee thing at about age 8, and not passing, they'll be getting torched around here.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by aturnis

Did you ever play soccer? To what level.

It's definitely harder to appreciate if you never played at a competitive level.

I stopped playing soccer when I was 6.

But, I started getting into it during World Cup 2002. I was intrigued by the idea of America sort of forging into a sport that was unknown territory for us. I liked the idea of the United States rising up to one day dominate the rest of the world at their own game. Seemed like such an American thing to try and do.

I was initially only intrigued by the USMNT.

Then I started getting into playing FIFA. It might sound weird, but when I started to get really good at the game I noticed that my understanding of the game really increased. Suddenly, I found myself really enjoying watching ANY soccer on television. I go out of my way to watch EPL/La Liga/Champion's League on television. So enjoyable for me.

[CoMoChief]

It's due to the economy.

It costs an arm and a leg to play baseball. It's not an elitist sport, but the cost for the equipment (I'm not talking about going to Walmart and picking out some shitty bat and glove), yeah you can save money doing that but you're not going to be able to do shit with it.

Soccer is a poor man's sport...that's why it's the most popular sport in the world.

I stopped playing soccer when I was 7...simply because I grew out of it. It's mostly for 4-5 yr olds who are filled w/ shit loads of energy and parents put them out on the field so they can run around look cute and get a little dirty and wear themselves out.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It's due to the economy.

It costs an arm and a leg to play baseball. It's not an elitist sport, but the cost for the equipment (I'm not talking about going to Walmart and picking out some shitty bat and glove), yeah you can save money doing that but you're not going to be able to do shit with it.

Soccer is a poor man's sport...that's why it's the most popular sport in the world.

Not true at all in the US! Gear and league fees are expensive. Many of the larger youth clubs have F/T coaches the make close to and over 6 figures.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by the_spatula

I stopped playing soccer when I was 6.

But, I started getting into it during World Cup 2002. I was intrigued by the idea of America sort of forging into a sport that was unknown territory for us. I liked the idea of the United States rising up to one day dominate the rest of the world at their own game. Seemed like such an American thing to try and do.

I was initially only intrigued by the USMNT.

Then I started getting into playing FIFA. It might sound weird, but when I started to get really good at the game I noticed that my understanding of the game really increased. Suddenly, I found myself really enjoying watching ANY soccer on television. I go out of my way to watch EPL/La Liga/Champion's League on television. So enjoyable for me.

Oh I agree. It definitely helps to be the guy who likes the underdog, and see your own country play that roll. I first got swept up by the USWNT, but have a special affinity towards the USMNT, b/c they play on a much less level playing field. Doesn't take long to get caught up if you find you enjoy the sport.

There is a certain appeal of the larger than life personalities of the game too. I mean, top NFL players are famous here, but Messi, Ronaldo, Neymar are recognized the world over.

[aturnis]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Not true at all in the US! Gear and league fees are expensive. Many of the larger youth clubs have F/T coaches the make close to and over 6 figures.

This.

[BigRedChief]

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

It's due to the economy.

It costs an arm and a leg to play baseball. It's not an elitist sport, but the cost for the equipment (I'm not talking about going to Walmart and picking out some shitty bat and glove), yeah you can save money doing that but you're not going to be able to do shit with it.

My baseball teams didn't travel out of town and we still went through $7000-$8000 a year. If you don't get sponsors, thats $700 a season for your kid to play a game. And you need to spend almost every weekend at a tournament. Practice twice a week. Game during the week.

Soccer is real popular until the kids hit High School and adulthood. Has been that way for 20+ years. It's not translated to soccer moving up the sports food chain. And it never will. Maybe it does for some. It's more popular in general than it was 20 years ago but there is no way Soccer moves past baseball, basketball and football.

[chiefsfan987]

I find it fascinating that at the beginning of the study kids enjoyed college basketball more than college football and that college football is trending downwards the last few years while college basketball is trending upwards.

[MahiMike]

I'm surprised it's this close. Kids like movement. Baseball is pretty boring unless you're playing it.

[Jimmya]

Soccer sucks.