Thanks Rich for that insightful comment. Any particular reason you felt the need to dump on the team and soccer in general? It was Eskinesque and a little disappointing from a class professional like yourself.
It's hard to find fault with the success of the US team against the best teams in the world. But, sarcasm appears to be the juice that sustains many writers. Get drunk and chuckle away.
The US didn't gag. Brazil took it to another level that the US couldn't match. But it was a great experience for the team and those of us who watched and got our hopes up.
Your cheap shot was uncalled for.
More of the "ugly American" view of soccer. What does the rest of the world know? We didn't invent soccer, therefore, it couldn't be any good. Instead, let's just make ignorant little comments to mask the fact that we know nothing about it.
When the hell are the members of the media going to stop this jingo-istic stupidity...did you see the incredible level of play on the field (er...pitch)?... I am so proud of the America team...they are really growing...just not enough depth nor over all experience to put the game away in the second half...but we are getting there...I understand that Dempsey is a Philly kid...if so, all the better, he's has great potential and passion for the game...Soccer is a truly great game...isn't it time we stopped this childish myopia...I have already made my reservations for South Africa...come on down Rich, you might actually get your eyes opened...finally,just an observation...just as with Schmucker's jams and jellies...."With a name like Kaka he's got to be good"
Kids play soccer in the US because it is a way to run off energy and easy for parents. Few remain fans after age 12. Soccer people need to enjoy what they enjoy and forget about whether others hate it. I would not watch it if you paid me.
Rich, either back up the statement or this just comes off like a cheap shot. You don't even show any evidence you watched the game yesterday or any game during the Cup. The US came a LONG way from the first game with Brazil, and dominated one of the best teams in the world for the first half, after beating perhaps the best team a few days before. Any pro Philly team that did the same, like if the Eagles blew a 14 point lead against New England would not have gotten the same treatment from you because you would have been legitimately scared to do so. Again, this is nothing more than a cheap shot.
If you don't care for soccer, fine. Why put down what others enjoy? Perhaps it's ignorance of the game.
Most players are expected to play a full 90 minutes with just a 15 minute break. Mid fielders typically run the equivalent 5-6 miles each game. You have to be in condition to play in the heat/cold/rain/mud, etc. Give it a try if you're man enough.
My son was a high school [4 years varsity] and club soccer goal keeper. Started playing in Philadelphia for the Lansing Knights and Fox Chase Soccer Club when he was 4 years old.
Every finger on each hand was dislocated at least once and sprained countless times. Ankles and knees spained many times. He took cleats in the face, head and chest. He stepped in front of a soccer ball kicked at 40 MPH from just 6 yards out. He threw his body in every direction knowing that when he landed it was going to hurt like hell. Every part of his body was brusied at least once during the 15 years he played. The only time he took himself out of a game was at the end of his playing. He separted his collar bone.
He received countless trophies for individual play. His teams only received trophies if they made it through to first place. His club teams typically played 3, 80 minute games. He played every minute.
We avidly follow the Phillies, Eagles and Flyers. Basketball just ain't what it used to be. But we don't put down those who follow it. Keep these things in mind the next time you're ready to critice for no other reason than you don't understand the game.
Hey, don't the NFC conference winners get a trophy? Doesn't Donovan McNabb have a habit of saying he brought 5 NFC Championships to Philadelphia, nevermind they lost four of them, still we have the one trophy.
These sportswriters (not reporters, writers) enjoy locker room and press box privileges courtesy of the MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA franchises that American soccer simply can't match, hence the contempt. If they had to actually pay for tickets and watch games the way we do, for all of the sports, you might get more than superficial coverage of the sports you're interested in, for example, what really happened with Brian Westbrook last year, or Jimmy Rollins this year, or Steroids or HGH in any year.
Soccer in this country doesn't have a NovaCare center these scribblers can sack out in and call it work. Hence the contempt. The greatness of the sport of Soccer, or more properly, Football, is obvious to those of us who've played and appreciate it, and actually I blame the editors of the Sports page for this entry of Mr. Hoffman's, which reflects his usual amount of effort.
Kind of wish there was a "report abuse" option for stories themselves--this is just poor and essentially an abuse of what journalism is about, and like many have said already, just because the sport is not as popular here as others, Rich takes the cheap way out. Yep, it's only a sports story, but the moral is the same--either be above the bar or be just as bad as the reaction-minded people I'm sure he cries about every day.
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About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles.
NEVER TAKES A DAY OFF
