Classy move, Hoffman. Being a so called sports reporter you would think you'd take more of an interest in every sport, no matter how popular you think it is.. Bet there are several hundred thousand soccer fans in the tri-state are. I used to enjoy your spots on comcastsportsnet, and also your columns. You just lost a viewer and a reader..........
Rich
At least you only took a weak and ineffective shot at soccer, rather than writing in detail about something you know nothing about as some of your colleagus tend to do when a minor sport (tennis, soccer) moves into the limelight. Among the regular writers at the Daily News and Inquirer, only Bob Ford seems to have any knowledge of the game and can write about it without a chip on his shoulder. I preceded you at Penn and on the DP (news not sports) by about 8 years. Penn soccer had a good spell during that period. As DP sports editor were you ignoring that team?
PS to jachanin
Dempsey grew up in a heavily Tex-Mex area of the Lone Star state where he learned the basics in rough and tumble pick up games against adult Mexican-born men. He plays with a blue collar mentality and work ethic so I can see why you may have assumed he was a Philly kid. However there are plenty of past and present US National team players from the Philadelphia Area, including Bobby Convey and Chris Albright from Philly, Ben Olsen from Middletown (the one near Harrisburg) Peter Vermes, (Delran NJ) captain of the World Cup and Olympic teams in the late 80s to mid-90s.
I'm not going to waste my time posting here if you don't post them.
Rich - You missed a great story even if it was soccer. Try not to be such an ignoramus in the future.
waaaaaahhhhhhhhh, someone made fun of soccer, waaaaaaahhhhhhhhh. get over it. this country just isnt in to the sport. espn is promoting the hell out of this sport, be thankful you have their hype/propoganda machine behind you or soccer would rank around the same level as cricket in this country.
Posted by phillyfury 09:51 PM, 06/29/2009
One more thing, for a nation that prides itself on being patriotic, the writer is quite mocking of a team representing the red, white, and blue. Regardless of what he thinks of the sport, I don't know about treason but the rest of your post was BANG ON!
The Daily News coverage of the Tournament was pathetic. The US deserved credit for a couple of wins and getting into the finals, and even getting up 2-0 against one of the best teams in the world. US soccer is reaching a level of parity, where it's best players play overseas where the game is more appreciated and there is more money. It is an exciting story if you are a real sports writer! Complete waste of a column Rich, why'd you bother? You know Philadelphia hates performers who "mail it in".
Come on, Rich. It's a shame you missed a chance for a great story. Besides beating the #1 in the world, we may have beaten Brazil if not for the fact that the Cup's governing body tried to make that impossible. The coach's son was red-carded, and wasn't allowed to play in the final. In the coaches own words, "it was like ripping our hearts out." I didn't see the game, but I'm also under the impression that other penalties against the boys in red, white, and blue, may have contributed to their loss. In other words Rich,we were had. Sort of like the USA basketball team in the Olympics.
I wanted to see the presses reaction to the final game, but instead found your inane, irrelevant remark. I'm not much of a soccer fan myself, but how can you slough off the boys playing against great odds, and almost pulling it off. You missed a great opportunity for a great story, and that's a shame. Maybe you should seek gainful employment at KMart or something similar. What a waste.
One more thing, for a nation that prides itself on being patriotic, the writer is quite mocking of a team representing the red, white, and blue. Regardless of what he thinks of the sport, they were representing all of us on the field of play before the eyes of the world. It's just disrespectful of guys like Howard, from New Jersey, to mock the team's effort like this. Borders on treason.
To blaqjaq--I would respectfully argue that more children grow up playing soccer than, say, football in the US, and while I like football a lot, I also enjoy soccer as an exciting sport with some of the world's best athletes. So we can agree to disagree; I got no problem with your opinion; it goes against what I teach to my students about the responsibilities as a journalist when this kind of "story" (really just gut reaction rather than a thoughtful response) gets published on a major city newspaper's web site. Also, the constant hum during the games were actually more from the South Africans present blowing on these 3 foot long plastic horns throughout the game (apparently a common occurrence)--FIFA is thinking whether to ban them for the World Cup there next year but seem so far to like it enough to allow it.
This is the same type of lazy journalism that Jim Rome brings for soccer. If you don't like soccer, then don't report on it. It's that simple. If you're assigned to write on it, act like a responsible adult and treat your subject matter with the respect it deserves.
This is very disappointing.
a dope wrote, "Posted by dreinterests 01:33 AM, 06/29/2009
soccer is the 5th most popular sport in america, get over it. go phils!" Soccer/Futbol/Football is the most popular sport in the world. If you see fit to limit your world to your town, your state or your country, fine but guess what, we soccer fans don't need to get over anything. We know what the greatest game in the world is, we just get annoyed by close minded dopes like Rich and yourself.
Wow Rich. I'm a long time reader and never thought you would stoop to this for a post. Yes, I am a soccer fan but I also understand that if people do not enjoy it then that's fine. I don't go on and on about the beauty of soccer and what you are missing out on and how big it's going to be because not everyone likes the same sports. I just wish the same respect was given to me when I tell people that my passion for football has waned to the lowest levels yet. I give my reasons (lack of creativity, stop and start play, controlled by ESPN so the season never really ends) but even after giving those reasons I'm shouted down by football fans and mocked. That's fine. It just gives me another reason to watch less Eagles games. I would rather spend my Sunday in Fado or Dark Horse watching matches than Barnaby's watching games. Not because of the people around me but because at least the beers selection will be better.
I'm not sure I understand the joke about a trophy for second place, but fgenerally you are right Rich, soccer is unwatchable. No one doubts that they are great athletes, but unless your kid plays in grade school or high school, who cares. And what was the deal with all that buzzing noise at the stadiums during the telecast? Sounded like a stadium full of angry bees. European and South American soccer fans are complete idiots.
I'm not a soccer fan and could NEVER watch a full game. I'm also usually a Hoffman fan and don't get the criticism he gets. But he deserves it for this. There was no need to post that!
We shouldn't be surprised by Hofmann's post today. He, like the majority of the sportswriters here, suckles at the tit of mother ESPN. If there isn't a commercial interest involved it's not news worthy. Rich- go write another column on Brett Favre.
sad and pathetic. a tubby journo hits lashes out in desperation once he is confronted by a real sport. if you have dedicated your life to covering throwball (and the hapless eagles) then maybe suicide is the best option.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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"
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
PREFERS TEMPLE'S OFFENSE TO PRINCETON'S
