# AmeriDopers: Do you know the World Cup starts in 17 days? Do you care? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 23, 2006, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896 "2006-05-23T13:59:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/21 "2006-05-23T17:22:32Z")
Can’t wait for Landon “Bayern Reject” Donovan to crash and burn in front of a worldwide audience!! But I do hope real players like Brian Mcbride and Claudio Reyna do well. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/22 "2006-05-23T17:31:42Z")
I am aware, and I don’t care. It’s not because I’m American, mind you - I don’t care much for _any_ team sports. Too many things going on at once, too much noise, etc. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/23 "2006-05-23T17:59:04Z")
Lived in Germany for 14 years and certainly know about the fanatic fussball fans. Lorkknows I tried, but it is hard to get excited about a game that sometimes can end with a score of zero to zero…yawn. I have one German friend in Berlin who hates fussball so much, he planned his vacation to be out of Berlin during the finals so he wouldn’t have to put up with the hooplah. Am I aware of it? Yep. Will I watch it? Hmm…perhaps the last five minutes of the very last game - and only then if German or (ha ha ha) the USA is in the finals. ---
**Author:** ![Antinor01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@Antinor01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Antinor01)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/24 "2006-05-23T18:02:05Z")
I didn’t know about it before this thread. I don’t care, but then I don’t watch any sports. I may watch a bit of it, but that’s just because soccer players are hot. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/25 "2006-05-23T18:04:01Z")
I know about it, and have known about it for a while. I am mixed as far as interest goes: I’m not as indifferent as some people here, and am not as excited as other people. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/26 "2006-05-23T18:11:59Z")
Landon rejected Bayern, not the other way around. I doubt he’ll crash and burn. He’s not always motivated, but he does come to play in the important games. And he’s probably the most talented player we’ve ever produced. I can’t fucking wait. Go USA! Hup Holland!. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/27 "2006-05-23T18:27:01Z")
Regarding Landy-cakes being (possibly) the best US soccer player ever, I gotta disagree. This would be like saying somebody who never played in the major leagues but excelled in Triple-A ball was the best baseball player ever. Techically possible maybe, but the way you determine who is “best” at something is having them excel at the highest level, something Landon is unwilling to try or is unable to do. Brian McBride and Claudio Reyna, for example are legitimate stars in arguably the best soccer league in the world. Landy “quits” a major league he can’t excel in to be a big fish in a small pond, where the adoring masses can cheer him on as he scores goals against Honduras and Red Bull New York. Can you imagine the best basketball in a small country, say Dirk Nowitzki or Manu Ginobli, rejecting the NBA to “star” in their home country leagues? It is unconscionable for a player at his level to not want the chance to excel against the best possible competition. There is probably not one athelete in the annals of world sports who would rebuff playing in a major league to play in a minor one. The fact that he is a good player makes it (him) even more laughable. But the adoring US soccer masses either don’t know or don’t care. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/28 "2006-05-23T18:30:23Z")
Soccer’s a pretty minor psectator sport in Canada, too. I know I certainly don’t really care; I don’t know anyone who does, though there are soccer fans around. Whatever. Baseball season’s on. ---
**Author:** ![MaxTheVool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9fc29f/32.png) [@MaxTheVool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MaxTheVool)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/29 "2006-05-23T18:37:41Z")
I definitely know. In fact, I’ve had several conversations with my office-mates over the past couple of days about when the games are, whether they’ll be broadcast in HD (currently, comcast carries ESPN1 in HD but not ESPN2), etc. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/30 "2006-05-23T18:39:19Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Soccer’s a pretty minor psectator sport in Canada, too. I know I certainly don’t really care; I don’t know anyone who does, though there are soccer fans around. Whatever. Baseball season’s on. One of your Youth teams beat Brazil this past week (I think U-20s, but it may have been younger). If they keep that up it could grow a lot in popularity. Landon Donovan is at least half Canadian, btw, and I really wish that DeWayne Delrosario was eligible to play for the USA. He’s a real talent. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/31 "2006-05-23T18:47:57Z")
**treis** if you have the means, I highly recommend the fox soccer channel- four or five EPL games a week, plus 1-2 each from Germany, Italy & France (no Spain unfortunately, and no Champions League for some reason)… ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/32 "2006-05-23T18:56:02Z")
Didn’t know and don’t care. But that applies to pretty much every major sporting event, not just soccer. ---
**Author:** ![August\_West](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/august_west/32/18069_2.png) [@August\_West](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/August_West)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/33 "2006-05-23T18:58:21Z")
You are obviously daft. The Rugby World Cup is not until 2007, much more than 17 days. Oh, wait, you means soccer/football? People still play that? I will be watching the RWC next year, but not the current silliness. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/34 "2006-05-23T19:01:59Z")
I knew about, wish I could go to Germany to see matches in person, but will settle for whatever coverage I can find (hello Univision!) As for NASCAR, in order to watch it I’d need to be lobotomized first. ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/35 "2006-05-23T19:08:17Z")
I’ll be watching it as well. I’ve followed the World Cup since I was a kid. My dad is Brazilian so he used to follow the Cup as best as possible here in the States. I will try to watch as many games as possible and will be rooting for Brazil and the U.S. ---
**Author:** ![js\_africanus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/87869e/32.png) [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/36 "2006-05-23T19:09:53Z")
I haven’t been interested in the World Cup since Ingemar Stenmark’s '80-'81 season. ---
**Author:** ![Improv\_Geek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b3f665/32.png) [@Improv\_Geek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improv_Geek)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/37 "2006-05-23T20:05:37Z")
I knew about it but to be honest I’ve never gotten really into soccer. I’ll probably watch a game or 2 while it is on, but I’m no hooligan. ---
**Author:** ![THespos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@THespos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/THespos)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/38 "2006-05-23T20:08:37Z")
I’m aware of it, thanks to the promos XM has been running. I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m basically a baseball guy. I don’t even follow American football anymore, much less World Cup football. I’m not excited by the NBA anymore, it’s pretty much just baseball. I wish I could get excited by this sport that seems to have the rest of the world captivated. I just find it boring. ---
**Author:** ![zamboniracer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e9a140/32.png) [@zamboniracer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zamboniracer)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/39 "2006-05-23T21:02:42Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Do I know it starts in 17 days? **Yes** > > Do I care? **No** > > Given a choice, I’ll take NASCAR, then the root canal. > Soccer is so far under my radar it might as well be hockey. There is but One True Sport, and that is Baseball. silenus is on the money. In fact, I’m pissed about the recent Nike ads that promote the WC and which use the melody of “Take Me Out the Ballgame” as a soundtrack. Use of that song to promote soccer/futball is sacreligious. All you soccer/futball fans have fun. I’ll be at the Jake watching the Tribe. ---
**Author:** ![HubZilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ccd318/32.png) [@HubZilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HubZilla)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896/40 "2006-05-23T21:28:13Z")
I think soccer would be more exciting if they reduced the field size and had less players on the field. It just seemed (to me), wherever they kicked it, there would be 5-6 around the ball. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ameridopers-do-you-know-the-world-cup-starts-in-17-days-do-you-care/357896.md?page=3)