Soccer's footprint in U.S. is expanding

Mexico's Israel Castro, left, and Costa Rica's Dennis Marshall compete in a Gold Cup game in Chicago in July.

[Chadrack4 from Indiana]

This article is great. I agree with every word, comment, and opinion. Thank you for this piece.

[Mike]

Very cool article, one day soccer in this country will be as big or bigger than Ice Hockey, and exposure like this is always helpful. Keep up the great work!

[Jonathan]

Mike wrote:

Very cool article, one day soccer in this country will be as big or bigger than Ice Hockey, and exposure like this is always helpful. Keep up the great work!

Hockey? Talk about some low expectations!!! I played soccer as a kid then moved on to baseball, basketball and the "real" football. I must admit that I've watched more soccer in the last year than I had in my entire 32 years on this Earth. Now that ESPN is on board, it has to grow. But there is one thing that soccer needs to change now. Get rid of that extra time bull $h|t. We have modern time keeping technology, let's use it. No more guessing please.

[Ivan]

Great article. I believe in the MLS and that the league will come to rival MLB and NBA in 20 years or so. The big teams already have core fanbase, and hopefully Garber will start making the necessary changes in the near future (the calendar, single table, removing the salary cap, getting rid of the playoffs).
And, yes, having the English and Spanish leagues on ESPN2 surely helps!

[paulie]

Basically all the clubs have their diehard fans already. How do you think clubs like Kansas City and Dallas survive?

Maybe after Columbus wins another two or three trophies it might be on par with the 3 top clubs in MLS, Chicago, LA and DC.

[Bradley Minoski]

I agree. If the Crew get a couple more MLS Cups under their belts, they will be known as one of the top teams in MLS like the Dynasty that is DC United.

As for KC good question how do they survive for a team that plays their games in a minor league baseball stadium that houses a Independent team.

[Big Johnson]

Mike wrote:

Very cool article, one day soccer in this country will be as big or bigger than Ice Hockey, and exposure like this is always helpful. Keep up the great work!

Ahaha, bigger than hockey!

Maybe the Crew and the BJs can swap venues.

[Bradley Minoski]

Hey Johnson maybe so. Nationwide could be looking for a new tenant if the team goes belly up.

[I H8 Soccer]

Soccer's acceptance in the U.S. stems from a new found willingness to settle for a tie and avoid having winners and losers. Everyone is assured they did their best, no one's feelings are hurt, everybody gets a trophy and parents go home feeling their kid is unique. Think of it as Special Olympics for kickballers. It makes me want to puke.

[liberal AND proud]

Soccer is a fake sport. 'Nuff said.

[Conservative and Athletic]

liberal AND proud wrote:

Soccer is a fake sport.'Nuff said.

Says the guy who got cut from the math team.

[Conservative and Athletic]

Big Johnson wrote:

<quoted text>
Ahaha, bigger than hockey!
Maybe the Crew and the BJs can swap venues.

Okay, i know I'm a little tired, but maybe next time, spell out BlueJackets. Thank you,(had to read that twice.)

[mangco]

do they even keep score in soccer?

[Conservative and Athletic]

I H8 Soccer wrote:

Soccer's acceptance in the U.S. stems from a new found willingness to settle for a tie and avoid having winners and losers. Everyone is assured they did their best, no one's feelings are hurt, everybody gets a trophy and parents go home feeling their kid is unique. Think of it as Special Olympics for kickballers. It makes me want to puke.

Maybe you have an intestinal bug.

Watch the Premier league, you'll change your mind.(Chelsea rocks!)