UEFA Euro 2012 Poland-Ukraine: Germans Glowing with Anticipation

[The Larch]

Baseball is also a random sport--in the major leagues they play 162 games

[Sheilbh]

But, if you Americans don't like low-scoring games maybe you should try cricket? There are literally hundreds of runs in a match 

And there's enough math to keep them engaged too

[FunkMonk]

But, if you Americans don't like low-scoring games maybe you should try cricket? There are literally hundreds of runs in a match 

[Valmy]

But, if you Americans don't like low-scoring games maybe you should try cricket? There are literally hundreds of runs in a match 

We already have plenty of sports thanks.  The real reason soccer is not super popular is the big three of Football, Basketball, and Baseball are plenty to occupy our attention.

[Valmy]

Baseball is also a random sport--in the major leagues they play 162 games

That is not really the reason they play so many games.  Back when pro teams made virtually all their money from ticket sales and fans actually attending the games it was in the league's interest to mash as many games into the summer as they could.  Of course after 140+ years that is now a beloved tradition.

Also baseball is played every single day generally so it is pretty equivalent to a standard season in every other sport.

[Barrister]

I cannot understand the non soccer nations incessant cry for more goals, why does that have to be a requirement for success??? 3 billion ppl on this planet doesn't seem to agree

It is pretty idiotic.  If they change it the non-soccer nations STILL won't like soccer.  But then the soccer nations would be pissed off.  So basically then nobody would like soccer.  Great thinking there reformers.

I say soccer needs more goals for the same reson I say hockey needs more goals - because scoring is the most exciting part of the game.  It's what gets people out of their seats.  It's what gets shown on the highlight reels.  It's what you want to see.

Now there comes a point where if the scoreboard is flipping around like a pinball game it loses all excitement (I think basketball has this problem), but soccer is far from that.  The ideal is probably about 5-10 total goals or scoring plays per game.   I remember watching that ridiculous 9-8 Jets/Flyers game this past year and thinking it was getting out of control, but the 3-2 games were a lot more exciting than the 1-0 ones.

But BB, its the low number of goals that adds the thrill... one goal early on.. can they hold it? Do they need to close it down with another goal?

If it gets too easy, then tha one goal and the tactics of digging in, not digging in, subbing more defensive/offensive players go away.

The thing is... it isn't thrilling.  It's boring.  You see the same thing in hockey - score the first goal then shut down and hold on.  Leads to few scoring opportunities, few exciting plays.  I know there is skill involved in playing that way.  It just isn't entertaining.

[Gups]

The number of goals in professional football has been steadily increasing for years - the game is faster, more attacking and more exciting than it has been for ages. The scoring first and holding on strategy is not often applied these days - unless the first goal is scored in the last 10 minutes or so.

[PDH]

We already have plenty of sports thanks.  The real reason soccer is not super popular is the big three of Football, Basketball, and Baseball are plenty to occupy our attention.

Wasn't some Languish pundit saying that people really like 3-4 sports and not too many more (perhaps others only casually).  With the US year saturated with the other leagues it is rather interesting that MLS gets as much attention as it does.

[Valdemar]

The thing is... it isn't thrilling.  It's boring.  You see the same thing in hockey - score the first goal then shut down and hold on.  Leads to few scoring opportunities, few exciting plays.  I know there is skill involved in playing that way.  It just isn't entertaining.

We just have to agree on disagreeing, defending desperately, or masterfully, both can be fun to watch.. ofc the exception is Italian football where both teams do it amidst incesant diving 

V

[Grey Fox]

Baseball is also a random sport--in the major leagues they play 162 games

Sometimes they even play 2 games in the same day! Baseball isn't that tireing to play.

Except if you are the catcher. Poor, poor knees.

[Martinus]

Looks like Ronaldo is bent on proving his detractors wrong.

[Josephus]

The team that showed up won today.

[clandestino]

Looks like Ronaldo is bent on proving his detractors wrong.

I think most people recognize that CR is a great player. If he's the number one it's a completely different question.

People don't like him because of his personality and shenanigans in the field. That won't change even if Portugal is Euro champ and he's the player of the tournament, though.

[Ed Anger]

Portugal winning: 

[The Larch]

Balotelli chillin' while the rest of his team-mates do their push ups.