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Why The Yanks Don't like Saaawcer
PRESENT TENSE: The Americans have played in every World Cup since 1990, yet US conservatives remain hostile to what they see as a Hispanic game, writes DAVIN O'DWYER
THERE ARE some perennial sideshows to every World Cup, and over time they become as intrinsic a part of the tournament as the football itself. The debate about how each newly designed football behaves like a helium balloon is a mainstay; the England team always find innovative ways to self-destruct; while the Dutch players often act like housemates in Big Brother , throwing tantrums and getting kicked out.
And then there is the well-worn story about how, finally, the Americans are taking to the game they call soccer.
Every time the world gathers for its footballing shindig we wonder why the Yanks don’t get the beautiful game. In response we hear how many tykes are playing the game at school level, and how successful the American women’s team are. Every time we are warned that the sheer number of people playing the sport in the US guarantees that it will become a footballing superpower at some point beyond the future’s visible horizon.
Credit where it’s due: the American national men’s team have consistently qualified for the tournament since 1990, and they’ve been a pretty handy side for the past five years or so. The era when we could mock them for “rushing to the end zone” and fielding “goaltenders” is over now, alas.
But, while it’s true that football has an increasing number of players and viewers in the US, there is still a widespread resistance to the game there. And, now more than ever, that resistance is vocally lead by prominent US conservatives.
Leading the tirades this time around is Fox News conspiracist-in-chief Glenn Beck, who didn’t exactly celebrate the opening of the World Cup last week. Demonstrating his rare gift for nonsensical analogies, he compared the tournament to Barack Obama’s policies: “It doesn’t matter how you try to sell it to us, it doesn’t matter how many celebrities you get, it doesn’t matter how many bars open early, it doesn’t matter how many beer commercials they run, we don’t want the World Cup, we don’t like the World Cup, we don’t like soccer, we want nothing to do with it . . . The rest of the world likes Barack Obama’s policies, we do not.”
Then Matthew Philbin, writing for the conservative website NewsBusters, sounded off: “As healthcare reform and stimulus spending have underscored, if Europe jumped off a cliff, the American left would be right behind it. So it makes sense that the media’s main argument for accepting soccer is that ‘everybody’s doing it’.”
Perhaps most tellingly of all, former Richard Nixon henchman G Gordon Liddy said on his radio show: “This game, I think, originated with the South American Indians and, instead of a ball, they used to use the head, the decapitated head, of an enemy warrior.”
This comment unwittingly revealed a central tenet of conservative opposition to soccer: despite the best efforts of suburban soccer moms, soccer in the US is identified as a Hispanic game. When conservatives oppose immigration in order to protect an illusory “real America”, which is barely concealed code for “white, conservative America”, it is clear that the growth of a Hispanic game is also perceived as a threat. The fact that one US player is called Carlos Bocanegra just emphasises the point.
Furthermore, the nativism and xenophobia that are so characteristic of today’s American conservatives mean that the sport’s global reach becomes evidence not just of, well, widespread popularity, but also of the fact that the game is necessarily at odds with their definition of Americanism. So soccer is framed as representative of socialism, or multilingualism, or whatever the hell is irking them this month. Its very popularity is enough to make it suspicious. As Beck revealingly put it, “I hate it so much, probably because the rest of the world likes it so much.”
Of course, the Americans wouldn’t be the first people to exhibit a deep-rooted suspicion of a “foreign game”, as we well know, but there isn’t the same postcolonial motivation for these soccer haters.
There are two delicious ironies in all this conservative bleating. The first is that another of Nixon’s henchmen, Henry Kissinger, is the most eminent soccer fan in the US. The second is that many US sports, such as basketball and gridiron football, both highly symbolic of American sporting exceptionalism, use a “draft system” for player recruitment, which gives the weaker pro teams first pick of the fresh talent coming out of college.
Never mind Obama’s healthcare bill, these sports are practically Bolshevik in their enduring devotion to a centralised redistribution of wealth. The World Cup might capture global attention, but at least the competition displays a pretty rigorous adherence to the principle that the winner takes it all. The free market has spoken, after all, and soccer has won.
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Lol England indeed, absolutely dreadful.
I really can't understand the lethargy from players with undoubted quality,frankly they should be ashamed for that sham of an effort.
I'd rarely condone booing your team but I think the fans were justified this time.
Thousands of then have spent a small fortune to support their team in SA and Wayne Rooney after his performance last night is the last one to be criticising them.
Just frustration I presume and i'm sure he'll see things differently this morning but bad form all the same.
I'd like to see Gerrard behind Rooney for the next game and a start for Joe Cole.
Capello absolutely must change things around now and those players need to get off their arses and show some spirt that's been severely lacking up to now, if they want to get to the last 16.We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
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Originally posted by The C Kid View PostAnelka sent home for abusing Domenech!
"Go screw yourself you dirty son of a whore"
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
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Originally posted by Bless You View PostDanny (or anyone),
Do you buy into this "..it's been a long season in the Premiership and players are tired'' excuse that's being mentioned?
Whatever about formations or team selection, I think they've chocked tbh.
Rabbits in the headlights and they've collectively frozen,manager included.
There's alot of quality players in that squad and they couldn't even string a few passes together against one of the poorer teams in the competion, that's just shocking.
They have to win on Wednesday, the fear of losing isn't a factor anymore so I hope to see a different England, I can't say i'm exactly full of confidence though, i'm at a loss to understand it all really.We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
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Originally posted by dannydiamond View PostNah, not really, there may be a small element of fatigue after a pretty full last few weeks of the season but alot of players/teams are in the same boat.
Whatever about formations or team selection, I think they've chocked tbh.
Rabbits in the headlights and they've collectively frozen,manager included.
There's alot of quality players in that squad and they couldn't even string a few passes together against one of the poorer teams in the competion, that's just shocking.
They have to win on Wednesday, the fear of losing isn't a factor anymore so I hope to see a different England, I can't say i'm exactly full of confidence though, i'm at a loss to understand it all really.
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Originally posted by KevIRL View PostEngland will win Wednesday, finish second in the group. Germany though will also finish second, England will end up playing Ghana/Serbia and pox a win. QF and all be good again
Yeah, I still think they'll win on Wednesday, the shackles will be off in a way but Slovenia will definately fancy it and after whats gone on nothing would surprise me!We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit.
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I was going to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the group stages but Ghana are just way too big a price. I'm hammering them today, its certain to be a very bad world cup for me if they don't win.'Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you' - Bill Belichick
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Originally posted by eagle eye View PostI was going to sit on the sidelines for the rest of the group stages but Ghana are just way too big a price. I'm hammering them today, its certain to be a very bad world cup for me if they don't win.Profit before people.
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Originally posted by Rekop Dog View PostYour criminally over-rating African teams. Thought they where pretty lucky to win they're first game and reckon Aus will do them here!'Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you' - Bill Belichick
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Originally posted by tylerdurden94 View PostI do find the rule about 2 yellow cards in different games will earn you a one match ban fucking redic!
Plus can then not cross the fucking ball!
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Guest
The problem with the English midfield:
/blah
standard rant 101:
The problem with the English midfield is that none of them are midfielders with the exception of Joe Cole.
With the exception of Joe Cole none of them would look comfortable in the Spanish, Dutch or Brazilian teams.
Alan Shearer was going on about the inability to hit simple 20 yard passes last night, thats not the problem, the problem is the lack of interest in hitting 5 yard passes.
In a 442 system these players will look static, it is not a problem with 442 in of itself as the excuse makers are claiming its down to the players.
The English players take up positions too far apart from each other on the pitch for a 442 to have any fluid movement, this is due as I said after their last game to the pivot/brains of any English league team has historically been an Irish/Scottish/Foreign lad sitting in the middle providing the link between the back and the rest.
When the English have had player like this (Steve McMahon for example) they have been treated like they didn't belong in the English side.
Also some of the English players would be more comfortable on smaller pitches (FrankL)
England need to play 4-5-1 in order to force their players closer to each other and therefore force them to PASS the ball simply.
I would drop Lampard if their was anyone in the squad worthy of taking his place, there is not (lol at playing Scholes/Gerrard out of position for years for him btw)
Even thought Lennon is better I would play Wright-Phillips on the right instead of Lennon for one reason, he gets involved more and is willing to play short passes, basically he has more hustle and hustle is exactly what Engerland need right now
I lost my train of thought when the Aussies scored, was going to back Ghana but a couple of injuries picked up in training and knowing nothing of their backup players put me off.
-------------------------James---------------------------
Johnson----------Upson-----Terry-----------A.Cole
-------------------Barry----------------------
Wright-Phillips----------------Lampard--------J.Cole
-----------------Gerrard------------------------
----------------------------Rooney (if fit)
(Hart and Dawson would start if they had any experience)
tl;dr Its all Maggie Thacher's fault for selling the playing fields in the 80's
/blah
That should save some poor sod getting an earful of shyte off me later
*Ghana's for the losing now
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Originally posted by cardshark202 View Postvery harsh red card for kewell.'Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you' - Bill Belichick
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Originally posted by eagle eye View PostNothing harsh about it, he clearly moved to block the ball with his arm, thats a definite red card.
Definite red by the letter of the low, but in this instance it's a harsh one.
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I finally got around to reading up on some of these rules (http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html)
Handling the ball involves a deliberate act of a player making contact with
the ball with his hand or arm. The referee must take the following into
consideration:
• the movement of the hand towards the ball (not the ball towards the hand)
• the distance between the opponent and the ball (unexpected ball)
• the position of the hand does not necessarily mean that there is an
infringement
• touching the ball with an object held in the hand (clothing, shinguard, etc.)
counts as an infringement
• hitting the ball with a thrown object (boot, shinguard, etc.) counts as an
infringement
Also...
In the context of Law 11 – Offside, the following definitions apply:
• “nearer to his opponents’ goal line” means that any part of a player’s
head, body or feet is nearer to his opponents’ goal line than both the
ball and the second-last opponent. The arms are not included in this
definition
• “interfering with play” means playing or touching the ball passed or
touched by a team-mate
• “interfering with an opponent” means preventing an opponent
from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing
the opponent’s line of vision or movements or making a gesture or
movement which, in the opinion of the referee, deceives or distracts an
opponent
• “gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball
that rebounds to him off a goalpost or the crossbar having been in an
offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent
having been in an offside position
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Originally posted by cardshark202 View PostHe didn't really move his arm to the ball. He had to try block it but I don't think he intentionally went to block it with his arm.
Is it a no win situation for the ref though? If you say Kewall didn't do it deliberately then you have to also not send off the guy who is cute about it. I still wouldn't send them off tho. Imo etc.Last edited by The Tourist; 19-06-10, 15:16.
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What I'm not liking is how much players are getting away with calling for cards for their rivals this competition. every decision, you see players shouting and waving their hands to symbolise a red or yellow card. What happened to when you'd get one yourself for that behaviour?http://mobro.co/zuroph
donate to my hairy lip!
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Originally posted by Howard_Finkel View PostYou loaded on at 2.25 or thereabouts and got out somewhere between 3.5 and 4.9 and your in the green. Am I Reading it right
Edit: I went in again at 7.2 after they went down 1-0.Last edited by eagle eye; 19-06-10, 15:51.'Mental Toughness is doing the right thing for the team when it's not the best thing for you' - Bill Belichick
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Guest
Denamrk are an extremely average team and Cameroon will not light up any matches by their standards. I predict a draw and a very boring match.
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Originally posted by Rekop Dog View PostGhana in 50 yards off target shot shocker!
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lol at yer one on rte saying we are going over to micheallyster for the sunday game live
its still only saturdayLast edited by Angry-Ball; 19-06-10, 16:09.
"Remember the time he ate my goldfish? And you lied and said I never had goldfish. Then why did I have the bowl, Bart? Why did I have the bowl?"
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Originally posted by kevirl View Postup downhttp://mobro.co/zuroph
donate to my hairy lip!
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Anelka, whose nickname is “The Incredible Sulk,” reportedly told Domenech: “Go f–k yourself. You dirty son of a bitch.” He was grinning at the end of the match, after France lost 2-0 to Mexico without mustering a shot on target.
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Originally posted by cooker3 View PostYeah, with the rate of yellow cards given out, it needs a huge overhaul. It's the same with the champions league. Fifa and Uefas constant insistence that their biggest showcases are ruined by red cards and the best players being suspended is so bizarre. I just don't get it."you raise, i kill you" El Tren :{)
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Guest
Originally posted by thedini View PostBollox, Hamann has finished his stint with the RTE, thought he was class.
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Originally posted by bubbleking View PostDown + 2
Meath - 2
Denmark
Lumpage agus shipage imminentYou are technically correct...the best kind of correct
World Record Holder for Long Distance Soul Reads: May 7th 2011
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