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Re: Why the Premier League Can Only Get Bigger in the U.S. | EPL Talk

Bob — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:44:09 -0000

I have to completely agree with Kartik. As an american soccer fan I identify with alot of the things he says. I cant ever recall watching a full EPL game, mostly becuase I am not willing as he said to purchase something like sentanta and secondly becuase I have no emotional interest in the league. The only teams I follow at all are Fulham and Everton, and that is becuase of the american players such as Tim Howard and others. I do however watch several MLS games a week, I care much more about my league than some other countries. Games between US teams and Foriegn teams (especially mexico) have my interest 1000 times more than something like Barca vs Madrid or Manchester United vs Liverpool. Being born in Germany I like Bundesliga but that is simply to hard to follow and watch in the US. I have no way of watching the games, and even with that I like the MLS and US National team much more.

Another reason is that simply put, I want to the USA to be the best in the world. Me and probably every other american soccer fan does to. Watching EPL games is not going to do that, going to and watching MLS games is.

I also think many of the things he says holds true with non soccer fans to. While I can get some of my friends to watch the USA-Mexico game or chicago in the MLS cup playoffs, good luck trying to get them to watch some european game. The reason is that they like their town and country, and being in the U.S we always have someone to make fun of after we beat their country. ( and sometimes vice versa)

Simply put americans like "american" better, and I think the biggest facor in choosing a league to follow is having some connection that makes you care.

Re: Why the Premier League Can Only Get Bigger in the U.S. | EPL Talk

Bob — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 22:33:49 -0000

Stan,

As you bring up the quality between the leagues I think it is important to mention that the gap is much smaller than most people believe. "MLS Sucks", is the comment when you ever menion the league. But as the years goe by more and more people are realizing that it doesnt, and assuming that it keeps improving this is the only possible thing that can happen.

As it stands now the All star team(who practice only once before playing) beat teams such as Chelsea, and other decorated european teams. Regardless of being in the preseason that is an acomplishment, if the league sucked as much as most people say then that team would be getting blown out 5-0 at least.

The national team is in the top 20 in the world, and its chances at beating a team such as england are very reasonable.

A perfect example of this is south americans, I find in general they respect the league far more than europeons. The reason is that they see US soccer teams come up against theres all the time. They realize that for the most part it is pretty even. They have been exposed to the league through international competitions and recognize it for what it is. Europeons by contrast have not seen much of the league and stick to the stereotypical "americans suck at soccer".

For instance exchange students from mexico come up to me and say" Lets go to an MLS game" I want to see one while I am here. Europeons who have not been exposed to the league only make snide comments.

As time goes by people can only learn more and more about it and see the quality for themselves. As they do they will respect the league and have no problem choosing it over the EPL.

Ignorance is the main factor keeping EPL interest alive today. The other factor is being from europe, but as the generations go by the conection to europe will be less and less. The connection to the US will be more and more. The quality of the US league will go up.

As I see it interst can only go down.

Re: Fulham FC: American Grit

Bob — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:04:00 -0000

If McBride and Keller stay fit and healthy, plus stick around for next year, Fulham has a great platform for pushing higher up the rankings.

I disagree about Johnson, I think he definitly has the quality to play for Fulham. Once he gets established in the team I believe he will become an offensive power. You have to remember that he went from the offseason to fulham. Even so he almost scored several times, next season he will net a few goals and hopefully earn a starting spot. He probably would have scored this year if he hadnt become sick and unable to play.

And as an American Fulham is definitly my favorite club in the EPL, followed by Everton with Tim Howard.