Re:Why isn't the U.S. better at soccer?
by rauljordan2020 on Sunday June 07, 2026 @07:54PM
(#48439868)
I'm from Honduras, which is also quite a poor country, and the sport (soccer) is all we do and all everyone talks about. It's a core part of our society and a core part just what one does as a human, so since we are kids we think of always kicking a ball around no matter where you are, even fashioning balls from socks tied together or rubber bands, and we all learn how to control them really well even barefoot, in difficult terrain, in rain, sun, shine, anything. It isn't a structured activity. Coming to the US I realized so many American sports need a ton of setup...lots of expensive equipment, a full squad, a special field (baseball), etc. and not just something you can do easily on the street with your friends. It isn't "lived and breathed" as it is where I'm from, and we have so many incredible players. Unfortunately, we are a poor country so the best players won't become professionals and instead pursue other careers, so our national team isn't great, but I know guys that could easily be pros in Europe if they went down that path
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Re:Why isn't the U.S. better at soccer?
by _DeadFred_ on Sunday June 07, 2026 @10:38PM
(#48440768)
In the US we had the same but for pickup American football. We played on the street in the neighborhood every night, and had standing games at a kind centralized empty field on Sat/Sunday where everyone know to just show up and there'd be a game, or after it rained (mud football). Only equipment was a football or a nerf football. Kids are kids :)
Re:Why isn't the U.S. better at soccer?
by 1659447091 on Monday June 08, 2026 @12:18AM
(#48441278)
> We played on the street in the neighborhood every night
Street light to utility box
Re:Why isn't the U.S. better at soccer?
by rauljordan2020 on Tuesday June 09, 2026 @03:53PM
(#48466727)
I would argue it isn't the same. Not every single American male grow up playing American football. It is fragmented across the country. However, for us, almost every single human has the experience of soccer being an integral part of our lives at every stage of it, from toddler to adulthood. It's so pervasive it is part of our core vocabulary and idioms, the govt shuts down when real madrid vs barcelona play, and everyone comes together over a single cause, no matter young or old. Soccer covers every aspect of our lives over there.