[MidWest]

Come on guys, what's with the U.S. backlash?

Too violent? Really?

Do people really think the U.S. is that violent? I seriously doubt tourists would wander off into neighborhoods they know they aren't suppose to go to, which is common sense in any country. I'm sure Brazil and South Africa would fare better security wise .


Too big?

Right and Brazil and Russia are small.


Too expensive?

Again, Europeans use Euros while Americans use dollars. If anything it would be cheaper for Europeans to travel to America than vice-versa. How exactly is it more expensive?


No soccer tradition?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions about America. The U.S. does have a tradition of soccer. Soccer is played at a very young age by American kids all over the country. Where do you guys think the term "soccer mom" comes from? If you go to major cities all across the U.S. you will see people playing soccer in public parks, especially Hispanics. Its extremely popular with children and with women as well. The U.S. has two women's world cups already. We love soccer, don't get it twisted. I'm willing to bet that the U.S. is more of a soccer country than even South Africa and Japan, yet those countries were given world cups.


No historical stadiums?

Really?

Soldier Field (Chicago, Illinois)
Louisiana Superdome (New Orleans)
Ohio Stadium (Columbus, Ohio)
Michigan Stadium (Ann Arbor, Michigan)
Notre Dame Stadium (Notre Dame, Indiana)
Cowboy Stadium (Dallas, Texas)
Houston Astrodome (Houston, Texas)
Rose Bowl Stadium (Pasadena, California)
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles, California)
Lambeau Field (Green Bay, Wisconsin)

We got more than enough historical stadiums. More so than many other of these other countries who have hosted the event in the past like Japan, South Africa and even Qatar in 2022, (not sure about Russia). Soldier Field and the LA Coliseum were built not specifically for American football perse, but for past Olympics. Playing in these stadiums is no joke and quite an honor. Also the U.S. has the luxury in that they don't have to spend out of their minds for new stadiums. They already have them, and loads of them.


I'm sorry, but you guys are not going to convince me that having the world cup in Qatar, Russia, Japan/Korea and South Africa, Australia would be better off than having it in the U.S. I don't even find the reasons you guy talked about convincing at all.

The U.S. is a country of sports athletes, passionate sports fans, sports are our favorite pastime, which is only fitting that the U.S. hosts it again. Americans want to host the world cup, you can bet on it, we love big sporting events and we love to party.

[Designate]

(05-28-2015 05:56 PM)Foolsgo1d Wrote:  

How many guns, gangs and nutjobs roam the streets of the USA?

The USA is too big and too violent compared to the UK and very costly.

Dude the last two WCs were in Brazil and South Africa, two countries no stranger to violence, gangs and nutjobs. The Continental US is a smaller area than Brazil and obviously has better infrastructure, so I don't see how that is relevant in terms of criteria either. We get that guns are scary, but you are grasping for straws at this point.

The only areas the UK excels above the US that matter are the pure footballing history/love of the game and the world class football infrastructure you have.

The fact is the 94' World Cup remains the most attended World Cup in history and that was even before the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams. The overall popularity of the sport has never been greater here and next US WC will be a cash machine for anyone with a stake in it.

At the end of the day, this is a BUSINESS and these people are not stupid, they will select the US over the UK.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Midwest,
The stadiums you mentioned may be rich with history and tradition in their respective sports, but not in football! Few people if any, outside of the US, have heard about them. I for one, have not heard of most of these and I've been living for the better part of 20 years in Canada! So imagine someone living in Europe, Africa or Asia. On the other hand, the stadiums mentioned in the UK are icons in the world's game, football. Every fan, from kids to older guys from the 4 corners of the globe, has been watching countless games from these legendary venues.

My argument was not the US vs Japan/SK, Australia, Canada, China, Russia or that farce called Qatar. But rather US vs the UK. No way that any football fan would take a WC in the US vs in England/UK. That is the argument in here.

However, If we are talking about having the world cup in either of US, Japan/SK, Australia, Canada, China, then they'd be in the same category and it'd be a toss up. It would be an exotic destination. And I would agree with you that among these, the US would be one of the better choices.

Regarding Russia, they have a strong and proud football tradition. They wouldn't be in the "exotic" locations category.

I hope that the new and cleaned up FIFA heads won't remove the 2018 from Russia as that would be a massive faux pas politically and could trigger the spark to start a global conflit. The 2022 WC however, must be removed from Qatar at all costs and given to a better suited option. One of the only good thing about the current FIFA heritage is that of alternating WCS between Europe and SA/Asia/Africa/NA. In that case, Australia, Canada, China, US would be the main candidates for 2022. Then in 2026, back to Europe and England/UK.

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

This is Sepp Blatter.

[Hotwheels]

soccer is gay.

Hotwheels out.

[Saweeep]

Fenerbhace

45,000 at Anfield

90,000 at the San Siro

Roma Vs Lazio

Dortmund fans

Anyone who doesn't recognise the difference between holding a world cup in Europe and the Us has just never been to a big European football match. The atmosphere is electric and like nothing else.

[Akula]

^^^^I don't think any of us advocating the US as the substitute for Qatar in 2022 are saying "the US would be better than the UK or Europe" as a World Cup venue (even though the 1994 is apparently still the most attended World Cup in history!).

What we are saying is that it would be a great decision to have the US as the backup and the country is more than ready for it + the soccer (er, football) passion here is much stronger now that it was even 20-30 years ago. Would be a huge event and the US is particularly adept at hosting large sporting events - probably more than any other country on the planet, historical stadiums and overall passion aside.

And as MidWest and some others pointed out, the Mexico games would basically be home games and I would strongly disagree that the atmosphere there would not be as good as Europe. It could (would?) be even more intimidating than most places in Europe I'd say, including Turkey. The US home games will be nuts too - even though we are not a great side Americans jump on the US national team bandwagon like you would not believe. We sold out women's World Cup games. It will be a crazy atmosphere!

Remember, the US has so many more modern stadiums than Europe and most other places it's not even funny. There are football-specific stadiums where MLS teams play in (usually smaller, like 30,000 - 40,000 seats). Then there are tons of 90,000 - 100,000 seat stadiums across the country that would likely but full for the matches. Some are for college sports, others for the professional teams. These aren't old crappy Maracana-type stadiums either but newer or refurbished ones that get lost of use. And re American football stadiums, well, they are well-suited for international football usually (although many now have artificial turf, would have to deal with that).

As has been stated, it's not a "US or Europe" decision anyway....it's not Europe's turn, so from what I understand they cannot host it in lieu of Qatar, therefore the US is supposedly the de facto replacement for Qatar.

[Foolsgo1d]

(05-28-2015 06:18 PM)Cattle Rustler Wrote:  

^spoken like someone who has never been to the US and only get his updates from the news.

Spoken by someone who has never thought for one moment the UK is that much safer and better than the USA when it comes to football tournaments or in general.

So you're saying the USA isn't the most violent developed country on Earth? I've seen enough examples outside of the MSM to know different. That country is literally embedded with media but somehow it isn't an actual representation because of choice media outlet stories?

When people go to Brazil and Africa they expect some form of violence unless they're completely ignorant. The US has some weird social harmony going on that is alien to European countries.

Quote:

At the end of the day, this is a BUSINESS and these people are not stupid, they will select the US over the UK.

This business is full of greased palms. Considering the US is cracking down on such a business right now I would think FIFA would think twice before going to the USA with their baby.

And FIFA hate the English FA so it is that first and foremost.

[JamesW95]

Did someone just say that the atmosphere in America would be more intimidating than Turkey?

You guys are nuts.

[Matelot]

You can't overstate how much the British/Europeans love Football. It is the central focus of people's lives. A Football Club (notice it isn't a 'franchise') is a family alliance that goes back generations, mostly by location but can also be due to political or religious reasons. You're born in to a club and it becomes part of you, like having brown hair or blue eyes. So much so that fathers will stop their offspring from dating or socialising with supporters of a rival club. People have fought and died defending the honour of their club. American sports fans can never rival that passion. It really is our raison d'être.

Despite this I'd like to see the 2022 tournament given to the USA as a reward for doing something useful with their global policeman status. For a long time FIFA have been too big to touch, and the power of the 'Pax Americana' has done the beautiful game a great justice.

[turkishcandy]

(05-29-2015 07:39 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  

Did someone just say that the atmosphere in America would be more intimidating than Turkey?

You guys are nuts.

Relevant 02:45

[Akula]

(05-29-2015 07:39 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  

Did someone just say that the atmosphere in America would be more intimidating than Turkey?

You guys are nuts.

hah - you fell for my bait

And no - nobody said what you just stated.

First, I (we) never mentioned Turkey specifically but spoke of Europe in general. Second, yes I did specify that certain Mexican games would essentially be "home games" and thus about as intense as most of the European leagues. Maybe moreso than many countries in Europe, but maybe not England, Spain, Italy etc. Turkey? I dunno - do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico when they play the US sometimes? But I never specifically mentioned Turkey.

Anyway, I'd say the Mexican fans are about as die-hard as anywhere else in the world I've seen. So to clarify - are you saying that the Mexican fans are not as intense as European national team fans in general? That Mexicans in particular don't live and breathe football like many Europeans? Well, I think they do, and thus some of the games featuring Mexico will almost be like home games if the WC was played in the US, so yeah it would be very intense. Almost as intense as a home game hosted in Mexico - but not quite I'd say.

Nowhere did I imply that the US team would get the same support or have the same atmosphere, but it would still be good.

If you guys think Europe generally has this special sort of "super intense fan game" that's somehow better than Mexico or many other places in the world I think you're over-inflating the intensity of your fandom vis-a-vis many other countries. But I guess it of course depends on the country.

[Matelot]

*Do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico?*

Try coins, bricks, bottles, and flares. In 2000 when Figo returned to the Nou Camp someone threw a pig's head at him. A couple of years ago someone threw a live chicken on the pitch in a Premier League game. I can also remember in the 90's when Juventus fans threw a moped on to the pitch from one of the upper tiers. I imagine a Besiktas - Fenerbahche game would see all sorts of shit ending up on the pitch.

Thankfully it's almost non-existent in the modern English game, due to the clamp down on Hooliganism after the Heysel and Hillsborough tragedies. Most of the big European clubs have started to put nets around the pitch to stop the problem.

[Dark Knowledge]

USA 94' still remains the most attended world cup in history. Regardless of the facilities in England, USA has MEGA stadiums that are just as good as anywhere in the world.





As for the atmosphere, some of you forget that there is a huge immigrant population in the USA. Just look at anytime a Brazil or Argentina play a game on US soil. Remember this isn't club football. Some of you posted examples of tifo not even seen in international play.

[Barron]

Saying the US fan base doesn't compare to the UK's is inaccurate. The US's 2014 WC matches (which were televised mid-day & mid-week here) received higher views than the Yankee - Red Socks world series (televised at prime time). The sport has grown tremendously in the US in the past decade and will continue to do so through 2022 and beyond. I credit Phil Nike for much of the growth as Nike has been the sole pioneering force in materials for boots and balls which have upped the speed, scores, and overall skills seen in the game today since the early 2000's.

Second, there would undoubtedly be rioting and looting in the UK if the WC was hosted there because...

Surprise..!

Your team CHOKES in World Cups

[Saweeep]

(05-29-2015 08:00 AM)turkishcandy Wrote:  

(05-29-2015 07:39 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  

Did someone just say that the atmosphere in America would be more intimidating than Turkey?

You guys are nuts.

Relevant 02:45

That video sends tingles down my spine...definitely on my list of games I have to watch in the flesh!

It's just laughable comparing US sports to the atmospheres of football in Europe.

I've been to big sports events in the states.

Typical American attitude to everything: our stadiums and population is bigger therefore we win.

Yeeehaaa.

[aSimpNamedBrokeback]

(05-29-2015 10:00 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

Typical American attitude to everything: our stadiums and population is bigger therefore we win.

Yeeehaaa.

along with better infrastructure, accommodations. Every NFL city in the US could host a WC game without doing any prep work other than changing the field. Even collage cities like Columbus and Ann Arbor could host a game with no problems.

[beta_plus]

(05-27-2015 01:30 PM)The Ligurian Wrote:  

(05-27-2015 11:26 AM)Grange Wrote:  

On what grounds is this actionable in US courts?

Because they put their bribes through US accounts. Idiots.

They'll have a decade in jail to think about that decision.

Good riddance.

I keep wondering if the world's big drug cartels and mafias are looking at how FIFA got caught and saying to themselves "Fucking Amateur hour, man ..."

[beta_plus]

(05-29-2015 10:32 AM)aSimpNamedBrokeback Wrote:  

(05-29-2015 10:00 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

Typical American attitude to everything: our stadiums and population is bigger therefore we win.

Yeeehaaa.

along with better infrastructure, accommodations. Every NFL city in the US could host a WC game without doing any prep work other than changing the field. Even collage cities like Columbus and Ann Arbor could host a game with no problems.

We also tend to have much nicer and affordable hotel rooms and more of them - and that doesn't include AirBnB. For ready to go infrastructure for big events, we just have more of it. America has many flaws, but when it comes to big events and busting crooks who get sloppy hiding their money, we're really good.

Forget the entire US, Texas could probably host the thing with little difficulty - with much of it in covered stadiums

[beta_plus]

(05-28-2015 08:54 AM)VolandoVengoVolandoVoy Wrote:  

(05-28-2015 08:40 AM)African.horn Wrote:  

Corruption aside, I find the notion of non-Americans being dragged back to America to serve sentencing for really worrying. Despite them contravening the law, it's in relation to a Swiss based corporation on European soil. They just can't help themselves but get involved.

Official reason being given is they used US Dollars and some American banks.

There was a lot more that went on in the USA than an IP address or a bank transfer.

This article gives some good detail on the beginning of the case and the key informant, a fat greedy American soccer dad who was president of CONCACAF.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/20...-fifa.html

Quote:

By several accounts, Warner subsequently became less than circumspect about Blazer’s considerable excesses. Word of them reached the U.S. attorney’s office in Brooklyn. The day came in November 2011 when agents from the FBI and the IRS approached Blazer as he cruised a Manhattan street in a motorized scooter. The IRS takes a very dim view of those who pilfer millions and do not even file their taxes for a decade.

As was first reported by the New York Daily News, the agents offered Blazer a simple proposition: “We can take you away in handcuffs now—or you can cooperate.”

By the News’s account, the agents subsequently presented Blazer with a keychain containing a miniature microphone and directed him to record a series of meetings with FIFA officials.

Basically FIFA officials were running an international criminal conspiracy similar to the Mafia. One of their bases of operations was the USA.

Blazer could be consdered a Capo or underboss. Blatter would be the Capo de Tutti Capi, Boss of Bosses, the real Don.

It is completely appropriate to have the USA prosecute this case.

Under RICO and other laws, the bosses of a criminal conspiracy have joint responsibilities for any and all criminal activities carried out by their co conspirators, whether or not they directly ordered or participated in those actions.

The US has cooperated in the past with Italy for tackling the Mafia in both countires. I'm also wondering if FIFA did something as well to get the Swiss authorities really angry with them. They don't seem very reluctant to help the US in this case.

[Saweeep]

(05-29-2015 11:41 AM)beta_plus Wrote:  

(05-29-2015 10:32 AM)aSimpNamedBrokeback Wrote:  

(05-29-2015 10:00 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

Typical American attitude to everything: our stadiums and population is bigger therefore we win.

Yeeehaaa.

along with better infrastructure, accommodations. Every NFL city in the US could host a WC game without doing any prep work other than changing the field. Even collage cities like Columbus and Ann Arbor could host a game with no problems.

We also tend to have much nicer and affordable hotel rooms and more of them.

Cheaper hotels rooms are offset by having to travel 10000 miles to get there for most of the wealthier fans i.e. Europeans.

As for infrastructure? Better in the US than where exactly?

Step outside the bubble gents!

[Saweeep]

To get this thread back on track.

Sepp won re-election today...the gravy train rumbles onward!!

[MidWest]

(05-29-2015 08:03 AM)Akula Wrote:  

(05-29-2015 07:39 AM)JamesW95 Wrote:  

Did someone just say that the atmosphere in America would be more intimidating than Turkey?

You guys are nuts.

hah - you fell for my bait

And no - nobody said what you just stated.

First, I (we) never mentioned Turkey specifically but spoke of Europe in general. Second, yes I did specify that certain Mexican games would essentially be "home games" and thus about as intense as most of the European leagues. Maybe moreso than many countries in Europe, but maybe not England, Spain, Italy etc. Turkey? I dunno - do the Turks throw bags of urine and batteries at the opposing players & fans like they do in Mexico when they play the US sometimes? But I never specifically mentioned Turkey.

Anyway, I'd say the Mexican fans are about as die-hard as anywhere else in the world I've seen. So to clarify - are you saying that the Mexican fans are not as intense as European national team fans in general? That Mexicans in particular don't live and breathe football like many Europeans? Well, I think they do, and thus some of the games featuring Mexico will almost be like home games if the WC was played in the US, so yeah it would be very intense. Almost as intense as a home game hosted in Mexico - but not quite I'd say.

Nowhere did I imply that the US team would get the same support or have the same atmosphere, but it would still be good.

If you guys think Europe generally has this special sort of "super intense fan game" that's somehow better than Mexico or many other places in the world I think you're over-inflating the intensity of your fandom vis-a-vis many other countries. But I guess it of course depends on the country.

To add to this, cool fact,

Guess who bought the most tickets after Brazilians for the 2014 world cup? That's right, the U.S. with around 155,000 tickets bought, and it is estimated that over 50% of those tickets came from Mexican Americans who made the trip down to Brazil to root for Mexico.

Quote:

It's no surprise that Brazilian fans have bought more tickets than any other nation for this summer's World Cup but the second-biggest buyers might not be so obvious.
The USA isn't regarded as a hotbed of football fandom but supporters from across the pond have snapped up 154,412 tickets for the showpiece event.
That's more than three times the amount of any other country, with Australia (40,681) and England (38,043) trailing in third and fourth.

Full Source

Also

Quote:

The number of fans cheering Mexico at the World Cup has taken observers in Brazil by surprise. But talk to those waving the green, white and red, and it becomes clear that when the tournament ends, many will return home not to Mexico, but to the United States.


"That's the talk here," said Juan Chacón, a Mexico supporter who lives in Texas. "We're asking each other, 'Where did so many come from?'"

The U.S. has seen steady growth in its Hispanic population, which now makes up 17 percent of the total population, or 53 million people. About two-thirds of those trace their roots to Mexico. At the same time, strong earning power in the United States makes it easier for Mexicans and Mexican-Americans living there to afford the trip to Brazil. Per-capital annual income in the U.S. is $47,000, compared to $9,000 in Mexico.

Full Source

This was so fascinating, that many Brazilians were shocked at how many Mexicans were speaking English with each other at the World Cup

Quote:

The fact that Mexico is so integrated with the United States has surprised many Brazilians in Fortaleza in recent days, as locals were initially confused why some groups of soccer fans in Mexico jerseys spoke to each other in English, or also cheered for the U.S.

Full Source

A lot of people are underestimating the passion of Mexicans-and Mexican Americans for soccer in the U.S. Can you imagine having the U.S. host the world cup and rich Mexicans from Mexico making the easy trip to cities all over the southwest? It would be unbelievable.

I understand that the English love their football, but so do we.

I wouldn't underestimate the Mexico vs. USA rivalry either. Its not only a rivalry of teams, but it extends beyond that and it becomes socially and politically as well. And describes an issue of identity for many Mexican Americans. Whenever these two teams face-off, best believe it gets packed and the atmosphere and passion is off the charts.

[Vacancier Permanent]

Beautiful videos man!
Atmosphere at a football stadium in Europe and even more so in South America, especially Brasil and Argentina are out of this world. One of the most unforgettable atmospheres I've witnessed was at la Bonbonera in Buenos Aires for a couple of Boca Juniors matches. Absolutely unreal! Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. It has to be experienced as no word can describe it.

I'd love to to experience a match or two at Celtics Park in Glasgow to watch Celtics play as they have one of the most passionate fans anywhere.

Atmosphere at American sports are very lame in comparison. People are just sitting, watching the game while guzzling down jugs of pop or beer with pop corn. American sports are spectator sports as the crowd is there just to see a show, bit get involved. At most you hear Defence Defence Defence,laughable to say the least. Contrast that to a football match in Europe or South America where the crowd is into it, singing, chanting, fans having beautiful choreographies at the beginning of the game and throughout it. Flags waving everywhere. It's a show within the show.

I strongly urge and Invite all the Americans in here to go watch a football game in their travels in Europe and South America. I can guarantee you will be blown away and will be hooked and realize right away how boring in contrast American sports are (except the NBA that is! ).

Turkish Candy, could you translate what the Fenerbace fans are singing? Looks amazing! Watching a Galatasaray-Fenerbahce match is high on my list of things to experience, similar to a Celtics-Rangers or a Boca-River live at the stadium.

(05-29-2015 05:01 AM)CrashBangWallop Wrote:  

Fenerbhace

45,000 at Anfield

90,000 at the San Siro

Roma Vs Lazio

Dortmund fans

Anyone who doesn't recognise the difference between holding a world cup in Europe and the Us has just never been to a big European football match. The atmosphere is electric and like nothing else.

[heavy]

The most heated thread since Apps vs No Apps