I think the story related to the fall of the ASL in the 1920s and 1930s really hits the point.

In other words, association football (soccer) did not gain a permanent presence in the American consciousness when other sports succeeded in doing so.

As far as comments about meritocracy and such, that's just hyperbolic intellectual conjecture -- in other words, hogwash.

Mike from Morgantown

I dont get it either chewy. People just dont relate to it in the states sadly, so they cant stand watching it.

Football Commentator: Well, Ron Manager, once again the pace and the tempo of that first half totally dictated by the boy wonder, Ryan Giggs.
Ron Manager: Cor, Ryan Giggs, you know? Giggsy, isn't it? Mmm? Giggsy-wiggsy? Mmm? Oh! Ryan-y Giggsy-wiggsy. Isn't it? You know, marvellous.
Tommy: Is he the new George Best?
Ron Manager: Is George Best the old Ryan Giggs? But Giggsy-wiggsy. Precocious talent, isn't he? Mmm? Ooh, got it all, you know? Speed, acceleration, sweet left foot, all the tricks - the dummy, the drop of the shoulder, the shimmy, nutmeg, jiggery-pokery, hocus pocus, abracadabra, I wanna reach out and grab ya. Steve Miller Band? Spin Doctors? Ooh, very similar.
Football Commentator: Thank you, Ron. Now, Tommy, it's interesting to see the diamond formation being used again.
Ron Manager: Diamond formation? Does anyone really know what that is? I mean, at least you knew where you were with Alf Ramsey's wingless wonders. You know? 4-4-2, 4-2-4, 4-3-3... 0898 654000, freephone double glazing?
Football Commentator: You've lost me there, Ron. Not sure about that particular formation. But, Tommy, do we need structure? Look at the Brazilians.
Ron Manager: Oh, those Brazilians, you know? Circa 1970? Broke the mould. Theory out the window. Free expression of football. Uncategorisable. Is that a word? It is now! You know? Far cry from small boys in the park, jumpers for goalposts. Rush goalie. Two at the back, three in the middle, four up front, one's gone home for his tea. Beans on toast? Possibly, don't quote me on that. Marvellous.

It's because Americans don't understand deep complex technical analysis like that so how can the play it.

I bet pelosi moves with the speed and agility of Gollum, and Mcconnel reminds me of a Tonberry, Reid on the other hand reminds me of Mclovin so im not sure what im saying but i think id buy it on pay per view.

... wow. Talk about, "Once you see it, you can never unsee it."

im sorry, friend.

Wow some nice American hating going on here, always lovely to see.

Anyway, I'd say the reason we don't like soccer is that we just have way too many sports to choose from. From Football, basketball, baseball, Hockey and now the growing popularity of Nascar and lacrosse. Soccer just falls by the wayside.

Other countries have just as big a list of sports or even more but manage to watch football.

I always thought americans just don't like sports that just use mainly feet and legs. Sports like soccer, cycling, kickboxing, swimming ect. are not big in the usa but are huge elsewere in the world. You must be able to use your hands if you want to be a major sports force in america.

Doesn't the US have like the best women soccer team?

and that's the answer... US=women soccer popular= only ugly women play=people don't like to watch ugly women= soccer doesn't get any more popular...