Why Do American Parents Choose Soccer?

[The Brain]

I’m not looking to badmouth soccer here. Like most Americans I find it incredibly boring but I know it’s extremely popular throughout the rest of the world. I know there are a lot of soccer fans on this forum and I respect that. It’s just a simple fact that soccer is not very popular in the United States. Despite that there are parents all over the country that sign their kids up for soccer leagues. I don’t get it. These people wouldn’t give a professional soccer game five minutes of their time yet they insist on getting their kids involved in the sport.

I’m all about getting kids involved in physical activities and teaching them about teamwork and competition, but why not baseball or basketball; you know sports people in this country actually care about? It’s fine if a kid wants to play soccer but I doubt that many eight year olds are making that choice for themselves. If given a choice I’m sure they would choose something they actually had some exposure to. Don’t you think a kid would rather emulate Albert Pujols or Kobe Bryant than….I can’t even name a single person who plays Major League Soccer in the US.

So why are American parents choosing soccer over baseball or basketball for their kids?

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Pareants get a bad rep. Most parents just want their kids to be active and healthy. The parents that use their kids to fulfill their own wasted youth or try to get them on SportsCenter are few and far between.

Soccer is a popular youth sport for many reasons. Kids are starting activities at earlier ages. At 3, 4 and 5 most kids can't catch, throw, hit, dribble and shoot. Most kids can run and kick a ball. It is easier for a little girl to learn to play soccer than other sports.

Like you said soccer is a physical activity. I think it is far more active and physical than baseball. Unlike basketball it is generally played outside. Parents want their kids outside.

Finally safety, soccer has a reputation as being safer than other sports. I don't agree with that necessarily but that is what most people believe. Parents want their kids to be safe.

 

[alexikosalov]

I’m not looking to badmouth soccer here. Like most Americans I find it incredibly boring but I know it’s extremely popular throughout the rest of the world. I know there are a lot of soccer fans on this forum and I respect that. It’s just a simple fact that soccer is not very popular in the United States. Despite that there are parents all over the country that sign their kids up for soccer leagues. I don’t get it. These people wouldn’t give a professional soccer game five minutes of their time yet they insist on getting their kids involved in the sport.

I’m all about getting kids involved in physical activities and teaching them about teamwork and competition, but why not baseball or basketball; you know sports people in this country actually care about? It’s fine if a kid wants to play soccer but I doubt that many eight year olds are making that choice for themselves. If given a choice I’m sure they would choose something they actually had some exposure to. Don’t you think a kid would rather emulate Albert Pujols or Kobe Bryant than….I can’t even name a single person who plays Major League Soccer in the US.

So why are American parents choosing soccer over baseball or basketball for their kids?

Soccer is always the first sport kids get into because it teaches fundamentals like running, and playing in a team sports atmosphere with other kids. It's basically stage 1 for any aspiring young athlete. Most kids begin with soccer then move onto football, baseball or basketball/hockey. Usually it's football or baseball. It has absolutely nothing to do with American interest in pro soccer and everything to do with child development.

 

[Alastor]

Participation. For soccer, you can make kids feel they are part of the game all the time during an actual game. Kids have to wait their turn in a game of baseball. Basketball is not kid friendly as most 6 year olds will struggle to shoot the ball in an actual game in an actual court.

At their age, kids don't need to learn the tactical stuff yet. They just need to learn the basic technique and understanding of the simple rules. Baseball, football, basketball can be too reliant on over complicated rules. These sports without the rules deviate a lot from the actual game while soccer without the rules is still remarkably similar.

I am sure American kids would like to emulate Messi or Christiano Ronaldo too if they are exposed to them.

 

[Dagger Dias]

The parents probably view soccer as a "safer" activity than sports like basketball or baseball, and especially football. They want their kids involved in something together. It could be in any sport/activity though. There could be any number of reasons. Single fathers might use it as an excuse to meet "soccer moms". Other parents might have had failed dreams of playing soccer that they want their kids to avenge. It really differs from case to case but I think any involvement for a group of kids to do together is fine. It does not have to be soccer and I find it strange that so many parents choose it too, I guess the kids all decide to quit later on since so few seem to go pro.

 

[Harthan]

I think soccer hits the right spot of physical activity without danger or necessity of too much skill that makes it a great sport for kids to play when they're young, just to get them out and about, engaging in some activity, and learning teamwork and all that good jazz. If your only goal is to try to get your kid playing something, soccer makes for a good choice. Basketball is going to require more skill and could demoralize a kid who isn't very good at it. Baseball isn't quite as active, and it might bore kids who don't want to stand around waiting for the pitcher or whatever. Football is obviously pretty dangerous compared to the other sports. Soccer hits a nice balance of these factors. Of course, I think that you should try to expose your kids to other sports, based on what you think they might have a knack for and what they're interested in. Soccer is a nice idea to try to get them active and involved in something, but maybe they're into baseball, in which case, let them do Little League. But when the goal is just to do something[/I, soccer works out nicely, even though nobody in America cares.

 

[Mighty NorCal]

Maybe a spam infraction here, but there is simply nothing else to say


Uh, because its realtively safe, and lets kids run like a motherfucker. Basketball and baseball have complicated rules. Soccer is "here is the ball, run like a fucking banshee trying to kick it". Good for kidz.

 

[The Brain]

Ok everyone has made some good points here. Soccer is safe and easy. I get that. I think we’re underestimating kids these days. Everyone wants to cushion kids from any minor little scrape. Kids are tough. They might fall and they might cry but they’ll get up and be tougher for it. Didn’t you guys take any falls as a kid? I remember hitting the pavement many times while playing basketball. All the kids in the neighborhood had scraped up knees and elbows. We would shed some blood, and some tears, and get back out there to take another fall. It’s part of being a kid.

I guess the variable is the age group we’re talking about. If they’re still real little, like five or six years old, soccer is probably the way to go. At seven or eight I think t-ball would be appropriate. By ten or eleven kids should be able to play baseball. I’m not sure when soccer took over but when I was a kid everyone played baseball. We did not consider it complicated or dangerous. You know what? Some kids sucked and some kids were good. That’s life. We learned real competition and tried to work hard to improve. I think parents are trying to coddle their kids too much.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I think part of the equation, over and above the safety and the physical activity side of things, is that it is relatively inexpensive. Some sports are pretty expensive for kids to play. Here in Canada, a lot of kids play hockey. Ice time doesn't come cheap. Equipment is expensive and either gets worn out or outgrown. If you have a few kids and they all play hockey, it costs serious dollars, which some families simply cannot afford. As opposed to soccer. A t-shirt, a pair of shorts, a pair of sneakers or cleats, and you're ready to go.

 

[Ultra Awesome]

I don't think it's so much as to the parents trying to coddle their children; rather, I think it it is nothing more than simple preference. Soccer is the ideal sport to involve a child in. It keeps a child physically active, it helps them communicate better with others and ultimately build teamwork; moreover, as habs stated, it's inexpensive. That with the cherry on top that it is a safer sport proves just how perfect soccer is for a child.

Now, you mentioned that most of the parents who have their child playing soccer can't even bother to watch a game. I see this statement to be irrelevant. For one, if their child's going to be involved in something, of course the parent is going to want to be involved with it as well. Watching an MLS soccer game is boring; I agree with that. But having your kid score a goal is undoubtedly an amazing feeling. Point being, watching it on TV <<< watching your kid playing it.

Soccer may not be America's sport of choice [to watch], but coming from the minority, I can tell you that is extremely popular among us. Way I see it, and I mean no offense, just because sports like baseball, football, and basketball get more exposure on the media, does not warrant for a parent to choose one of those to have their children be involved in. It's all about preference. Simple as that.

 

[Karilas]

I’m not looking to badmouth soccer here.
<snip>
I’m all about getting kids involved in physical activities and teaching them about teamwork and competition, but why not baseball or basketball; you know sports people in this country actually care about?
<snip>
So why are American parents choosing soccer over baseball or basketball for their kids?

I think the answer here is exercise. Footy is a lot of fun to play [personally I can't be arsed with watching it, a silly amount of money poured into what is essentially just a game, in my opinion, but the whole "I'm no big sports fan" thing is another topic for another time], as well as being considerably less dangerous than American Football, as well as generally requiring more sustained exercise than a game of baseball. Dunno 'bout basketball, maybe it's because they feel their kids aren't tall enough?

 

[Trill Co$by]

Because aside from Baseball and maybe YMCA basketball, most American Schools don't allow students to play football or other sports until they're in about the fourth grade. Or maybe it's just where I went to school at, which was like five across the nation from Pre-K to 2nd because of military moving my family, but Soccer was the only thing that I could play in first and second grade... aside from baseball, but I wasn't into baseball then, so I stuck with soccer. The way I see it, Soccer is a nice medium for kids and really it helps them develop basic fundamentals of team work, which come in handy a lot later down the road.

 

[Remix]

I'm english so any instances of the word "football" should be read as "soccer" unless preceded by the word "American".

Ok everyone has made some good points here. Soccer is safe and easy. I get that. I think we’re underestimating kids these days.

In what way? Dropping a kid off to play football for a couple of hours to run around and punt a ball is simply a good, easy and safe way to get a kid some exercise.

Everyone wants to cushion kids from any minor little scrape. Kids are tough. They might fall and they might cry but they’ll get up and be tougher for it.

Yeah, treat kids rough it toughens them up. FUCK YEAH PAIN! Can't agree with this. At the age when I was going to football on a Saturday (and during some school holidays) I was under 10. I can't imagine that many parents would want their pre-teen children put in undue danger.

Didn’t you guys take any falls as a kid? I remember hitting the pavement many times while playing basketball.

Yes. I also remember getting kicked in the shins bloody hard in football. It might be safer than American football, but it's not exactly a picnic. Also if you're playing in the street, you'll get plenty of cuts and bruises. Especially if you're in goal and diving for the ball.

All the kids in the neighborhood had scraped up knees and elbows. We would shed some blood, and some tears, and get back out there to take another fall. It’s part of being a kid.

I can't possibly imagine why parents wouldn't be comfortable leaving their children in the presence of people they barely know and having them come back with new scrapes and briuses when they pick them up. I mean that wouldn't make any rational person worry.

I guess the variable is the age group we’re talking about. If they’re still real little, like five or six years old, soccer is probably the way to go. At seven or eight I think t-ball would be appropriate. By ten or eleven kids should be able to play baseball.

Why are those sports more 'suitable' than football exactly? Playing football you get more chance to run around (a good thing), don't have to learn many complicated or confusing rules (e.g. why can't I run to first base? I hit the ball! What do you mean it was out?), training can be more varied (i.e. not just learning how to hit and throw) and more people can be playing at once.

I’m not sure when soccer took over but when I was a kid everyone played baseball. We did not consider it complicated or dangerous.

And in your great grandpa's day people played hoop and stick and they loved it. What do you mean you've never heard of hoop and stick?

You know what? Some kids sucked and some kids were good. That’s life. We learned real competition and tried to work hard to improve. I think parents are trying to coddle their kids too much.

Because there's no way for kids to have different skill levels or to have any form of competition in football, right?

Jesus Christ Brain, this entire post just came off as you whinging about how you never played football as a kid, don't like it as a grown man and therefore you don't think kids should play it. For shits and giggles I'll run through a few reasons football makes more sence for a parent to choose for their kid to play than most "American" sports (e.g. baseball, American football and basketball)

You don't need to buy any specialised equipment.

All you need is a ball. No goal? You can play against a wall or garage door. Can't play basketball without a hoop (which also requires being set up) baseball without a bat and a ball (and quite a bit of space) and American Football requires a full suit of armour.

People of different age can play easily.

So let's say you have or three kids of different ages (as they tend to be, unless you have twins or triplets) and you want them to play together in the garden, possibly with their friends without needing to supervise them too heavily (i.e. keep an eye/ear out while you do something else). If they play basketball it won't be fun for the young'un because he'd suck in comparason to the older boys. If you can't see why the rougher game of American Football isn't a particularly good idea, don't have kids. Football on the other hand has less of these problems. For example the older kid could go in goal while the other two try to score, and when one of them gets three goals he goes in and the game continues like so. Or if the older one is a lot better than the other two then trying to tackle him can be a game itself (we called it "getting the ball off John" and usually played it in his room).

It's easy to make up games with a football

Every game has rules, and for sports, those rules need to be taught. How else will kids learn that in basket ball one minute on the clock requires two actual minutes or more to play out? But kids are quite adept at making up their own rules to a game. Letting them do so encourages them to be creative and means you don't have to explain the subtlties of the offside rule. For comparason: how many different games can you play with a baseball (and bat), or an American football? With a football, a kid can make up as many games as he/she can think of. Variations where hands are allowed? Sure (see also: Gaelic football). Variations with one goal? Sure. Different team sizes? Sure (see also: 5 a side football). Only allowed to touch the ball a certain amount of times? Sure. Games where you have to bounce the ball off a wall? Sure. "Games" designed soley to show off how good your control is? Absolutely.

[YOUTUBE]hnNB2FRtctI[/YOUTUBE]

So yeah, there are reasons for a parent to decide for their kids to do football rather than any of the more popular sports.

 

[The Brain]

Yeah, treat kids rough it toughens them up. FUCK YEAH PAIN! Can't agree with this. At the age when I was going to football on a Saturday (and during some school holidays) I was under 10. I can't imagine that many parents would want their pre-teen children put in undue danger.

I’m not looking to intentionally rough anybody up. If kids happen to get a little banged up while playing sports so be it. They will survive. Kids are tougher than a lot of people give them credit for, or at least they would be if parents didn’t overreact about every little incident. Besides since when did baseball and basketball become such dangerous sports? Putting kids in “undue danger” is quite and exaggeration. I see very little risk here.

Yes. I also remember getting kicked in the shins bloody hard in football. It might be safer than American football, but it's not exactly a picnic. Also if you're playing in the street, you'll get plenty of cuts and bruises. Especially if you're in goal and diving for the ball.

Ok so we can end the safety talk. There are injury risks with each game so it’s a moot point.

I can't possibly imagine why parents wouldn't be comfortable leaving their children in the presence of people they barely know and having them come back with new scrapes and briuses when they pick them up. I mean that wouldn't make any rational person worry.

It’s called being a kid. I realize that a lot kids today are used to sitting around playing video games and surfing the web but I like to think some still get outside once in a while. It’s not the end of the world if your kid comes home with a couple scrapes. We’ve already discussed how safety is now a moot point.

Why are those sports more 'suitable' than football exactly? Playing football you get more chance to run around (a good thing), don't have to learn many complicated or confusing rules (e.g. why can't I run to first base? I hit the ball! What do you mean it was out?), training can be more varied (i.e. not just learning how to hit and throw) and more people can be playing at once.

I let it go from the others who posted it, but what’s so complicated about baseball? It’s really pretty simple. I guess kids are not only tougher than people think but they’re also smarter.

And in your great grandpa's day people played hoop and stick and they loved it. What do you mean you've never heard of hoop and stick?

And if baseball wasn’t still a popular sport in the United States I would understand why it’s faded away. To say a lot more people watch baseball than soccer would be an understatement. It just seems natural to me that would lead to more people playing baseball than soccer.

Jesus Christ Brain, this entire post just came off as you whinging about how you never played football as a kid, don't like it as a grown man and therefore you don't think kids should play it. For shits and giggles I'll run through a few reasons football makes more sence for a parent to choose for their kid to play than most "American" sports (e.g. baseball, American football and basketball)

Not at all. My post is just a simple question of why is such an unpopular sport the one that parents choose for their kids. I would understand if you went up to Junior and asked him which sport he wanted to play and he chose soccer. That’s what looks fun to him and I’m sure that is the case with a lot of people. I think it’s also safe to say that a lot of parents pick soccer for their kids. I don’t know how popular baseball is in England. It’s probably not very popular but even if it is let’s say it’s not for the sake of the argument. If baseball went largely ignored in England but parents were constantly signing up their kids for it instead of soccer wouldn’t you be a little curious why? Some people said soccer is safer (although I don’t know that it is). Some said it’s less expensive. Some said it’s easier. I asked a simple question and some people provided their answers. I wasn’t trying to start a baseball or basketball vs. soccer thread. By the way, I never mentioned American Football.

You don't need to buy any specialised equipment.

All you need is a ball. No goal? You can play against a wall or garage door. Can't play basketball without a hoop (which also requires being set up) baseball without a bat and a ball (and quite a bit of space) and American Football requires a full suit of armour.

People of different age can play easily.

So let's say you have or three kids of different ages (as they tend to be, unless you have twins or triplets) and you want them to play together in the garden, possibly with their friends without needing to supervise them too heavily (i.e. keep an eye/ear out while you do something else). If they play basketball it won't be fun for the young'un because he'd suck in comparason to the older boys. If you can't see why the rougher game of American Football isn't a particularly good idea, don't have kids. Football on the other hand has less of these problems. For example the older kid could go in goal while the other two try to score, and when one of them gets three goals he goes in and the game continues like so. Or if the older one is a lot better than the other two then trying to tackle him can be a game itself (we called it "getting the ball off John" and usually played it in his room).

It's easy to make up games with a football

Every game has rules, and for sports, those rules need to be taught. How else will kids learn that in basket ball one minute on the clock requires two actual minutes or more to play out? But kids are quite adept at making up their own rules to a game. Letting them do so encourages them to be creative and means you don't have to explain the subtlties of the offside rule. For comparason: how many different games can you play with a baseball (and bat), or an American football? With a football, a kid can make up as many games as he/she can think of. Variations where hands are allowed? Sure (see also: Gaelic football). Variations with one goal? Sure. Different team sizes? Sure (see also: 5 a side football). Only allowed to touch the ball a certain amount of times? Sure. Games where you have to bounce the ball off a wall? Sure. "Games" designed soley to show off how good your control is? Absolutely.

My original post was asking about organized league sports, not pick up games. These points don’t have anything to do with my original question.

 

[sajsSAMynwa1892]

i refuse to get TOO annoyed on this topic because i assume it was aimed at americans but the idea that football is a lesser sport than american football or basketball is nonsensical, now obviously we all have opinions and whatever people prefer as a sport is there business, and im aware football isnt exactly popular in america. but on a technical and athletic level football is one of if not the most advanced and balanced sports on the planet. and as for safer try getting lumps kicked out of you playing in the pouring rain or on a frozen pitch on a sunday morning in december in a s###hole of an area against a biased ref! and yes this IS applicable to kids. mind you... this is based on english experience and so is probably irrelevant to most of you eh? shouldve steered clear....

 

[The Brain]

i refuse to get TOO annoyed on this topic because i assume it was aimed at americans but the idea that football is a lesser sport than american football or basketball is nonsensical, now obviously we all have opinions and whatever people prefer as a sport is there business, and im aware football isnt exactly popular in america. but on a technical and athletic level football is one of if not the most advanced and balanced sports on the planet. and as for safer try getting lumps kicked out of you playing in the pouring rain or on a frozen pitch on a sunday morning in december in a s###hole of an area against a biased ref! and yes this IS applicable to kids. mind you... this is based on english experience and so is probably irrelevant to most of you eh? shouldve steered clear....

I am not at all saying soccer is a lesser sport. I acknowledged its popularity throughout the world and I respect people's appreciation of it. Like most Americans I don't understand it and find it boring. That doesn't mean I think it's less of a sport. It's just not my thing. Once again, this is not meant to be soccer vs. any other sport. It's a simple question of why parents choose to involve their kids in an unpopular sport. Please don't mistake the word unpopular as an insult. That's just the way it is in the states.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Brain - first off thanks for not abandoning your thread and addressing people's comments. I don't know how old you are or if your observations are just from what you see or if you have done any research but I live in NW Chicago (I think you are in the burbs) and I see kids playing organized baseball all the time. I don't think youth baseball is declining, soccer is just growing in the Chicagoland area.

Remember though, the Sting and NASL failed in the 80's but it lead to growth in youth leagues. Chicago hosted the World Cup in '94, which most say was a huge success. Soldier Field still hosts some international games. Chicago's Hispanic (mostly Mexican) and Eastern European populations have grown. The Fire of the MLS have been moderately successful, everyone loves the Cubs but sadly they are our lovable losers, the Blackhawks and White Sox have had some recent success but it took a long time to get here and didn't last. The Fire are very active with youth leagues and try to keep a family atmosphere at their games. I can't say the same for the Sox and Cubs.

I know I'm rambling but I really think you are too focused on the parents and soccer is more popular than you think. There are really plenty of reasons for the growth of youth soccer. Some parents are overprotective but that is just one reason of many that soccer has grown. Other parents grew up with it, may not follow it too much (needs more gambling) but have good memories realize their kid is not going to be Starlin Castro or Messi and just want to pass it on to their kids.

 

[Alastor]

My original post was asking about organized league sports, not pick up games. These points don’t have anything to do with my original question.

But the points he pointed out do factor in the decision for parents to choose soccer over other sports. If your kids are interested in 2 or more sports to play in an organized league and have no preference for either, cost and availability are factors to consider.

Unless your kid show potential to be good at the more costly sport, more often than not you would encourage the kid to try out the less expensive option.

If the kid is playing in a league I am sure he wants to be able to play outside of training too if he enjoy the game. Soccer is easy to get a game started compared to the more popular american sports as no specialised equipment or court is required.

Another factor is increasing urbanization. Space is limited in cities and kids can practice soccer tricks easier than other sports in this environment. Kids can occupy themselves more easily with soccer. Dribble a basketball and you might anony a neighbour with the loud noise. Can't practice baseball alone in an apartment. Football is just throw and catch. For soccer kids can practise tricks alone with minimal disturbance to others.

 

[The Woo Kid]

I think they pick soccer because it is the stereotypical sport for mom and dads to sign their kids up in. It is one of the easiest accessible sports to play as well as it has many young people playing it as well it provides good recreation.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I think there are a few reasons that are maybe less to do with American sporting tradition to be honest.

Due to the obesity problem, parents are maybe more inclined to ensure that if their kids are going to be participating in a sport, it should be one where they are consistently on the move for a prolonged period of time. I recognise that playing more traditional sports such as baseball, basketball and football requires a good degree of fitness and mobility, but, basketball to a lesser extent, these sports are quite stop-start and not as all-inclusive.
What I mean is that with baseball, only one team at a time are all out moving around while the batting side is 1 guy at the plate at a time, with a maximum of 3 other players at the other bases.
Now I'm not entirely sure how football is with younger participants, do each team operate as both offense and defense depending on possession or are their separate groups for offense/defense?
Basketball is closest to being all-inclusive for consistent movement but with only 5 players allowed on each team then it is a bit more restrictive.

So I think because soccer is for more players and, aside from the 2 goalkeepers, ensures that all participants are involved and moving around, it is perhaps more satisfying for parents to see their kids more assured of getting exercise and being part of a team as well as having a personal sense of satisfaction in seeing their kids perform, then the parents are more likely to sign their children up for it.

 

[Poop Master Flex]

Personally I think Soccer is the perfect sport for a kid to start off in. Soccer is a great way for kids to get active and healthy and also follows the rules of easy to pick up but difficult to master.

Although some may find watching Soccer boring (I absolutely LOVE to watch soccer) but its pretty fun to play for a little kid and really at a young age all you have to do is 3 things:

1) Run
2) Pass
3) Put the ball in the net

When you are 5-6 you aren't learning plays or even defense, you aren't even really learning foot work, you are just basically running and kicking and almost any kid can do that, on top of that it helps kids get a little more social interaction while teaching them teamwork and keeping them happy and healthy.

Basketball and baseball are a little trickier to pick up, baseball requires good hand/eye coordination and when you are young its a lot more difficult to shoot a basket ball into a net. With soccer its easier to build self confidence in a kids sports abilities which gives them the confidence to pick up other sports down the road while at the same time giving them a good athletic base to start with.

 

[sajsSAMynwa1892]

I am not at all saying soccer is a lesser sport. I acknowledged its popularity throughout the world and I respect people's appreciation of it. Like most Americans I don't understand it and find it boring. That doesn't mean I think it's less of a sport. It's just not my thing. Once again, this is not meant to be soccer vs. any other sport. It's a simple question of why parents choose to involve their kids in an unpopular sport. Please don't mistake the word unpopular as an insult. That's just the way it is in the states.

it wasnt you in particular my comment was aimed at, i realise that football isnt popular in the states i was just generally having a moan at some of the more ignorant comments(none too bad actually, i'm just a whinge-arse) i feel the same way about american football tbh, i still know no-one who cares that they play a game at wembley but sky really tries biggin it up. point being why is a sport that no-one in the nation cares about on tv and being publicised in a failed attempt to garner interest..... ahhhhhhh now i get your sentiment hehe

 

[RicoLen]

It's a Mom thing more so than a parents thing. That's why you have the term soccer mom, and not soccer parent. I have my 2 older kids mountain biking and taking martial arts, it accomplishes the goal, and I get to go mountain biking with them, and feel comfortable that if some bully tries to pick on them, they should be able to defend themselves.

 

[The 1-2-3 Killam]

Soccer is gaining huge popularity in the United States, as compared to how it has been in the past. As basketball continues to fade into obscurity (don't you dare tell me that as many people still care about it as much as they did in the 90s), baseball is slowly losing it's steady fanbase over the years (you know it's getting bad when Wrigley Field is having trouble selling out), and the US becomes more of a contender to the World Cup...it's getting more popular.

I played soccer as a kid, and all three of my younger brothers did as well. In fact, the two youngest are still heavily involved and just made it only the travel team at the state level. They're brilliant, and my parents are Chicago Fire season ticket holders. They spend all their down time watching recorded World Cup games and studying on how to get better... It's insane.

My theory is that, just like most sports, you don't care until you make yourself get into it. Until you learn the different teams and players, and understand all the rules that complicate the game. For me it was the 2006 World CUp that grabbed my attention. It's just such an intense sport when you get to that ultimate level. And it draws way more attention than even the Summer Olympics! It is the sport of the world, and in that case it strikes me as odd that the US isn't more involved in it...

 

[lowandmighty]

Well soccer is supposed to be a safer alternative to football (nfl). Baseball and basketball are niche sports on a professional level despite their popularity. If you want to be successful in basketball you realistically have to be at least 6'5 and then you're still on the small side even most of the female players are bigger than that. Baseball places a lot of expectation on a child because even though its not an individual sport it comes down to an individuals skill set and children can be alienated by their team mates if they strike out or fail to catch a ball because these errors will help the other team to score.You can't hide in the team while you improve. You must be very coordinated to play this and many kids at a young age just aren't. In soccer you can still win even with a few crap players.
Another reason is money if you can get to the pro's in soccer and get in one of those huge European teams you're looking at more money than a player in just about any other sport.
These are the reasons but i don't like it either soccer is getting more popular and choking out the sports that are actually interesting to watch. I'm from Australia and there they are seeing declines in the number of people playing rugby and rugby league as well as cricket and australian rules football because of soccer and its a shame.
For safeness I'd have my kids playing tennis though. Its a fun sport, teaches good values and discipline and promotes sportsmanship way more than soccer with all the fake injuries.