When it comes to sports Americans usually boast that we’re the cream of the crop in athletic dominance and importance. Because let’s be honest, the only football (uh, American) that anybody really cares about is the NFL. Apologies to the families of those in Arena Football or any other professional league, but most interest all boils down to the Super Bowl and Roger Goodell’s band of law-bending stars.

The MLB and its World Series is the most coveted baseball championship and winning the NBA Finals is similarly the biggest accomplishment for professional basketball players. Yeah the NHL is a split between us and Canada, but aside from that we pretty much run things.

Except for one sport, which happens to arguably be the most popular to the rest of the planet; soccer.

The MLS (Major League Soccer) deserves little more than a mention because all the professional soccer that matters takes place in Europe or in Latin American countries. Soccer just isn’t that big of a deal here. We all heard about how the 1994 games in Chicago were finally going to transform us into a soccer-crazed nation or how decent showings in some of the following World Cups would catapult the sport into a higher echelon.

The only problem with that theory is that it never materialized. Sure there was an increase in local youth soccer camps and “soccer moms” came to be, but it was largely still a kid brother in the national scene.

If you’re wondering why, this year’s games give more than enough evidence.

Whether you highlight the awful officiating blunders, FIFA choosing to censor replays during games, ridiculous fake injuries and flopping or the perceived anti-climactic lack of scoring, there are plenty of reasons why soccer doesn’t ever seem primed to capture America’s interest.

This isn’t an attack on the sport, which is immensely popular for great reasons. Similar to those who defend perfect games and no-hitters in baseball, there’s a grace and strategy to be admired in well-defended soccer matches.

Seeing two talented teams trying to exploit advantages that last for only mere seconds with powerful and pinpoint kicks is a thrill. The enjoyment factor rises even higher whenever someone breaks free and rushes the goal or executes a brilliant header or scissor kick into the back of the net.

It’s also a physically-demanding sport that breeds admiration for the conditioning of its players and it’s undoubtedly one of the only sports that can be truly called worldwide.

Despite all its qualities though, it just doesn’t seem to have the right elements for Americans.

We’re a sports nation enamored with constant glamour, big plays (Hail Mary passes, home runs, 3-pointers, etc) and even bigger players. We love superstars, fast action and plenty of scoring. With so many of the world’s major leagues vying for our attention plus competition from Hollywood stars, blockbuster movies and American Idol, something usually has to be a train wreck or shoot-out (sports, not violence) to keep us entertained.

Soccer Players Flopping Even Makes Derek Fisher and Vlade Divac Mad.

As a Latino soccer is engrained in me as part of a cultural tradition. Sure I don’t always watch it, but I remember my dad and uncles playing it and always getting either excited or mad at the sudden burst of ‘gooooooooooooooooal’ emanating from the television screen. It’s those memories and the pride instilled in us by our parents that makes us root for the national teams they grew up loving. That’s the same thing that makes fans of England, Brazil, Italy, etc so dedicated.

It’s not the same for the average American who prefers hot dogs and baseball, Super Bowl parties, Kobe vs LeBron or some beer and Nascar. They have emotions vested in those sports. They remember trips to the ballpark with their dads to watch the Yankees or Dodgers. They remember Joe Namath and Joe Montana, Magic, Bird and Michael Jordan.

Can the same really be said for American soccer history? Cobi Jones and Alexi Lalas don’t pack quite the same magnitude.

FIFA cleaning up all the exaggerated flopping, wasting of time and improving their officiating would help improve soccer’s image here, but they don’t seem to care so it’ll likely always be a fad in America.

There’s a glimmer of hope, as we saw with the classic emotional reactions across the country to Landon Donovan‘s game winner against Algeria. The U.S. Soccer Federation is trying too, saying they’re open to adding goal line technology.

That will all help, but it will ultimately come down to whether or not we ever actually capture a World Cup title. America loves winners and so far we just haven’t had what it takes.

- Will.

The Sports Snob will be published once a week here on YouBeenBlinded.com. Will R. is a journalist/writer who covers sports, news and music for several websites. His music work can be found on www.WestCoastRydaz.com

The United States’ soccer team got the country interested in the world’s game for a few days last week by pulling off an upset of number one ranked Spain. The U.S. citizens were ready to go into full bandwagon mode when Clint Demspey and Landon Donovan put Team USA up 2-0 against Brazil, but the Brazilian rally put the party on hold.

Being the loyal American that he is, Stephen Colbert supports the U.S. soccer team, and makes a good case for supporting soccer in general.

Soccer Pros: Fun Scarves and riots
Soccer Cons: Players must be in shape and low scores

From Babe Ruth to CC Sabathia, our world-class athletes are traditionally one corn dog away from a massive coronary.

Colbert didn’t do enough to turn me into a full-fledged soccer fan but rioting with a scarf on sounds like fun.

• David Beckham is selling his 2002 Bentley Arnage T for $157,000

David Beckham of the LA Galaxy and AC Milan (?) is clearing some space in his garage by selling his 2002 Bentley Arnage T. Beckham orginally paid around $295,000 for the vehicle and had $120,000 worth of upgrades added to the car which he is now selling for $157,000 on Auto Trader.

Here are some of the features you get for an extra $120,000:

• Folding rear picnic tables
• Polished wheels
• Bespoke cup-holders to both front door pockets
• ‘Le Mans’ style wing vents
• Alpine hi-fi with sub-woofers
• Half wood/half leather steering wheel
• Roof mounted illuminated vanity mirrors to rear compartment
• Rear fridge
• Diamond cross handles
• Televisions in the rear headrests with bespoke covers

Picnic tables, televisions, and a refrigerator.. Sounds like a luxury RV more than a Bentley. If the Arnage is a little out of your price range you can pick up Wayne Rooney’s 2005 Mercedes G55 AMG for $103,000.

Another sign that the L.A. Galaxy and MLS were put too much stock in an aging David Beckham has been delivered by England coach Fabio Capello. The new man in charge for England made a Mike McCarthy/Ted Thompson like decision by moving Beckham to the bench in favor of young star on the rise Theo Walcott.

It’s usually hard for a superstar player to admit it’s time to move on. Nobody would be shocked if Beckham was pissed about the decision being made for him, but so far Becks is singing the praises of Walcott.

From The Mirror:

“I’m pleased for Theo and the team and I am happy to be here, but I don’t expect to play in every game. That’s the way it is.

“I was happy to get on in both games and would have liked to play more, but I don’t care whether I play or not. The most important thing is England winning and qualifying for the World Cup.”

Becks sounds good now, but if England’s World Cup chances are hanging in the balance you can believe that David Beckham will want to be on the pitch. Although his game is on the decline Beckham deserves to end his career on the field.

All I can say is damn. I don’t know what the world record for juggling a soccer ball with crutches is, but this guy has to be the titleholder.

This is my first time seeing video of this guy, but he’s all over YouTube so I’m probably late to the party. Either way, he’s better with crutches than I would be if I was using my feet and hands.

soccer, futbol, juggling, crutches, video

When David Beckham signed to play with the L.A. Galaxy some people believed Becks would bring Americans to soccer. And he did in his first year, but in his second season Beckham is seeing less people in the stands on the road. The Galaxy plays to a packed house at home, but the hopes of the MLS were that Beckham would fill stadiums league wide.

The economy could be a factor although MLB isn’t suffering any attendance problems. It’s more likely that a past his prime David Beckham can’t put the MLS on the map by himself.

There were 21,000 fewer fans in New York to watch Beckham play last weekend against the Red Bulls than a year ago. Last month’s visit to soccer-crazed Washington, D.C., drew about 10,000 fewer fans than the previous year despite the fact the 2007 game was played in a rainstorm.

If the numbers keep falling like this David Beckham won’t want to finish his contract let alone make it to his 100th cap. I can’t blame David Beckham for the MLS hyping him up when his best days were behind him, and I can’t blame Beckham for the league’s lack of other major stars. If the MLS can get 5-10 high profile players in their prime to come to the US and play, then and only then, will the sport move ahead of bass fishing and hotdog eating contest in popularity in the States.

David Beckham, MLS, Los Angeles Galaxy, attendance

The unveiling of David Beckham’s new underwear poster last week in San Francisco attracted a large audience, and created the buzz Macy’s and Emporio Armani were looking for. I don’t know how much they paid Beckham or how much underwear they sold, but I’m sure the investment is paying off. The English soccer star revealed via his blog that he was shocked by the interest in his billboard.

“To be honest, I was amazed by the huge billboard poster outside Macy’s department store, but even more amazed by the amount of people who turned up to see it! I’m always surprised by the amount of attention certain things create, but the attention this campaign has created is pretty incredible.”

Becks is being humble. He knows he’s an international sex symbol, and I’m sure Macy’s and Emporio Armani told him his piece would be prominently featured on the side of a store. What David should find incredible is the way nobody cares about soccer in America, but they pretend that they do when Beckham’s involved.

David Beckham, soccer, football, blog, billboard

Steve Nash and Claudio Reyna put together a celebrity soccer game at Sara D. Roosevelt park in New York City. The match brought out some big names and a huge crowd in the name of charity. Fans climbed fences, trees, and light post to watch Baron Davis, Jason Kidd, Leandro Barbosa, and Raja Bell join up with Thierry Henry, Steve McManaman, and Robbie Fowler. Steve Nash’s team won the game 9-4 which probably doesn’t matter as much as the overall entertainment provided by all of the players.

Thierry Henry:

Baron Davis played soccer in seventh grade, but that didn’t stop him from committing two hand-ball fouls which led to penalty kicks.. And he got carded. It wasn’t all bad for BD though.. Check out his game below:

It’s fun to watch the NBA players on the soccer field but you know the Golden St. Warriors were nervous. Baron Davis is injury prone and the team might be trying to move him. One wrong step and their 2008-09 season and the hopes of a deal were done.

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Steve Nash, Claudio Reyna, Thierry Henry, Baron Davis, video, youtube

A giant billboard of David Beckham posing in Emporio Armani underwear was unveiled in San Francisco and as you can hear the ladies loved it. Of course, it’s San Francisco so you could argue that everybody loved seeing Beck’s package blown up on the side of a Macy’s. Enjoy it girls…

David Beckham showed up at the ceremony to sign pictures of his crotch.

(Photo courtesy of AP/Jakub Masur)

David Beckham, Emporio Armani, underwear, San Francisco, video, youtube

Director Guy Ritchie put together this dope two minute soccer ad for Nike, giving him his best piece of work since Snatch in 2000. The commercial is shot from an Arsenal player’s point of view.. You get to see various stages of his career and training leading to him playing for the Netherlands. The commercial also shows us what puking, signing a woman’s chest, and de-pantsing somebody is like from the player’s perspective.

The ad is full of cameos including Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, Marco Materazzi, and Cristiano Ronaldo.. For some reason the other Ronaldo isn’t in the spot but I doubt his run-in with some tranny hookers had anything to do with it. Between this commercial and the Become Legendary spots, Nike is smashing the advertising game.

Guy Ritchie, NIKE, soccer, football, Take It To The Next Level, video