You pretty much nailed it, Hec. Those of us that are fans are absolutely rabid about the sport. AND if the US loses to Ghana tomorrow, even my newsroom will relegate World Cup reports to only the sports section (today we have our sports anchor in the first segment, previewing tomorrow's match).
That said, soccer's following has grown significantly in the States over the past few decades. When the US beat Columbia in the '94 Cup, I remember jumping up, yelling and picking up the phone to call some of my sport-following friends when I remembered, none of them watch soccer. Now, I can't get through my office without being stopped several times to discuss ALL the days matches, not just the US game. Americans never used to recognize the soccer jerseys I'd wear around (I pick up the local club whenever I travel abroad). Now, I see tons of jerseys, and I'm not just talking about Man U or Barca.
Soccer is still a very minor sport here, but we are a long way from me having to get my only soccer fix from watching PBS's "Soccer Made In Germany" back in the 70's
That said, soccer's following has grown significantly in the States over the past few decades. When the US beat Columbia in the '94 Cup, I remember jumping up, yelling and picking up the phone to call some of my sport-following friends when I remembered, none of them watch soccer. Now, I can't get through my office without being stopped several times to discuss ALL the days matches, not just the US game. Americans never used to recognize the soccer jerseys I'd wear around (I pick up the local club whenever I travel abroad). Now, I see tons of jerseys, and I'm not just talking about Man U or Barca.
Soccer is still a very minor sport here, but we are a long way from me having to get my only soccer fix from watching PBS's "Soccer Made In Germany" back in the 70's

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