Good try ESPN.

As the world gathers in houses (both public and private) for the greatest event that happens every four years, ESPN is trying to get the United States into it. The World Cup has started in South Africa and the world rejoices. Well, the world minus America.

The United Sates has never really loved soccer. As much as they try to get into it, even developing the MLS in the early nineties. The easiest way to get people to watch soccer is to slap it on the largest sports network, ESPN. But why? Why can't the populous enjoy watching ninety minutes of ball movement? Is it the lack of scoring, the lack of physical contact (along the lines of American football or rugby), or is it the fact that nothing really seems to happen. It has yet to catch on in America for that reason. People want to be entertained and they have been entertained by the physicality of American football. That is why they find soccer dull. And no, two guys running into each other and one of them flopping onto the ground does not count as physicality of the game.

ESPN is trying to spark an interest by flooding their channels with coverage of the games, but what happens when the American team loses. Yes when, not if. Soccer is a second tier sport in this country. Talent-wise they cannot compete with teams from around the world. What happens when the team loses and the people of this country just stop caring? ESPN will go back to covering LeBron James's free agency (which has less to do with sport than it does with money) and the up coming NFL season which is still far off. They'll show clips of the games still being played in South Africa, but they won't have thirty minutes of soccer coverage. They won't care anymore, and neither will their viewers. Most people probably don't even know who won in 2006 without looking it up (it was Italy, you're welcome).

I am trying to watch and get engrossed into the game and it is impressive how well these men can control their passes and how quickly they can breakout into a dead sprint when they find a little opening in the defense. These players are extremely talented, there is no argument there. Most athletes do not have the endurance soccer players do. Well, maybe lacrosse players.

I won't watch it for very long, I'll keep it on as background noise. It has been rendered as such and is on the same level as basketball for me. Mere background, wouldn't it just be easier to shut off the television and read a book?