You better qualify that with "in the US". Soccer is huge worldwide and believe it or not it is growing in popularity in the US. The NFL is a joke and just go look at a baseball stadium outside of the playoffs, they are half empty at best for 80% of the teams out there. You really think that a TV provider is "pushing" something that doesn't get ratings? No ratings = no $$$. What is being pushed, if you want to call it that, is the premier league over the MLS.

This is a blow for US soccer as it takes one of the goals out of the eyes of the kids playing the sport not to mention the financial implications for missing out on the biggest tournament in the sport.

Really sad to see.

You do realize that the high paid players in the world are soccer players, right? Most of which are players that are playing in leagues they were not born in. Do believe me, go look at what PSG just paid for Neymar or look at Ronaldo and Messi's salaries.

The most ironic thing I see in this thread is a bunch of pinball players trying to talk down about another sport.

Oh, good lord.... If ya'll are going to make comments at least educate yourself first.

The last World Cup match for the US was 27 million US viewers alone. That is more than the total number of viewers for the last 2 MNF games COMBINED.

So your argument is that soccer is now on 3 separate channels (1-local, 2 requiring cable) on Saturday alone for anywhere from 3-6 games is because nobody is watching it? I would have to believe that the programmers are seeing otherwise thus the increase from almost never on to regularly broadcasting.

Heck, looking at this weekend I see KXAN is broadcasting the Watford vs Arsenal game at 11:30am CST. Kind of prime time coverage considering that is prime College football time slots. This alone, proves to me most of what is stated in this thread is people trying to ignore the validity of a sport they just don't like.

I don't get it... what is so complicated about the offside rule in soccer and hockey.

Soccer - You can't be behind the second to last defender when the ball is passed to you.

Hockey - The offensive player can't be passed the line prior to the puck.

What's complicated about the above?