Every nation, every team, every group has a leader. Whether officially appointed or unofficially acknowledged, a leader is a necessary role that has to be filled in any group of more than one person. Think about it, even in groups of two, there's usually a leader and a follower. Leaders can be appointed by popular vote, perhaps like the flawed American voting system, or chosen by a single powerful influence, think a coach choosing a team captain. The title of leader can be passed down from a previous leader, or it can be a vacant position that is obtained by the candidate that demonstrates the best leadership qualities. I'm sure you understand what I'm getting at, so no matter how unpopular this may be, I've waited too long to finally come out and say this.
Who the hell do you think you are Tommy?
Seriously, what makes you think you can just show up, unproven, and assume leadership of one of the greatest teams of multi-cultural heroes of all time? Who the fuck made you the leader of the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers?
Sorry, Tommy, but where were you during the first 15-plus episodes when Jason, the Red Ranger, and as far as I'm concerned the only leader of the Power Rangers was whooping Rita Repulsa's ass? Then, you have the nerve to not just waltz in and act like you're the new hot shit leader, but steal the Pink Ranger, Kimberly, from Jason? Where was Alpha-5 or Zordon when this was going on? Zordon's just going to let the leader he picked for his super team be supplanted by some new guy with a ponytail? Bull shit. And Tommy gets his own zord, the Dragonzord, which is the same size as the Megazord, the other 5 Rangers zords put together? Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Green Ranger even originally evil at first? What, everybody can just trust him now? Go to hell Tommy. You and that piccolo you play to call your obvious Godzilla rip-off out from international waters.
Look, don't get me wrong, I can appreciate the Green-slash-White Ranger. He allowed for some interesting story lines, and his inclusion allowed for less conflict when picking what color Ranger we were when fighting imaginary putty people. That meant I didn't have to fight as hard, if it all, to be the Red Ranger. I will acknowledge his vital existence in Power Rangers lore, but I will NEVER, accept him as the leader of my Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Why Soccer Can Not Succeed In The U.S.A.
Now that the World Cup is over for team USA, the majority of American fans will return to not caring about soccer at all for another four years until the next World Cup. Provided the US again qualifies. This isn't anything most people don't know, and I don't want to say there's anything wrong with this. The very same happens for Olympic sports. Only once every four years do we care at all about gymnastics, swimming, running, snowboarding, etc. as competitive sports, so Soccer isn't totally unique in this regard.
However, Soccer has been professionally played year-round now in the US for over 10 years, yet the sport has really failed to catch on and have the same effect it does in other countries. Interest in the MLS is quite low. When David Beckham came over to the Los Angeles Galaxy, it was regarded as potentially the spark that would make Soccer big in the US. But his presence made virtually no difference except for over coverage by ESPN.
Every four years though, interest in Soccer does rise a bit as USA's National Team competes against the world's best. I'll be honest, four and eight years ago, I think there was significantly less interest in the US Soccer team in the World Cup then there was this time around. But every four years, analysts, reporters, players, and coaches all seem to think that somehow the newfound American interest in the World Cup will carry over into genuine interest in Soccer. I'm here to say, that's just not possible. Soccer in America will likely never reach a year-round interest similar to that of England, Spain, Italy, hell, anywhere in the world.
So, what is wrong with Soccer? Well, I don't think it's the sport. I think it's us.
Soccer is for celebrating. Soccer is one of the truly few sports where, on a given day, almost any country really can win. Seriously, do you think in 100 games, Ghana could beat USA in basketball? Sure, there are powerhouses in Soccer too, but countries most Americans couldn't pick the continent it belongs to on a map have a chance to be the best in the world. Soccer is about pride in a team or in a country. A goal is a celebration. A win, an even bigger celebration.
Typically, American sports fans do not celebrate sport. American sports fans boo before they cheer, ridicule before they praise, and frown before they smile. While watching today's match between the US and Ghana, aside from patriotic "USA" chants, the only other comments about the game were negative. "Why is Dempsey always on the ground?" "Why is this guy starting?" "What was Bradley thinking?" "The referee is terrible." Not once did I hear, "That was a good effort from Cherundolo," or "Donovan did well to switch the field there."
Perhaps this results from a lack of knowledge about the sport in general. There were people who were actually surprised when a Ghana player went down and faked an injury late in the game when USA needed another goal and were even more enraged when he got up and was okay as soon as the stretcher got him off the field. Perhaps the American Soccer fan doesn't know that deceiving the ref, stalling for time, getting any advantage you can is a part of the sport that other countries accept. Perhaps the American soccer fan just doesn't like or approve of this though. It could seem underhanded and despicable. But I honestly don't think fans of Ghana would've been shocked to see the US stalling and moving slowly if they had gone up a goal. And they certainly wouldn't be surprised if the ref had made an incorrect call because a player was trying to get his team a free kick. Instead, fans of Ghana, or any other country for that matter, idolize and worship their players, remember memorable goals like Americans remember home runs, and appreciate their teams even in loss.
That's what Soccer is about. Appreciation, not derision. So until the American sports fan changes, the status of Soccer in America will remain the same.
However, Soccer has been professionally played year-round now in the US for over 10 years, yet the sport has really failed to catch on and have the same effect it does in other countries. Interest in the MLS is quite low. When David Beckham came over to the Los Angeles Galaxy, it was regarded as potentially the spark that would make Soccer big in the US. But his presence made virtually no difference except for over coverage by ESPN.
Every four years though, interest in Soccer does rise a bit as USA's National Team competes against the world's best. I'll be honest, four and eight years ago, I think there was significantly less interest in the US Soccer team in the World Cup then there was this time around. But every four years, analysts, reporters, players, and coaches all seem to think that somehow the newfound American interest in the World Cup will carry over into genuine interest in Soccer. I'm here to say, that's just not possible. Soccer in America will likely never reach a year-round interest similar to that of England, Spain, Italy, hell, anywhere in the world.
So, what is wrong with Soccer? Well, I don't think it's the sport. I think it's us.
Soccer is for celebrating. Soccer is one of the truly few sports where, on a given day, almost any country really can win. Seriously, do you think in 100 games, Ghana could beat USA in basketball? Sure, there are powerhouses in Soccer too, but countries most Americans couldn't pick the continent it belongs to on a map have a chance to be the best in the world. Soccer is about pride in a team or in a country. A goal is a celebration. A win, an even bigger celebration.
Typically, American sports fans do not celebrate sport. American sports fans boo before they cheer, ridicule before they praise, and frown before they smile. While watching today's match between the US and Ghana, aside from patriotic "USA" chants, the only other comments about the game were negative. "Why is Dempsey always on the ground?" "Why is this guy starting?" "What was Bradley thinking?" "The referee is terrible." Not once did I hear, "That was a good effort from Cherundolo," or "Donovan did well to switch the field there."
Perhaps this results from a lack of knowledge about the sport in general. There were people who were actually surprised when a Ghana player went down and faked an injury late in the game when USA needed another goal and were even more enraged when he got up and was okay as soon as the stretcher got him off the field. Perhaps the American Soccer fan doesn't know that deceiving the ref, stalling for time, getting any advantage you can is a part of the sport that other countries accept. Perhaps the American soccer fan just doesn't like or approve of this though. It could seem underhanded and despicable. But I honestly don't think fans of Ghana would've been shocked to see the US stalling and moving slowly if they had gone up a goal. And they certainly wouldn't be surprised if the ref had made an incorrect call because a player was trying to get his team a free kick. Instead, fans of Ghana, or any other country for that matter, idolize and worship their players, remember memorable goals like Americans remember home runs, and appreciate their teams even in loss.
That's what Soccer is about. Appreciation, not derision. So until the American sports fan changes, the status of Soccer in America will remain the same.
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