Comments on: Progression of a Recovering Eurosnob

By: Josh

Josh — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 14:57:15 +0000

Our use of the word “soccer” isn’t a sign of American exceptionalism or anything. In Australia they call aussie rules football. We just need to differeniate American football from real football, hence the different name.

By: fergie

fergie — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 13:13:29 +0000

The word soccer, was actually used in the UK in the early days of the game and is derived from the full name given to the sport when it was invented (in it’s modern day form at least), Association Football. The name Association Football was given to the sport due to the fact that the teams (schools) who played the game formed an association that governed it’s rules. A similar abbreviation can be seen with the game of Rugby, it’s full name actually being Rugby Football, owing to it being invented by pupils at Rugby school. The reason the game is called soccer in places such as the US, Canada & Australia is likely to be down to the fact that these countries already had there own sports already called football, which were played much more before “soccer” became popular, as in the case of American Football and Aussie Rules Football.

By: Nick Sindt

Nick Sindt — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 23:37:08 +0000

I vote for Eurosnobbery. I’m a long time sufferer, and am trying my hardest to become an MLS fan again. I was once a DCU fan before I found European leagues.

By: Martha

Martha — Wed, 11 Apr 2007 00:32:49 +0000

You know, I used to hate Americans who said “football,” but now I’m one of them. And I’m not even ashamed anymore! The thing is (in my experience, anyway), when you’re obsessed with European SOCCER and read and watch and talk about it with like-minded folks? You just start thinking “football,” because that’s what you hear. Anyway, that’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it.

And, on a totally different topic: Laurie, are you telling me I’m not going to be able to watch the RBNY game on MLSnet Saturday when I’m out of town? I’m so confused.

By: Jeff Bull

Jeff Bull — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:31:24 +0000

Just run with the colloquiallisms and you’ll be fine. Still, totally fair point, Luis…though I doubt no one will look at us more kindly till we stop offering to “help” the rest of the world.

I’m also with Laurie on this: Brits can say “football” all day long; there’s no conflict.

As for the bulk of Laurie’s comments, it’s a really funny thing she’s talking about. I mean, it’s a personal preference and, therefore, shouldn’t matter at all to anyone else. I know why MLS execs care, and why MLS fans care by association, but it’s a consumer preference, right? For all that, though, it’s all too real, that sense of having to choose and feeling some sense of identity with it.

I’ll only say this: I got around the question by not really caring one way or the other. And that just makes people crazy for some dang reason. But I watch MLS ’cause that’s what interests me these days – and, yeah, Europe looks better, they play better, etc. And I still don’t care. Will we catch up? Dunno. Probably? I’d like to see it, but it wouldn’t change anything.

By: Luis

Luis — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 15:00:23 +0000

Laurie – I love eurosnobs. You can say football instead of soccer. I won’t mind. The fact that we choose to name the world’s game something other then football speaks volumes about our attitude toward the world. Not too get all political and all, but if we wanted to improve our standing in the world, the first thing we should do is call the beautiful game what everyone else calls it.

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:01:11 +0000

The thing is, I actually quite like using the word soccer. I like the sound of it, and also its very odd origins as a word – a lot of English people don’t even realise we used to say the word soccer a lot ourselves instead of football.

By: Laurie

Laurie — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:44:48 +0000

Tom, you can get away with “football.” You’re a legit Brit. I’m quite certain it sounds right coming from you.

From a former Colorado cowgirl, though? Can you say, “pretense”?

By: David

David — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:28:45 +0000

See I’m not restricted by that feeling, MLS was my first taste of soccer. Then it was MFL and then it was barca….so me im a MLSnob if there is anything like that.

But that is good Laurie embrace the feeling it’s good for you, means the league is growing and if we can help one Eurosnob, the world is next!!

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 10 Apr 2007 02:20:12 +0000

I have been trying to solve the football/soccer word usage debate in my head by referring to soccer in the American context and football in the European context, depending on who I am talking to/what I am talking about.

But then I find some American soccer fans are offended when I say soccer, as if I’m patronising them, or I’m not being British enough.