HL, the USA soccer fan base has progressed along

[Islandman]

with the MLS and the US national team. They have a lot of support in Brazil and that has been really good to see.

I have also noticed that the usual American sports media soccer bashers who would come out every World Cup to ramble about how the game was boring have been notably absent this time around.

The tipping point has been surpassed.

[Islandman]

World Cup 2014: fan fever means USA face Portugal on crest of ratings wave

Victory over Ghana was watched by ESPN-record 16 million

Average audience for NBA Finals could be overtaken

http://www.theguardian.com/football/...portugal-ghana

[Assasin]

I have been saying this for a little. I have seen the change in the last 6 or so years. The academy structure is also growing. In many places soccer participation at the youth level way outnumber football, baseball and basketball and it also make the parents more involved and get a basic understanding and love for the game. Now the media is getting on to it.

[Peter R]

Most Trinis (as I live in T&T) DO NOT like the USA and would rather see them lose. It might stem to the match back in 1989 when the USA beat T&T 1-0 away from home (in T&T) to knock them out of the 1990 WC. A draw would have qualified T&T for the WC.

But that is twenty-five years ago.

I do not have that baggage and in fact the US has been beating up poor little Jamaica for the longest while so really we are in not much of a different position than T&T, i.e. always losing to the US. AT the same time the almost palpable dislike is still, to me, bewildering. AT one time I might have been on the "whe dem know bout ball" wagon, and wishing as much as if not more than the next man for the US to crash and burn. However, I no longer harbour those sentiments and in fact, I would dearly love to see them do well. I have come to admire the fact that they ALWAYS qualify for the WC now. CONCACAF effectively now has only one spot for the rest of us to fight over... and if Costa Rica has generally upped the calibre, quality and superiority of their team and are on the verge of making this eminence a permanent one , then dawg nyam we suppah if we (any CFU team) think we will be qualifying for any near future WC.

In the meantime I will lend my backing to all and any CONCACAF team first and foremost, including the US, and after that CONMEBOL as it's in my hemisphere.

GO USA!

[Islandman]

Yes the major barrier for mass appeal (at least where I am) is still that it is still largely a middle class sport. Recreational soccer is a suburban event, that has to change.

The MLS academy structure as I understand it is setup in a way that is supposed to change that. If they can solve that problem that would be a major breakthrough.

[Islandman]

The idea of cheering for the US is just something that many people find difficult to do, for reasons that are bigger than sports. Nuff Jamaicans living in the USA would prefer the USA to lose and not advance than win.

Quite frankly the only time I see Jamaicans openly cheer for an American is

1) If they are black, for example Serena or Gabby Douglas and
2) If we have little or no representation in the sport in question

There may be a few exceptions but I cannot think of any offhand.

As for me, GO USA! Send Portugal home today!

[Assasin]

It is not just the MLS academies. You have very good academies that are not afilliated with the MLS that are competing with them. Right now it is more of a lack of knowledge thing in some areas. Most of the clubs affiliated with US soccer offers scholarship for young kids, offer payment plans and some offer working in concessions to pay it off.

If they see a talented player they don't want to loose them, by the way scholarship is not just for the talented players but for people earning below 40 grand. There are even organizations who will pay the fee. Georgia have a few good academies and it will only get better. I know St. Johns University also run a very good one. Two years ago the US soccer set up a competitive structure with MLS and other youth club academies.

[Peter R]

I-man, I don't know if i would rush out and buy much less wear a USA shirt, but in the comfort of my living room, I can quietly cheer them on.

if they get to the next stage and face a team from Africa (I'm assuming at least two go through) then I will reassess who I support. I would love to see a team from Africa go far...notwithstanding my earlier remark about CONCACAF and CONMEBOL, it's time for Africa to stand up and be counted among the premier teams. Ghana represented brilliantly yesterday. i missed the Nigeria match.

[Dunny]

It is not just the MLS academies. You have very good academies that are not afilliated with the MLS that are competing with them. Right now it is more of a lack of knowledge thing in some areas. Most of the clubs affiliated with US soccer offers scholarship for young kids, offer payment plans and some offer working in concessions to pay it off.

If they see a talented player they don't want to loose them, by the way scholarship is not just for the talented players but for people earning below 40 grand. There are even organizations who will pay the fee. Georgia have a few good academies and it will only get better. I know St. Johns University also run a very good one. Two years ago the US soccer set up a competitive structure with MLS and other youth club academies.

There is no turning back for Soccer/Football in America this time. It will grow and grow to be a big sports.

[Islandman]

I am with you there.

Ideally I would want the USA and Ghana to go through from the group but I realise the odds of that happening are slim (but not quite none).

[Willi]

C Ronaldo is a Talisman. If 75% fit, he will crush the US.

[Willi]

Wold Cup is guilty pleasure for nuff nuff Yanks now.

Dem learn to love it and are online discussing games with aplomb!