| Every four years, an event comes around that | | | | sports games, the four dominant American sports are |
| captivates most of the world. This event is the FIFA | | | | baseball, considered to be America's pastime, ice |
| World Cup soccer tournament, a series of soccer | | | | hockey, football, and basketball. All these sports are in |
| matches between nations that determines the best | | | | constant competition for the attention of Americans |
| soccer team in the world. Eyes all over the world will | | | | and their hard earned money. |
| be glued to their televisions as countries give it their all | | | | Although many American grow up playing soccer, |
| to be declared the best there is. Televisions will be on | | | | soccer is generally seen as a hobby or a way to |
| in the United States, but very few people will be | | | | obtain exercise. Even though it requires a great deal of |
| watching the World Cup.Even though the United | | | | endurance and skill, soccer is perceived by the |
| States has a national team participating in the matches, | | | | American public as a game of kick ball, something that |
| the majority of Americans could care less. | | | | kids merely play in the streets. |
| How can that be? Soccer games fill arenas all over | | | | Perhaps if there were more talented and charismatic |
| the world. Many die hard fans live and breathe for their | | | | standouts on American teams, people in the United |
| teams. In Europe, South America, and Central America, | | | | States would look at soccer differently. When Britain's |
| brutal fights often start over insults during professional | | | | favorite player, David Beckham, signed on to play |
| soccer matches. Some of these fanatics even create | | | | soccer in the United States, the American public's |
| cliques based on their favorite soccer teams. | | | | interest in soccer temporarily rose. Unfortunately, the |
| Practically anywhere on Earth, with the exception of | | | | interest did not hold for very long. It was almost as if |
| the United States, soccer is the sport of all sports. | | | | by playing in the United States, the country that soccer |
| Obviously, Americans view soccer different from | | | | forgot, David Beckham lost his magic. |
| people in other countries, and there are several | | | | Once they are able, the few talented, American born, |
| reasons for this disparity. | | | | soccer players with a decent amount of skill quickly fly |
| For most of Europe, Africa, and South and Central | | | | the coop and head to Europe to play internationally. On |
| America, soccer is the big sport. The soccer season | | | | a global scale, these players can earn more money |
| really never ends in these areas. Tournaments are | | | | and be adored by fans. If all the good players are on |
| always being held somewhere, and there are no other | | | | other teams, what kind of players does that leave for |
| professional sports that draw attention away from | | | | the American league? Unfortunately that leaves the |
| soccer. In the United States, on the other hand, many | | | | teams with very little. If there was something worth |
| sports compete for fans. Although there are other | | | | watching, wouldn't Americans watch? |