"as big as any other sport"... like which sport? Basketball? hockey? Baseball? its second in total viewership (as a sport, not the MLS) behind football and third in attendance (the MLS) behind football and baseball. means more people sit down and watch soccer (whether it be on TV or internet) than any sport outside football. They just dont watch it on ESPN. they buy foreign tv packages or stream it. their are 50 million expats in this country that care only about soccer. So Shaz thats just a completely dumb comment. great job. I think people confuse whether or not their friends watch soccer or not as some indication as to how many watch it.
It seems more people are trying harder to defend their dislike of the sport these days than defending enjoying it. Look, if you dont like the game, then jog on. Noone cares. If you dont like 0-0, then dont watch. Game has as much drama as a 0-0 baseball or hockey game. But its your opinion.
But the thread isnt about whether people who clearly dont understand how many people in the US actually watch the game its about Suarez.
I clearly understand why people hate him. Id hate him if he wasnt with Liverpool. He dives, bitches, bites, kicks, punches... he wants to win. Kills to do it. Hes also one of the most talented footballers alive. Glorious and ridiculous at the same time, a true talisman like Zidane and others from the 80s and 90s were. But to say hes whats wrong with the sport is ignorant of the sport. diving is a part of the game. its not any more harmful than jersey grabbing (or any of the "tricks" used by "veterans" in other sports...its funny whats called heady and whats deemed cheating). if youve played the game at a fairly high level or watch it closely you will see what doesnt get called. While diving can look like cheating, what players succomb to that doesnt get called is more stunning. Its a physical game that many just dont see. The theatrics can be a bit much, comical, but are being dealt with culturally. its going away.
If you cant appreciate what Suarez does for the PL you either dont like soccer at all, or youre an idiot Arsenal fan.