|
I think its a tribal thing at the root of it, you have your team and you will follow them to the end. It isnt as fast as ice hockey but there are definate elements of thinking involved. Its a balance between the two really, but having said that, if you get a great footballer who is a master of the game it can be wonderful to watch. For me, Zinedine Zidane was sheer pleasure to watch, so skillful and graceful with a football at his feet that I virtually always wanted to see him win, even when playing for France (coming from an England supporter that says a lot).
The reality of it is though you arent brought up on it, like a lot of Europeans struggle with your football and baseball. Theyve tried European leagues with US football and after the initial fanfare it fizzled out, similar to the first incarnation of the North American Soccer League despite having players like Pele and Beckenbauer at the time.
It will be interesting to see if the Beckham effect will sway many over... If anything the man is a marketing phenomenon and the LA Galaxy shirt sales are gonna go through the roof worldwide. It may help the game develop but I think the ethnic minorities hold the key really.
|