[OWV9LSxH]

There was no need for anyone to pretend to care. No one was expecting it. Sorry to hear it if some felt they needed to pretend for a month.

ditto, just make sure you all clear out before EPL starts

[OWV9LSxH]

Heres an interesting S-B.net fact:

over the course of the 2010 World Cup, posting on the soccer board increased 53% from 2815 posts to 4307.

That blows away the traffic for the last world cup. So either, this tourney is gathering more attention, or people are finding things to say about soccer to pad their post count.

[Xavier_Spinner_Wheels]

Heres an interesting S-B.net fact:

over the course of the 2010 World Cup, posting on the soccer board increased 53% from 2815 posts to 4307.

That blows away the traffic for the last world cup. So either, this tourney is gathering more attention, or people are finding things to say about soccer to pad their post count.

I think we have more members now who are soccer fans. Plus, I dont remember having Straw educating us on little known soccer facts (like 1950) in 2006. Both of those factors really drive up traffic.

Aside from the attention the US got from Slovenia to Ghana I dont feel that this tournament had more buzz than 2006. Might just be me.....

[botagozzz]

Also take into account that the MLS is healthier now than it was in 2006. Exposure to the game is up and people have become more interested in the game. Heck, 4 years ago I didn't give a rat's ass about the game. Just started giving a damn 2 years ago and really started watching MLS about the time the US started their amazing Confed Cup run.

[incizarry]

I think we have more members now who are soccer fans. Plus, I dont remember having Straw educating us on little known soccer facts (like 1950) in 2006. Both of those factors really drive up traffic.

Aside from the attention the US got from Slovenia to Ghana I dont feel that this tournament had more buzz than 2006. Might just be me.....

Largest US audience to ever watch a W.C. Final even w/o US in it.

Also take into account that the MLS is healthier now than it was in 2006. Exposure to the game is up and people have become more interested in the game. Heck, 4 years ago I didn't give a rat's ass about the game. Just started giving a damn 2 years ago and really started watching MLS about the time the US started their amazing Confed Cup run.

I was about to post the rise of MLS who have added I believe at least 4 teams to Major markets since the last WC, and the ConFed cup run also helped quite a bit.
The fact that the games were on at a watchable time for most helped as well.

[Qynvtlur]

Largest US audience to ever watch a W.C. Final even w/o US in it.

Soccer's definitely gaining ground in the US and doing so because of expectations that we *can* play alongside some of the world's best countries/teams and not be embarrassed.

[finnmontserrat]

The World Cup has become my favorite sporting event hands down. Having gone to Germany in '06, I witnessed the passion for the game.

The streets of Germany were closed down completely after winning a quarter final match.

The drama of seeing a smaller country like Uruguay compete against the powerhouses, is a spectacle with life altering events hanging in the balance.

A player like Forlan will forever be a national hero with his amazing play.

I'll always remember the way Landon Donovan finally delivered on all of the promise for our country by delivering crucial game-changing goals at pivotal moments.

The montage of celebrations across the country still sends a chill down my spine.

We're only 3 years and 328 days away from 2014 in Brazil and I can't wait.