Comments on: Chuck Culpepper’s”Bloody Confused”: A Bad Read for an American Football (Soccer) Supporter

By: american sports

american sports — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 18:42:20 +0000

Cool tool thanks for posting this up

By: Mikey

Mikey — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:01:16 +0000

I think this is a good point. One tiresome trope of the book is not just that Culpepper keeps referring to US sports, but the simplistic way in which he does so in order to make an invidious distinction between US pro sports and the EPL. US pro sports are hopelessly tainted, EPL is wonderful (and somehow not tainted by money like US sports). (I’m in the middle the book, so perhaps he eases up on his romanticism in the latter half.)

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 03:43:59 +0000

The most entertaining games I have ever seen have been MLS games. the 96 final, DC vs NE in 04, and Toronto’s first win with seat cushions raining onto the field. FMF and USL also provide superior entertainment, if not the superior skill of the epl.

MLS doesn’t have more than 2-3 players of the quality the EPL has, but the game is much more exciting in Concacaf than in England. You’re missing out on a lot but not looking at what’s right around you.

England does have better referees though.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:24:07 +0000

I read about 10 pages at Barnes and Noble and came to the conclusion you did without wasting the money on the book.

It may amuse typically American sports fans but for those of us who bleed and die MLS and US Soccer it was bore and yes insulting.

By: EJ Sux

EJ Sux — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:00:44 +0000

So if an American does not watch MLS he cannot be a soccer fan?

That’s a terrible attitude if you are trying to grow the game.

But honestly the book was silly and stupid in my opinion. It’s $14 I’ll never get back.

By: Max J.

Max J. — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 06:34:40 +0000

Why all the analysis? And why the need to mention MLS? None of that is needed to critique the book. All you need to say is that it’s horribly written, repetitive, and hackneyed (all of which it is, in spades), and we’ll be fine.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:03:52 +0000

Perhaps Culpepper never mentions MLS, USL, Nats. is becasue he doesn’t really like the country anymore. Did you catch all the anti-american comments? Ok book but it did get bothersome to me at times.

By: Soccer Guru

Soccer Guru — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:29:24 +0000

I agree 100%. Culpepper’s book patronizes all of us.

By: Travis H.

Travis H. — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 20:42:03 +0000

You keep calling people eurosnobs but in fact I think soccersnob or MLSsnob is also a term that needs to be put in the vocabulary. Seriously, if I had watched MLS before I saw the EPL or the World Cup. I’d STILL hate Soccer.

This is a terrible write up.

By: Shell

Shell — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 19:32:42 +0000

Look, Culpepper really “discovered” football in England.

Honestly you have critiqued MLS enough yourself. It’s a third rate product.

My experience is if you introduce someone who is American to Soccer via MLS, USL or College Soccer you have about a 10% chance of retaining their interest.

If you introduce them to the Prem or Champions League you have a 50-50 chance of keeping them interested.

These are facts. Most Soccer fans in America DO NOT follow MLS. Even fewer follow USL. Even fewer follow College Soccer.

You are one conflicted person. You rightfully critique MLS: I like your writing a lot. But then ever so often in order to prove you’re cred to the MLS lovers you post something so outrageuous like this which bashes any American who likes European soccer better. Get off your high horse and stop preaching to us.

Get back to writing the stuff like you did on Trecker’s site the other day that made perfect sense and most soccer fans would say AMEN to.