Soccer still in its infancy for Americans

It was a REAL miracle.

Soccer fans howled with delight as the dozens of dominoes that needed to fall in their favor actually fell over and over this weekend.

The reward for the Real faithful is a second consecutive trip to the Major League Soccer playoffs. While I love the fact that Real's season will continue, the fact that Real's record is 11-12-7 does make me feel a little like a batter getting four strikes instead of three because everyone, including the umpire, feels sorry for me.

Don't get me wrong. Making the playoffs is exciting. But when it's sort of a gift, a freebie, it doesn't feel like there is as much to celebrate.

That is until you consider more than just the team's record.

People are always trying to compare women's sports to men's leagues when the truth is it is like comparing a 5K to a marathon. Men have been playing in organized sports leagues four to five times longer than women. They've had the chance to develop, both as leagues and as individual athletes.

The success of men's leagues shouldn't diminish what women are accomplishing.

That's the way I see soccer. It is in its infancy in the U.S.

Soccer is a growing sport in this country — growing in popularity and growing in skill level. Unlike baseball, basketball and football, we Americans have never dominated soccer on the international stage. It is not (yet) America's sport. We are, in fact, converts to the game.

Sure, we've been competitive in World Cups, but those were the collection of our best players — not a league of professionals, many of whom probably wouldn't make a roster in some of the soccer-crazed countries.

Our fans don't threaten to kill goalies who fail to make that final save. We don't stampede over the top of each other to get into a match. While there are a small, hard-core group of fans who understand and appreciate the intricacies of the sport, it is not beloved by the masses on the professional level.

And the fact that there aren't maniacal mobs begging for more soccer is what confuses me a little.

Head to any park on a Saturday morning and there are about 100 little kid soccer games. I'm not sure if the census asks such questions, but my guess is most children over the age of 3 own cleats and shin guards and several soccer jerseys.

For many years it was the fastest-growing sport in America thanks to youth leagues. So if these youngsters are now adults, doesn't it makes sense that they'd want to watch the sport they grew up playing?

Why do so many of these little soccer stars abandon the sport for football or basketball?

Regardless of why soccer is slower to capture the hearts and minds of adult sports fans, and despite earning a playoff spot the most difficult way possible, Real has the chance to convert a few more skeptics with a positive post-season performance.

Because while we might not understand off-sides or why the game clock ends whenever the ref feels it should, one thing can clear up that confusion like no other — winning.

e-mail: adonaldson@desnews.com