"I could care less that soccer is the most popular sport in the world, it is not here in the USA, and not close, no matter how much it has grown. "

See this is the straw man claim that no one -certainly in this thread - has made. No one claimed soccer is closed to being the most popular sport in the world.

"A common perception I seem to see, is that because it is the most popular sport in the world, then we here in the USA have to go along with that and follow what the rest of the world does. As far as I'm concerned, the USA sets the standard on this planet, and we don't have to go along with the rest of the world. "

I guess that perception is out there to some extent. But it doesn't matter. GLOBALISM is a force that does not spare the US, and whose encroachment means that soccer will continue to grow here! Isn't that fantastic? ! And as for setting the standard on the planet, in some ways yes. But the ESPN survey of the top 100 most popular athletes in the world shows that THERE ARE NO BASEBALL PLAYERS ON THE LIST. Meaning the US is very insular in some ways and doesn't "set the example" for the rest of the world. We don't HAVE to go along with the rest of the world, but in some ways, incuding soccer, we increasingly ARE! Isn't that great?

"On any given saturday on sunday, there is not a soccer game in this county that could come close to hanging with a Top ten college football game, or a NFL game. "

Complete matter of opinion. Changes nothing. Proves nothing. And I disagree.

"in this country, soccer is fifth, regardless of it's status in the world. Do more kids in theis country play soccer than Hockey? probably. but the MLS in this country does not have a TV deal to match the NHL. Why? as popular as it has become, it still takes a back seat to the others sports here. "

 Again, it depends on the measurement. The Gallop poll shows soccer (not just MLS) has nearly twice the percentage of respondents claiming it as their favorite sport as hockey. It shows that for Americans over age 55 - you and me - soccer is the favorite of just 1 percent. For those between 18 and 34 however, soccer is tied with basketball for second!! Isn't that great?! That's our future, BYURider!

Moreover, the soccer haters are increasingly moving the goal posts in their increasingly futile and Sri dent attempts to argue their point. The MLS is one of the least liked and followed leagues in the USA, but it is doing OK and growing! The EPL gets about 3 times more TV viewership. The LigaMX gets 4 or 5 times as much! And then there are those Americans who primarily follow LA Liga or the Bundesliga or Champions league, etc, etc not do mention primarily international soccer. "Soccer" is ALL of that and more!

"I'm 59"

Not surprised. I'm 57. I discovered soccer at 23 after growing up with the big 3. Soccer is now my favorite sport.