Quote Originally Posted by maracho
I do not believe that its a talent thing because at least 50% of all U.S. kids grow up playing soccer many of which are extremely talented at the sport and would probably fair very well in a one on one situation with any forriegn player. I believe it has something to do with team comradery, hunger, spirituality or something intangible. For instance, we can place the greatest American baseball, basketball, hocky or soccer players on an all star team and they will very likely get beat by a team from even a small country like Cuba or Lithuania that couldn't possibly have the same amount of talented players to pick from (which by the way, I find very intertaining) . Interstingly though we also get wooped in individualized competitions such as boxing and ameteur wrestling so it cant just be better teamwork and familiarity with peers. I say it has to do with either hunger, faith and spirituality or a combination of these intangibles.
I doubt 50% of kids in America grow up playing soccer. Not even 50% play baseball. This may sound like an asshole think to say, but is it possible there's just more stuff to be interested in, in the U.S.

How many different sports can a person get involved with in any American city. I live outside of Nashville, and I know of plenty of place where you can get involved with bowling leagues, squash teams, baseball, basketball, football, boxing, mma, rugby...

There's plenty of places all over the world where your only sporting option is soccer.