Feno- I think you'd probably get more positive feedback about your threads. If you made them about the topic..and not yourself.

There are just other/better ways to preface a topic/post..without making it all about YOU.

Not trying to start stuff..just saying.

As for the topic:

Soccer popularity in the US is definitely on the rise. However, I don't think you'll have mainstream acceptance of soccer until the US wins the World Cup.
And ..sure..that sounds ridiculous to us. But look at college basketball..it's all about the Final Four. Look at how much we obsess over THE SUPER BOWL..or THE STANLEY CUP. Look at how many regular season games there are in the NBA..we talk about Kobe's 81..then wait for the playoffs.

That's my observation..as for this thread. You guys must have grown-up the middle child..right?