Soccer vs American football in HS

[Anonymous]

American football is garbage and as stated by many here about the things around it and not about the actual sport.

Looking forward to the extinction of it

I’ll campaign with hubby to push for HS soccer games on Fridays too begin attracting more and bigger crowds.

Also thinking why can’t cheerleaders and band support soccer.

Aren’t we about inclusivity and equity and all other buzzwords?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American football is garbage and as stated by many here about the things around it and not about the actual sport.

Looking forward to the extinction of it

I’ll campaign with hubby to push for HS soccer games on Fridays too begin attracting more and bigger crowds.

Also thinking why can’t cheerleaders and band support soccer.

Aren’t we about inclusivity and equity and all other buzzwords?

Whatever makes you feel better, Karen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American football is garbage and as stated by many here about the things around it and not about the actual sport.

Looking forward to the extinction of it

I’ll campaign with hubby to push for HS soccer games on Fridays too begin attracting more and bigger crowds.

Also thinking why can’t cheerleaders and band support soccer.

Aren’t we about inclusivity and equity and all other buzzwords?

Soccer will never attract crowds in this country just like american football will never attract crowds in south america.

[Anonymous]

I love soccer and my kids play soccer. But this is the soccer page on DCUM so not really gonna get valid assessments. Football is still the biggest sport in this country and Friday Night football games is still the biggest sporting event at a high school.

However, this is the bed soccer has made and now we have to sleep in it. My two oldest play MLS Next and are not allowed to play HS soccer. ECNL makes it almost impossible as well. So the best players aren't even playing. We have allowed the pay-to-play system own the sport and write HS out of the picture entirely.

[Anonymous]

If any sport will threaten football, it's basketball at the right school. Cheer and band usually switch to supporting basketball once football is over at schools with good teams,

Basketball is also THE most profitable sport for many high schools and colleges. It's also the most competitive to make a roster at a good school. That's because, compared to football, there are fewer players, very little overhead costs, very little coaching staff, and way more games played per season.

[Anonymous]

Soccer parents obviously find value in soccer over American football. But it’s not just football parents that prefer it over soccer- even other school activities. There are more frequent breaks during football (quarters, timeouts, other stoppages) that the bands and cheerleaders synch their performances to. This is just one example, but this example also extends to basketball. Soccer is continuous without stoppage other than halftime.
I highly doubt soccer would overtake the prominence of football in high school anytime soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American football is a dying sport. No parents in our social circle let their sons play tackle football due to the risk of long term brain damage.

And flag football is just ***

The NFL owns a day of the week. More American's watch the NFL than go to church...

There's more money being dumped into college football than ever before in the history of the game.

Flag football participation numbers are surging and was just added as an Olympic sport in 2028.

The beauty of Facts vs Opinions. American football is FAR from dying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is a self perpetuating tradition.

Several decades ago soccer wasn't popular in the US at all, most Americans didn't even know the rules. But they knew football, and the town and school would go to the football games.

So now, even though many more people know soccer, the crowds still go to the football games. They aren't going to watch the football...here in the DC area the high school football is mostly terrible...they are going to hang out with the crowds. There has never been a shift that would make the crowds start attending the soccer games.

"here in the DC area the high school football is mostly terrible"

What a diabolical take.

The WCAC consistently has some of the best high school football in the country and has produced countless college and NFL players.

The St. James Academy, made up of DC area kids, is playing a NATIONAL schedule in their 2nd year.

While in Baltimore, St. Frances Academy is arguably the best team in the entire country and has numerous DC area players.

Across 6 Virginia public school divisions in 2025, a DC area team was represented in 3 State Championship games.

2025 was the first year since 2000 that a Fairfax or Prince William County team has not been represented in the 6A VA State Championship...

While not Texas, Florida, Georgia, etc the football in the DC area is good, really good. Especially compared to surrounding states.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If any sport will threaten football, it's basketball at the right school. Cheer and band usually switch to supporting basketball once football is over at schools with good teams,

Basketball is also THE most profitable sport for many high schools and colleges. It's also the most competitive to make a roster at a good school. That's because, compared to football, there are fewer players, very little overhead costs, very little coaching staff, and way more games played per season.

My brother-in law is an AD in LCPS. Has anyone on here has ever looked into how sport programs are funded in public high schools in this area? In most of the counties (LCPS, FCPS, ACPS, PWCS), football funds ALL the other sports at the school (besides boys basketball at a few select schools) through ticket sales and concessions. There would be no high school soccer if there wasn't football.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know I’ll take a lot of heat, especially the hardcore paytriots, but whats the allure with American football filling the stadium even if they know beforehand their school sucks and will get absolutely destroyed?

Vs what they call soccer here, never ever filling the stands/bleachers no matter how amazing the team is and even if they’re a contender to win the state championship?

Please explain this infatuation to a South American who simply doesn’t get it.

Not interested in specifics about how one is played with the hand and the other the foot, just curious what draws these crowds for a sport that spends 85 to 90% of time idle and has a fringe playing time of action.

Plus I see overweight and outright obese children in it just to make a human wall or crash into a running body and I can’t for the life of me understand how that’s supposed to be healthy. Subjecting a child to heart disease and diabetes before they turn 30.

Really curious. TIA!

You must be a real treat to hang out with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I’ll take a lot of heat, especially the hardcore paytriots, but whats the allure with American football filling the stadium even if they know beforehand their school sucks and will get absolutely destroyed?

Vs what they call soccer here, never ever filling the stands/bleachers no matter how amazing the team is and even if they’re a contender to win the state championship?

Please explain this infatuation to a South American who simply doesn’t get it.

Not interested in specifics about how one is played with the hand and the other the foot, just curious what draws these crowds for a sport that spends 85 to 90% of time idle and has a fringe playing time of action.

Plus I see overweight and outright obese children in it just to make a human wall or crash into a running body and I can’t for the life of me understand how that’s supposed to be healthy. Subjecting a child to heart disease and diabetes before they turn 30.

Really curious. TIA!

Coupled with the fact my D1 son makes more money playing college football than most parents on this board make at their job. He loves the game and money. Even bigger money potential. Yes, could get injured playing football, or hit by a car, or crash in a plane….you get my point. PS free college too! Crummy sport though right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:American football is a dying sport. No parents in our social circle let their sons play tackle football due to the risk of long term brain damage.

And flag football is just ***

Damn! How big is your social circle that you’d make a statement like that?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I’ll take a lot of heat, especially the hardcore paytriots, but whats the allure with American football filling the stadium even if they know beforehand their school sucks and will get absolutely destroyed?

Vs what they call soccer here, never ever filling the stands/bleachers no matter how amazing the team is and even if they’re a contender to win the state championship?

Please explain this infatuation to a South American who simply doesn’t get it.

Not interested in specifics about how one is played with the hand and the other the foot, just curious what draws these crowds for a sport that spends 85 to 90% of time idle and has a fringe playing time of action.

Plus I see overweight and outright obese children in it just to make a human wall or crash into a running body and I can’t for the life of me understand how that’s supposed to be healthy. Subjecting a child to heart disease and diabetes before they turn 30.

Really curious. TIA!

Coupled with the fact my D1 son makes more money playing college football than most parents on this board make at their job. He loves the game and money. Even bigger money potential. Yes, could get injured playing football, or hit by a car, or crash in a plane….you get my point. PS free college too! Crummy sport though right?

But when that CTE kicks in

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If any sport will threaten football, it's basketball at the right school. Cheer and band usually switch to supporting basketball once football is over at schools with good teams,

Basketball is also THE most profitable sport for many high schools and colleges. It's also the most competitive to make a roster at a good school. That's because, compared to football, there are fewer players, very little overhead costs, very little coaching staff, and way more games played per season.

My brother-in law is an AD in LCPS. Has anyone on here has ever looked into how sport programs are funded in public high schools in this area? In most of the counties (LCPS, FCPS, ACPS, PWCS), football funds ALL the other sports at the school (besides boys basketball at a few select schools) through ticket sales and concessions. There would be no high school soccer if there wasn't football.

Football Events are very popular for a large part of the population
No disputing that

Football the game itself, not so much

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I know I’ll take a lot of heat, especially the hardcore paytriots, but whats the allure with American football filling the stadium even if they know beforehand their school sucks and will get absolutely destroyed?

Vs what they call soccer here, never ever filling the stands/bleachers no matter how amazing the team is and even if they’re a contender to win the state championship?

Please explain this infatuation to a South American who simply doesn’t get it.

Not interested in specifics about how one is played with the hand and the other the foot, just curious what draws these crowds for a sport that spends 85 to 90% of time idle and has a fringe playing time of action.

Plus I see overweight and outright obese children in it just to make a human wall or crash into a running body and I can’t for the life of me understand how that’s supposed to be healthy. Subjecting a child to heart disease and diabetes before they turn 30.

Really curious. TIA!

Coupled with the fact my D1 son makes more money playing college football than most parents on this board make at their job. He loves the game and money. Even bigger money potential. Yes, could get injured playing football, or hit by a car, or crash in a plane….you get my point. PS free college too! Crummy sport though right?

But when that CTE kicks in

The “but when” logic? But when your kid gets killed in combat, but when your kid gets killed in a car accident. Your logic dictates nobody serves in the military or drives/rides in a car. Do you follow your dreams or hide in the house? Guess we all have to make our choices and live with them right?