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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=RantingSoccerDad][quote=Anonymous]Just to put this discussion about Bolivia to rest. Notice which Latin American countries are ranked in the top 5 and top 20 globally and which country is not. By definition, top 20 placement means strong. Under any measurement you use, Bolivia is not a serious soccer country. That is not meant to disrespect Bolivia but if you are going to say that "Bolivia" gives an adult league any credibility you need to get serious. http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/ranking-table/men/index.html
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And yet, the typical Bolivian is going to be far more into soccer than the typical American.

You could say "Scottish adult league," and you know it's going to be intense even if Scotland's national team is nowhere near where it used to be. If you want to see a weak adult league, say "Suburban Dads' adult league." Maybe the U.S. national team is a bit better than Scotland's or Bolivia's (or maybe not), but unless Christian Pulisic shows up to play, that doesn't matter.

And in this area, the memories of seeing Etcheverry and Moreno tear up MLS (and CONCACAF) are strong, so it means a little bit more than it would if it were a Bolivian league in Minnesota.[/quote]

I don't disagree about the typical American but given that our nation supports, professional bass fishing in additional to the MLS, NBA, NHL, NFL MLB, etc. amd a robust amatuer league, i.e. NCAA, means the typical America has literally 20+ choices so it is not surprising that the typical America is not into soccer.

yes quite a few former pro players from El Salvador Guatemala  and other central american countries play in cash games . most come here work landscaping during the week and play in cash games on weekends each earning anywhere from $150 per game up to $750 for a very talented former big name player. lots of money is bet on these games between the team sponsors.

BTW, I play in several "suburban adult leaguess" and the quality is usually pretty stron (Expats, IFC/World Bank, Embassy staff) and I have yet to see a quality Bolivian. It could be that they are playing in the impressive Bolivian league.

You will have to excuse me if I just don't asign much credibility to Bolivia based o the performance of two Bolivians who played in a joke of a professional soccer league back when it was weaker. If they were that good, they would have played in the Premier, La Liga, Bundasliga or Serie A. At the very least they would been brand names in Argentina or Brazil. [/quote]

The original reference to a Bolivian league had nothing to do with the relative strength of Bolivia.  It was a reference to a Bolivian soccer league where some of the local Hispanic "kids" play.

Yes, there is a Bolivian league as well as some other Hispanic leagues in the area of mixed skill level from teenagers to older skilled and unskilled laborer types to yes, former professional players from Latin America.  Some of the teams are pretty good and the soccer is good enough that some of our FIFA referees have come down to work an occasional game to acquaint themselves with some of the Hispanic style and gamesmanship.  And yes, several of the players and teams in the local Hispanic leagues would certainly hold their own in WPL.  Then again they probably wouldn't bother with it because the better players are playing for cash in the hispanic leagues.

As for the Bolivians who played for DC United, you will still see one of them on occasion playing for one of the local adult powerhouses Aegean Hawks, though I think it has been a few years since he last laced up.   
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