To Americans who watched this - Green Street (2005) Discussion

[–] Rico112 14 years ago

I follow Chelsea and I'm American. Blues all the way. It's all about Super Frankie Lampard. But, yeah, of those teams you listed you're most spot on for the ones followed by Americans it seems. Most of my friends are either Man U or Liverpool supporters. I have one that's a Tottenham fan, but that's about it.

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[–] AJ_whufc 14 years ago

Thanks for the reply mate

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[–] Prestova 14 years ago

just so you get an idea:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfuUZRr-zJc&feature=player_embedded

and this is just a practice session of the team, imagine what a match is like.
sorry for the bad english

Never argue with an idiot, he'll drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] eric-norrington 14 years ago

I was only recently introduced to the EPL... I don't know many people that are into the sport at all (and especially not into an English league) but, the few people that are HATE Man United and Chelsea. I know an Arsenal fan and a Liverpool fan... and, yes, even a West Ham fan. I haven't seen this film yet, but have plans on watching it soon.

BTW, after a little research I settled on the Spurs.

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[–] 14 years ago

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[–] yanksrulego 14 years ago

I'm an American and I've become more and more interested in European football/soccer over the past several years. I'm not sure that the film itself helped me like football more but it definitely shows how passionate people are about the sport and it makes me want to experience that kind of atmosphere. I don't think American sporting events can compare to the excitement of a premiership match. I really enjoy watching Arsenal and I do follow Fiorentina in Serie A as well. You are correct that most people like the top teams like you mentioned. However, I do have an uncle who loves West Ham and some people I know will pick a top team to follow: Man U, Chelsea, etc. and then a lesser team: B City, Wolverhampton, etc. It is rare though, that an American will follow a poorer team or a middle of the pack team. I feel like football/soccer is really starting to pick up interest as of late. I was surprised at the number of people I knew who watched the World Cup and I think a lot of people are gaining interest in the Premiere League as well.

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[–] mrchapulino 14 years ago

green street hooligans was the first movie that got me into football and opened my eyes to the history and hooligan aspect in which i had no prior knowledge of.i been a supporter of Man United but i still follow cristiano ronaldos career as well.(wished he never left Man U)since then ive watched every movie of hooliganism and have grown to like most of them especially awaydays.green street did start it for me though and has made me love football alot more than US based sports.i wish more people in the states liked football more but i guess US based "football" has to do for now which i stopped following since they handed those dum helmet to helmet fines.

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[–] AJ_whufc 14 years ago

Thank you for all the replies everyone, this has been very helpful.

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[–] landfrowracing 13 years ago

to tell the trueth i am an american but not proud of it but i am proud to say i am the biggest irons supporter in america west ham all the way who are ya who are ya who are ya

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[–] AJ_whufc 13 years ago

Nice one man, good to see The Hammers being supported out there!

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[–] specialed901 13 years ago

One of my best mates is from Warrington and has religiously supported Man U his whole life. When I started hanging out with him in 07 that when the Red Devils were on top so I somewhat became a follower, but after they started winning and I learnt they're history they reminded me of the Yankees of the EPL so now I talk smack about them rather than support. They're still a good squad, but I like to laugh at their demise rather than talk about a big win over Liverpool, Man City, what have you... As for following, I never really got into West Ham but always admired and respected Dean Ashton (mainly cause my mate would brag about how he was once a Manc) More recently I've started to watch Tottenham, Bale is a monster. I actually do follow Inter somewhat as well, but I really follow Eto'o wherever he goes and I would love for him to land in England with a Barclay's team

Laundry Date Winning Mexico Gary Coleman

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[–] AJ_Irons 13 years ago

Thanks for the reply mate. Yeah Dean Ashton was class but now has unfortunately retired due to injury. It's good to see the EPL being supported elsewhere. And Eto'o is brilliant and a good player to follow, it's a shame that most people follow that playboy Ronaldo instead

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[–] YouveBeenZapped 12 years ago

*beep* ronaldo no man is greater than the club UNITED TILL I DIE

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[–] Hippo9 12 years ago

Problem with "soccer" in America is (besides the obvious C level players) is there is no relegation system. Without a relegation system the season is over for league bottom feeders and fans stop watching, supporting their team. The only thing to even play for is hoping to lose all your games to get a high draft pick.

With a relegation system even if you are bottom of the table you want your team to win all their remaining games to get out of the relegation zone.

As for OPs original question I'd say you wouldn't even watch this movie if you were a typical American unless you were a Frodo fan. One can't understand just how exciting soccer can be unless one is exposed to packed pubs watching football, media covering it non stop, concepts like relegation, FA Cup, UEFA Champions league, etc, etc through living in the UK for an extended period of time.

That may be changing with ESPN broadcasting Premiership, FA Cup, Euro, UEFA Champions league in the last 3 years or so. Before that the only games you could get were the World Cup every 4 years.

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[–] Jqn_Hgar 11 years ago

I agree with you Gareth Blae is a monster and i think he will become the new Ronaldo, even statistics say he is beatter than ronaldo in his first 100 EPL games.

I'm sorry to interrupt because i'm not american (I'm from tunisia) but football is like oxygene to me and pretty much everyone on the planet except the US and Japan, but i noticed that there is a big improvement in the level in those countries especially japan, good national team (asian cup winners), good young footballers like Shinji Kagawa who is playing for Man Utd now or Nagamoto in Inter. Still i don't see many american players in europe apart from a few in EPL and Bradley in As Roma i hope Football become sports number 1 in the US soon, so we can have an outstanding World cup

I Crows Zero

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[–] estratton422 13 years ago

Honestly, I doubt many Americans watched this movie unless they are already into soccer (football). I like it myself, although I don't know why Frodo was selected as the American "tough". And, I do have sort of a passion for Fulham, mainly because I started following the American players I liked and I refuse to cheer for one of the bigger teams like some bandwagon jumper. Most Americans, though, follow the big teams because they win, but mostly because they have been easier to see on tv.

As for the passion in Europe as opposed to America, it's hard to compare. We are really talking about an apples to oranges thing here. America is so big that it often takes away from the community identity of sports clubs in Europe. I do think there's a misperception in Europe about the lack of passion for teams in America, we certainly have fanatical followers, but it's not entwined with your identity or neighborhood as much. Americans look to sports more as purely entertainment than Europeans, in my opinion.

However, if you do want to see the closest concept to European clubs in America, I would look at college sports, particularly in a few areas. One obvious one would be American football in the South Eastern Conference. People do often have a connection with these teams, both geographically and as a relationship as their school. I went to the University of Tennessee and we have 100,000 people for games with traditions, songs, etc. like many European clubs.

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[–] MargeGunderson-Brainerd 11 years ago

I was puzzled when we first watched this why they picked him, but after a few viewings (you always notice details you missed even when you've seen a movie a few times) I think it was specifically for his baby face and mild persona, not in spite of those features.

The film not only shows how addicting – and seemingly normal – the violence can become, but also how it can capture anyone, even a sheltered Harvard undergrad; it's not limited to stereotypical thugs and troubled young men.

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[–] eldermellophone5 13 years ago

I'm an Everton Fan in Ohio... I didn't want to follow Man U or Chelsea because they're the huge teams. I wanted to follow a team more middle of the pack, working class like my Cincinnati teams.

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[–] aces_boss_yo 13 years ago

I would, I'm sure, be a fan if I were "In the midst" of it all my life. I sure see where the love for the sport comes from. Admittedly, I don't know diddly about any teams, stats, etc., but that doesn't keep me from watching different films, docs, news reels on the sport. I don't know of any other sport who's fans make it THAT much more exciting. But I'd like to ask you a question, if you don't mind?
Was this film a little too "soft" in regards to the whole scheme of things? I have a hard time watching E. Wood in anything, esp. as any kind of tough guy. So maybe that had a lot to do with what I got out of it. I mean, the action scenes were scrambled and cheap. But if you feel it did the firms justice, then by all means, I am 100% open to local opinion. That's why I ask. IMO, I felt someone with Shane Meadows' touch would have made a much rawer and raunchier film out of the storyline.And with about half the film, half the editing, and half the melancholy touchy feel-y stuff, yet adding more believable sentiment. And if Meadows isn't your style, do you think the film could have been made realer, grittier, edgier by someone else? A director of your choice? Was it tough enough? Thanks.

I might as well enjoy my life and watch the stars play...........

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[–] AJ_whufc 13 years ago

Many thanks for all the latest replies guys, much appreciated.

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[–] brandontc87 13 years ago

soccer is a dumb game and shouldn't be called a sport, rule if you can't use your hands its not a sport. pluse if socccer players were so good at the game why can't they score. i seen games be 0-0 thats lame

if they make 3 goals its like a miracle. its becuase they can't kick for nothin

but i did take one thing from this movie i like when fans of different teams beat the crap out each other. that i do like.

pluse this movie had little to do with soccer.

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[–] jacobh-855-31156 13 years ago

I guess I have a different perspective than most Americans on this topic because I played soccer my whole life growing up. My dad was my coach at a young age and we always watched international games for the most part growing up. At the age of 10 I started playing for a competitive team where tryouts were done over 5 days and hundreds of players came out. After I made that team at 10 I got a whole different perspective. My coach was Scottish and the assistant English. So from that day forward we watched primarily premier league games as a team and at home. Obviously I've watched every World Cup game possible that I've been alive for, but I really fell in love with club soccer at a pretty young age (for an American). At the time that all began for me i most enjoyed watching Manchester United because of Eric Cantona. Manchester United was to me during the 90's what the Chicago Bulls or Dallas Cowboys were to most every other American boy. I played outside mid and quickly idolized the likes of Ryan Giggs and of course David Beckham. So since that all began for me as a young player I would say I have supported Man U the longest. I will probably always support them to some extent, especially as long as Sir Alex is at the helm :) However, I love football in general and will watch almost any game I can get here in America. I love Spanish football as well because of the technique and style, but you can't beat EPL when it comes to true grit and physicality. I both love and hate the new concept of the "superclub" too because you love to see so many skilled players creating together, but it takes away from the overall experience when a league is so lopsided (i.e. Spanish Primera w/Barcelona and Real Madrid). It makes me sad to see ignorant comments made by so many Americans downing on football because it's not exciting enough for them. I can only laugh when I hear people say how it's a sissy sport or not physical enough for them. When you look at the quality of athlete playing most other professional sports it's funny. Especially in America it's almost a joke to compare them to football players in terms of fitness. I think if more people grew up with it from a young age here then they would understand and grow to love it too. Anyways, here's to hoping that interest will continue to grow here in the US. Just wanted to let you and others know that there are true football fans here in America that don't just like a team because it's popular and truly LOVE the sport as a whole. Cheers!

PS- I currently have the following jersey's in my closet right now. Man U, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, USA, England, Brazil, Spain, and Netherlands :)

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[–] jacobh-855-31156 13 years ago

Also, yes I know several people who support smaller clubs and even some who have a second tier team they support as well. I feel like that answer might be skewed a little by the fact that I have always loved football, and that I tend to bond with others that share that interest as there aren't many here in America. I would give almost anything to get to travel Europe and attend different football matches along the way. I will do it someday, but for now the best I get is to have a few pints and watch on the Tele, haha. That and I play FIFA 11 online which is always good fun to live vicariously. I love that you get to download current rosters every day and play with your favorite clubs. It gets more realistic each year, and the online banter with your opponents is priceless!!! You get perspectives from all over the world that's for sure. That's where I have the best football conversations for the most part. Sad but true, that's America for you!

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[–] AJ_Irons 13 years ago

Thanks mate this is a really good reply unlike the other guy who clearly has nothing better to do than look for An argument. I feel sorry for him but cheers for yours.

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[–] roe935 13 years ago

This past World Cup got me into the sport Big time! Now I have apps on my phone that allow me to keep track of the EPL ( I lean towards Arsenal). I also plan to attend the WC in Brazil in 2014

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[–] virgo8679 13 years ago

in america we consider golfers world class athlets

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[–] chivers677 11 years ago

soccer is a dumb game and shouldn't be called a sport, rule if you can't use your hands its not a sport. pluse if socccer players were so good at the game why can't they score. i seen games be 0-0 thats lame

I know your post is two years old and all, hopefully you've matured a fair bit since then. Think about what you're trying to say first before coming across as a complete tool.

The clue is in the title. It's called "football" for a reason. You use your feet to progress, not your hands! How hard is that to muster? I have nothing against Americans, but I must say it doesn't make much sense to me to call English football "soccer" when you basically said it yourself. American football is all about using your hands, therefore it's closer to Rugby.

"Stop looking at the walls, look out the window." ~ Karl Pilkington On Art

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[–] r-lambert20 11 years ago

The correct name is in fact Soccer" although over the decades it has become known and referred to as "football"
The normal term used for the game hasn't quite caught on in the US for the simple reason that they also have their own version of football that you correctly identified as being closer to rugby, however it is still football to them, and to refer to another sport as having the same name would be confusing if you lived in the US.
The game us Brits refer to as football is derived from the game played by toffy nosed kids at Eton, somewhere around the Victorian period, and was far removed from the game we know today, and the rules where weird if you could find any.
The goals were a tree and, I think a wall, also, they would bundle together against a wall similar to how they do in rugby and American football, so you can see how the games originated from this old Etonian game.
When rules were defined and implemented, the game become known as "Association Football" or "Soccer" for short, then later "Football"
Americans still call it by it's original name.

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[–] HelveticaFont 11 years ago

I thought countries that have their own version of football call it Soccer to distinguish it; US, Australian and even the Republic of Ireland.

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[–] headlikeahole3 13 years ago

*FIRST OFF FORGIVE ME BECAUSE IM GOING TO REFER TO THE SPORT AS SOCCER*

Im american and the only soccer team I follow is Arsenal. Everyone I know that follow premier league are all Man U fans. I have nothing against West Ham, but after watching this movie I have great respect for West Ham supporters. I respect their devotion especially after the last few seasons.

As an avid and devout sports fan one thing I can't stand is bandwagon fans. People follow a team only if they are winning. There are plenty of those where I live, in my lifetime 49ers and Packers fans suddenly disappeared and Patriot, Eagles, and Steeler fans seem to have taken their place. In the last year there was a sudden increase in Saints fans for some bizarre reason.

So keep standing by your team West Ham fans, as you have my great respect

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