Like the Game or Not, Soccer Draws Responses

It was apparent in the responses to Bob Oates’ insightful article that soccer fans are still clinging to the dream that their dull sport will succeed in this country.

While it is difficult and infinitely subjective to say whether one sport is better than another, it is equally apparent that football simply has more to offer. Soccer has never graduated to a 20th-Century level of refinement.

I also detected a note of paranoia. Does anyone seriously think there’s a conspiracy among the television networks to keep soccer in the closet? If there was a demand, and thus potential profit, it would be there. Right now, it’s simply a case of “Who cares?” There are so few possibilities at any given moment of a soccer match compared to what might happen on a football field that Mr. Oates is right to point out that it simply won’t hold Americans’ interest.

Keep up the good work, Bob.

JOHN C. RICHARDS

Los Angeles

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In response to reader George Kiseda’s confusion as to CONCACAF (Morning Briefing, Aug. 10), I polled many of my friends from Latin America and Europe and most seemed to know that it stood for “Confederation North, Central America and of the Caribbean of Football.” However, most were mystified by the meanings of NCAA, NIT, CIF and ACC.

George, it is reassuring to know that the ugly American is not an endangered species.

KEN KUREK

Los Angeles