The Milwaukee Post

Soccer has won. I concede defeat. It doesn't matter what I think about the game. Soccer is here. Soccer is popular. Soccer is part of the sports fabric of the United States. I'm not sure exactly how it happened. I've been told for 20 years that soccer was growing and would be loved in America as it is fanatically adored in the rest of the world. Soccer fans kept selling it, but I never saw it. All I saw were kids playing soccer. Kids were playing, but it didn't seem to amount to anything regard- ing national interest in the sport. Soccer was similar to many Olympic sports that were important for a couple of weeks every four years, but died when presented outside the Olympic arena. Soccer was the same as it's always been. It was a fringe sport. It had a fan base consisting mostly of people with accents who loved soccer because of a connection with the sport learned in another country. Soccer love was not found in America. It was found in another country and brought to the United States. The World Cup TV ratings show that I would be an idiot to sell that analysis any- more. The U.S. game against Ghana was more than twice as large as the NHL play- offs average and just below the norm for the most recent World Series. The exact numbers aren't important. It's important to realize that a contest against a country that many fans couldn't spell or find on a globe was in the same neighborhood as playoff ratings in pro hockey or pro base- ball. The next match against Portugal was the highest for any soccer match telecast in America and reached more viewers than the NBA finals or the World Series. United States-Portugal had nearly as many viewers as the BCS national cham- pionship college football game between Florida State and Auburn. So, a soccer match that is just one of three games in the preliminary competition of the World Cup is as popular the most important col- lege football game of the year. It doesn't matter if a segment of the population still believes it's a stupid sport. It doesn't matter if the field (or pitch) is bigger than the state of Texas. It doesn't matter if soccer is the only sport with a clock that keeps the exact time a secret to players, coaches, and fans. It doesn't mat- ter if I consider one Brewers win as more important than any United States win in the World Cup. It doesn't matter if soccer is the only sport that's less exciting than watching someone sleep. It doesn't matter than no sport, especially in its most impor- tant event, should allow contests to end in a tie. It doesn't matter if I spend 10 more columns talking about all the things I don't like soccer. It's a waste of time. The public has spo- ken. Soccer is legit. Soccer is exciting. It's exciting for young people who like to meet at bars and socialize during soccer matches. It's exciting for the fans who might be more enthusiastic than any fans of any team in America. I might get there one day. Right now I'm still in a state of shock trying to wrap my brain around the fact that more people watched U.S.-Portugal than watched the college football national championship game. June 27, 2014 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 "HOMER" on SPORTS STEVE "The HOMER" TRUE (Ste v e "The Homer" True, host of "Homer and Gabe Show," heard from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays on 540 ESPN, can be reached at homer@espnmilwaukee.com) Soccer is here, more popular than ever Photo by John Ehlke/Conley News Service Ryan Braun and Jean Segura hopes to keep the Milwaukee Brewers on top of the National League Central Division standings. The Brewers continue their four-game series with the Colorado Rockies before head- intg to Toronto and Cincinnati for a five-game road trip. As of press time, the Brewers had a record of 48-32. THIS SATURDAY AT THE SATURDAY JUNE 28 FITNESS THIS WEEK: Zumba! With Michelle Flynn 1:00 – 2:00 PM Donations appreciated Zumba involves dance and aerobic elements with easy-to-follow choreography for a total- body workout that feels like a celebration! Michelle Flynn has been doing Zumba for three years, and the positivity, the fun, and the "you can't do it wrong-ness" of Zumba. Come get your dance on at the market! Equipment not provided. Come a few minutes early to sign a waiver (required) and please park on 6th Street or in the Water Tower parking lot. * Note: No fitness class if it rains. Musical Guests - Mississippi Sawyer Mississippi Sawyer plays old time songs, tradi- tional and original music with members play- ing homemade instruments and household items as musical instruments. Come enjoy What you'll find: Strawberries, strawberries and more strawber- ries! Sugar snap peas, spinach and lettuces, radishes, Rhubarb, onions, colorful oyster mushrooms, savory salsas and chips, beautiful flowers, artisanal breads, great bakery, jams, fragrant soaps and more handcrafted items. NEW - the Weekly 50/50 raffle At the info booth, meet our volunteers, check in with your photo on Facebook and get 50/50 raffle tickets. Winners through July also get a pair of State Fair Tickets! Farm Growers are Still Planting! Many of our growers report that they are still planting so check back for your favorite farm vendors. Nhia & Pang Farm, Bong Chang, Growing Power, Mai Vang, Ly & Seng Vang, Mark Schultz, Natures Colors, Sugar Bee Farms, The Bread Lady, 5 Lilies, Soap of the Earth and Apple Holler are ready to serve you. Vendors Welcome Make It, Bake It or Grow It – Space is avail- able. See our website or Facebook pages for links to applications and regulations. Updates and schedules are at www.gardendistrictfarmersmarket.com and Like us on Facebook Presented by the Garden District Neighborhood Association with sponsorship provided by: 238976057 74th & Forest Home 414-321-4400 meyersrestaurant.com CHECK OUT OUR WEEKLY SPECIALS MEYER'S RESTAURANT & BAR MONDAY - All you can eat Broasted Chicken ............The Best in Town! $8.99 TUESDAY - Roll Back the Clock Night. 70's prices on select items, 4-9pm WEDNESDAY - Buy one get one FREE burger night, 4-9pm THURSDAY - Try our famous pork rib eye and get a FREE slice of cheesecake FRIDAY - MEYER'S FAMOUS FISH FRY FEATURING... Cherry Bourbon Tilapia - Fresh tilapia filet broiled and brushed with homemade cherry bourbon glaze ..................................................$11.99 Salmon & Shrimp Cakes - Homemade salmon and shrimp cakes pan seared and topped with dill cream sauce, served with choice of potato and fresh vegetable ...................................................................$11.99 SATURDAY - 1lb Prime Rib au jus............................Only $15.99 - Also Featured This Week - Cherry Bourbon TIlapia .............................................................$11.99 Salmon & Shrimp Cakes ...........................................................$11.99 Kentucky Bourbon Strip Steak.................................................$13.99 Crab Cake Dinner...................................................................$11.99 Leg of Lamb Dinner ...................................................................$11.99 - Plus Much More - Planning a pig roast? Check us out at www.meyerscountrypigroasting.com Serving groups from 50 to 200 plus. Prices as low as $6.99 per person Visit www.meyersrestaurant.com each day for the daily specials 239067014 Wheelchairs • Walkers • 3-Wheel Scooters MEDICAL EQUIPMENT BUY • SELL • TRADE • REPAIR Helping Aids, Inc. 414-321-6494 238736080

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