So the U.S. doesn't like soccer, and soccer doesn't necessarily like the U.S.

Well, you might be able to say that for a couple more years — but not for long.

It's only a matter of time before soccer becomes the most popular sport to play and watch in the U.S. — yes, the United States is going to have to stick with the name soccer, because those fat guys in ultra-tight, shiny spandex already stole the name football.

But why will soccer take over?

Well, compared to lazy and ultra-structured sports like baseball and football, soccer has much more freedom built into the game, and it's a better source of exercise. There's much more steady running, rather than constant breaks and standing around in the outfield.

So if fathers and mothers are worried about their little angels' good health, they're more likely to choose a sport that includes more exercise, unless they're bull-headed. The U.S. has a problem with obesity, so let's start correcting it with a game full of activity.

This is not to say that baseball players and football players don't train as hard as soccer players, but really, they don't need to be in as good of shape for their games.

Plus, soccer is better suited for both sexes. When it comes to baseball, we force girls to play on a smaller field with a giant ball. I mean, the boys play hardball and the girls play softball. Come on, how long will this fly?

Soccer is also a very cheap sport to play. All you really need in an organized league are cleats, shin guards and a ball.

I remember becoming really angry at my baseball coaches when I was younger because they didn't like that I was using the same cleats for soccer and baseball. But really, soccer cleats work fine for baseball. The problem comes when you try to use baseball cleats — or football cleats, for that matter — for soccer.

Soccer doesn't allow the front cleat because it can be harmful to other players, but in baseball or football, it doesn't matter if you're potentially causing more physical harm to other players. It's all about creating the most advantage for yourself.

Now, it makes sense to play soccer, but why don't we watch that much soccer in the U.S.?

Well, it may be hard to swallow for many Americans, but we don't have the best soccer league. The MLS is coming along, but the best and wealthiest athletes play in Europe.

Because professional games from Europe and this year's World Cup games are not aired in prime time, many hard-working Americans don't get out of work or school before the games are already over and are unable to watch.

If the best games were aired in prime time, Americans could become familiar with the best players from around the world and increasingly interested in the sport. Or maybe we just need a reality show that focuses on soccer for it to catch on in the U.S.

If you do have the luxury of having time in the mornings and afternoons to watch the World Cup games, I would recommend turning off the sound. The American announcers are horrible. It's almost like John Madden commenting on a vegetarian cook-off — they don't know what they're talking about.

Although, it's very cool to listen to stadium fans and their different chants and songs in the crowd, so maybe just try to block out the oblivious and ridiculous comments made by U.S. announcers.

It seems like all the soccer-haters in the U.S. have a problem with the faking that goes on during the course of the games. But if you can handle watching an NBA game with the Miami Heat's Dwyane Wade flopping his body around, while wearing something that looks like black panty hose and a bro — a male bra — under his uniform, then I don't think you have any room to talk.

Ryan McCormick is a State News general entertainment reporter, reach him at mccorm87@msu.edu.