These arguments are always the same. Soccer isn't catching on because we already have sports in place, and soccers rise will be slow. One world cup run won't make a difference. It has to be consistent. The youth base is absolutely there, but without a high level major league to watch (MLS is fun but it doesn't have the base of other sports). Once rivalries get more fierce and there are more oversees players playing here then things will develop.
My favorite sport growing up was soccer. My favorite sport ever and always will be soccer. But if i had the opportunity to watch a regular season MLS game or even a Primier league or UEFA cup game vs. Michigan State football....hands down
MSU.
In my opinion (just an opinion) the people that bash on soccer generally suck at it. I.E. the kid that toe balls everything. Now i'm not saying they are unathetic or anything like that but the coordination for soccer is a lot different from....say football. I love when people call soccer slow and then go out and love baseball. Personally I HATE baseball...and i realize its because i didn't grow up playing it. I see overweight peopel palying first base and pitching. I think the same thing happens over and over again. But i realize the parallel people have with that and soccer. I realize that my biasis against baseball are becasue i didn't grow up playing it.