They don't have team hopscotch?
Most of the time when we have a soccer thread, the soccer fans keep it to themselves...then someone comes in and starts busting balls (which I think is great when something is actually brought to the table and not lame), and then we're put in the position of talking about why soccer is such an awesome sport. I don't think soccer folks are thrusting the notion you cited on anyone...most of us are pretty content being a niche sport with some potential for growth, and appreciate having a bit more access to the matches - both here and abroad. I just think that saying the "cheap and easy" thing is WHY soccer is as popular as it is is way oversimplistic, and it takes away from those aspects of the game that we all love. And I hate to tell you, but soccer ratings are already better than the NHL and the NBA at certain times. That doesn't mean I expect soccer players to be getting commercials and have the same visibility in this country as some of more marketable players in those two leagues, but I remember articles from 2006 citing the world cup ratings in America as being higher than both the NBA and NHL finals. If it never got any bigger than it is now, I'd be pretty happy with that.
As for hockey, I've never played it other than in gym class, but now that it's in HD I find myself watching it much more often. As with the NBA, I love when it comes down to the playoffs and finals...especially when my Sixers and Flyers are in the mix as the both were and are this season. I don't just love one sport, and I think there's room for all of the sports we love on the national stage