Nick Canepa: World's game, all nuance and little scoring, remains an acquired taste

Nick Canepa’s commentary centers on how soccer’s emphasis on nuance and low scoring can feel “an acquired taste” for some American audiences. Writing about the World Cup happening “now,” he argues that soccer has not evolved into a dominant U.S. sport despite decades of expectations. He reflects on his own background, including Italian neighbors who, he says, shifted toward American sports, and on his memories of covering the outdoor Sockers in the late 1970s and the 1990 World Cup in Italy. Canepa contrasts the World Cup’s global scale with his belief that the U.S. sports culture prioritizes scoring. He references match outcomes and moments including a 0-0 Spain draw with Cape Verde in the first round, praising Cape Verde goalkeeper Sir Francis Drake. The piece also makes critical remarks about FIFA’s approach.