[Ska'dForLife-WBA]

Even then, I think you're underestimating the passion for football tradition that's emerged in America. Back in the Nineties their money men had some wild ideas about making the game more "exciting" (including a really weird and unique style of penalty shoot-out for drawn matches), but since 2000 there's been a widespread acceptance of and adherence to the sport's rules with all their strengths and flaws. The generation which saw Tim Howard's 90-minute clean sheet against Belgium last summer and Landon Donovan's stoppage time winner after a tight, cagey game in 2010 are not going to be persuaded that more goals necessarily makes the game more exciting.

(To emphasise that point, here's the infamous montage of reactions to Donovan's goal. If you only watch one bit, make it the one at 3:24, and tell me that kid doesn't understand what makes football great!)