A Democratic congressman angered fans when he quipped he "couldn't care less about soccer" after the U.S. men's national team failed to qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday.
Team USA lost its final qualifying match to Trinidad and Tobago on Tuesday, 2-1. Coupled with victories by Honduras and Panama, it meant the U.S. will be staying home from international soccer's biggest event for the first time since 1986.
"I was really disappointed the USA men's team didn't qualify for the World Cup. Then I remembered I couldn't care less about soccer," Democratic Rep. Brendan Boyle (Penn.) wrote on Twitter Tuesday.
After fans of the game responded angrily, Boyle called the remarks "tongue in cheek," saying he would always root for the USA but simply was not a big soccer fan.
Told by someone perhaps he didn't understand the game, he wrote, "Run around for 90 minutes. Flop when barely touched. Score 1 goal at most. Do I got it?"
He later wrote he had "no idea soccer fans were such snowflakes. Guys, do yourselves a favor. Watch the baseball playoffs. You're welcome."
I was really disappointed the USA men's team didn't qualify for the World Cup. Then I remembered I couldn't care less about soccer.
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
Pretty much sums american politician mentality: "i dont care, it doesnt effect me" !!!
— TL: Columbia (@TL_Columbia) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/MartinScjn5666/status/917957668328833025
https://twitter.com/vicster/status/917959551906918401
You just lost my vote
— Michael Bello (@mikebello101) October 11, 2017
@AmericanOutlaws This tweet will not age well. #pulisic #USMNT
— Funky Cold Mattina (@FunkyColdMatina) October 11, 2017
I just can't put my finger on why Congress has a 2% approval rating...
— Dave Denholm (@TalkSoccer) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Editright/status/917943147770064897
https://twitter.com/fulhamerican/status/917961257550000128
He'd rather watch a sport that lasts 3 hours but whose play time is an abysmal 11 mintues. He's threatened.
— Cesar Razuri (@CeaseTheDay) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/DavidSRudin/status/917966705116184581
https://twitter.com/bedellhistory/status/917953302481944576
When is this guy up for re-election? Definitely sending money to his opponent.
— Jeremy Darnell (@JeremyDarnell1) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/Brew_Wallace/status/917963507726987264
It's genuinely funny to read the strong reactions to my tongue in cheek post. Will always root for the USA. Just not a big soccer fan. https://t.co/g75zX3uzsf
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
https://twitter.com/RepBrendanBoyle/status/917948088945438720
Had no idea soccer fans were such snowflakes. Guys, do yourselves a favor. Watch the baseball playoffs. You're welcome.
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
I am totally the reason why the world hates us. 100% me. My bad. https://t.co/CtgrGgjUIn
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
Winners. Will root for them. Don't really care about the sport. But if the USA is in it then I will watch and root for them.
— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
Finally an analogy I can appreciate.
Our next 6 games are against 5 ranked opponents. Very tough. How will we do?— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
1) Thanks for your vote. I appreciate it.
2) I still am not a big soccer fan. Sorry.— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
I've been hearing soccer was about to overtake baseball, football, etc for 40 years now. Will never happen.
I strongly support renewables.— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
Run around for 90 minutes.
Flop when barely touched.
Score 1 goal at most.
Do I got it?
😉— Congressman Brendan Boyle (@RepBrendanBoyle) October 11, 2017
