I'm going to assume you're not American (correct me if I'm wrong, please).

Soccer is not hated here in mainstream US; it's just second fiddle to a lot of other sports ((American) football (both US and collegiate), baseball, basketball, hockey (depending on what part of the country), golf, etc.). Why? Honestly mainly because we're not that good. Our hardcore soccer fans would rather watch European soccer than MLS because the players are better. Second, yes, we do feel that "futbol" is less of a physical challenge than "football," and therefore less of a "manly" sport. Every play in football ends with someone either scoring or getting knocked to the ground, but when someone lands on the ground in soccer the opposition gets a penalty. That being said, I played both sports in HS. I do feel that football is rougher than soccer because you're always getting hit and are guaranteed a few bumps and bruises. However, soccer is played with a lot less protective equipment, so while the odds of getting seriously injured are less, your injury might be more severe (I once got kicked in the head while playing keeper. It wouldn't have been that bad in football because of the helmets).

While Euro League was on a lot of my friends were excited about it and were posting about it on Facebook (granted; I'm a college-aged male, sop my sample size is biased). I'm of German descent, so I was pulling for Germany; a lot of people do something similar here for Euro Cup or World Cup (once the US is eliminated) because of our ethnic diversity. In general however we have a short attention span with soccer, so most of us only pay attention when it's things like the WC or EC. But of course, we still like to joke on it. I'm going to guess you were asking about stuff like this. IT'S A JOKE, don't take it too seriously.