Soccer In America: Growth of a Sport

When Americans think of the perfect sport, many visualize a football, baseball, or basketball game. Yet, when the world as a whole thinks of the greatest game on the planet, the thought is football, but not the kind known to Americans. Football, also known as soccer to Americans, is by far the most popular game in the world. In every country except the United States, it is heard on the streets, in local conversation, on the television, and number one in the hearts of the nation’s citizens. So why do Americans not see football, excuse me, soccer, the same way that other countries do?

We see all the advertisements where soccer moms drive the new “hip” mini-van, or a soccer player has the “hottest” girlfriend because he uses cool cologne, but why do agencies use soccer to advertise even though it is not the most popular sport? It is because advertising is not made for American alone. Advertisements are created for a global community. This is so that any advertisement can be effective no matter who sees it. If a normal American sees an advertisement using soccer they may not pay too much attention, but if a soccer supporter, immigrant from another country, or just a tourist sees that advertisement, soccer could play a part in that person purchasing the advertised product.

Advertisers have caught on to the whole “soccer is great” thing. Why not the normal U.S. citizen? Well, soccer was originally created in England in the middle of the 19th century. From there, it started to grow and become more popular in Europe, and European nations developed clubs and started competing professionally. English immigrants brought the game to South America in the 1890’s and popularity of the game was almost immediate. Yet, the cycle seems to stop with the United States. It is likely that with the American thought of trying to escape from the English’s ways, the game of soccer was lost in translation. Plus, with the development of baseball in the 1860’s, football in 1871, and basketball in 1891, there was almost no room for soccer to become popular by the time the sport had reached the United States. It could have possibly become the number one sport if it was not for so many Englishmen leaving the U.S. after the American Revolution, but it just didn’t work out that way. Soccer only regained its popularity with the arrival of Brazilian star Pele and the North American Soccer League in 1968, but with poor management, the league folded and soccer once again fell into the shadows.

Fast-forward to today’s time. America has its professional soccer league in Major League Soccer (MLS), and also a productive national team who has reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup and won its international division several times. Also, America has bypassed Mexico in soccer quality by having a record of 10-7-7 since 1990 and a 6-0-1 record at home and outscoring Mexico 11-0. Not to mention that Americans have started going overseas to compete in the Barclays Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain, and German Bundesliga in Germany. With all of these accomplishments on the pitch, why is it that Americans are not catching on to the beautiful game? Actually, Americans are feeling the pitch calling and soccer is growing tremendously. The sport is the most popular at the youth level in the United States, and the MLS, which started out with 10 teams, has now grown to 15 with the 16th team expected to join in 2010. Soccer is growing in the college ranks, and more kids are growing up imagining playing professional soccer than ever before.

With the economy in bad shape, soccer may take a hit in sales and in marketing. Now is the best time for soccer to grow and spread in America. If the MLS can survive this stint of economic downfall, it will only prosper when everything turns around for the better. I believe Americans love the game that world already adores, but our nation just needs a little extra push to get over the hump. Like a great striker for a team like Manchester United knows, if you don’t shoot for goal, you won’t ever score. America is shooting, but it’s up us to make sure we don’t choke in the 90th minute.

-C. Porter
FiyaMan31