The popularity of soccer in the United States is growing. Some of the nation’s largest television stations such as NBC and Fox Sports are facilitating the more recent availability of the sport in the homes of millions of Americans. On August 15, 2015, NBC signed a six year deal with the British Premier League for the rights to show all games (per the New York Times). They have captured a fledgling audience of diehard fans and increasingly grab the attention of casual sports fans that are expanding their interests to the beautiful game. Fans of the sport finally have a way to learn the game and view it on one of the world’s greatest stages. The British league attracts the eyes of millions worldwide and is considered by many to be the most popular league in the world. Bringing one of the top four domestic leagues in the world into a massive market like the United States was a risky move. Though popularity was growing steadily at the time of NBC’s acquisition of the telecast rights, soccer was still a sport that had yet to really hit center stage in American television. The World Cup was gaining a steady following, but a tournament every four years is not enough to grow the general audience of soccer.
The US Soccer, the governing body of American soccer, has been working with Major League Soccer, America’s top league, to grow the sport around the country. This is developing more interest and better talent so that hopefully, the United States could reap the benefits of talented players who receive world-class training and provide youth with the resources they need to grow their skills and develop into stars one day. Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber has made numerous investments in growing his league to capture a greater audience and spur popularity for the game.
The league has more than doubled since its inception in 1998 with just ten teams. Now, the league has grown to 22 teams with the addition of Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC for the upcoming season. The league has attracted many well-known stars from Europe, Africa and South America including Brazilian superstar Kaka, Italians Andrea Pirlo, Alessandro Nesta, and Sebastian Giovinco, as well as England’s Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard and of course the pioneer of European players to the United States, David Beckham. The MLS has also done well to incorporate the Canadian market by allocating franchises for Toronto and, more recently, Montreal in the east and Vancouver in the west. The league has seemingly made all the right moves. So far, no franchises have failed and the league only seems to grow in quality. The time slots have also moved closer to primetime instead of miserable 10-11 PM openings on obscure days. The availability of games to the public increases awareness for the sport and helps people who do not know all the rules or understand the game to learn.
Expansion has been the league’s motto from the beginning and after doubling in size, the MLS continues to grow. After the admission of Atlanta and Minnesota to the field for this upcoming season, teams in Miami (owned by none other than David Beckham himself) and another team in Los Angeles are slated for entry in the 2018 and 2019 seasons respectively. Most leagues in Europe have only 20-22 top level teams that are based on a system of promotion and relegation. This means that the top few teams from the second-level league replace the lowest few teams from the top level each year. This provides incentives to win each year to avoid relegation. The MLS however, has yet to instate a relegation system which is one of its major criticisms. Unfortunately, despite the rapid growth of soccer here in North America, it is struggling to shake the reputation in the rest of the world as a league lacking quality. Many players were left off of their national teams in the recent UEFA European Cup simply because they played in America. Coaches cited costs of travel and many other excuses, but Italian manager Antonio Conte made it plainly clear when asked about why players like Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo were not even given consideration for the squad, saying, “If you choose to go and play in the MLS then you can pay the consequences.” Both Andrea Pirlo and Sebastian Giovinco were former players for Conte during his successful spell with Italian giants Juventus.
Hopefully, the MLS will continue to grow and bring the interest of soccer in America with it. Soccer fans in America will increase dramatically in number as the quality of play in the MLS and foreign soccer leagues become even more accessible to the American people.
Americans love their country and the United States men’s and women’s national teams have garnered tons of support in their most recent tournaments as both teams continue to perform well. National pride can rally the interest of many casual supporters across the country. The red white and blue always draw a large crowd, especially for rivalries with countries like Mexico. The success of the United States National team stems from the ability around the country to develop talent domestically and to send talented individuals abroad. Lately, Americans have had success around the globe. Most notably, Christian Pulisic for German side Borussia Dortmund and Matt Miazga for Dutch side Vitesse.
Clearly, soccer is growing and it’s starting to show. Increasing the popularity to that of American football, baseball, and other major sports may take time. The sport is on its way up and it is taking a team effort across the country and around the world from the MLS to NBC and talented players spurring interest in the game in order to win over the hearts of the American people.
