Well, the World Cup is winding down and as soon as the final whistle blows, the questions will arise around the United States, “How do we grow the sport of soccer here at home?” Is there a definitive answer, I believe there is not, however, we have Major League Soccer, how about we start there.
Those individuals who are “true” soccer fans understand that soccer is alive and well within America and that the growth is there, slow and steady, like it should be. The quality of MLS has grown and the import of foreign players is on a steady rise. Soccer Specific Stadiums are being built and selling out. The fans are loud and knowledgeable, they know that mainstream America does not understand the root of the sport, but, if asked, they would gladly sit down and explain the facts behind the world’s number one sport.
There are those who believe that more leagues should be available to the public, which should not be the answer, why have more leagues where the quality of play suffers. In August, the American Soccer League will return with teams based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Philadelphia, New Jersey and Washington D.C, this is great, and I wish them the very best of luck, but, is America ready to support another professional soccer league.
Growing Soccer Nationally
If the World Cup has brought more American fans to the sport, that is fantastic news and now is the time to turn them onto MLS. Major League Soccer has brokered a new television contract which is great news; however, to really understand the sport of soccer, the individual in question needs to experience the sport live. Television will not allow the fan to feel the intensity that is soccer, from the tailgate, to the frenzy in the stands and ultimately, the play on the field, these things need to be felt live.
Marketing the sport, not just to the younger population, but to the older population as well, would have a major impact on not just MLS, but, to the North American Soccer League and the USL-Pro, who would also benefit from the influx of new fans in major ways. There are great home grown players that many Americans are not aware of and if MLS could market them, the league would gain much needed exposure, especially on the heels of the World Cup. Baseball, football and basketball players make appearances all the time on popular television shows, why not soccer players, this would be instrumental in integrating the soccer culture within the American consciousness.
There are, of course, many options to expand soccer in America, but, it ultimately begins with the children who play soccer everyday across this country. The love of the sport that they play and the sense of camaraderie they feel when they are among others who share the love of soccer could possibly spread to their parents. If MLS could attract the children, in the end, the parents would experience the action on the field and if the quality is there, the league could attract new fans in the parents of these soccer loving children. In the end, soccer would have two generations of fans and the foundation is there to grow the love of the sport for many more generations to come.
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