In past years, large soccer events such as the FIFA World Cup have received increasing TV ratings (ex. this year’s Women’s World Cup became the most watched soccer game in U.S history peaking at 25.4 million viewers), challenging that of the Super Bowl and NBA Finals. Not only that, but weekly English Premier League (EPL) soccer also had a huge rise in popularity when the NBC networks began to cover every game in 2013. Major League Soccer, the professional soccer division in America, got the attention of everyone when world-renowned stars such as David Beckham and Thierry Henry took their talents to MLS in the last stages of their careers. These are just some of the ways soccer has been rising in popularity in the United States.
MLS was founded in December of 1993, with only 10 teams. The league now currently consists of 20 teams, but by the year of 2017 that number will be bumped up to 22 with the introduction of Atlanta United, and a new team based in Los Angeles. Over the course of the MLS’s brief 20 year history, the league has undergone quite the makeover. Now, similarly to the EPL, more divisions have been incorporated to grow younger talent.
The North American Soccer League (NASL) is the second tier added in 2009, and the United Soccer League (USL Pro) is the third tier, founded in 2010. Although MLS gets all the coverage, many exciting developments are taking place in those lower level leagues. In the past two years the NASL will have added three teams to its ranks bringing its total to 11, while in the USL Pro the number of teams have more than tripled. Four teams were launched in 2014, and this year 13 more will be added, raising its total to 24.
The most anticipated event every four years in soccer is the FIFA World Cup. A total of 32 international teams go head-to-head in a two month long tournament, with the winner crowned the best team in the world. Unfortunately, the long awaited event never received much attention in the United States until the recent tournaments took place in South Africa and Brazil. The United States have posed much more of threat in these past tournaments than ever before. Last year, the U.S escaped the so-called “Group of Death” including Germany, the eventual victors of the tournament, Portugal, and Ghana, all three being extremely capable teams. The U.S started off strong with a 2-1 win against Ghana. After a 2-2 tie against Portugal, despite the 1-0 defeat to Germany, the States’ goal difference ultimately carried them to the next round. Unfortunately, the U.S. was defeated in that round by Belgium in a 2-0 loss in extra time. Despite the loss, during these past two tournaments the average contest was viewed by over 4.56 million, while in the 2002 tournament, broadcasts only received 1.04 million views.
Soccer is increasing in popularity not only for men, but for women also. On July 5th, the United States women’s team, led by Alex Morgan and Abby Wambach, met Japan in the finals, a rematch of the last World Cup final, in which the U.S. previously lost. This year, the U.S took control and beat Japan 5-2. Carli Lloyd, captain of this year’s team proved that this was her year, as she scored a first half hat trick, on her way to receiving the tournament’s Golden Ball, as the best player throughout the World Cup. Throughout the tournament the United States’ defense, led by Hope Solo and Julie Johnston only allowed 3 goals in all 7 games.
Almost 17 million Americans tuned in at the start of the game, and by halftime the viewership peaked at 25.4 million Americans making it the most watched soccer game in U.S television history. This easily outdid that of the Stanley Cup Finals and NBA Finals, in TV ratings, and doubled the viewers from the last finals appearance the team made just four years ago.
Although soccer isn’t the most popular sport in America right now, it is definitely on the rise. The addition of many national leagues and teams throughout the country is a clear sign of this, and with America’s national teams continuing to put in good performances in big events like the World Cup, the interest in the sport around the country can only improve.
