John+Hildago

John Hidalgo PG and Jeff College Bound 902 Soccer Popularity in United States Soccer is the world’s sport. It’s played in almost all seven continents but it wasn't something popular in the United States. Now as we near the future, it is visible that soccer is now a popular sport to Americans and that soccer events would be seen as important as if it were a Super Bowl. Soccer has reached this state of popularity through the following ways: 1) Professional Soccer players; 2) The National U nited States Team; and 3) Local Soccer clubs or academies. According to Eliott C. McLaughlin in “Brand Beckham: Persona more than play helped popularize soccer in America”,A soccer player/celebrity who had a huge impact on making soccer popular in America is the former English player David Beckham. Beckham was known as the Golden Boy of soccer. He played for the best teams in Europe like Manchester United and Real Madrid. Then in 2007, Beckham signed a contract to play with the American team of L.A. Galaxy. There was a lot of controversy about what he did. Not many could believe that an English soccer pro fessional could go to a country in which soccer wasn't the main sport. Beckham wanted to popularize the sport. Not only was his move seen as something bad but it also was a good thing because then people wanted to see this soccer sensation play. “Beckham's mere presence was enough to increase the attention Americans paid to soccer”, Eliott C. McLaughlin. “..Its difficult to quantify his ultimate impact on the game in the United States, but it’s safe to say didn't hurt it.”

Soccer has also become popular in America through the U.S. national soccer team. U.S Soccer has played an integral part in charting the course for the sport in the USA for 100 years. In time, the Federation’s mission statement has been clear and simple: to make soccer in all its forms, a preeminent sport in the U.S. . The U.S. national team began in 1913 and is now celebrating its centennial. Soccer became even more popular when the U.S. played The FIFA World Cup in South Africa back in 2010 because even though it wasn't a big event like the Super Bowl, many Americans tuned in to cheer on the American team. The U.S did not make it to the finals but yet they manage to get more people involved in the sport.

Finally, the last way in which soccer has become more popular is through soccer clubs/academies. They're events in which clubs and academies come to local communities to introduce the sport to those who don't know about it. A recent event that happened is the beginning of a soccer club in New York that will participate in the MLS. The team will go by New York City F.C. . It has the same goal as the previous examples, to popularize the sport. As stated by the Mayor of New York City,Michael R. Bloomberg, “ Soccer is one of the world’s most exciting and popular sports, and it should be played on the world’s biggest stage”. This club could make New York a soccer state. Many New Yorkers are anxious to see what this team will be like and if it will give a chance to future stars.

In conclusion, Soccer has become more popular. It is played now and hopefully it will be seen a national sport. If more players and teams come to America to express the sport they are professionals at, it is possible that soon every one will be playing this wonderful sport called soccer.