The US's soccer history has been marred by overly ambitious owners as well as poor investments and aging athletes. Although the NASL was created in the 1960s and operated like a major league but with fewer attendances, it wasn't as successful. Then, indoor soccer took over in the 1970s and '80s, with solid fan showings but financial woes. While the MISL was disbanded in 1992, the legacy of this organization is still evident in the American soccer pyramid.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer has a long history in America, despite its success. It was established in 1996. There were 10 teams, and it was then divided into two conferences: Eastern and Western. At first, the sport was overshadowed by the popularity of Football and Basketball in the US, and took several years before it gained widespread popularity. Now, it is one the most popular sports in America with over 300 teams participating in this league.
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Soccer was first played on American soil in the late 1800s. As the country experienced massive growth from the Great Depression, soccer spread like wildfire. The American Soccer League was established in 1920 and its founding teams were drawn from the industrial areas. The US started hosting more World Cups, as the game became more mainstream. The US today has more fans than any other country. Here is a brief history about American soccer.
U.S. Men’s National Team
Numerous appearances by the U.S. Men's National Team have been made at major international tournaments. Most notably, in the summer of 1994, the men won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and they went on to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002. They beat Canada in overtime in August 1994 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It was the first time that the United States had ever defeated Canada in soccer.
Women's National Team
In 1987, women's soccer was started in competitive international soccer. The team played in a series of games against Italy, but their results were mixed. They lost three to Denmark and drew 1. The US won the game against the Soviet Union 8-0, the team's biggest win. However, the team's luck didn't last forever.
U.S. players make World Cup appearances
This year's qualifiers will see the fourth World Cup appearance of the U.S. Men’s National Team. The U.S. Men's National Team completed the qualifying cycle with four wins, one draw and two losses. The U.S. men's national team won the Nike U.S. Cup and the Gold Cup, and they clinched the World Cup for the first time in history.