Twenty years ago, you would have been hard-pressed to say that Americans loved to watch soccer. Sure, there was a small community of avid fans. The MLS was just starting to get going, and people were at least intrigued about what that would mean for the future of soccer in America.

Fast forward, and now soccer has become one of the most popular sports in America. Fans bases are quickly growing, the MLS teams are quickly expanding, and it seems like soccer may soon be on it’s way to the Mount Rushmore of North American sports, which are currently held by American football, basketball, baseball, and hockey.

How is soccer growing here? How is it becoming popular? People like seeing interesting places. The atmosphere these teams are cultivating at games as well as a surge in support for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s National Teams are all contributing to the sport’s rapid growth.

Let’s take a look at a few things that have American soccer on the rise.

Data Shows It All

To start, the data simply shows it all. When asked what their favorite sport was, Americans answered soccer 7% of the time. This doesn’t sound like much, but it’s up from 3% only 4 years ago, and that represents the largest increase from any sport in North America.

What is the most popular sport in America? Currently, it’s football. But with the publicity issues surrounding the NFL in recent years, their piece of the pie has dropped from 39% to 37%, and the second closest sport (basketball) sits at only 11%.

This suggests that the growth of soccer in America is trending upwards, and could soon overtake some of the big sports that have long held the top spots.

Easier To Find & Watch

The truth is, soccer in America is growing because it’s more accessible than ever before. Even 10 years ago, you couldn’t always find U.S. Men’s soccer games on TV. Now, even the friendlies are hosted, as well as out of market MLS games and a multitude of European options from the English Premier League, German Bundesliga, and even La Liga.

There are also plenty of options for streaming soccer to digital devices. We’re able to watch more games, which in turn is helping us to appreciate the sport that is watched by more people across the world than any other.

The Kids Love It

Look out for this next generation. They are being raised in a soccer culture, and the numbers show that they are enjoying it. Gallup’s poll shows that 12% of kids under the age of 18 picked soccer as their favorite sport, knocking off baseball (known by most as “America’s past time”, might we add) in the process.

They are only 1% away from knocking off basketball, which leaves only American football to beat as the top sport. If you’re measuring soccer popularity in the U.S., leave it to the kids to show you what’s cool these days and what isn’t.

But if you think about it, this shows how much potential soccer has to grow in the future. As this generation gets older and has kids, they will also be raising them in a soccer culture. The days where soccer wasn’t popular in America may be long gone, especially as sports like football lose participants due to concerns over injuries like concussions.

Our Approach To Training Has Changed

America has done well to adopt some of the proven methods used in Europe for training our next generation of footballers. There are more clubs, academies, and private soccer institutions in the U.S. than ever before, and it’s increasing the level of play that we’re experiencing in the states.

As that standard rises, it makes for more competition and more enjoyable viewing of a sport that was, quite honestly, substandard even 10-15 years ago. If you wanted to watch quality soccer, the MLS didn’t always offer that. You simply watched games in Europe instead.

In fact, Europeans are taking the opportunity to come here and coach. Jurgen Klinnsman, former German national coach, held the helm for the U.S. Men’s National Team for 5 years.

Now, as the USMNT looks to line up a new coach, David Moyes, who previously managed Manchester United, has expressed interest in the job.

It appears that the days are gone where U.S. soccer had a bad perception. Elite coaches from Europe are willing to come here and are, and it’s pushing the game along for the better. As our academies and youth programs develop, we can only expect to see a higher quality of football played on the pitch, which will, in turn, draw more fans to the sidelines.

Owners Get It, Finally!

One reason for the growth of soccer in America is that the owners understand who they are catering to- the fans! Going to an MLS game is a fun experience because the owners are putting things in place to make game day experience more enjoyable, unique, and something to talk about so people come back with their friends.

Fans are ravenous. Entertainment at halftime is enjoyable. Tickets aren’t through-the-roof expensive like some other pro sports in North America. All of this is helping to build the game up and create a new generation of fans of American soccer.

Most Popular Sports In America- Wrap-Up

While soccer was not always known as one of the most popular sports in America, that perception is quickly changing. The data shows that a lot more people like soccer now than ever before, and with the younger generation falling in love with it early, we can only expect that trend to continue.

The sport is more accessible than ever before, other popular American sports are struggling with issues not related to game day, and owners are cultivating an enjoyable experience for fans that doesn’t break the bank. Add all these up, and you can see why soccer is thriving in America!

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