Why soccer should be far more popular in the US
A quick glance at the local sports news on a weekly basis suggests that there isn’t much soccer being played in Paso Robles. In fact, despite soccer being more popular than ever before in the country, it still deserves far more attention in the US as a whole. Still, for soccer-loving citizens, the signs are encouraging, particularly as MLS soccer continues to grow and an increasing amount of young people are now sampling the sport.
Soccer will probably never be as popular as much-loved pastimes among American audiences, such as basketball and football, but there is a strong argument to suggest that it warrants far more attention. After all, the beautiful game is still the most popular sport on the planet, with continents like Europe adoring a product that is compared to following a religion, given the tribal nature of supporters in that part of the world.
The English are particularly passionate soccer fans. For example, in nearly every small town and major city, there is a soccer team representing that particular place. Likewise, when England progress through to the latter stages of a major tournament, the country comes to a standstill. Fans also follow their teams home and away; they listen to podcasts, engage in debates online, assess Premier League odds before having a weekly flutter, and purchase club merchandise to showcase their love of a particular team. Soccer is essentially a huge part of British culture.
US audiences are now discovering soccer
While the United States of America has some catching up to do with countries like England, as we’ve already touched on, soccer is still recording notable growth. Even in the local Paso Robles area, schools are taking part in tournaments and coming out on top. All over America, it’s also the most popular sport among adults under the age of 30. Additionally, female soccer is witnessing dramatic growth. There are some encouraging signs for fans of soccer to get excited about, but it’s a sport that still deserves a wider following in the country, be it as an activity to play or as a product to watch.
Soccer is more accessible than ever before
In the past, American sports lovers could reasonably argue that watching or playing soccer isn’t as easy to accomplish in this part of the world. Nowadays, though, the creation of five-a-side pitches and the emergence of sophisticated forms of technology, such as a smartphone device, has meant that there is no real excuse for American audiences in 2024. Even popular stations like FOX have broadcasted the Champions League final in the past, a competition that hundreds of millions of people around the world watch. Additionally, well-liked platforms like YouTube now house highlights of Premier League encounters and fans can even watch live matches through an official club website on a match day, particularly if they follow a side outside of the Premier League, such as Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds’ Wrexham. Ultimately, if you’re keen to discover soccer in the modern environment, then it’s easy to achieve. You can even endorse domestic sides by snapping up some tickets to a huge game in the MLS.
The atmosphere at live matches is amazing
Sure, the atmosphere on offer at a major hockey or baseball game is unforgettable, but it tends to be generated by half-time shows and entertaining mascots. Soccer, though, is a sport that relies on supporters to create a real buzz of excitement. Fans invent comical chants; they play trumpets throughout, there are flags being waved, abuse being aimed at rival players and an all-around caldron of noise that can’t really be replicated by watching another American offering. To experience a soccer atmosphere like no other, though, watching a European game in the flesh or on television is recommended, with the passion on show helping to create an unrivaled product. Alternative options, such as the Argentine Primera División, also stand out, particularly in huge grudge matches between River Plate and Boca Juniors. It’s almost impossible not to be captivated by the sport after sampling such a feisty affair.
An entertaining product on offer
Alongside the passionate supporters and the sport’s accessibility in today’s world is an entertaining product that is drawing an increasing amount of people in. Serving up end-to-end action on a regular basis, the beautiful game’s appeal is understandable once you immerse yourself in the sport. From skillful players and intense match-ups, to hilarious chants and well executed goal celebrations, there is so much to enjoy about soccer that most of the American public is yet to experience. Of course, many people follow the United States men’s national soccer team, which is an encouraging sign, but supplementing that by following a domestic club is a different offering altogether, particularly if it’s an English team. There really is nothing else like it.
Influx of immigrants to the United States has helped soccer’s image
With everything in place for the American public to discover soccer, it’s still puzzling many why more and more people don’t follow the action every weekend. For the country’s influx of immigrants, this is particularly the case, with many of them coming from countries where soccer is the main attraction. Thankfully, for soccer fans in the US, these immigrants are educating people on the benefits of playing and watching soccer, particularly in cities like Georgia, Nashville, Atlanta, and Tennessee, with all of them now having successful MLS sides with strong followings.
