Will the Fever Die?
Yesterday the United States was ousted from the World Cup ending a
glorious 3 week run in the world’s premiere tournament. Over the past
month the country has been on a World Cup high. Everyone has been talking
about it, everyone has been watching it and everyone was rooting for the United
States. The country followed the words of U.S. Soccer’s unofficial fan
club’s mantra “I believe that we will win”. It was sad to see
the Red, White and Blue lose.
glorious 3 week run in the world’s premiere tournament. Over the past
month the country has been on a World Cup high. Everyone has been talking
about it, everyone has been watching it and everyone was rooting for the United
States. The country followed the words of U.S. Soccer’s unofficial fan
club’s mantra “I believe that we will win”. It was sad to see
the Red, White and Blue lose.
Being born in Italy and still having roots
and close ties to the homeland, soccer (futbol, calcio, etc…) especially the
World Cup has always been viewed in my home. I enjoy the game and I truly
love the international tournament. It’s like a World War without the
death and destruction. Now begs the obvious question. Can
professional soccer take off in the United States? I would love to say
yes but I am skeptical.
and close ties to the homeland, soccer (futbol, calcio, etc…) especially the
World Cup has always been viewed in my home. I enjoy the game and I truly
love the international tournament. It’s like a World War without the
death and destruction. Now begs the obvious question. Can
professional soccer take off in the United States? I would love to say
yes but I am skeptical.
It is true that the ratings have
increasingly gone up each World Cup in the United States. It is also true
that the popularity of Major League Soccer (MLS) has increased and the league
continues to expand. But that is just a viewership thing. ESPN paid
$100 million to broadcast the last two World Cups and they did a masterful job
in bringing attention to not only the World Cup but to the sport as well.
They expanded their 30 for 30 series to include “Soccer
Stories”, which were documentaries about stories of past soccer news,
whether it was glorious, tragic or unfortunate. It had me hooked.
increasingly gone up each World Cup in the United States. It is also true
that the popularity of Major League Soccer (MLS) has increased and the league
continues to expand. But that is just a viewership thing. ESPN paid
$100 million to broadcast the last two World Cups and they did a masterful job
in bringing attention to not only the World Cup but to the sport as well.
They expanded their 30 for 30 series to include “Soccer
Stories”, which were documentaries about stories of past soccer news,
whether it was glorious, tragic or unfortunate. It had me hooked.
The English Premier League, arguably the
best league in the world is now being viewed in the United States and that may
possibly help in bring more support for the sport. But it is not about
watching the games, it’s about becoming a fan. The MLS, although
expanding, is still a second rate league. It does not have the star power
or the financial backing as the European leagues do and that is where my
skepticism comes in.
best league in the world is now being viewed in the United States and that may
possibly help in bring more support for the sport. But it is not about
watching the games, it’s about becoming a fan. The MLS, although
expanding, is still a second rate league. It does not have the star power
or the financial backing as the European leagues do and that is where my
skepticism comes in.
Americans have all the best professional
leagues in the world with the exception of soccer. Americans do not
attach themselves to something that is not the best and this is where this
sport will struggle. United States Soccer and MLS must take notice and
strike while the iron is hot. Although I have rooted for Italy for as
long as I can remember, it would bring me much joy to see the United States
hoist the World Cup trophy someday. Come on America, let’s join the rest
of world.
leagues in the world with the exception of soccer. Americans do not
attach themselves to something that is not the best and this is where this
sport will struggle. United States Soccer and MLS must take notice and
strike while the iron is hot. Although I have rooted for Italy for as
long as I can remember, it would bring me much joy to see the United States
hoist the World Cup trophy someday. Come on America, let’s join the rest
of world.
3D
If you don’t take it from me, ask my wife.