Why Soccer is Not Popular in the United States

While the sport of soccer is an international celebration in most countries across the globe, the game just does not seem to captivate the American audience. The World Cup is perhaps the most anticipated tournament in the world, yet it is always on the backburner in the United States. Soccer highlights are often footnote highlights on sports shows.

It begs the question; if the sport is practically worshipped in other countries, why do Americans care so little about it?

Why do Americans care so much more about football, baseball, basketball, and even hockey?

It boils down to the fact that the four mentioned sports had established leagues throughout the first half of the century, especially baseball, when sports became a part of American culture. Americans fell in love with baseball in the early 20^th century, even identifying it as 'America's Pastime'. Eventually, the NFL surpassed baseball as America's most viewed sport. The NBA and NHL have been a constant in the sports world for decades.

However, no stable professional soccer league with staying power developed when Americans were falling in love with sports. In 1996, the Major League Soccer organization formed and has become America's premier soccer league and most relevant since the North American Soccer League, which lasted from 1967 to 1984. Nevertheless, the MLS simply does not engross American fans in the same way as the NFL, MLB, NBA, and NHL.

Perhaps if the league formed a half-century earlier, Americans would understand the game better and it would be analogous to the other American mainstream sports in public interest. Perhaps it would be more accepted by the American audience.

In addition, American fans like action when it comes to sports. While soccer involves a lot of action, scoring is infrequent. The mindset of many Americans is that more points equals more action. Americans like to watch teams score points. Most football fans would rather watch two teams air it out and run up the scoreboard as opposed to a defensive dogfight. Most baseball fans would rather watch the batters hit home runs as opposed to a pitcher's duel.

It is simple, Americans prefer the potential for a scoring onslaught. How many soccer games end with a score of 7 to 6? Not very often when it comes to professional soccer. A soccer game could actually end in a 0 to 0 tie. Americans do not care for ties. Football games have the potential to end in a tie, but it rarely comes to that.

Basically, the sport of soccer does not fit America's sports culture.

I am not saying that soccer is a terrible sport. In fact, I actually enjoy watching the sport. It truly is an interesting game, but I am in the minority. However, I believe that if it was Americanized just a little, it could possibly catch on in the United States. Perhaps, enlarge the goals or shorten the fields to enhance scoring; eliminate the possibility of ties; add cheerleaders.

Those ideas may be considered blasphemy to hardcore soccer enthusiasts, and I apologize in advance for the offense, but if the sport were to ever catch on to the mainstream American audience, similar changes would need to be implemented.