The summer of 2010 marks a renewed interest for the United States in soccer. Known as football to the rest of the world, America has demonstrated a strong showing at the sport’s most prolific event. Its claim to superiority to other sporting events can only be thwarted by that of the Olympics.
Historically the American team has not had many good showings at the World Cup. It placed third in the inaugural 1930 World Cup. Recently the U.S. reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
In the 2010 World Cup, the Americans managed to reach the knockout stage in the round of sixteen. However, in a heartbreaking loss to Ghana in extra time, they were unable to progress as far as they would have liked.
The reception of fans in the United States has been noticeable. As soccer as progressed, albeit at a rather slow rate, in the previous decades, Americans can be seen in the event and in the sport. Coverage has been extended in sports reporting, and coverage of the games has been provided for free on the Internet. Also, Major League Soccer (MLS) has continued to reach out to the country in providing further interest in the sport.
It remains to be seen how soccer will be received in the coming years. In a country dominated by basketball, baseball, American football, and other notable sports, it may never reach the prominence as seen in other countries. It is reasonable to suspect that the current and generally positive trend will continue.
The 2010 World Cup in South Africa has certainly attested to this positive trend for the sport. Perhaps further success for the United States in international soccer and in the MLS will mean good things for the sport. Just maybe it can attract some of the nation’s top athletes, which could make claims to a more successful national program, and spark further interest.