in 1994 it was a HUGE event, bigger then WC in France or even Germany.. There is a massive number of Americans that love the game. Biggest issue is second/third rate nature of the Major League Soccer. Those that are fans watch EPL, Spanish league, Bundesliga. If MLS develops into a real premier soccer league it can definitely beat both hockey and basketball.
WC is the biggest part/sports even in the world, I was in Paris when French won it at home it utterly insane. In USA ever got to the final it would propel the game very far. US soccer development program is VERY good and is getting better, by 2018 with some luck and home field advantage.. who knows it might happen!
Can you imagine what butt we’d kick if our A list athletes were involved in the sport? If they started handling a ball when they were 5?
Even with (very talented) 2nd/3rd stringers, we’re still ranked 12th in the world. Not bad.
All I know is that I’m still pissed off about losing to Mexico in the Gold Cup Finals, and I want revenge on August 12th in Azteca. I hate losing to Mexico in soccer as much as I hate losing to Florida State in football (not that I’ve had to worry about that in recent years).
“There is a massive number of Americans that love the game.”
Maybe in pure numbers, but the per capita interest is just not there. Sorry, but it just isn’t.
“In USA ever got to the final it would propel the game very far.”
Doubtful. The problem is that there is just to many ties and to few goals. As a spectator sport, soccer is just to frustrating. Why invest 90 minutes in watching an event that could end up with no winner. Heck, at the end of the halfs it is frustrating to “wonder” when the game will end. Our culture wants clear winners and action along the way.
I say this as a former high school soccer player that enjoyed playing the game very much.