The US soccer history is filled with overly ambitious owners and poor investments. There have also been aging players. The NASL was established in 1960 and managed to attract a large number of fans. Indoor soccer began to take over in the 1970s. The resulting MISL folded in 1992, but its legacy remains firmly rooted in the current American soccer pyramid.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer in the USA has a history that is somewhat obscure despite the American League of Professional Football's successes. It was formed in 1996 with 10 teams. In 1996 it was divided into two conferences, the Eastern or Western. It took several years before the sport gained widespread popularity. Now, it is one the most popular sports in America with over 300 teams participating in this league.
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In the late 1800s soccer was played on American soil for the first time. The Great Depression saw the country grow rapidly and soccer became a popular sport. The American Soccer League was formed in 1920. Its founding teams were drawn mostly from urban areas. The US hosted more World Cups as the game became more popular. The US is home to more soccer fans than any other country. Below is a brief history on American soccer.
U.S. Men's National Team
The U.S. Men's National Team made many appearances at major international tournaments. The men won in 1994 the FIFA Under-17 World Cup. They then went on to win CONCACAF Gold Cup. In August of that year, they beat Canada in overtime at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. This was the first match in U.S. Soccer history in which the United States defeated Canada.
Women's National Team
In 1987, the women’s national soccer team was formed and began playing international competitive soccer. The team played a series games in Italy, with mixed results. They lost three of their games to Denmark and won one. The team's greatest win came in a game against the Soviet Union, which the US won 8-0. The team's fortunes weren't to last.
U.S. players make World Cup appearances
The U.S. National Team Men's will make its fourth World Cup appearance with this year’s qualifiers. The U.S. Men's National Team ended the qualifying cycle in fourth place with four wins and one draw. The U.S. men’s nation team won the Nike U.S. Cup Gold Cup, and they won the World Cup. This is the first time that the U.S. has ever won the Gold Cup.