Soccer's history in America is littered with overly ambitious owners, poor investments and old players. Although the NASL was created in the 1960s and operated like a major league but with fewer attendances, it wasn't as successful. Indoor soccer was established in the 1970s and 1980s. It saw strong fan support, but also faced financial difficulties. The MISL folded in 1992 but its legacy lives on in the current American soccer pyramid.
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer has a long history in America, despite its success. It was formed in 1996 with 10 teams. In 1996 it was divided into two conferences, the Eastern or Western. The popularity of Basketball and Football in the USA meant that the sport was initially overlooked. It was not until many years later that it began to gain popularity. With over 300 participating teams, the league is now one of America's most beloved sports.
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Soccer was first played on American soil in the late 1800s. 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 started hosting more World Cups, as the game became more mainstream. The United States has the largest number of soccer fans on Earth today. Here's a quick history of US Soccer.
U.S. Men’s National Team
The U.S. men's national team has been a frequent participant in major international tournaments. The most notable was the 1994 FIFA Under-17 World Cup win. In 2002, they went on winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup. They beat Canada by a score of 2-1 in overtime at Pasadena's Rose Bowl. It was the first time that the United States had ever defeated Canada in soccer.
Women's National Team
The women's national soccer team was established in 1987 and began to play competitive international soccer. The team played in a series of games against Italy, but their results were mixed. They lost three games to Denmark and drew one. The US won the 8-0 game against Soviet Union to be the greatest win for the team. The team's fortunes weren't to last.
World Cup appearances by U.S. players
The U.S. Men’s National Team will be making its fourth appearance at the World Cup with this year's qualifiers. The U.S. Men's National Team had four wins and one draw in the qualifying round. The U.S. men’s national team won both the Nike U.S. Cup & the Gold Cup, and secured the World Cup for first time in American history.