USA Soccer Reaching Out to the World

USA soccer is among the final frontiers for the spread of the game around the world. Soccer is traditionally played in British-influenced countries as well as Europe, South and Central America and Africa.

However, the United States has been slow to pick up soccer, especially with the domination of the big four – American football, baseball, basketball and ice hockey.

In recent years, though, soccer has started to gain a foothold in the USA. The main reason for this is the staging of the 1994 World Cup in the United States when the host team went past the first round.

USA soccer now proudly boasts an active Major League Soccer program and a national team that consistently qualifies for the World Cup and is considered among the leading tams in the world.

Indeed, for many months in the mid-2000s, the USA team was ranked in the top 10 and higher than England, who are the founders of the modern game.

USA soccer has a rich history, going back to the 1950 World Cup in Brazil when they caused one of the biggest upsets ever.

It was then that they beat mighty England 1-0. It was such a shock that when the telegraphic reports went back to England, staff at one English newspaper thought it was an error and put the score as 10-1 in England’s favor.

These days, such a result will not be that much of a surprise. Many American players are now playing professionally in England and other parts of the world.

At the same time, Major League Soccer is attracting overseas players, the biggest name being England star David Beckham, who has signed on to play for Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007 on a massive $250 contract.

With players like Freddy Adu set to become an international star, the future of USA soccer looks bright.

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