The Real Question: Does Pro Soccer Have a Future in America?

Prior to the initiation of the new WPS league, a couple of NPR interviews focused on the question, “Does Women’s Pro Soccer Have a Future?” I think the real question should be, “Does any kind of pro soccer have a future in America?” Unfortunately, the fate of women’s pro football in America will most likely depend on the lead of men’s pro football in the states (Major League Soccer). As a person growing up as what I would call your average American sports fan, I think I have a perspective on football that may be similar to the majority of sports fans in the U.S. I grew up playing and watching baseball (Oakland Athletics), football (Oakland Raiders, and basketball (Golden State Warriors). I did see a couple of pro hockey games (Oakland Seals). Soccer? (football) – never played or watch at match (live or on tv).

How did I become a San Jose Earthquakes fan in 2006? It was simply a personal invitation to attend a Quakes game (prior to the team’s move to Houston). The first thing I discovered was the athleticism of the players on the pitch. You really have to watch a game in-person to really appreciate the beauty of the game. Next was the in-stadium fan environment. Simply amazing. Probably the one professional sport that comes close to the atmosphere found at college campuses across the country. Finally, I gradually learned positions, strategies, and the rules of the game. Once I knew what each team was trying to do – I was hooked. Then an amazing thing happens – the whole world of football opens up (national teams, club teams). It is amazing how much excitement and energy goes into the game abroad. Here in America, the majority of sports fans have not embraced proper football. Why? I think that we are so used to having the sports leagues with the best players in the world (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL). I think we just have a hard time supporting a sport where all of the star power comes from and plays on other continents. From books that I have read (e.g., Soccer in a Football World), proper football did have a good start in America in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s – primarily due to the immigrant populations coming to the east coast of the U.S. But, “we” wanted a sport to call our own. This led to the birth of American football (aka run-catch-throw-ball). Once American football and professional baseball took hold in America, proper football was “squeezed out”. We have been swimming up hill ever since to establish professional football in America.

How will this ever change? It will happen in small steps. My conversion to football proves that your average American sports fan CAN discover the beauty of football and become a football fan. Invite a friend to a football game (San Jose Earthquakes, FC Gold Pride, local universities) or watch a game with a friend on television with you (MLS, EPL, Serie A, La Liga). The strength of professional football in America depends on individuals introducing others to the beautiful game, not through mass marketing or the media. Next month is the World Cup – a great opportunity to introduce your friends to “The Beautiful Game”!

Here are links to those NPR interviews.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=7627084

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4156929