Overly ambitious owners, poor investments, aging players have all played a part in the history of American soccer. In the 1960s, the NASL was formed and spent like a major league, but attendances didn't reflect that. Indoor soccer began to take over in the 1970s. Although the MISL folded in 1992 it is still part of the American soccer pyramid.
Major League Soccer
Despite the success of the American League of Professional Football, Major League Soccer's history in the US has been somewhat obscure. It was founded in 1996 and consisted of 10 teams. The conference was divided into the Eastern and 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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The late 1800s saw the debut of soccer on American soil. Because of the Great Depression, soccer exploded in popularity. The American Soccer League was established in 1920 and its founding teams were drawn from the industrial areas. As soccer became more mainstream, more World Cups were hosted in the USA. Today, the US has more fans than any country on earth. Below is a brief history on American soccer.
U.S. Men’s National Team
Numerous appearances by the U.S. Men's National Team have been made at major international tournaments. Most notably, in the summer of 1994, the men won the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, and they went on to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002. They defeated Canada in overtime at Pasadena's Rose Bowl that August. This was the first time the United States defeated Canada in a game, and it set a record in U.S. soccer history.
Women's National Team
In 1987, women's soccer was started in competitive international soccer. They played a series in Italy and the results were mixed. They lost three of their games to Denmark and won one. The US won the game against the Soviet Union 8-0, the team's biggest win. However, the team didn't enjoy a long-lasting success.
U.S. Players make World Cup appearances
This year's qualifiers will see the fourth World Cup appearance of the U.S. Men’s National Team. 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 the Nike U.S. Cup and the Gold Cup, and they clinched the World Cup for the first time in history.