USA Soccer

If you look at USA soccer from a historical perspective, you'll notice that it had a very weird fluctuation, unlike soccer in other countries that slowly but surely rose in popularity. Actually, you might notice there are two "eras" in US soccer, with a huge gap between them.

Taking a peak at the first era, we notice that the USA soccer team was one of the first to be created, with only two national teams being older, namely the English and Scottish one.

They also participated to 4 consecutive World Cups spanning from 1930 (where US soccer had its best performance, reaching the semifinals and getting the bronze medal in the tournament) to 1950.

After a 40 year gap, American soccer was back on track in the 90s, with a spectacular revival on both national team and club levels.

The first World Cup hosted by USA in 1994 would also mark another important even for soccer in US, namely the birth of the Major League Soccer, a national club division similar to England's Premiership, Italy's Serie A or Spain's La Liga.

What made this revival possible? Factors range from the increase in popularity that soccer in US got after qualifying for the 1990 World Cup in Italy, the fact that more American youngsters started taking up this sport and the success the women's national soccer team had over the last two decades.

In addition, a stream of famous American players, from the men and women's national sides, helped popularize the sport, encouraging youngsters to focus on it. You can get more details around all these subjects if you read on through the articles found in this section:

History of Soccer in US
As stated earlier, US soccer has two successful periods of time, with a 35-40 year gap in between, a gap marked by almost complete downfall of the sport. This article will give you an overview of the game's entire history in the US, pinpointing the crucial moments that changed its course. Click here to read more...

USA Soccer Team
With a single World Cup medal being won at the 1930 World Cup where they placed 3rd, the USA soccer team suffered some major fluctuations in their performance throughout time, but they seem to be recovering nowadays. The modern era of the USA soccer team saw them qualifying for the last 5 World Cups and in women's soccer, the US even managed to win 2 World Cups and is currently considered the strongest side in the world. Click here to read more...

US Soccer Players
Most of the famous US soccer players come from three distinct directions: the 1930 World Cup, the modern women's national soccer team and the modern men's soccer team. The "1930 category" includes record holders such as McGhee, scorer of the first World Cup goal ever, or Patenaude who is the first player ever to score a hattrick in a World Cup.

The women's national soccer team also had some truly great players throughout time, the most notable being Kristine Lilly (most capped US soccer player, with 325 appearances), Mia Hamm (top goal scorer, with 158 goals) or Michelle Akers.

Last but not least, the modern male US soccer team can also boast some heavy names, with the all-time leader in appearances, Cobi Jones, or today's superstar Landon Donovan being amongst the most important. Click here to read more...

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