Stateside Soccer: The Definitive History of Soccer in the United States

The rich history of soccer in the United States, which can be traced back to as early as the Civil War, is often overlooked by many fans. Contrary to the common misconception that the introduction of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the 1960s marked the debut of American soccer, the sport's first golden age actually occurred during the Roaring 1920s and the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930.

While the NASL did have a significant impact on the game's popularity, the instability of the league and its reliance on aging superstars ultimately led to its demise by the mid-1980s. This paved the way for a third golden age, which began with the introduction of the incredibly successful U.S. Women's National Team (USWNT), the 1994 World Cup, and the establishment of Major League Soccer (MLS).

Despite being a country predominantly focused on baseball, basketball, and football, soccer has now grown to be a viable sport, played and supported by both sexes, for more than 25 years. Stateside Soccer sheds new light on the rich history of a sport that is still often mistaken as a relatively recent import to the United States.

The long and vibrant history of soccer in the U.S. dates back to the Civil War, contrary to the belief held by many that the sport's introduction in the country was through the NASL in the 1960s. In fact, the first golden age of American soccer came during the Roaring 1920s and the inaugural FIFA World Cup in 1930.

While the NASL did have a significant impact on the popularity of the game, the instability of the league and its reliance on aging superstars led to its downfall by the mid-1980s. This paved the way for a third golden age, which was marked by the introduction of the incredibly successful USWNT, the 1994 World Cup, and the establishment of MLS.

In a country where baseball, basketball, and football have traditionally dominated the sports landscape, soccer has now grown to be a viable and well-supported sport, played by both men and women for over 25 years. Stateside Soccer sheds new light on the rich history of a sport that is still often mistaken as a relatively recent import to the United States.

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