How to Get Soccer to Catch on in the U.S.

The U.S. has more 14 million soccer players under the age of 18, according to a report by FIFA, soccer’s international governing body. In spite of that interest, though, soccer has never become a major sport in the country to the level of baseball, football or basketball, even though the national teams, both male and female, have performed well at the World Cup tournaments. There are strategies, however, that could help the game catch on.

Instructions

    • 1

      Scrap the penalty shootout as a way to decide the result of a soccer game; make the "golden goal" in extra time the deciding factor in any match. Alter the way the running clock works; rather than adding extra time, which can be confusing to those watching, halt the clock whenever a stoppage in play occurs and start the clock when it resumes, so fans can see exactly how much time is left. Using a shot clock, giving a team 30 seconds in which to shoot after gaining possession of the ball, could certainly speed up the game and place the emphasis on attacking soccer.

    • 2

      Encourage the formation of more amateur teams and leagues among adults; these could be under the auspices of the country’s governing body for the game and officially sanctioned, and would encourage those who played as children and teens to continue doing so, which could increase their involvement and support of the game. Broaden the number of colleges playing soccer, and give the sport more television airtime at this level; this would mean the best players would be better known and become sports stars as college-level players in other sports are.

    • 3

      Create more professional soccer franchises around the U.S.; having a local team, whether Major League Soccer or at an A-league level (with the chance for promotion) will bring in support than can grow over time, especially when the team enjoys some success. Involve professional players in the community, giving clinics and workshops to young players; where the young have met a player and can identify with him, they’ll be more likely to follow the team. Arrange deals with networks for greater coverage of soccer, not just internationally, but within the country, as this will bring it to more people, increasing its acceptance.

    • 4

      Create more opportunities for youngsters to become professional players; at present the sport follows the pattern of other sports, with professional teams recruiting from the pool of college players. Another option is to bring in more professional players from abroad. Open other avenues to make professional careers possible, as in other countries, that can encourage all players, and give them the chance to begin their careers earlier.