Soccer in the United States (Cause and Effect Essay)

         All around the world, from hungry countries deep in Africa to lavish ones in Europe, crowded cities in Asia to coastal paradises in the Pacific Islands, soccer is the uncontested top sport.  Known as “The World’s Game” and the most popular sport on the planet, this worldwide appeal has been attributed to it’s simple rules and fundamentals, the rivalries and passions it creates between teams, cities, and entire countries, and the hope it gives to the citizens of impoverished countries that would otherwise have none.  There is, however, one country that stands alone, refusing to elevate the sport to its near-universal throne.

            America.

            The most obvious answer may very well be the best one—football, basketball, and baseball.  These three sports have long dominated American sports culture, and show no signs of letting up.  Before soccer even had the chance to get a good foothold in America, it was swept away by the cornered markets of football, basketball, and baseball.  Though in recent years soccer has made a fair comeback, throughout the vast majority of American history, soccer has been heavily overshadowed.

            However, there are many other, smaller reasons why soccer just doesn’t seem to catch in the U.S.   

            To many U.S. citizens, soccer seems almost un-American.  Football, basketball, and baseball have their roots in America since their humble beginnings—soccer is comparatively foreign.  To watch or play soccer would be like sipping tea and eating crumpets, measuring in centimeters, walking a poodle, and visiting a famous art museum.  But the other three?  Well, they’re as American as apple pie!

            High school has also been a barrier to soccer’s success in the States.  Until the 1980’s, most high schools didn’t offer soccer as a sport, so all many athletes during that time period never had the chance to play.  This led to less national exposure and few very talented athletes, making it hard for soccer to become a national sport.  The effects of this still linger today, as athletes in many American schools must choose between wearing a pair of shin-guards and snapping up a helmet.  Unfortunately for the sport, football is the heavyweight in that fight.  Also, because soccer doesn’t have a strong financial foothold on the U.S. either, its athletes are paid far less than the athletes of major American sports; this doesn’t help attract premier athletes to the sport.

            American culture itself poses yet another threat to soccer’s growth in the country.  It is a well-known, and decidedly true, stereotype that Americans love violence.  This value of ours is reflected in the box office, on the television, and in our favorite sports.  The NFL has the highest net gain and average attendance of any American sport.  The fastest-growing sport in the country?  That’s MMA, short for Mixed Martial Arts.  Soccer, on the other hand, doesn’t have this appeal.  It’s more about stamina and finesse than beating up opponents, and, as a result, isn’t as attractive to the average American sports fanatic.  Americans also seem to value high-scoring, action-packed, juicy battles that leave one side flailing their arms in victory, and the other hanging their heads in defeat.  Soccer has none of the above.  55% of all soccer matches end in a tie, and in American culture, a tie is unacceptable.  Furthermore, common final scores like 2-1 just don’t seem to compare to the 124-114 feel of the NBA. 

            Finally, all of these causes combine to create a vicious circle effect.  Because America produces relatively few professional soccer players, the media chooses to cover sports with more meat more thoroughly.  As a result, soccer doesn’t get the attention that other major sports do.  American athletes in major sports, however, are chased down by the media like a cop to a donut shop—and with that attention comes extra exposure for their sport.  Young children look up to these athletes and follow in their footsteps, playing the more traditional sports of football, basketball, and baseball.  Year after year, the same dominant sports are reinforced by the culture, the media, parents, and peers.  Meanwhile, soccer falls by the wayside, an odd sport that only a few true diehards dare to try.

            But life goes on.  The typical American is fully satisfied with his diet of professional sports on the TV all year long, refusing to budge even an ounce away from tradition, firm in his ways.  Still, soccer remains a mystery, something yet to be discovered in America—and for that reason, it will remain.