For much of the last century, soccer in America was a sport watched from the sidelines — loved by passionate communities but overshadowed by baseball, basketball and football. Yet today, it’s one of the fastest-growing sports in the country, with packed stadiums, devoted fanbases, and youth programs in nearly every neighborhood. From the roar of Major League Soccer (MLS) crowds to the dominance of the U.S. Women’s National Team, the game has found its rhythm on American soil. To understand how we got here, it’s worth looking back at the immigrant roots, milestone moments, and generations of players and fans who helped transform soccer from a niche pastime into a defining piece of U.S. sports culture.
The Early Years: Immigrant Roots and the First Leagues (Late 1800s–1930s)
Soccer’s story in America begins with immigrants. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, waves of newcomers from England, Scotland, Germany and Italy brought the game with them, often forming clubs tied to their hometowns or ethnic communities. Industrial towns in the Northeast and Midwest – like Fall River, Massachusetts, and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania – became early soccer hubs where factory workers and mill laborers played matches on weekends.
By the 1920s, organized leagues were beginning to take shape. The American Soccer League (ASL), formed in 1921, represented the first serious attempt to professionalize the sport in the U.S. With clubs such as the Fall River Marksmen, Bethlehem Steel, and New York Nationals, the ASL drew decent crowds and even attracted international players. But internal conflicts with the U.S. Soccer Federation and the economic crash of the Great Depression brought its early promise to an end.
Even after the ASL folded, the passion for soccer never disappeared. In neighborhoods across the country, local clubs and ethnic leagues kept the game alive, particularly among immigrant communities who viewed the sport as both a link to home and a shared language in their new country. These early decades may not have produced a national sensation, but they laid the groundwork for the sport’s enduring presence and future growth.
The Postwar Era: A Niche Sport Holding On (1940s–1960s)
After World War II, soccer in the United States entered a quiet stretch. Baseball was the national pastime, football was surging in popularity, and basketball was on the rise – leaving little room for a sport still viewed as foreign. Yet beneath the surface, the game endured. Immigrant leagues and community clubs continued to organize local matches, while universities and amateur organizations kept young players engaged.
One of the few moments soccer broke into the national spotlight came during the 1950 World Cup, when the U.S. stunned England with a 1–0 victory in one of the tournament’s most famous upsets. The story barely made headlines back home, but for the small soccer community, it was a sign of what could be possible. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, American players gained more opportunities to compete internationally, and local clubs quietly nurtured a generation that would one day help revive the sport. Though soccer remained a niche pursuit, the seeds of its eventual comeback were firmly planted, tended by enthusiasts who played for the love of the game, not the spotlight.
The NASL and the Global Spotlight (1970s–1980s)
If the postwar years were about survival, the 1970s marked soccer’s first taste of stardom in America. The North American Soccer League (NASL) brought international glamour to U.S. fields, signing global icons like Pelé, Franz Beckenbauer and Johan Cruyff. For a brief, electric moment, soccer was the sport of the future. Teams such as the New York Cosmos packed stadiums, and youth participation soared as children across the country signed up for their first teams, dreaming of becoming the next Pelé.
But the NASL’s rise was as rapid as its fall. The league expanded too quickly, spending heavily on star talent without building the infrastructure to sustain it. By the mid-1980s, financial troubles and dwindling attendance forced the NASL to fold. Still, the league’s impact was undeniable. It had proven that Americans could fall in love with soccer, and that the spectacle, community and culture around the sport had real staying power. The NASL’s brief brilliance helped inspire the next generation of players and fans who would bring soccer back stronger than ever.
A Turning Point: The 1994 World Cup and Birth of MLS
Soccer’s modern era in America began with one defining event: the 1994 FIFA World Cup. Hosted by the United States, the tournament broke global attendance records and captivated millions of Americans who had never followed the sport before. For many, it was their first real introduction to the energy and emotion of world football, and it worked. One of FIFA’s conditions for awarding the tournament was that the U.S. would launch a new professional league, which led to the creation of Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1996.
The league faced early struggles, from low attendance to financial instability, but it gradually found its footing. Cities like Los Angeles, D.C. and Chicago became hotbeds of support, while the construction of soccer-specific stadiums helped solidify the league’s identity. By the 2000s, a steady stream of international stars – David Beckham among them – helped raise the league’s profile worldwide. Just as importantly, youth soccer exploded across the country, ensuring a future generation of players and fans who would sustain the game’s momentum.
The Rise of Women’s Soccer: From the ’99ers to the NWSL
While MLS was finding its place, women’s soccer was writing its own story. The 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup, hosted and won by the U.S., became a cultural milestone. Stars like Mia Hamm, Brandi Chastain and Julie Foudy captured the nation’s imagination, filling stadiums and inspiring a new generation of girls to pick up a ball. The iconic image of Chastain’s celebration after the winning penalty kick remains one of the most recognizable moments in U.S. sports history.
Although early professional women’s leagues struggled to survive, the passion never faded. By 2012, the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) was launched, providing a stable platform for professional play and becoming a model for sustainable growth. The U.S. Women’s National Team continued its dominance, winning multiple World Cups and Olympic medals, proving that women’s soccer wasn’t just thriving, it was leading. Today, the NWSL stands as one of the strongest women’s leagues in the world, and its influence continues to grow across all levels of the sport.
The Modern Landscape: MLS, USL, and the Expanding Soccer Pyramid
Fast-forward to today, and the American soccer landscape is bigger and more diverse than ever. Major League Soccer continues to expand into new markets, drawing record crowds and developing homegrown stars who now compete internationally. Beneath MLS, the United Soccer League (USL) has emerged as a vital part of the country’s soccer pyramid, with the USL Championship, League One and Super League creating new professional opportunities in dozens of cities.
This ecosystem has transformed soccer from a fringe sport into a deeply rooted part of American life. Across the country, local clubs are building loyal fanbases and community-driven teams, and Brooklyn FC is at the forefront of this growth. The U.S. is also gearing up to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which promises to ignite another surge in interest and investment. What began as a game played in immigrant enclaves has become a nationwide passion – uniting people from all backgrounds through the world’s most universal sport.
Be Part of the Story
If you live in or plan to visit New York City and want to see a soccer match live, catch the action at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, where the passion, grit and unity that define American soccer come to life. You can also stream Brooklyn FC matches on Peacock and SportsNet New York (SNY), and be part of the growing movement shaping the future of the beautiful game in Brooklyn and beyond.
FAQs
1. When did soccer first arrive in America?
Soccer was introduced to the U.S. in the late 1800s by European immigrants, who formed local clubs and leagues that helped establish the sport’s foundation.
2. What league does Brooklyn FC play in?
Brooklyn FC competes in the USL Championship, one of the top professional soccer leagues in the United States that bridges local passion with national competition.
3. How is Brooklyn FC connected to the history of U.S. soccer?
Brooklyn FC embodies the sport’s evolution — blending New York’s immigrant soccer roots with the modern rise of professional women’s soccer in America.
4. Where can I watch Brooklyn FC matches?
You can catch Brooklyn FC home games live at Maimonides Park in Coney Island, or stream them on Peacock and SportsNet New York (SNY).
