SOCCER: Pulisic forges path for U.S. prospects in Europe

CONTINUED FROM 12 also much different than that of many other countries. Americans are used to high intensity, actionoriented, fast-paced games with high scores and no ties.

Economically, a capitalist system has hindered the development of American soccer in the past. In almost any country in the world, anybody at a given age can play on any team. The United States has instituted a payto-play system, however, where parents have to pay thousands of dollars to send their children to the best programs. There has also been less exposure and promotion of American soccer leagues than other major leagues, and the domestic leagues themselves lack a major quality that is shared by every other nation’s leagues — promotion and relegation — a concept that would never work in America.

Despite all this, soccer in America is finally on the rise. In 2004, just two percent of Americans named soccer as their favorite sport. 18 years later, that figure is up to eight percent. In comparison, while baseball was the most popular sport in 1960 at 34 percent, today it is down to just nine. Soccer is also bound to grow much more, considering its popularity among the younger generation. 11 percent of Americans between ages 1829 named soccer their favorite sport, only trailing football and basketball.

Steve Gans, an attorney who ran for U.S. soccer president in 2018, believes there are multiple reasons for this recent change. Gans has worked for decades to bridge the gap between the United States and European soccer, and worked on the first U.S. hosted World Cup in 1994. In his interview with the Justice on Feb. 6, he explained: “Americans want to see everything at the highest level, and in regard to soccer, they are able to do so easily now.” American viewership of the best soccer leagues is at an all-time high because of the ease with which people can watch them and their exposure to the sport on a continuous basis.

Gans also cited the decline in certain sports. Football has the most pressing decline in youth participation, because of its dangerous nature, particularly to children. While it is still America’s most popular sport to watch professionally, its lack of participation at the youth level means many households are transitioning to other contact sports like soccer. The same goes