Passion Project

The game of soccer has slowly became a worldwide sensation. The sport has gradually made a name for itself in the United States.

Soccer is filled in events that create meaningful moments on and off the field, generating metaphors and memories with broader social, cultural, psychological, political, commercial and aesthetic implications.

But has soccer in the US become more popular?

One statement suggests that the percentage of soccer views in the Americas has increased 17% as per 2012.

A quote from a FIFA analyst says, "It is interesting to note that the sharpest increases in followers coincide with national team events. Soccer followers increased from 4% to 14% with the World Cup alone."

Though, this 2022 World Cup in Qatar increased soccer views in America by approximately 23%.

To put that into perspective, around 28 million US citizens watched the world Cup final Match.

Paul D. Winston says,"Americans also pay more attention to the sport today thanks to the success of the U.S. women's team, which became the world champions in the 1999 and 2019 Women's World Cup. The fact that our women play the game so well, though, seems to be regarded elsewhere in the world, where it is a male-dominated sport."

Approximately 14.3 million viewers in the United States watched the final of the womans world cup in 2019.

To conclude , "Soccer’s popularity increased across all key demographic groups, Gaiter reported."

Does culture have a part in soccer?

Souvik Naha says, "It helps us rethink peoples’ perception of soccer as a specific form of popular culture and public memory with deep psycho-social roots, connecting the past, the present and the future of the game’s evolution as part of everyday life."

EBCO Host says, "Soccer plays a large cultural role throughout Latin America. It's commonly accepted as a normal aspect of life. The beautiful game inspires kids, and brings families and countries together."

Does soccer create friendships and bonds?

One database states, "Soccer gives kids an amazing opportunity to spend time with their friends. They ultimately bond over their soccer experiences, practice hard together, and compete in a fun, fair and positive environment."

"Team sports like soccer also help to foster a deep sense of connection and belonging."

To sum up, the soccer field can be a welcoming and safe place for millions around the world.

FUN FACTS!!!

FACTS

• Soccer is known to be born in England.
• No one knows exactly when created but it can be traced a hundreds of years.
• Uruguay won the first ever world cup.
• Brazil won the world cup 5 times
• Lastly, soccer was named by Charles-Wedford Brown

Citations

Bandyopadhyay, Kausik, and Souvik Naha. "Defining Moments in the History of
Soccer." Soccer & Society, vol. 20, no. 7/8, Nov. 2019, pp. 897–902.
EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1080/14660970.2019.1680489.

Deacon, James. "Soccer Comes to America." Maclean's, vol. 107, no. 25, June
1994, p. 40. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/
login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=9406237689&site=ehost-live.

FAJARDO, ROSARIO. "Soccer Interest Increased Significantly during World Cup."
Caribbean Business, vol. 42, no. 29, July 2014, p. 22. EBSCOhost,
search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=b9h&AN=97312245&site=ehost-l....

Ferreira, Jesús, and Carine Harb. "'I Want to Inspire Generations at the Qatar
World Cup.'" Newsweek Global, vol. 179, no. 20, Dec. 2022, pp. 16–19.
EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/
login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsh&AN=160385060&site=ehost-live.

Winston, Paul D. "Soccer in America Begins to Thrive." Business Insurance, vol.
36, no. 25, June 2002, p. 6. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/
login.aspx?direct=true&db=b9h&AN=6932936&site=ehost-live.