| Soccer, as football is called in America, is one of the | | | | sport with them. In addition, concerned parents are |
| fastest growing sports in the country. Though it has | | | | starting to turn away from the traditional American |
| been played in the US for more than 200 years, it has | | | | sports, particularly American football, because of |
| been a quiet sport. Only recently has it begun to grow | | | | concerns for violence and injury. |
| at an alarming rate: there are more than 8 million | | | | Soccer in America today is extremely popular. Despite |
| soccer players in America, on all levels. There are a | | | | a slow start, it seems that the Americans are trying to |
| few reasons for the slow growth up to this point, and | | | | make up for lost time: there are now five major |
| the sudden popularity of the sport now: | | | | soccer stadiums throughout the country, with more on |
| Soccer in America has always been seen as foreign, | | | | the way. There is a professional women's national |
| and so, in most cases, frowned upon. There is little | | | | team as well as the men's national team. Both of |
| media coverage within the States, so it hasn't had the | | | | these teams have done extremely well in international |
| chance to become popular. Also, for over 100 years, | | | | tournaments and competitions, including the "biggest |
| there was no professional soccer team in the United | | | | upset in the history of soccer", in 1950. |
| States. It was all amateur and semi-professional. So, its | | | | In America, soccer is played by people of all ages, all |
| growth was slow. | | | | genders, and all ethnicities. It is especially popular |
| Now, however, there are people immigrating to | | | | among the white and Hispanic population. |
| America from countries where soccer is extremely | | | | As is evident, soccer is a growing sport in America, |
| popular. They have come to the US and brought the | | | | and we are looking forward to many more years. |