Soccer has long struggled to gain a foothold in the crowded US sports landscape, but heavy US interest in next month’s World Cup could signal a long-awaited US breakthrough.
US supporters edged England for the greatest number of World Cup tickets purchased by any nation other than host South Africa, according to organizers, and that trend began well before the US-England opening match was drawn.
“England might have the most popular team but, by far except for South Africa, demand for tickets for the World Cup from the United States is off the charts,” US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said.
One major reason for the US boost comes from last year’s Confederations Cup in South Africa, in which the US side beat Spain 2-0 in the semi-finals to snap a 35-match unbeaten run and took a 2-0 half-time lead on Brazil before losing the final.
That success provided a sense that US talent could compete and beat the best in the world, luring some new fans and bolstering interest from the faithful.
“America loves winners,” US captain Carlos Bocanegra said. “We’re going to try to go down there and do something special.”
Since Brazilian legend Pele played for the Cosmos in the 1970s in a bid to awaken US fans to global soccer, there was a sense the sport was on the cusp, the US sport of the future.
However, the evolution has taken time. The 1994 World Cup was staged in the US and launched Major League Soccer, a North American league that recently made Montreal its 19th club. Many teams have had 25,000-seat stadiums built to secure their financial stability.
“The first World Cup changed the landscape of the United States in an extraordinary way,” Gulati said. “It’s a very large country. We don’t need to rival [American football] to have a multiple increase.”
England star David Beckham made a big-money jump to the MLS Los Angeles Galaxy and raised the league’s profile for a time, although injuries dimmed the impact many hoped he would bring beyond the usual US soccer supporter.
MLS this year increased the number of players that clubs can sign over the salary cap limit, opening the door for clubs with the money to try and sign top talent, a small step on the road to more Beckham-esque deals to improve MLS.
The US has changed with a growing Latin American population bringing a love for the sport and support for other lands, so much so that the Spanish-language US television World Cup rights for this year and 2014 were sold for US$325 million, while the English-language rights went for only US$100 million.
Manchester United, AC Milan and Chelsea are among the famed squads that have made profitable US tours to packed stadiums in their off-seasons, giving US fans a rare chance to see their star players live and in their prime.
European matches are much more available on the growing US television sports scene, with US World Cup telecasters ABC and ESPN promoting the event like never before on telecasts of NBA playoff games and baseball games.
“We have unprecedented coverage and support ESPN is putting behind the team and World Cup,” Gulati said. “We think it’s an exciting time for our sport.”
In addition to their June 12 World Cup opener, the US and England are competing to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cups.
US officials estimate there are 90 million US soccer fans and expect US$1 billion of revenue in a US-hosted World Cup that can offer 5 million tickets to sell and 18 potential host cities.
“We’ve got 320 million people,” Gulati said. “If we get even a small percentage increase of them turned onto the game in a way that follows the US team or MLS now, it would be extraordinary growth.”
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely