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Evolution of Soccer in America

A tipping point in American men's soccer is approaching as Lionel Messi joins the MLS and the US Men's National Team prepares for the 2026 World Cup, hosted by North America.

by Adam Slocum

June 16th, 2023

NSM Illustration

Lionel Messi’s decision to join Inter Miami of Major League Soccer (MLS) next year along with the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup being hosted on US soil has put soccer in the spotlight of American sports, at least for the time being. Having the reigning Golden Ball winner (best player of the 2022 World Cup) and greatest soccer player on the planet choosing to spend the remainder of his career in the MLS speaks volumes for how far the sport has come in America.

INTERNATIONAL STARS PIQUED AMERICA'S INTEREST

Starting in 1930, the United States Men’s National Team has competed in 11 World Cups to date. Except for a third-place outlier in 1930, the team has not made it to the semi-finals since. Apart from a surge of enthusiasm in the mid-1970’s, the sport has languished as the fifth most popular men’s team sport behind football, basketball, baseball, and hockey, and possibly sixth if you consider NASCAR a team sport.

The brief surge in popularity came with the arrival of the Brazilian legend Pelé, the OG (ORIGINAL GOAT), to the New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1975. He was subsequently matched up with striker Giorgio Chinaglia from Italy in 1976, followed by sweeper Franz Beckenbauer of Germany in 1977 to create a potent offensive attack that enlivened the soccer experience, creating a frenzy in NYC and heightened interest across the country.

The defining attribute of these athletes, however, was that they were in the twilight of their careers. Pelé arrived when he was 34 and would play for 3 seasons. Chinaglia arrived a bit earlier in his career at the age of 29 and played for 8 seasons, becoming the most prolific scorer in the NASL. Beckenbauer joined the league at age 32 and played for 4 seasons.

Pelé maneuvers around NASL defenders as a member of the Cosmos

1994 WORLD CUP & THE CREATION OF MLS

Despite this short uptick in America’s attention span, the NASL (and American professional soccer as a whole) would ultimately fade and dissolve by 1985. As a result, there was a period when the only professional soccer league was not played on grass fields but rather indoors in a hockey-rink type of environment. The Major Indoor Soccer League existed from 1978-1992. It folded just prior to America hosting the 1994 World Cup, which created the perfect opportunity to launch a new outdoor soccer league.

With the excitement building around the 1994 World Cup, featuring a decent US Men’s team led by goalie Tony Meola, defender Alexi Lalas, and striker Cobi Jones, Major League Soccer (MLS) was born. Though the 1994 US Men’s Team bowed out of the '94 World Cup fairly early, the stage was set for yet another professional men’s soccer league in America.

Though America’s homegrown talent has improved over time, this new league has been implementing the same strategy as NASL by bringing in international stars to play in the MLS. Most notably, in 2000, German star Lothar Matthäus joined the MetroStars at the age of 39. Then in 2007, the signing of David Beckham by the LA Galaxy brought a star player (and his celebrity wife) to the city of Hollywood. It was a match made in heaven. Beckham played for the Galaxy for 6 seasons. Other international players with impeccable pedigrees came over to the US, but not before they had started their decline in Europe or South America. Players like Thierry Henry at age 32 joined the New York Red Bulls for the last 5 years of his career, the Brazilian Kaká arrived in Orlando at 33 for three years, Wayne Rooney joined DC United at 33 for two years, and now Lionel Messi, at 36, will play for Miami.

Al Bello / Getty Images Tony Meola tends the net for the US at the 1994 World Cup

MLS AND AMERICAN SOCCER ON THE RISE

A total of 192 international roster spots have been divided up among the 24 MLS teams (8 per team) in 2023, so clearly there is a focus on bringing international talent to America. At the same time there are many roster spots reserved for American-born talent as well.

The US Men’s National Team performed admirably at the 2022 World Cup, reaching the Round of 16 with lots of young talent such as Tyler Adams and Christian Pulisic gaining valuable experience together. On home soil in 2026, their motivation will be intensified. Playing in the MLS and other top leagues around the world, US players are ready to take American soccer to the next level. With poised intensity, American players are determined to prove MLS can be a top league and, more importantly, that the US National Team is a squad to be reckoned with internationally.

NATIONAL SPORTS MUSEUM IN NYC

Just as Inter Miami bested an astronomical Saudi offer by enlisting the support of Apple (MLS streaming rights), Adidas (MLS merchandise rights), and MLS itself to attract the greatest soccer talent on the planet to play in America,, National Sports Museum is using a collaborative approach backed by 9 non-profit co-founders to get this historic museum built.

NSM plans to open in time for the kick-off of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In our “Globalization of Sports” exhibit, we will honor the evolution of the beautiful game of soccer in this country and celebrate its unparalleled position in the world, welcoming Leo Messi and his otherworldly talent while also preparing for a memorable World Cup, an experience that will allow us to celebrate our passion for sports as both Americans and citizens of the world.