So, why soccer is not a popular sport in US? You know, soccer is one of the most popular sport in this earth. It is commonly called as football. While, you call football for another popular sport in North America especially here in the US. I don't want to debate about the name of this game, whether soccer or football, it doesn't matter.
What matter is still, why it is not becoming a popular game in US?
Soccer isn't "cool" sport
American Football with its NFL and basketball with its NBA have been"giant" sports in US for decades. So, I think for Americans, American football and basketball is a "cool" sport especially for young people. So maybe soccer will be difficult to develop (or very slow) unless more and more children start playing a lot and recognize soccer players especially American soccer players themselves. However, as you know, the best US athletes are not from soccer but other sports. People are more interested in becoming the next Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan than being the next Clint Dempsey.
It is still "slowly" crawling
What matter is still, why it is not becoming a popular game in US?
Soccer isn't "cool" sport
American Football with its NFL and basketball with its NBA have been"giant" sports in US for decades. So, I think for Americans, American football and basketball is a "cool" sport especially for young people. So maybe soccer will be difficult to develop (or very slow) unless more and more children start playing a lot and recognize soccer players especially American soccer players themselves. However, as you know, the best US athletes are not from soccer but other sports. People are more interested in becoming the next Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan than being the next Clint Dempsey.
It is still "slowly" crawling
I know that in the 20 years that Major League Soccer (the highest league caste) has experienced extraordinary development. However, I think they are still in the stage of crawling slowly. One of the reasons why children are attracted to sports can bring them into higher education or professional careers. So, most likely the younger generation of US still see American Football or Basketball as a career path that can not be obtained through soccer.
Not enough space
Maybe the lack of popularity of soccer in the US has to do with the scarcity of space and the means to play it, especially in cities. You know, it's more difficult to find space to build and maintain a soccer field that is right in the middle of a major metropolitan area than it is on the outskirts of cities or in rural areas.
Lack of exposure
This is a common problem for the US. National TV is not yet too interested in showing soccer matches, especially MLS. Although that has changed with the agreement between Major League Soccer and ESPN.
The top European leagues like EPL and La Liga are quite popular with soccer lovers here. Although people have to watch EPL matches early in the morning many games, but its popularity still exceeds the local league, MLS. The good news is that MLS is ready for a new TV deal, so maybe they can get more exposure in the next contract.
Negative stigma
In general, Americans regard soccer as a "non-male" sport, there is not enough direct confrontation, the score is too small (yeah, Americans like big scores), too soft and all the other negative assumptions that make soccer not too developed in the US until now .
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