derbyinformer
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered unforgettable moments that remind everyone why it is called the beautiful game.
As the tournament comes to a close, it is time to maintain momentum for the sport in the United States.
Soccer is far from the top of American sports, but it has grown in the last three decades.
For the U.S.
womens national team, there is a standard of success with four World Cup championships and five Olympic golds.
The mens team is looking for consistency to take the next step in the global rankings.
With the World Cup in North America, there was plenty of soccer buzz over the last month.
Most fans will check back in four years, but hopefully, some will stick around.
The momentum feels like it is building, and hopefully it can be maintained.
We have seen this before.
In the 2014 World Cup, the U.S.
men had a strong showing, finishing second in a group that included eventual champion Germany, Cristiano Ronaldos Portugal and Ghana, which had essentially eliminated the U.S.
in both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
In the knockout stage, the U.S.
battled against Belgium until ultimately falling 2-1 in extra time.
It felt like the sport had reached another level in this country.
It looked like U.S.
Mens Soccer was on the rise.
Then, when the U.S.
men failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, it felt like the program's momentum had stalled, forcing changes.
The U.S.
has reached the knockout stage in 2022 and 2026.
Well see if there will be more improvements in the 2030 World Cup qualification.
Progress is showing.
The player pool is deeper than it has ever been, but building a talent pool takes time, and it needs a boost in its youth program.
Developing youth programs will help any sport thrive, either at the local or national level.
I hope that this summer has encouraged kids to try soccer, and the interest can continue to grow.
As kids develop a passion for soccer, the talent pool will flourish, boosting the quality of U.S.
soccer.
It is important to keep soccer accessible to everyone.
Accessibility is key to keeping the sport growing, both in the ability to play, watch and learn the game.
At the professional level, soccer is one of the few sports where the worlds best dont play in America.
It is different than the NBA, NHL and MLB, which are more globally popular and have great international talent coming in to play in the top league of the sport.
In soccer, there are more opportunities for young Americans to earn significantly more money and experience playing overseas than playing in Major League Soccer.
MLS has brought legends to the league, including David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry and Wayne Rooney, to name a few.
Of course, Lionel Messi plays club soccer for Miami FC, and has shown he can compete with the best at 39 years old.
Professional American soccer still needs support, and there are plenty of mens and womens clubs to support around the country.
Nothing helps teach the game or build interest more than getting to watch the game live and feel like you have something invested in a club.
The World Cup represents the highest level of international soccer, and you only get to experience it once every four years.
If you enjoy what youve watched this summer, dont let your interest disappear.
Keep investing in the sport because as the game continues to grow, the U.S.
mens and womens programs can rise to prominence in the global game.