THE LAND OF THE FREE, AND THE NEW HOME OF SOCCER
Investigating why soccer has become so popular in the United States and how Americans can continue to develop it into a major sport
By Christopher Williams
Why has soccer become so popular in America? Experts say it largely comes down to one thing: exposure.
October 7, 2021
One of the first questions José Ríos is always asked when meeting someone in his home country of Mexico is what soccer team he supports. Although the answer might result in a disagreement, he always responds “Cruz Azul,” the local team in Mexico City he has supported for 23 years.
“When you're just getting to know somebody, there are a few things you don’t talk about, which are money, religion, politics, or football,” Ríos said. “There's a lot of passion and a lot of emotion regarding it.”
That usually wouldn’t be the case just north in the United States, where it’s no secret that the U.S. trails behind most countries in terms of its passion for soccer. However, the country’s love for soccer is growing as the sport becomes more accessible to consume.
SOCCER IS GROWING IN AMERICA: A VISUAL ANALYSIS OF HOW THE BEAUTIFUL GAME HAS BECOME SO POPULAR
A visual analysis of how increased exposure is benefitting soccer in the U.S.
ATLANTA UNITED: GROWING SOCCER THROUGH GRASSROOTS COMMUNITY RELATIONS
How did Atlanta United establish such a strong fanbase in a city not previously known for its soccer?
November 5, 2021
Atlanta United has one of the most passionate fanbases in Major League Soccer, and it holds one of the largest average audiences in world soccer. How did a club that was only founded in 2017 become the epicenter of soccer's growth in America? Christopher Williams spoke with Atlanta United season ticker holder Will Dean about how the club engages with the community. Dean explains that the clubs' Station Soccer program is one of the many ways Atlanta United is growing the game in Atlanta and creating new fans.
MAN UNITED BOSTON SEEKS TO CREATE STADIUM-LIKE EXPERIENCE
How are fan clubs playing a part in the sport's growth in popularity?
December 14, 2021
In the final segment of his five-part capstone project, Christopher Williams combines research and interviews with fans, journalists, marketers, professors, and content creators to answer the following the questions: why is soccer only just becoming so popular in the United States, and what can Americans do to continue to develop the country's passion for it? With insight from renowned American soccer journalist Grant Wahl, Emerson College sports communication professor Chris Toronyi, and avid soccer supports, Williams analyzes the impact exposure has had on soccer's popularity and how U.S. soccer can benefit from grassroots community relations, fan clubs, and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.