Shame on all of you commentators, journalists, and even fellow bloggers for not bringing these things up more often. I asked a few of my soccer colleagues if they knew the history of the San Jose Earthquakes. They simply replied, "Ya man, they used to be part of the MLS and now are seeking expansion status." NO! Organized soccer in America has history beyond the MLS, and it should be recognized. That the MLS is doing so much right now has alot to do with the history of soccer in America.
The word 'Soccer' was originally derived from 'Association Football'. Soccer coming from the root "assoc." In the early 1800's, a number of colleges in America had soccer teams and eventually in 1862 during the Civil War, the first official soccer team named the Oneidas* was formed in Boston. Today, a monument in the Boston Commons stands tall in commemoration of the Oneidas. I think I'd like to get my hands on one of their jerseys.
The first attempt to form a league in America actually dates back 22 years after the Oneidas were formed, in 1884. It was to be called the "American League of Professional Soccer" but ended in the same year it was formed. Pro-Leagues and teams, however, were formed from 1894 on with teams such as the New York Giants of the 1930's, Philadelphia Football Club of the 1920's and on through various cities in America.
The North American Soccer League (NASL) does not receive as much credibility, attention and legacy it deserves in American soccer history. The NASL touched America. Fans were running to Giants stadium to see the Cosmo's and great players from around the world were coming to America to play. The reason it failed was simply because they started their fame too quickly, expanding a little too quickly, and ultimately it became financially inviable.
But now, when you hear about the Quakes from San Jose, you have to bring up the NASL from 1974. There's a reason why people are so energetic and excited to bring them back into an American league; it just does not fall into the laps of investors one day. Just an example of how emphatic the fans and investors are in Silicon Valley about this, the Oakland A's, a Major League Baseball team, has purchased the option to bring the Quakes back.
Should it be a surprise that soccer in America is growing? Probably not. According to FIFA, America has more active soccer players than any other nation in the world at 18 million. I challenge you to find a friend of yours that didn't play on a team at one time or another. Soccer has and will continue to be a good fit for America. No other sport crosses cultural boundries and no other country has as many cultures.
*Oneidas was an old tribe indigenous of the Boston area, however, there is no information that I could find that proves they were behind the creation of the team. My personal assumption is that they named the team after the tribe.
1 comment:
Good article!
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