American soccer fandom should grow internally. (2009)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

American soccer fandom should grow internally. (2009)

As soccer gradually grows domestically here in the North American share of the globe. I often sometimes have to question myself the state of American soccer from a fan perspective, Are Americans really embracing the game of soccer or maybe just the expats and latinos?  Is MLS benefiting from lack of english speaking coverage compared to the so called demand among latino market? Who is US Soccer trying to win over real american sports fan or trying to convert a stauch foreign base?  A good example of this can be the fans of the Seattle Sounders who in just a short time in MLS have managed to transcend a small time fanbase to help make soccer not only enjoyable but also entertaining. But worries me is the situation with the very exciting Soundwave band vs the Supporters groups. Like other supporters groups in europe and other places around the world several MLS teams have thier own, often in my impression can be percieved to be imitating groups from europe. And then you have the band, who can be relatively compared to NCAA bands from football and hoops season and have their decnt share of fans as well. Personally I rather se MLS adopt more bands in to soccer games it proves that adding classic american fandom can coexist with whats a european thing.  Not all fans have to have scarves and scream stand and clap or chant the whole game. Hopefully the Soundwave band gets more respect from the local supporters groups, American soccer needs it.