As a supporter of US Football [Soccer], the question that is always asked are those comparing the USA to Countries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. Every country is different and to compare US Football [Soccer] with those of the FA, La Liga, and the Bundesliga would be similar to comparing a pear and a grape.
It cannot be denied that US Football [Soccer] is still under-par in comparison with other professional leagues. The reasons are many and needed to be organized under certain categories and its resolutions.
AMERICA VS THE WORLD
US Folklore tells the stories of how the Puritans saw the Indigenous Population play a form of Football called «Pasuckquakkohowog» [which means «they gather to play
football.»], when they arrived in America.
The reality points to an inconsistent history of football [Soccer] in America compared to the consistency which has existed in Europe since Football was first played in York England during the Middle Ages. America had Football [Soccer] as a fad sport that was fashionable at times until the World Cup of 1994.
It could be said that until 1994, the USA had a bunker mentality when it came to Football [Soccer] which favoured other sports [i.e: basketball] over Football [Soccer]. Before 1994, sports commentators in the USA derided Football [Soccer] as a «Sport for those who do not like Sports».
It was after the World Cup of 1994 that the USA started to take seriously the role of Football [Soccer]. The reason, the USA hosted the World Cup of 1994 and they did not want to be seen as «ignorant» and «dumb».
The FA, La Liga, La Liga Mexicana, and the Bundesliga have been playing seriously and the supporters have been vocal and present. The Leagues of other countries either received support from their fans or in some cases [such as Monaco] from the government.
TIMING OF SEASON
Another aspect has been the timing of the football [soccer] season. In Europe, the season lasts from August to April. In the USA, it lasts from April to October with practices and friendly games starting in January.
BUDGET CUTS
Within the USA, there has been a decline in Physical Education Classes as mandated by the Budget Cuts by George Bush II. With this decline, there has been little exercise and practice of US Football [Soccer].
UNDERESTIMATING FOOTBALL [SOCCER]
There is also the mentality in America that Football [Soccer] does not need that much practice. The US Football [Soccer] Team learned the hard way after the Men’s Team was eliminated in Copa America 2007 and the Womens Team was almost eliminated in the FIFA Womens World Cup in the same year.
SALARY CAPS
A Major difference between US Football [Soccer] and the other professional leagues are the Salary Caps. A Salary Cap [also known as a Wage Cap] is defined as a limit on an amount of money that can be used by a professional team for professional salaries. The Major League Soccer [as well as minor leagues within the USA] use the salary cap.
At the present time, European Leagues are considering the use of a salary cap. A report from the BBC revealed that the Football League in England and the Serie A of Italy were one of the teams considering a salary cap.
WHAT NEXT?
It must be remembered that US Football [Soccer] and their leagues are adolescents bound to make mistakes but are willing to learn in order to be on par with other leagues.
The USA has to adapt and rid itself of the bunker mentality. We live in a world of open communications and diversity which includes sports. Football [Soccer] is gaining converts in America and it is the silent majority who are leading the change.
It will take time to destroy the walls of prejudice against football [soccer] but people are attending in ever increasing numbers. Regardless, to compare US Football [Soccer] to the Long and Glorious History of European Leagues is impossible. The USA has to forge its own history.
US Football [Soccer] must change its season since it is almost the only country that plays Football [Soccer] off season. The USA should play at the same time frame as other professional leagues [August to April] in order to be in par with them.
While Budget Cuts by Bush II have hurt Football [Soccer], there has been a general tendency to have Football [Soccer] groups. In fact, the Miami FC has a programme of Football [Soccer] for future generations where the practice is grueling and the few are chosen.
The US Football [Soccer] Association has similar programmes with the youth where the practice is the equivalent of other professional leagues. This includes the under 21 teams.
The extensive practice guidelines are a result of the lessons learned in 2007 from underestimating the sport after the debacle of Copa America 2007 and the FIFA Womens World Cup of 2007.
I have faith in the US Football [Soccer] Team and that the 21st Century will be a time for the USA and its leagues to leave their imprint in the History of this Illustrious Sport called Football [Soccer].
El Noticiero de Alvarez Galloso 
Interesting article with some valid points.
«The first written accounts of football in the US centered on contests in the major colleges and universities of the Northeast. The freshman and sophomore classes at Harvard had instituted an annual intramural football contest in 1827, played on the first Monday of the new school year.
When soccer first started in the United States, it was played primarily by schoolboy and college teams, and was largely an upper-class game. The Oneida club, formed in Boston in 1862 may have been the first soccer club to consist of a regular roster of players, as opposed to the pick-up games commonly played at the time, although it is not clear whether they were playing soccer, rugby, or a hybrid game. It consisted of a group of Boston secondary school students from fairly elite public schools in the area (Boston Latin, Boston English, etc.). This club would play matches against pickup teams throughout the Boston collegiate community and went undefeated, and unscored upon during their entire four-year existence. Apparently, teamwork, and familiarity with teammates was a significant factor in winning, and this was not lost on the public. If the Oneidas were in fact playing soccer, then they would be the first soccer club anywhere outside of England, even predating the formation of Scottish teams.»
In 1776 America declared indendance from the tyrany of King George III and won that independance during the Revolutionary War. American again went to war with England in the War of 1812. During the 1800’s, American’s tended to reject things which were English. America went through several periods of isolationism and of course these periods were before the modern transportation and communications of today. This tended to set the migraition away from the English game and toward the American games of baseball (developed from the English game of rounders), basketball (developed from English netball) and American gridirion football grew out of football (Association football – soccer) and rugby football.
While the United States was growing these «homegrown» sports – the World was developing soccer football. Soccer has continued to be played in the United States because the United States of made of immigrants from around the World. These immigrants played soccer football. There has continued to be a core of American’s who played soccer football.
U.S. teams participated in the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis. The 1920s are widely considered the first Golden Era in American soccer. The American Soccer League (ASL) was founded in 1921. During the mid 1920s, the crowds for games were large, with 10,000 a common attendance figure. In 1930, the U.S. team placed third in the first World Cup held in Uruguay. The U.S. National team stunned the world by defeating England in the 1950 World Cup.
America went through a long period without any significant soccer football at a professional level.
There were two leagues formed the 1966 World Cup in the United States which merged after a short time in the North American Soccer League
In 1975 the NASL team the New York Cosmos miraculously was able to recruit the player most consider to be the greatest player of all time. Edson Arantes do Nascimento best know by his nickname Pelé came to a team of mostly inexperienced semi-professional players. With the arrival of Pelé to North American soccer many other World class players followed including such players are George Best, Franz Beckenbauer, Johan Cruyff, and Giorgio Chinaglia. The league blossomed and peaked with 24 teams by 1984. This rapid over expansion, however, was also spelled the death of the league in 1984.
The recession of the early 1980s hit the young league like a gulf hurricane. In the wake the of the 1973 oil crisis then the 1979 Iran hostage crisis resulting in another energy crisis the economy stagnated. In 1980 inflation soared to 13.5% The prime interest rate, at the time a highly important economic measure, eventually reached 21.5% in June 1982. Unemployment hit a high of 10.8% in December 1982. Job cutbacks were particularly severe in the oil industry, housing, steel and automobiles.
Many new team owners were given franchises without a strong financial foundation. The expensive international players meant a very high payroll. The rapid expansion had also thinned the available talent pool. Despite an unbelievable run the dream ended in 1984 when the North American Soccer League suspended operations but the seed was planted.
Major League Soccer (MLS) was created in December of 1993 by the U.S. Soccer Federation in an agreement with FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association ) in exchange for the 1994 FIFA World Cup being held in the United States. The league started play in 1996 with ten teams. Unlike the NASL, there was already a broad base of skilled American players although many lacked international experience. Because there was limited opportunity in the United States, many young players had gone to play in foreign leagues and did gain international experience. The league had learned from the experience of the North American Soccer League. All MLS franchises have been built on a solid footing. The salary caps and limiting foreign players has kept the league afloat but the league has now lifted some salary caps for foreign desigated players as the league expands. This is adding new flavor to the American game (soccer) and increasing the popularity.
I’m an American who lived in Europe for eleven years. I never grew up around soccer football and was lucky enough to connect with this global phenomen while living in Italy, England and Spain. More and more American’s and learning to enjoy «the beautiful game». Soccer football is a sport which requires strength, explosive power, speed & agility, endurance and overall total body strength. The incredible skill required to control a round ball with your foot, body and head without the use of hands takes years to develop and refine. Soccer requires strategy and tactics. Soccer football players run over 11 kg during a 90 minute game and still must battle for posscesion.
Major League Soccer is becoming very exciting. I’m a fan of the Houston Dynamo which is one of the most exciting team I’ve seen on this planet with a fan base which are the total personification of the passion of the game. They have just won their second consecutive MLS Cup.
http://houston.mlsnet.com/t200/
http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/overview.html
According to FIFA: The United States Soccer Federation has the most registered youth players (3.9 million) in the world, with 2.3 million male players and 1.5 million female players. Germany is second and Brazil third. There are four times as many players participating in youth soccer than in Little League Baseball.
Germany (6.3 million) has the most registered players over all, followed by the United States (4.1 million). The United States (1.7 million) has the most registered female players in the world, followed by Germany (871,000) and Canada (495,000).
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I would like to thank Jonathan for his response. He was able to fill in some of the pieces of the puzzle as to why US Football was not on par with World Football. It was a great response. I was born in the USA and I agree with what Jonathan said.
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