Reflection 1: Get on the Pitch—On America's Resistance to Football—er, Soccer

Passion.
Obsession.
Fanaticism.

All of these words have been used to describe the UK's relationship with football—what Americans call "soccer." Since its invention in London in 1863, the sport has seemingly imbued itself into Britons' DNA.

But in America, it's a different story ...

In 1994, nationally recognized sports marketer Nye Lavalle boldly predicted that “there is no chance [pro soccer] will survive. Absolutely no chance whatsoever.” His prediction was grim, but also off the mark. Three decades later, Major League Soccer has not only survived, but grown to 30 teams nationwide. That said, of the five major US male sports leagues, MLS still lags significantly behind the traditional "Big Four" male sports leagues (football, baseball, basketball, and hockey) in revenue and viewership. Though there has been impressive growth—for instance, enthusiasm revs up during the World Cup, which this year is hosted by Mexico, Canada, and the US—pro soccer, including the burgeoning National Women's Soccer League, remains a long way from the dominance of the NFL or NBA. Of course, this stands in stark contrast to the UK, and the rest of the world, where soccer is ferociously popular. So, what is behind Americans' historical resistance to soccer? Why has the world's most popular sport failed to firmly take root in America?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion: 

• "Commentary: The History Behind Why Americans Don’t Play Soccer" (TheNewsHouse)
• "What Does Soccer Need to Break Through to Americans?" (NorthEastern Global News)
• "NFL Fan Reacts to Football Explained For Clueless Americans" (IWrocker)
• "r/AskAnAmerican: Why is Soccer the Team Sport Where Americans Care Most About Their National Team?" (Reddit)

Required:

• MLA Style, including works cited
• 500 words (≈2 pages)

Due: Fri 2.27 (via Canvas)