View from overseas: Confidence growing in US soccer

Story by Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers

146 BC - As the final day of his campaign drew to a close, Scipio Africanus stood watching Carthage burn. His face glowed with the fire of the setting sun and the flames of the city, but no smile of triumph crossed his lips. No gleam of victory shone from his eyes. Instead, the Roman general burst into tears. In the fading light of that dying city, Scipio saw the end of Rome itself. Just as Rome had destroyed others, so it would one day be destroyed. The great conqueror and extender of empires, saw the inexorable truth: no matter how mighty it may be, no nation, no empire, no culture is immortal.
Polybius - 3rd Punic War

Surrey, UK (April 14, 2006) - With the announcement that the LA Galaxy are to share a strategic alliance with Chelsea FC, US soccer can give itself a well deserved pat on the back for developing a soccer product that can draw such admiring glances and courtship.

Recent transactions, innovations and comments involving Red Bull, Chelsea and David Beckham, represent proof if ever there was any required as to how far US Soccer has come in recent years and an indication to what direction it is headed in.

The $100 million investment by drinks giants Red Bull into the MLS' New York franchise is truly visionary and highlights the long term future of the game to be both promising and real. I also think over time we will come to see the size of the investment to be minor in relation to its future worth and status.

To apply a context to the size to of the New York Red Bulls deal, Alexandre Gaydamak recently invested $20 million dollars in Premiership Club Portsmouth FC, this represented 50% of the organisation, a guaranteed income from the League and media networks, sell out crowds most weeks, and highly prized development land behind the ground.

However, the idea and opportunity to build a world class New York soccer side is ultimately far more captivating if one has the time, finance and expertise to develop it.

With regards to Chelsea FC's alliance with the LA Galaxy, again it can only be good for US Soccer that they are in a position to attract such interest from the economic powerhouse of Europe. With Chelsea's global reach and recent links with the Chinese market, its association with LA can at the very least offer a greater level of exposure for one of the MLS' marquee franchises.

David Beckham, recently reiterated comments he made in 2003 regarding his desire to play in the USA in the medium to long term future. At a time when other major brands have moved into the market, his comments make sense. The media attention, finance and crowds he can draw are an attractive prospect to any football market. Furthermore, his athletic professionalism and family man image are great examples for any aspiring soccer player.

Europe's recent interest in the MLS conclusively shows how far the league has come. 11 yrs ago it did not have any crowds or teams, now there are 12 franchises, and attendances averaged 22,000 for the Round 1 fixtures. It is also in part responsible for a national team that currently sits 5th in the world.

While certain US Soccer "aficionado's" may feel its product does not match up to the European model, let it not be forgotten that the old world had over a 125yrs to get it right, and there were no competing sports products or skeptical media networks and audiences.

Life may still not be idyllic in US Soccer and it may have to deal on a day to day basis with bigger and more dramatic stories from other sports franchises - I remember gearing up for the Long Island Rough Riders season along side the Yankees, Mets, and Islanders Fantasy Hockey - but if one looks at the bigger picture the US public now has a league comparable with the English Championship only ten years after its inception, a national side that made the World Cup ¼ finals and in Red Bull, Chelsea and David Beckham have three of the most prestigious brands fully aware of the country's soccer potential, now imagine who will be interested and where the sport will be in 20 years from now.

Andrew Rogers, contributes to USA Today, Gol TV and Four Four Two. He lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC.