Balboa Reflects on the Evolution of American Soccer
When Marcelo Balboa began his soccer journey, the sport was primarily viewed as a way for kids to learn social skills rather than a mainstream athletic endeavor. Back then, coverage was scarce, and American players were few and far between, especially in Europe. You wouldn’t see Lionel Messi jerseys alongside Lakers gear on the streets of Los Angeles.
Watching soccer meant tuning in to a grainy Univision broadcast, where the iconic voice of Andrés Cantor and his famous “Goo!” call were highlights of the experience. Balboa recalls, “The first time I heard his famous goal call was when I was watching Univision as a kid. It was just so different from what we had here.”
His background was unique—his parents immigrated from Argentina, where his father played professionally. Growing up, while many Americans were captivated by NFL, MLB, and NBA, Balboa and his family advocated for soccer, trying to instill a sense of its importance in the U.S.
As preparations ramp up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, starting June 11, Balboa offers a distinctive perspective. He was part of the U.S. team that competed in the World Cups of 1990 and 1994—a time when American soccer was struggling and seeking recognition.
Now, today’s teams come equipped with substantial financial backing, elite training facilities, and experience from European leagues. “The pioneers made soccer important here,” Balboa remarked in an interview with the California Post. “Now it’s up to this generation to prove they can win.”
Anticipations for the U.S. team in 2026 are high. Merely participating isn’t enough anymore; Balboa acknowledges this shift, noting, “You know it goes all the way back to the 1990 World Cup. If we hadn’t qualified for that, who knows what would have happened? In ’94, we had the challenge of opening eyes.”
Back then, American players faced adversity. There were no state-of-the-art training facilities or iconic stadiums, and American talent in Europe was rare. The challenge was about getting America to value soccer first; results were secondary.
After a 40-year hiatus from the World Cup—spanning from 1950 to 1990—qualification for the tournament in 1990 marked a turning point. Even so, the team lost all three group matches, while in 1994, although they made it out of the group stage, they were still eliminated early. In the subsequent 30 years, they managed to advance past the group stage only three times, with their best finish occurring in 2002 when they reached the quarter-finals.
Balboa expressed the weight of current expectations: “If we don’t make it out of the group, it will be a disaster.” Yet, he maintains confidence in this team’s potential, asserting, “This team is good enough to make it to the quarterfinals.” He’s particularly hopeful about breakthrough performances from players like Matt Freese, Alex Freeman, and Folarin Balogun, though he acknowledges that all eyes will likely be on Christian Pulisic.
Pulisic hasn’t scored for club or country in a while, with his last goal occurring against AC Milan back in December. It’s been nearly two years for the U.S. national team since he last scored. “Big-time players appear in important situations,” Balboa said regarding Pulisic’s ability to shine. “Let’s see if he can shake off this slump in the friendlies leading up to the World Cup.”
As one of the most recognizable figures in American soccer, Balboa’s opinions carry weight. He remembers leading the team during a time when the sport was still finding its footing in the U.S. His team’s journey in 1994 left a mark on soccer history, and Balboa vividly recalls the crowd’s excitement during a near-miss bicycle kick against Colombia.
“I remember the energy in the arena during that attempt,” he reflected. “Soccer in this country has an evolving story. We’ve seen many of the world’s elite play here.” Names like Thierry Henry, David Beckham, and now Lionel Messi have shaped the MLS into a topic of global chatter.
This growth fuels Balboa’s refusal to lower expectations for the current U.S. team. “I’m a bit surprised we keep facing early exits at the World Cup,” he stated. “I want to see America reach that summit and go beyond it. I hope this summer, we can finally make that happen.”
Almost three decades later, American soccer isn’t merely a curiosity anymore—it should be competitive on the world stage. Balboa believes the U.S. should not only progress beyond the group stage but also has the potential to dream big. However, he recognizes that home-field pressure can be daunting, making the outcome of the first match against Paraguay on June 12 crucial.
“We can’t afford to lose that first game,” Balboa emphasized. “You can’t let yourself fall behind.”
He understands that tension, having experienced it firsthand. In a past tournament, the U.S. managed to hold a heavily favored Switzerland to a draw in their opening match, later pulling off a stunning comeback against Colombia.
Now, a new generation carries the mantle of proving that the U.S. belongs among the world’s top soccer nations. “We’re all feeling that it’s time for something extraordinary,” Balboa concluded.
