Walking through Manhattan ahead of the Copa America group stage match between Lionel Messi’s Argentina and Chile on June 25, it was hard to miss the sight of fans clad in soccer uniforms traversing the streets.
The World Cup may still be two years away, but the Copa America, combined with Euro 2024 taking place at the same time in Germany, has boosted interest in soccer among New Yorkers, and American soccer fans in general, in recent weeks.
MetLife Stadium was sold out for the Argentina vs. Chile match and another electric atmosphere is expected when Argentina takes on Canada in the semifinals on Tuesday.
It’s a sign that people, especially in New York, are becoming increasingly interested in the “beautiful game,” and the two international tournaments could help raise the profile of professional clubs and the sport in the region.
Soccer is experiencing a rise in interest nationwide, with a 2023 survey by the Sports Innovation Lab showing that roughly a quarter of American sports fans are interested in soccer.
And with the Copa America and World Cup coming up, that figure is expected to rise even further.
“The 26th World Cup in North America is going to have a huge impact,” Adam Lippard, chief commercial officer at GMR Marketing, told the Post. “Without a doubt, every governing body at every level, from professional sports leagues to youth to amateur, will feel the balance of the men’s World Cup in ways that are unimaginable right now. So this is a pivotal moment for soccer.”
The 1994 World Cup in the United States (where seven matches were played at Giants Stadium) was a turning point for the sport, and the country’s bid for the tournament led to the creation of Major League Soccer in 1993 and its inauguration in 1996.
New York is currently home to two MLS clubs, the Red Bulls and New York City FC, with the latter finally finding a permanent home next to Citi Field in Queens, scheduled to be completed in time for the 2027 MLS season.
Both clubs have been in good form this season, with NYCFC and the Red Bulls reaching the playoffs, while NWSL’s Gotham FC won the championship last season, helping to boost their profile in the region.
However, international events played a major role in the development of football, and the 1994 World Cup even inspired Red Bulls sporting director Julian de Guzman to want to play professional football.
“I remember watching Brazil play Sweden at Pontiac Stadium in 1994 and that’s what made me want to go pro at age 13,” explained de Guzman, who played for 19 years, including a stint in MLS. “I said it was the first time I’d ever come close to being a real pro in North America. … Now being here and watching the Copa America again in the U.S. and seeing all the stars there is special.”
Veteran New York soccer journalist Michael Lewis believes soccer has arrived in the U.S., thanks to the attention the Copa America and Euro 2024 are getting, as well as American fans’ familiarity with European leagues such as the Premier League and Spain’s La Liga.
However, he acknowledged that interest in his local team is still limited.
“I don’t know yet if they want to follow in their hometown teams’ footsteps,” Lewis said, noting that it may just be a matter of time. “I always say I know they want a revolution, but I think there needs to be an evolution. Things do change, but they change slowly. … Things have definitely changed dramatically.”
Lewis, who has covered soccer for 50 years, noted that most soccer fans years ago would have loyally followed two New York men’s soccer teams and one women’s soccer team.
“If they had told me there were a lot of teams here and there was a lot of football going on, I would have asked where I should apply,” he said.
For Lippard, part of the battle between NYCFC, Red Bulls and Gotham FC comes down to the competitiveness of the market.
“Ultimately, I think it comes down to the complexity of the marketplace. And the fact that there’s so much competition for sports, entertainment and media revenue has a lot to do with it,” he said.
