America.gov: "Watching Soccer: a Popular U.S. Pastime"

09 July 2008

Watching Soccer: a Popular U.S. Pastime
Many Americans root for favorite international team

By Paul Levitan
Staff Writer



Arlington, Virginia -- On a recent Sunday afternoon, the streets of Arlington, Virginia, a suburb of Washington, were quiet as residents sought shelter from the summer heat. But at a restaurant called Summers, people were lining up to watch a game with their friends. The game was not between American teams, and was not in a sport traditionally associated with America. The fans were there to watch the Euro 2008 final soccer match between the Spanish and German national teams.

Before the game started, the bar was filled to capacity, with 350 people. Fans wearing team jerseys, flags, even face paint cheered loudly. The patrons were mostly American, and their enthusiasm was telling of soccer’s growing popularity in America.

The world’s most popular sport, commonly referred to as “soccer” in America and “football” everywhere else, is gaining a mass following in the United States. It is already the fourth-most-watched sport in America.

More: http://www.america.gov/st/sports-english/2008/July/200807091726180pnativel0.162945.html?CP.rss=true