Summary Assignment!

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EASL 450

Nasser Alajmi

Kurt Erbach

15 November 2013

SOCCER in USA

Introduction

Sports have always been a very significant recreational activity in any society. There are

different kinds of sports out there and there are different kinds of sports that different societies

enjoy and value as well. Each sport has a history behind it and a purpose as well. For all types of

sports, they are aimed to create camaraderie, sportsmanship and other positive values. Also,

Tthrough constant practice of sports as well, it is aimed that people learn to live healthy and

active lifestyles. Sports are not only a form of entertainment and source of happiness for people,

but it is an activity that has a purpose and structure that also contributes to society.

Many sports involve the use of different tools and items. One of the most used items is

the ball. In many sports, balls are used. Some of these known sports are basketball, volleyball,

golf, tennis and soccer. There are numerous sports which are very popular worldwide as well.

These international favorite sports are also able to bring countries together by letting different

countries compete in friendly leagues and competitions through their chosen sports.

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world and it has affected different

countries, such as the United States of America. It may not be the national sport of the U.S. but it

Comment [k1]: Deleted because the previous sentence also ends with “as well” which sounds repetitive

Comment [k2]: Find some statistics to support this statement

Comment [k3]: What is? Baseball?

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is a sport that is well loved and practiced by Americans for many years. The United States

participates in soccer in many forms and the sport is growing in popularity today.

History

Soccer in the US started around 1860s. There were a number of soccer clubs established

back then. One of these clubs was known as the Oneida Football Club. Rutgers University and

Princeton University were said to have conducted the first soccer match known in the history of

the United States. This happened back in 1869 and with a score of 6-4, the Rutgers University

team won.

In order for the sport to continue its existence in the country and in order to gain more

enthusiasts, athletes and supporters for the sport, put together organizations that were established

in order to regulate and organize the sport. The first known organization that tried to regulate

soccer in the United States was the American Football Association. The American Football

Association or AFA was founded back in 1886. It was able to successfully carry out its mission

during its first year thus being able to conduct the first non-league soccer event in the history of

the United States. This non-league event was titled the American Cup.

Men were more active and involved when it comes to playing soccer in the United States

in the beginning. Today, however, the United States not only owns a men’s national soccer team

but a women’s national soccer team as well. Both men and women are now actively participating

in the sport and competing worldwide.

The United States Soccer Federation

Comment [k4]: There should be a source for this information, and for all of the information that follows. If all of the information from this paragraph comes from the same source, then cite the source at the end of the paragraph (Author, year)

Comment [k5]: Explain what “non-league” means

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The United States Soccer Federation of the USSF is known as the official body of

authority that regulates and organizes soccer in the United States. This is the organization that

promotes and regulates the existence of soccer professionally in the country. Soccer is growing

in popularity again now after taking a back seat to the more popular sports of baseball, American

football and basketball in the United States for many years. Soccer is on the world stage again,

even in the United States, through its participation in international play.

The USSF was founded back in 1913 on April 5. It used to be called the United States of

America Football Association. Back in 1974, the organization finally changed its name to United

States Soccer Federation. The organization is also a recognized member of the FIFA World

Organization which allows the US teams to compete in the very prestigious FIFA Cup.

The USSF continues to support soccer teams all over the country and the different

leagues that play within the country and outside the country. Not only does the USSF regulate

and organize soccer in the country but it also continues to raise awareness and support for the

sport within the country.

Soccer in the United States Today

Anybody can play soccer today in the United States. People who wish to play and enjoy

the sport need not be professionals to do so. Soccer is now a popular sport for children’s leagues

as well as recreation leagues for adults. Many children today play soccer and the term “soccer

mom” is used to refer to the involved mothers of young children today whether they play only

soccer or participate in a wide variety of other activities.

There are numerous public fields and parks where people can enjoy friendly games of

soccer with their friends and families. Soccer has grown to become a part of the American

Comment [k6]: Try to find some statistics to support this statement

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society that it is not surprising to see many people playing soccer in various places of the

country. If we talk about the professional level we can say that soccer is on the right track to

develop more and more. Jorge Klinsmann "the coach of the United States national team" said

that he would accept to take over of this job because he saw that the American team is ready for

change, which is clear evidence that this sport on its way to the top.

Friends and families also come together in order to support their favorite teams

whenever big competitions or leagues are in action. They either go to the stadiums to watch the

games live or stay at home or at a place that could televise the games live as well.

Aside from the support of the people and the organizations, the media has also

contributed to the development and establishment of soccer as a sport well-loved by the people.

The media has been very influential in making the sport known in the United States and will

seem to continuously make soccer a sport to watch out for.

Summary

Indeed, sports will continuously seem to continuously be a part of life in general. Sports

seem to gain more and more support worldwide and are continuously being passed down from

generations to generations through education and media. The passion and support of the people

for the sport of soccer seems to be very strong and will continue to motivate the existence of the

sport in the country. With the help of the media and the continuous interest of the people in the

sport, soccer will continue to be a sport that is favored in the country. Hopefully the practice of

the sport will also help contribute to the American community.

Comment [k7]: Explain how/why this is true.

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Work Cited

“The Global Art of Soccer”. CusiBoy Publishing, 2006.

Finlay Mackay. Klinsmann: "You can't catch up anymore". ESPN, December 1, 2011.

Overall, it is a good essay, but you need to cite sources of all of the information. Also, the project

guidelines/rubric state that five sources of information are necessary; specific statistics that

support your opinion that soccer is becoming more popular might be good—e.g. how many

people watch soccer, how many games are televised, how many teams there are now versus how

long ago, how many children play soccer, etc.