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Explore America's Most Loved sport: Soccer
The infrastructure and appeal of soccer has increased dramatically in the United States. Interest in soccer has risen at both the professional and grassroots levels, despite football, basketball, and baseball historically controlling the sports landscape.
Soccer's history in the United States began with immigrants bringing the sport to the country in the late 19th century, mostly from European nations where the game was already well-liked.
Since the 19th century, soccer has been mostly associated with European nations. According to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Ranking, eight of the top 10 national teams are from Europe. Regarding attendance and television viewership, European national leagues are constantly at the top of the list.
The three most-watched European leagues are France's Ligue 1, Spain's La Liga, and England's Premier League. Despite Europe's dominance, the sport is trendy worldwide, including in the United States, and is the most popular domestic sport in nearly every nation.
Dive into the United States Popular
Soccer Leagues & Teams
In the United States, soccer has gained significant popularity over the years, with several professional leagues and teams capturing the attention of fans across the country. Here are some of the most famous soccer teams and leagues in the US:
Achieving Your Dreams: Becoming a Soccer Player
In the USA, you can begin your soccer career by registering with a young team or club and participating in regional leagues, competitions, and showcases. From there, you can then advance through the ranks to the professional level.
To become a professional soccer player, one must possess an intense passion for the game, be skilled at it, and know how to present themselves to scouts. To become a professional soccer player, they should follow these steps:
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How much can/does a Soccer Player earn?
Soccer players' average pay varies substantially based on several variables, including their position, experience level, play, and the league they compete in. An average Major League Soccer (MLS) player makes approximately $345,000 annually in the United States.
NWSL players make an average of around $65,000 annually. The annual compensation of a USL player often falls between $25,000 and $50,000. The annual wage of a National Premier Soccer League player in the United States is $160,384.
Lionel Messi is the highest-paid player in Major League Soccer history. With a base salary of $12 million, he received $20,446,667 in guaranteed compensation in 2023. Before Messi, Lorenzo Insigne of Toronto was the highest-paid player in MLS history. With a $7.5 million base salary and $15.4 million guaranteed yearly compensation. Guaranteed compensation is the basic pay and all yearly signing bonuses and bonus payments for a player's contract.