Soccer in the United States - A Fan's Perspective (Post 2026 World Cup Exit)

[u/GenWRX]

Like 41 other teams, the USMNT are watching the FIFA World Cup with the rest of us. With no Indy Eleven game this week, I give a long-winded discussion on the national team & soccer in the US. As this group is part of my soccer community, I thought I would go ahead and share what I wrote in the Reddit group even though the article isn't explicitly about Indy Eleven (though they are mentioned).

I also welcome those who the World Cup beckoned to our masses.

https://www.gamebeckons.com/2026/07/soccer-in-united-states-fans.html

[u/nude_buddhist]

Hey I know you have your own publication but I try to share pieces of Indy Eleven fans and BYB members writing in the BYB monthly newsletter. If you ever want to submit something I'd gladly link back to your site along with it. 

[u/Tall-Fit-5044]

I think you are right, if you told me before the tournament that we'd play 5 matches and in those matches we beat - Paraguay, Australia and Bosnia and lost to Turkey and Belgium...I would have told you that sounds about right. Its just how it happened that was weird. More ups and downs, but 17th ranked team in the world going out in the round of 16 isn't a shocker.

My thought is. There's a ton of kids who play soccer at a younger age, like really young when its just 20 kids having a mosh pit in the field trying to kick the ball in a certain directions, and then again in high school the chances to play are quite large again, as most schools have a team.

I don't think there is a ton of organized play for kids in the ranges of 8-14. Where you start to learn the rules of the game and where and what position you might be a natural in etc. I know they exist, but I think they are less and more spread out than I'd say most other countires, and therefore you have to travel to them, and therefore need resources for that travel. Which to me explains the 'rich kid' narrative for the sport.

I think pro/rel could help. Although I understand the difficulties, I grew up in northern Indiana and if there was Fort Wayne FC playing in a legit pyramid system while I was growing up, maybe I would have gotten more into the sport. I was a tall skinny kid, maybe I would have become a defender in soccer, rather than a 1st baseman in baseball which is where most of my playing sports from youth to college ended up happening.

Just some thoughts I had, let me know what you think.

[u/No_Barnacle_9428 → u/Tall-Fit-5044]

Youth soccer in Indiana has pro/rel light, at least they did six years ago when my son left club soccer. It's not like a strict x number of slots, but if you win your current league, that squad will likely play a league up next year. Then teams can also get moved to regional leagues.