Soccer

10 Events That Changed the Game of Soccer

By carylovesbennett
  • 5000 BCE

    Origins of the Game

    Origins of the Game
    Children from the countries of Greece, China, and Japan, began to play the game using dead animal skin and kicking the ball into a makeshift net to score points. This created the foundation of the sport.

  • Creating of the Cambridge Rules

    Creating of the Cambridge Rules
    The rules of soccer, later to be known as the Cambridge Rules, were adopted by schools and universities in England. These rules created the basis for all future games of soccer.

  • Creation of the First Soccer Club

    Creation of the First Soccer Club
    The first organized soccer club in the USA, the Oneidas of Boston, was put together by Gerritt Smith. This was an extremely informal game, as there were no official rules put in place yet, however it inspired others to begin their own soccer clubs, making the sport more popular.

  • First International Match

    In the first ever international soccer match, England and Scotland play against each other, inspiring countries all over the world to venture out and play the game.

  • Soccer in Olympics

    Soccer in Olympics
    The game of soccer was played for the fist time in the Olympic Games in Paris. The games were held at the Vélodrome de Vincennes. Ever since then, soccer has been a major part of the Olympics every year.

  • Creation of the FIFA

    Creation of the FIFA
    The FIFA was put together in Paris, including the countries of France, Denmark, Belgium, Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. This group have authority over rules in each soccer game. The FIFA still exists today and is still active.

  • FIFA Hosts First World Cup

    FIFA Hosts First World Cup
    The FIFA holds the first World Cup tournament in Montevideo, Uruguay, where thirteen teams played from all different countries. 93,000 spectators attended, and the World Cup was to take place every three years from that point on.

  • Soccer Goes Live

    The first ever live TV airing of soccer takes place on this day, there is worldwide coverage of the World Cup.

  • The MLS

    The MLS
    The Major League Soccer (MLS) becomes the top USA professional soccer league.

  • Women Win Gold

    Women Win Gold
    The US women’s team won the first-ever women’s soccer gold medal at the Olympics in 1996. They beat China, with a score of 2-1 in the final game.