-
The first form of soccer in the US
American Indians were found playing a form of soccer that the Indians called "Pasuckquakkohowog" which means “they gather to play football.” -
Period: to
The History of United States Soccer
-
The first organized club is created in Boston.
The Oneidas of Boston, the first organized soccer club in America, was formed by Gerritt Miller Smith. The Oneidas were undefeated from 1862-65. A monument now stands in Boston Common, where the Oneidas played their home matches. -
The first intercollegiate soccer game played between Princeton and Rutgers
Princeton and Rutgers Universities engaged in the first intercollegiate soccer match Nov. 6, 1876, in New Brunswick, N.J. Rutgers won the match 6-4. -
The first "International" game is played between the U.S. and Canada
The U.S. and Canada play an "international" game and make it become an annual thing. This is also recorded as the first game between nations outside of the British Isles. -
The 1904 Olympic Games (St. Louis)
In 1904 the United States had 2 teams representing their country both were club teams from the host city. One of which was runner-up of the tournament and the other took 3rd place. -
The U.S. joins FIFA
In 1913 the United States Football Association (USFA) was granted "provisional membership" by FIFA. This increased the interpretation of the rules on FIFA as well as made the game more widespread and more well known and played throughout the country. -
First overseas travel tour
The United States National team traveled to Norway and Sweden, where they played six games and ended with an overall record of 3-1-2. -
The first American team to play in Europe
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania traveled to Sweden to become the first professional American team to travel and play in Europe. -
The first league is started in the United States known as the (APSL)
The league was started and 7 cities were granted teams, Fall River, Mass.; Philadelphia; Jersey City Celtics, N.J.; Todd Shipyard of Brooklyn, N.Y.; New York FC; Falco FC of Holyoke, Mass.; and JP Coats of Pawtucket, R.I. -
The United States plays in the World Cup
The United States is one of thirteen countries to compete in the World Cup in Montevideo, Uruguay. They started this World Cup off with a 3-0 win over Belgium followed by another 3-0 win over Paraguay. These games put them through to the semi-finals where they would play Argentina, and go on to face a 6-1 defeat. -
"The biggest upset ever in international soccer"
After little to no change in United States soccer between 1930-1949 we got the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. Here the United States kicked off against Spain who they lost to 3-1. After this game, the US played against the English national team and went on to win 1-0 in what would later be called "The biggest upset ever in international soccer". Although this was a huge high for the Americans, it wouldn't last long after losing their third and final game of the group stage and getting sent home. -
The ASL becomes an ISL
The ASL was granted permission by the USSFA to create an International soccer (ISL) made of the best of the best from Europe, South America, and the US with teams scattered throughout many cities within the US. -
2 new leagues make their debut
The USSFA sanctioned 2 new leagues, the United Soccer Association (USA) and the National Professional Soccer League (NPSL) which later merged together and became the North American Soccer League (NASL). -
First ever NASL scoring title
Kyle Rote, Jr., became the first rookie and first American to win the NASL scoring title with 10 goals and 10 assists for 30 points. -
The Cosmos play Cuba
The Chicago Sting played the Cuban National Team in an exhibition in Havana, the first time since 1959 an American professional sports team had visited Castro’s island. The New York Cosmos became the first NASL team to break one million in home and away attendance. -
The US Under-20 team debut
The U.S. Under-20 National Team competed in its first World Youth Championship in Australia. The U.S. team lost to Uruguay 3-0, tied Qatar 1-1, and lost to Poland 4-0. -
USL is born
The United Soccer League was formed. The ASL canceled what would have been its 50th season. Four NASL teams permanently joined the MISL. The American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA) was formed. -
The first WC in 40 years and the birth of the APSL
The U.S. competed in the World Cup for the first time in 40 years. The WSL and the ASL merged to form the American Professional Soccer League -
1994 World Cup
U.S. Soccer served as the host nation for the 1994 FIFA World Cup and, in conjunction with World Cup USA 1994, Inc., put on the greatest event in FIFA history. More than 3.5 million fans flocked to U.S. stadiums breaking by over one million the attendance record that was established in Italy in 1990 and soccer fans in the U.S. were at an all-time high. The U.S. team advanced beyond the first round for the first time in 64 years, falling to eventual champion Brazil 1-0 in the round of 16. -
MLS is born
Major League Soccer was launched, providing the United States with its first Division I outdoor pro league since the North American Soccer League stopped operations in 1984. -
The US best World Cup
The U.S. Men’s National Team advanced to the quarterfinals at the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, the team’s best World Cup showing since 1930. Midfielder Claudio Reyna was named to the All-Tournament Team, while Landon Donovan earned World Cup Honorable Mentions. -
The 2014 group of death
The U.S. MNT’s year was highlighted by a successful run to the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann guided the team out of the ‘Group of Death’. Despite goalkeeper Tim Howard’s heroics and tournament record 15 saves against Belgium, the USA exited in the first knockout round. The team and soccer culture in the United States was then stunned by the retirement of the greatest player it had ever produced when Landon Donovan decided to hang up his cleats. -
Heartbreak
In 2018 the United States failed to qualify for the World Cup after a stunning loss to Trinidad and Tobago. Heartbreak struck across the country as they would not be competing in the tournament. -
A comeback
In 2022 the United States earned another chance to qualify and they weren't going to mess it up again. This time they qualified with ease and were put into a group with Iraq, England, and Wales. They made it out in 2nd in the group behind England after a prior draw between the 2.