As it is the centennial year of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), I thought it would be interesting to make a map of the significant events in that hundred year time span. However, that would be just an easy challenge easily completed. So, to make it more interesting as well as more challenging I will make several other maps. A map showing the growth of professional and amateur soccer leagues that are noted by USSF, as well as the sides in each of those. In addition, for Major League Soccer (MLS) the current top flight league in the states I will show the history as it has grown and shrunk in its 17 year history. Soccer has been a passion of mine since I played it when I was younger throughout the moves as my dad changed postings in his Air Force Career, from playing in organized youth leagues to playing pickup backyard games at recess and after school. Soccer, known as football in other parts of the world, is a truly international sport and is a game for anyone and everyone.
But women play too, and the US Women’s National Team is currently ranked #1 in the FIFA standings. And starting next month the new iteration of top flight Professional Women’s soccer will being playing in the National Women’s Soccer League with 8 teams. The several previous iterations have folded; let’s hope this one stays around for more than a few seasons. So in honor of this new beginning I will make a map showing how professional Women’s soccer has evolved here in the United States and around the world as more countries start their own women’s national teams. Representing your country on the pitch is a huge privilege, and the countries who give not only men but also women that opportunity deserve to be recognized.
The world is beginning to take notice of soccer in the US, and realizing that our leagues just aren’t a place for 30-somethings at the end of their careers to go and play. Our leagues are a place to go to look for talent, as well as to get great games. In addition, since 1990 the US has steadily become more of a force regionally within CONCACAF as well as globally with famous results that were unexpected. Just last November, we tied the then #9 team in the world Russia on their home soil 2-2. We got our first ever win against Mexico on Mexican soil in 75 years last August, though other countries like point out that it was an international friendly match. There is no such thing when it comes to the USA-Mexico soccer rivalry. Another famous result in recent memory is the 2-0 win over Spain the semifinal round of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, we would go on to lose 3-2 to Brazil in the final. It has taken the US 100 years to get to this point, but we have gotten to the point where we are a respected nation in world soccer circles.
Example Map:
http://billsportsmaps.com/?category_name=usanasl
Sources:
http://www.ussoccer.com/Centennial/Centennial-Home/100-Years.aspx
http://www.ussoccer.com/About/History/Timeline.aspx
http://www.mlssoccer.com/history
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_soccer_league_system
http://www.nwslsoccer.com/teams/index_E.html
http://www.ussoccer.com/Centennial/Centennial-Home.aspxhttp://www.ussoccer.co...