Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and has been for a long time without the interest of one of the largest countries in the world - the United States of America. But after the U.S. Men's National Team's run this year, the sport is reaching new levels of popularity here in the states.
This year's world cup drew an American audience 50 percent larger than that of the 2010 tournament, jumping from 2.8 million to 4.3 million viewers stateside. This year's contest against Portugal attracted an American viewership of 25 million. Impressive, considering that the highest viewership of the Major League World Series of Baseball last year reached only 15 million.
More impressively, Americans were second only to host Brazil in ticket purchases for the World Cup.
With the increased popularity of the World Cup, many Americans closely followed soccer for the first time this year. However, for the newfound soccer fans it is difficult to know how to keep up with the U.S. players after the final buzzer sounded in Brazil.
A good place to start would be America's goalkeeper for the World Cup, the impressive Tim Howard. Howard is a spectacle to behold on the field, as he now plays with the Everton Football Club in the Premier League. Their season kicks off at 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16 against Leicester City.
USA forward, Clint Dempsey, also had an impressive showing in the World Cup, scoring three goals in the United States' four games and is equally impressive on the field with the Seattle Sounders, who are currently leading their conference in Major League Soccer. The MLS season has been underway since June, and the Sounders' next game will be on Saturday, Aug. 16 at 2:30 p.m. against Real Salt Lake, home to Team USA star and midfielder, Kyle Beckerman.
Demarcus Beasley, one of the U.S.'s top defenders in this year's tournament, can be seen playing for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer. While the Dynamo's season has been a little rocky, Beasley is still a great athlete to watch, and you can catch him this Friday, Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. in a contest with the Philadelphia Union.
All time leader in goals for the US Men's National Team, Landon Donovan did not make the roster for this year's squad. He later announced his retirement. The promising young striker, Jozy Altidore was chosen in his place, only to be injured in the first 25 minutes of the team's first contest in the World Cup. Altidore is still recovering and is expected to make a return to the sport at full capacity by next season.
With a young, talented U.S. squad in Brazil this year, the U.S. Men's National Team should be exciting to watch in their next World Cup run in Russia, 2018.