SXSWorld
Issue link: https://sxsw.uberflip.com/i/250660
The Americans fought gallantly through a difficult first round group before falling in the second round in extra-time to eventual champion Brazil. Two years later, Major League Soccer (MLS) launched, giving the nation its first top tier professional league since the NASL's demise. There was still a long way to go. At the 1998 World Cup, the U.S. fizzled, losing all three opening round games, eventually finishing last out of the 32 teams. MLS struggled to gain a financial and popular foothold in its early years and contracted from 12 teams to 10, folding teams in Miami and Tampa, in 2001. However, a key step forward in the future of MLS occurred in 1999, when the Columbus Crew moved into the league's first soccer-specific stadium, vacating the cavernous 100,000 seat Ohio Stadium on the campus of Ohio State University for its own 23,000 capacity structure. In this smaller venue, crowds were able to recreate the excitement and intimate atmosphere enjoyed at foreign stadiums, which was crucial in developing the spectator culture that has helped MLS gain a foothold. Additionally, the playing surfaces could more easily adhere to the dimensions of international stadiums, which are some 20 yards wider than the American football fields that most of the league's stadiums were originally built for. The soccer-specific stadium trend has continued, with state-of-the-art facilities becoming a league standard. As the millennium turned, soccer's grassroots popularity continued to swell. American fans became more interested in watching the global game, and globalization and better connectivity made foreign leagues and their star players more accessible. At World Cup 2002, the U.S. team shocked most neutral observers by upsetting heavily favored Portugal in its first match and knocking out archrival Mexico in the second round. In the quarterfinals, the Americans lost 1-0 to eventual runner-up Germany, but neutral observers were forced to admit that the U.S. had matched its heavily favored opponent. In 2007, David Beckham, arguably the world's most famous player at the time, joined MLS' L.A. Galaxy, bringing global attention and credibility to the league in a manner not seen since Pelé joined the old NASL's New York Cosmos in 1975. Since then, MLS has become a popular destination for established international stars in the latter days of their careers, and the league continues to expand, growing from 10 teams in 2004 to 21 in 2015, and a projected 24 by 2020. As for the U.S. men's national team, further evolution has occurred under current coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who took over the job in 2011. Though the team has had a succession of experienced leaders, none have matched Klinsmann's pedigree as a world-class striker during the late '80s and '90s for top European clubs and World Cup winner with Germany in 1990. As a coach, Klinsmann led the German national team to the semi-finals at the 2006 World Cup before taking the reins of the country's most prestigious club, Bayern Munich. Though the U.S. performed well at the 2010 World Cup, advancing to the second round before losing in extra-time to Ghana, Bennett believes that this year's squad is ready to take the next step, even in a difficult first-round group: "The U.S. team used to run hard and try to create scoring chances from set pieces. Klinsmann teaches a style where 10 men attack and 10 men defend. It's ambitious and high tempo." In addition to playing style, Bennett says the baker's son from Stuttgart brings something extra to his players: "Klinsmann's most remarkable tool is his unwavering optimism. He thrives off motivation and consistently challenges the players to do better." All of these elements point to rising global respect from opponents. "At World Cup 1998, the U.S. was viewed like the third cousin at a wedding," Bennett explains. "When they take the field this summer, they can prove that they can go toe-to-toe with anyone, including European and South American powers." n Roger Bennett will interview Jürgen Klinsmann during SXsports on Sunday, March 9. See sxsw.com/sxsports for more information. SXSWORLD / FEBRUARY 2014 33