Soccer - Newest Sports Frontier

by Carla Cody (BPRW)

Soccer continues to slowly and quietly grow in the African-American community. Until just a few years ago, in the U.S. in particular, the game of soccer remained popular in the Suburbs, mainly among Anglo, middle-class Americans; ergo the term “soccer moms”. Today, however, soccer (similar to basketball) is one of the biggest sports being played in U.S. neighborhoods, and (world-wide) by professional athletes.

While it’s not uncommon to walk on to a basketball court in urban and Black communities to join a pick up game; today, nor is it uncommon to join a soccer game already in progress. The difference has been that, in most cases, the “Black” men on the basketball court were typically African- American, and the “Black” men on the soccer field, were typically from around the world. African, Caribbean and many Blacks living in Europe (and around the world) prefer soccer, and have played it all of their lives. In fact, soccer far surpasses all American sports in terms of interest and support world-wide for any culture.

However, as children of immigrants’ become second generation Americans, enthusiasm seems to be growing more and more for the sport of soccer as a “mainstream” sport played by African, Caribbean and the African- American community. In fact, soccer is steadfastly being embraced by so many that highly structured youth clubs in the “suburban” communities are now starting to transport players from urban areas, and also provide “scholarships” for players who cannot afford fees.

The National Soccer Coaches Association has a Black Soccer Coaches committee, many of whom are first generation immigrants who now consider themselves “African-American”. The Black Coaches collectively agree that there is an increased interest in soccer among African-Americans. However, they also agree that there has been an increased interest throughout American Society as a whole. As a result, the Coaches lament that they are still attempting to make inroads into better professional positions in soccer.

In urban communities, one organization, which started in the inner city and remains there today, is “Soccer in the Streets!”. The organization is an Atlanta based nationwide non-profit organization that develops soccer and educational programs for "at-risk" kids in urban communities. Since its inception, over 100,000 urban kids in more than 75 U.S. cities have participated in its program.

As with many sports, African Americans are also starting to take a financial interest in the sport. Recently this year, African-American Entrepreneur, Victor McFarlane, (along with Asian- American Entrepreneur, Will Chang) became the principal owners of a Major League Soccer team in Washington D.C. called, “the DC United Soccer Team”. The Team was purchased for $33 million, and they also have plans to build a $150 million dollar soccer stadium. DC United has also established a non profit called: “United for DC” (www.UnitedforDC.org), a non profit program established to introduce children of color living in blighted areas to soccer, while also assisting in after-care and with academic assistance as well.

As soccer grows in the inner-city and African American community, youths and adults alike will not only learn a new sport, but they will also have a chance to be exposed to a whole new world, and possibly even broader economic opportunities.