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The United States of Soccer: MLS and the Rise of American Soccer Fandom Kindle Edition

by Phil West (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 66 ratings
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“A brisk and informative look at Major League Soccer’s first twenty years . . . West gives MLS fans a worthy chronicle.” (Booklist).

In 1988, FIFA decreed that the 1994 World Cup would be played in the United States – with the condition that the U.S. would start a new professional league. The North American Soccer League had failed just four years prior, and the prospects of launching a new league for Americans, who didn’t share the rest of the world’s love for soccer, were both exciting and daunting.

The United States of Soccer is the engaging history of Major League Soccer’s bootstrap origins prior to its 1996 launch, its near-demise in the early 2000s, and its surprising resilience and growth as it won recognition from soccer fans around the world. The book also explores the origin of MLS’s superfans who set the tone within MLS stadiums and defining what it is to be a North American soccer fan. Phil West chronicles those fans’ voices – intermingled with league officials, former players and coaches, journalists, and newspaper accounts – to detail MLS’s remarkable journey.
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  1. Print length
    363 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    ABRAMS Press
  5. Publication date
    November 1, 2016
  6. File size
    9822 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“A brisk and informative look at Major League Soccer’s first 20 years. . .West gives MLS fans a worthy chronicle.”
- Keir Graff, Booklist

“Phil West's new book The United States of Soccer allows you to marvel at the explosive growth of football in this nation, and savor both how far it has come, and how fast.”
- Roger Bennett, Men In Blazers

“West tells the intertwined story of the rise of MLS and its fan base in this reasonably crisp narrative . . . Fans of MLS will appreciate West's perspective, and those who are not yet fans may be convinced by this brief, worthwhile history.”
- Kirkus Reviews

“[Showing] the commitment of select owners at the beginning, the rise of the supporters groups, and, yes, Don Garber’s leadership in sustaining MLS for these 21 seasons―this book proves to be a keeper.”
- The Burgundy Wave, SB Nation

“If you love the game of soccer, love the history of soccer, and truly want to understand how the MLS developed into the league it is today, The United States of Soccer is a captivating choice that will leave the reader much more the wiser about the nation of soccer and its fans.”
- Portland Book Review

“West employs a fan’s-eye view to explore the travails and innovations of Major League Soccer . . . his narrative serves as a series of engaging case studies on the business and marketing of sport.”
- Publishers Weekly

“The definitive text on MLS . . . West’s masterpiece is an enjoyable read from cover to cover, something any American soccer fan would genuinely appreciate. It is indeed a special piece of soccer literature.”
- International Soccer Network

“This book should occupy an important spot on the shelf as far as soccer books go. It offers a glimpse of the future, from a man who has his finger on the pulse of the beautiful game, and a league that shows little intention of slowing down . . . This book will offer something to fans who have followed the league since its inception, as well as a retrospective for new or casual fans to appreciate the league’s existence.”
- The Kansas City Star

“West brings a historian’s approach to his book, rather than a pundit’s. The pages brim with research, with vintage news reports and opinion pieces intermingled with plenty of solid original interviews with players, execs, soccer media members and supporters alike . . .This is a solid read for anyone interested in how the league they love came to be.”
- MLSsoccer.com

About the Author

Phil West is an Austin, Texas-based writer, a lecturer with The Writing Program at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a contributor to MLSSoccer.com, Howler, and SB Nation's Stars and Stripes FC. His articles have appeared in numerous publications, including the Los Angeles Times, Seattle Times, Austin Chronicle, and San Antonio Express-News.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MXD7ZZN
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ ABRAMS Press; 1st edition (November 1, 2016)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 1, 2016
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 9822 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 363 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 66 ratings

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
66 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Aidan M
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Reflection of the MLS
Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2022
Verified Purchase
I strongly recommend this book for American soccer and MLS fans. I rank MLS as my favorite sports league. Go Portland Timbers!
One person found this helpful
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Lou
4.0 out of 5 stars Sometimes a slog to read, but good info
Reviewed in the United States on January 7, 2017
Verified Purchase
Definitely a lot of information, but some editing and sorting out by importance would have made it more readable. Nonetheless, it offers good insights into a period of soccer history in the US and avid fans, familiar with the players and the era, will enjoy it.
3 people found this helpful
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Ben Langevin
5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible Overview of Contemporary US Soccer
Reviewed in the United States on July 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
This was a concise, well constructed overview of soccer in the US from the last two decades. He's conversations in an excellent way. Loved the section on supporter culture and the YSA chants. I've been an American soccer fan off and on for 15 years. So it was great seeing the narrative arc of the league laid out in 200 some pages.
One person found this helpful
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Kyle J. Burkholder
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly well-researched - THE history of soccer in the United ...
Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2017
Verified Purchase
Amazingly well-researched - THE history of soccer in the United States since the World Cup.

Nuanced look at how MLS came to be, what shaped the early years, and how the stunning growth has taken place. This really is a MUST-read for any fan of domestic soccer.
One person found this helpful
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Introverticus
5.0 out of 5 stars A comprehensive history of MLS from beginning to 2015
Reviewed in the United States on December 10, 2019
Verified Purchase
Required reading for anyone serious about the history of Major League Soccer. Packed to the brim with glorious moments and hilarious anecdotes. 5/5
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brad
5.0 out of 5 stars Must Read for American Soccer Supporters!
Reviewed in the United States on December 19, 2016
Verified Purchase
Phil did a great job with research on this book and tells all the different stories about the successes and failures of MLS. It provides great context for all fans of soccer in America. I can't say enough great things and encourage every American soccer supporter to read.
4 people found this helpful
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yippers
5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive history of the MLS
Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
Definitive history of the MLS, its creation, and more importantly, it's survival. West chronicles the growth, retraction and ascent of the league in detail and with illustrative and entertaining interviews and anecdotes. A must-read for the devoted US soccer fan as MLS again looks to expand.
4 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars If you're a fan of soccer you will enjoy this book
Reviewed in the United States on December 29, 2016
Verified Purchase
If you're a fan of soccer you will enjoy this book! Goes into great detail about American soccer history, how the MLS came to be and how it's grown since and the future of soccer stateside. Absolutely loved it!
2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

victor lizzi
4.0 out of 5 stars Great history lesson on MLS beginnings!!
Reviewed in Canada on January 11, 2018
Verified Purchase
Great book. Lots of historical back stories!
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