<P> Soccer in the United States is governed by the United States Soccer Federation . The organization governs most levels of soccer in the country , including the national teams , professional leagues , and the amateur game with the exception of colleges and high schools . As of May 2015 , over 24.4 million people play soccer in the United States . In 2017 , Gallup reported that soccer was the third-most played team sport in the U.S. , behind only basketball and American football . The popularity of the sport in the U.S. has been growing since the 1960s and 1970s , and received a significant boost when the United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 1999 FIFA Women 's World Cup . It is the fourth most popular sport in the United States behind American football , baseball and basketball , and is the second fastest growing sport in America , surpassed only by lacrosse . </P>
<P> Soccer in the United States is governed by the United States Soccer Federation . The organization governs most levels of soccer in the country , including the national teams , professional leagues , and the amateur game with the exception of colleges and high schools . As of May 2015 , over 24.4 million people play soccer in the United States . In 2017 , Gallup reported that soccer was the third-most played team sport in the U.S. , behind only basketball and American football . The popularity of the sport in the U.S. has been growing since the 1960s and 1970s , and received a significant boost when the United States hosted the 1994 FIFA World Cup and 1999 FIFA Women 's World Cup . It is the fourth most popular sport in the United States behind American football , baseball and basketball , and is the second fastest growing sport in America , surpassed only by lacrosse . </P>
when did soccer become popular in the united states
when did soccer become popular in the united states
the 1960s
the 1960s