In 2002 Roxanne Jones struggled over whether to put soccer on cover of ESPN magazine . Jones : Fast forward to 2014 's World Cup frenzy and it seems U.S. finally gets 'futbol ' Why ? Sure , they are all household names now -- at least for sports fans -- but back then we wondered : `` How many real sports fans even know these guys ? '' American parents like it : It 's safer , cheaper , diverse , and a true team sport , she says . Jones : Soccer is the most popular spectator sport in America right now.
In 2002 Roxanne Jones struggled over whether to put soccer on cover of ESPN magazine . Jones : Fast forward to 2014 's World Cup frenzy and it seems U.S. finally gets 'futbol ' Why ? American parents like it : It 's safer , cheaper , diverse , and a true team sport , she says . Jones : Soccer is the most popular spectator sport in America right now.