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CLINTON — America is out of the World Cup after losing 2-1 to Belgium in overtime. But America's love of soccer continues to grow, and there's a good reason why U.S. fans should look forward to the future.
It takes time to build a world power in soccer. But if you've ever driven down a road and seen a bunch of kids playing soccer, especially here in Utah, there is definitely hope for the future.
Thanks to America being in the World Cup, soccer is about as popular in this country as ever. Mike Scales is with the Outlaws Football Club in Davis and Weber counties.
“It’s really exploded,” he said. “The popularity has grown. That has a lot to do with it, and a lot of kids want to get involved in that. It’s a fun sport.”
The club held team registration in Clinton Tuesday night for a soccer tournament it’s putting together starting Wednesday. Fifty teams will be playing, which is 10 more than last year.
Zigmund Peacock, president of the club, said, “There are so many kids I know into soccer, and they just absolutely enjoy it and love it. That swell is just going to continue.”
It's also why many in the sport say America is competing better globally. Soccer is no longer a sport young American children ignore.
Fourteen-year-old Ashley Arnes said, “I’m going to be able to get a scholarship if I work hard enough and it just opens up opportunities in life.”
Many of those young players also become fans, which may be why soccer fan attendance is up. Thousands went to Energy Solutions Arena just to watch America play on TV Tuesday. Now, young American soccer players have national role models, which makes them even hungrier to compete.
“It starts from the ground up,” Scales said. “You have to have the kids involved. They have to have the parents involved.”
More information on the Outlaws Football Club tournament are available at outlawsfc.com/tournaments
