This scene was from my pickup soccer game last night.  I’m a regular, and I’ve seen the ups and downs of the game through the past few years.  Last summer at times, we struggled to get enough for a game of 7 v. 7, opting to shorten the field and use old lacrosse goals that were in the corner of the field.  Yesterday though, I showed up and one game was already going, a full 11 v. 11, so another game started, and it too was 11 v. 11.

I was shocked; I had never seen anything like this; it was unprecedented.  I talked to a few of the guys who I hadn’t seen before and introduced myself.  I asked them in delicate terms, why they had suddenly decided to play.  Their response was what I had expected.

“We’ve been watching the World Cup, and just wanted to play a bit.”

“Are you making this a regular thing?” I asked.

“Eh, not sure.”

That is the question really: Are you making this a regular thing?  Is your love and appreciation for the quadrennial event that is the World Cup going to be something more regular, more substantive.  Will it translate to watching European matches or MLS matches, will these casual fans ever attend a live match, or begin to follow blogs covering the sport?

Soccer is here, the 40+ people that showed up last night is evident of that, but the more pressing question is where is soccer going, and what will it look like in the future.

In the past, soccer has been a fringe sport, played by immigrants and wealthy suburban kids.  Immigrant communities have always patronized professional soccer (for instance, most of DC United’s chants are in Spanish).  Urban communities have at times embraced professional soccer here, Seattle, DC, and Philadelphia are prime examples of that.  Soccer though, needs the youth generation who played the game on suburban fields to reach the next level.  Those 25 people who showed up to relive their glory days of juice boxes and “participation trophies” need to become the future of soccer in America, if the sport is ever to truly hit mainstream.

Just as the votes of the youth ushered in a young and fresh president into the office, it seems as if we are poised to usher in the sport of soccer into the mainstream, but only if the youth who grew up with it, and are now regaining interest stick with it, and become more than just casual followers who show up to their local game every time soccer fever blankets the USA.

It’s time to be proactive.  If you meet any of these people, offer to take them to a MLS or D2 game.  Show them what soccer is about here, and maybe, just maybe, your diligence will pay off, and we will become a bona fide soccer-mad nation.

–Max Zeger

Follow me on twitter @mcmz403 for news, banter, and opinion.

LA roles in having scored a league leading 31 goals in just 13 games.  DC has found hitting the back of the onion bag themselves not too difficult (especially recently).  DC ranks second in the league with 24 goals scored in 14 matches.  All indications point to a high scoring affair at RFK.  LA has had so much success scoring that Carlos Ruiz, a striker making approximately 1/4 of LA’s Salary cap can’t get a game.  Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle have been prolific combining for 20 goals this season.

I would be doing an injustice to you if I didn’t mention the defensive records of both teams as well.  DC has allowed a staggering 25 goals and LA is just one short of DC’s league leading mark.  Ruud Gullit, coach of LA had this to say about his defense.  

“We gave some goals away that were unnecessary, so that could have been two points more [in the standings],” said Gullit. “I want to see some more progression still. I don’t see it yet.”

Gullit was of course referring to LA’s two blown leads in last week’s match against Columbus; the game ended up a 3-3 tie.  Both team’s potent offenses will look to pounce on each-other’s susceptible defenses.

RFK will certainly be rocking tomorrow with an expected crowd of more than 33,000.  

Prediction:  DC 3-2  DC has been red-hot of late and they will have the home fans to support them.  As long as there are no Zach Wells howlers, I expect DC to edge this game.  DC has proven they can score and a weak LA defense will be the Achilles heel of the Galaxy.

Enjoy the game tomorrow!  What are your predictions?  Will DC be able to handle LA and vice-versa?  Leave your thoughts below.