Soccer History - By: Mike Dicicco

When you leave the United States and say the word "football" to a person in another country it means a totally different thing. What the Americans know as soccer is "football" to the rest of the world. Soccer has done more to unite people than any other sport in history. Yet it covers the entire spectrum of emotions in that it has even caused wars in soccer history. What took place in soccer history to create the most popular game in the world?

People have played games where they kicked a ball around for centuries. In fact, there is even evidence that the ancient Chinese kicked a ball around in games as early as the 2nd or 3rd Century B.C. There were also versions of the game in Rome and medieval Europe called by different name with no formal standard on rules.

In England, the rules for soccer were different all over the place. Different schools had their own versions of soccer and soccer history shows that they tried to get together and agree on some sort of standard. The disagreements mainly came from arguments over tripping, shin kicking, and carrying the ball. There were basically two sides: Those that would form what we know as rugby and those that would form what we know today as soccer. Soccer history would see the formation of the Football Association on October 26, 1863 at the Freemason's Tavern in a meeting of 11 representatives sent from different London schools. Soccer history would later show that the other teams not joining the Football Association would form the Rugby Football Union in 1871.

The International Football Association Board would form the rules of the game we know today in soccer history. Eight years later in soccer history there would be 50 total teams or what they call member clubs. And in that first year, the FA Cup competition would be the first of its kind. In 1872, soccer history would see the first international match played between England and Scotland.

As the English influence throughout the world began to grow, they took the game of soccer with them. In fact, by 1921, the British Empire was spread out over the populations amounting to one fourth of the world. Their presence was in North America, Africa, across Asia, Australia, and parts of the Caribbean north of the South American continent. This fact would set the stage in soccer history of this sport becoming one of the most prominent in all the world-even today.

Soccer history would see the sport even begin to gain popularity in the United States but it has been slow. This was mostly due to the fact that the game of rugby took off gaining popularity with the prestigious colleges and universities in the 19th century. Rugby was enjoyed by the elite associated with American colleges like Harvard and Yale. This sport would eventually grow into the American version of football.

Soccer history saw the sport brought to America by the British immigrants mainly in the northeastern metropolitan areas such as New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This rise in immigration from Europe was because of the industrial revolution so you would find the sport being played among the immigrants in areas with the factories. The first American Football Association was formed in Newark, New Jersey in 1884 to standardize the soccer rules across the country.

Soccer history would continue to see the sport grow in the United States but very slowly because it was overshadowed by rugby (which Americans now called "football") and baseball. Immigrants increasingly liked to associate themselves with baseball because it was seen as the American pastime.

Today, soccer in America is still overshadowed by American football. American football has the market share of promoters and corporate sponsors. But everywhere else in the world, you'll see soccer as the dominant sport of popularity.

About the Author

Mike DiCicco is owner, senior editor and website developer for soccergalore.com, a SOCCER Apparel and Equipment Store for every Soccer Fan. We a huge selection of soccer gear, soccer wear, and soccer memorabilia. Check us out for the ultimate soccer experience! www.soccergalore.com www.soccergalore.com/Posters.html www.soccergalore.com/gifts.html

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