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Fleet Feet: The USSF and the Peculiarities of Soccer Fandom in America

2007; Taylor & Francis; Volume: 8; Issue: 2-3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1080/14660970701224640

1743-9590

Sean F. Brown,

Digital Games and Media

Playing soccer in the United States is a regular activity for millions. However, many if not most of them never turn into soccer fans. Meanwhile, a very healthy soccer subculture exists within immigrant populations in the US. This produces two distinct soccer cultures: a suburban, affluent participation culture, and a spectator culture spread mainly in urban areas. This essay is an examination of the attempts of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) to alternately take advantage of these separate cultures. The second half focuses on a small but fervent fan group of American soccer, and the ways in which the group sees itself and its mission in promoting not simply a particular club or team, but an entire sport to a largely indifferent population. Using writings from the group's website, a particular picture of a symbolic community emerges, developing as it has with an 'us against them' mentality.