Germany reigned supreme at the 2014 World Cup but the real winner could be the sport of soccer in North America.
With games starting at a reasonable hour, several interesting storylines and lots of offense, the Brazil-hosted event was a success (aside from the home team’s disastrous exit).
Even more encouraging were the record ratings stateside for the games featuring our neighbours to the south.
The U.S.-Portugal game on June 22 drew over 18 million viewers making it the most watched soccer game in American history. The game that saw the U.S. battle Belgium captured over 16 million sets of eyes.
Industry insiders speculate if the U.S. had managed to advance past Belgium and match up with Argentina in the quarterfinals it could have been Super Bowl-esque numbers.
It wasn’t just the home team that Americans were watching. Overall viewership was up 39 per cent over 2010 and 96 per cent over 2006. The final on July 13, drew over 17 million viewers and was the third most watched soccer match ever.
The story was similar in Canada, with opening round coverage on the CBC setting ratings records for the sport. The final was also the most watched World Cup game ever with close to five million tuning in.
It’s perfect timing for the growth of the sport in this country with the 2015 Women’s World Cup arriving next summer. Vancouver will be a key city for the event and the Canadian women (unlike the men) actually have a legitimate shot to win it all.
Combine that with the low costs to get involved in soccer, the lower chances of concussion injuries compared to other sports and the ease in which anyone can play could create a boom in North America.
The increased accessibility of European soccer leagues on TV and the Internet is also a key to the growth of the sport. Major League Soccer is growing steadily and gaining traction on the worldwide
soccer stage.
Seattle has been a huge success for the MLS and even markets like Kansas City and Houston have developed strong following in cities not necessarily known as soccer hotbeds.
Canadian men haven’t hit the pitch on the world stage since 1986 and who knows if they ever will again.
Luckily our women are more than picking up the slack and we will get a chance to witness that firsthand next summer.
