With a sport-altering 2026 World Cup on the horizon, soccer in America – in all phases and all levels – is on the rise
There's no time of year quite like Thanksgiving, nothing quite like that sumptuous meal. gathered with friends and family, as the holiday season truly begins. In that spirit, then, it's time to reflect on the good things in life, treasures that are not to be taken for granted.
And on this Thanksgiving, American soccer has plenty for which to be thankful.
Less than two years away from a groundbreaking, sport-altering, nation-rejoicing World Cup arriving on U.S. soil, the American game is clearly on the rise. On both the men's and women's side, 2024 seemed to be a genuine turning point, a year in which everything – well, eventually – pointed toward growth.
Some of those steps were easy to see. The U.S. women's national team, with a new coach, rolled to an Olympic gold medal. Some steps, though, remain in progress. The U.S. men's national team has kicked off a new era, also led by a new coach, with new ideas and a stronger resume than any of his predecessors. The USMNT isn't where it wants to be right now, but it's making discernible progress torward 2026.
With that in mind, GOAL looks at the people, moments and developments that American soccer fans can be thankful for on this holiday.
Getty ImagesTwo refreshingly new coaches
It was a year of massive change for both the USMNT and USWNT, with both introducing world-class coaches to the mix. The USWNT, of course, saw their investment pay immediate dividends – those that the men's team hope to emulate on their own path.
Former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes stepped in and immediately sent shockwaves through the women's game, winning an Olympic gold medal just weeks – and 10 games – after stepping into the job. Now, with that medal on her resume, she has three years to prepare her next major tournament – the 2027 World Cup – as she looks to rebuild and reshape the USWNT into something even better than it was before. And all signs show that Hayes is capable of doing just that.
Another former Chelsea manager, Mauricio Pochettino, was hired to replace Gregg Berhalter for the USMNT this summer. Pochettino joined U.S. Soccer with a resume unlike any of his men's team predecessors, one that gives him a legitimate world-class reputation. Pochettino led the U.S. to a pair of wins over Jamaica in the CONCACAF Nation's League quarterfinals this month, inspiring hope into 2025.
That's what both of these coaches bring: hope. Both are legitimate top-level managers, and both have approaches and methods to push the American game forward. The country's soccer fans are fortunate to have two coaches with that type of vision – although there's still plenty of hard work to be done.
AdvertisementGettyChristian Pulisic's phenomenal form
Christian Pulisic has already spent years being the transcendent American in Europe. This year, he's taken it to an entirely new level. Thriving at Milan, Pulisic is currently making the leap from good to great, scoring goal after goal for one of the world's most historic teams.
His form has carried over to the USMNT, too, where he's been fantastic over the last few months. Yes, the Copa America still feels like a wasted opportunity, for Pulisic and the USMNT as a whole, but there's no doubt that the winger is in a tremendous place right now.
It's only getting better, too. Pulisic is scoring in big games in Europe, striking against both Real Madrid and Liverpool in the Champions League. As a result, Milan are relying on him more than ever before and, given what he went through at Chelsea, being relied on must be satisfying.
Pulisic, now 26, is still improving. He's still stepping into a leadership role that, personality-wise, isn't one he always wants to assume. Pulisic is usually content to let his game do the talking, and it's talking very loudly right now as he continues to reach new heights.
AFPThe rise of Triple Espresso
This was the summer of Triple Espresso, the rise of three young American stars that should be wowing American soccer fans for years to come. Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman and Mallory Swanson were stars in their own right heading into the Olympics this summer, but it was by coming together that those three reached higher than ever before.
That trio ran rampant in France, solidifying their place as the faces of the USWNT, not just alone but as a group. They leaned on each other, assisted each other and, ultimately, made each other better en route to an Olympic gold.
This isn't the end of their story, though, but rather the beginning. Swanson is 26 years old. Smith is 24. Rodman? Just 22. These three will be dominating defenses for years to come, even as they will be pushed by competition from another rising group of USWNT newcomers.
Right now, though, Triple Espresso are giving the USWNT a shot of energy that was very much needed.
GettyGrowth of domestic leagues
Yes, Lionel Messi-mania took over MLS last season, and that hype carried over into this season, too. His arrival at Inter Miami made a global talking point of American soccer but, Messi aside, the domestic leagues in the U.S. continue to thrive.
Starting with MLS, which is obviously in a new era thanks to Messi's arrival. The playoffs proved that defining an era doesn't always mean winning, as Inter Miami fell in the first round to Atlanta. The Herons will reload and return motivated in 2025, but this season showed that winning an MLS Cup is easier said than done. Outside of Miami, a number of teams in the league are in a good place and, just as importantly, there are some heavy-hitters ready to spend this offseason.
The NWSL, meanwhile, just wrapped a highly-successful season, one in which the league spent more than ever before on international signings. Like MLS, NWSL set an attendance record in 2024, with escalating ratings. Superstars such as Barbra Banda and Racheal Kundananji show a new level of ambition, while the investments of owners such as Michelle Kang in Washington prove that the league is on the rise. Women's soccer is growing worldwide, and the American game is, in many ways, leading the way.
Finally, the USL is making waves on both the men's and women's side, offering more opportunities than ever before. The U.S. is vast and there's room for more than one league – and the USL is filling its role perfectly as a strong talent developer for both young rising stars and late bloomers.
The American game feels healthy, which wasn't the case a decade or so ago, particularly outside of MLS. The foundations have been laid, domestic leagues are building, and ambitions have never been greater.
