If you look at popular sports outside of the US, there’s no denying that it’s soccer that tops the charts, but in the US, that’s simply not the case. In the United States, when you place sports bets online, you’ll see that it is – and always has been – overshadowed by favorites like football, basketball, and baseball.
That being said, in recent years, it has seen a growth in popularity… even in states where it has never been big news – and Iowa is no exception. But will it ever really hit the big time in Iowa? Let’s take a look…
The Current Soccer Scene
Soccer in Iowa has definitely progressed recently. More young people are starting to play- and there are various local leagues and clubs that are starting to attract more young players and their families into the sport. There are organizations like the Iowa Soccer Association [ISA] that have played a huge role in promoting grassroots soccer and making sure that there are plenty of opportunities for both players and coaches to grow and develop.
In terms of pro soccer, the state is home to USL League Two team Des Moines Menace, which has a pretty solid local following. However, right now, it doesn’t have a Major League Soccer team, so there’s no way for Iowans to support their soccer team at the highest competitive level.
That being said, huge international soccer tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League are getting a lot more popular in the country – adding even more to its overall appeal.
Why Hasn’t it Hit the Big Time in Iowa Yet?
While it is getting more popular, it still faces plenty of challenges in the state.
1. Cultural Preferences
The sports scene in Iowa is generally dominated by more traditional US sports like football and basketball. College football, in particular the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones, get most of the attention.
2. Limited Professional Representation
Because they don’t have an MLS team, it doesn’t get the same attention that it does in cities and states with pro-MLS franchises.
3. Infrastructure
Although there are plenty of youth leagues, there aren’t really any high-quality soccer-specific stadiums and facilities.
4. A Lack of Sponsorship and Investment:
Because of all the above, soccer programs and clubs don’t really get the kind of financial support that the more established sports enjoy – which makes it harder to develop and promote.
Opportunities for Growth
Of course, while there are challenges, there are some factors that can really help soccer to start thriving in the state…
Firstly, soccer is one of the fastest-growing sports with youths in the US – and Iowa is no exception – and as they grow up, this could potentially mean even more viewership and match attendance.
Then, if Iowa were to secure a USL Championship team or even an MLS expansion team in the future, it could completely alter the soccer scene forever!
There’s also the fact that Iowa has a lot more immigration – particularly from countries who are famed for their love of soccer – like Latin America, Africa, and Europe… and they bring with them a real passion for the sport that could seep into the hearts of the natives.
Finally, because of the increasing coverage of major international soccer events – and more opportunities to stream the game, it’s never been more accessible.
What Needs to Happen Next
Before soccer does hit the big time in Iowa, there are a number of things that need to happen first:
- More Investment: They need to build more soccer-specific venues and improve the infrastructure to make it better for players and fans.
- A Pro Team: If they established a professional MLS team it would help bring the state’s soccer community together.
- More Community Engagement: Things like soccer clinics, tournaments, and fan events can help to make it more of a community sport.
- Partnerships: They could also work with local businesses, schools, and even the media to try to make the sport more visible.
So – although soccer might not have quite reached the heady heights of other sports like Football and Basketball in the state, there’s hope that, with a little bit of investment, it could start attracting more attention than ever before – they just need an MLS team!
