Football, or soccer as its called here in Canada and the United States has always had pockets of popularity. Usually found in cities that had a large-ish population of European immigrants. Vancouver and area where I grew up was inhabited by plenty of British, Italian, and German immigrants and soccer was and still is very popular. However, once you reached adulthood, it stopped. A few men’s leagues carried on but for the most part these teams were a closed shop and although games were played, it seemed more important to have beers afterwards. Or in some cases before the game and at half time.
The lack of major league or minor league ball prevented the continuation of soccer here and as a result the talent curve stopped. The North American Soccer League started up in the ’70s, played some decent football, attracted some exciting players past their prime – Pele and Best as two examples and began to form a soccer environment here. It had a rough go in the US competing with four very popular pro sports. No TV money or very little and very small fan bases created an environment that would eventually fail. A few cities thrived and became part of lesser and lesser leagues.
Along came the 1994 World Cup, and it went to the United States. Interest was stirred up, and here we are in 2013 with two leagues that are thriving in many centres. A corner was turned, a fan base became big enough to support teams and TV money has shown up. Soccer is about to become the fifth major league sport of substance in North America. It is growing and it is producing players worthy of Premier, Bundesliga, and other top flight leagues in Europe. Guzan and Friedel, we know from their play at Villa Park; Hargreaves, who I am fond of as he is a Calgarian, and from a few years ago Greg Forest a keeper of some prowess. Yes, soccer has progressed to a point in North America where its existence is permanent. A broad enough fan base, plenty of cities with teams, TV money, and a financial platform in place to keep things on an even keel. Kids are picking up on the game in greater and greater numbers. Its popularity is so great in Calgary that there are two soccer domes in town so the game can be played when it’s minus 30 degrees outside. And they use them at all hours of the day.
It’s evident that soccer has “arrived” in North America.
Yesterday another young player arrived on my doorstep in his kit looking for bottles to help finance his club. And again I gave up too many rum, rye, and beer bottles and was embarrassed by the number. Luckily he was just happy to have two large garbage bags full of loot and didn’t notice the amount of booze bottles. I asked him who he played for and what position he played. (Very proud when he said, “Striker!”) I asked him which team was his favourite. Barcelona was the reply. Undeterred, I asked him for another and out of his mouth came Manchester United and his preferred player is Wayne Rooney. Well, I didn`t expect him to say Aston Villa and Agbonlahor did I? But it was worth a wish.
And here lies a gold mine for Aston Villa. North America, Australia, and Asia are on the cusp of soccer expansion never seen before. Manchester United has already walked through my neighbourhood. How many other places have they put their stamp? Aston Villa need to walk the same path, not just to push the team badge out into the frontier but to develop a fan base where that youngster said to me, “Aston Villa and Andreas Weimann.” To place their logo, kit, and equipment in the sports stores that are in every big city. To make their presence, history, and lore part of every young players’ involvement in soccer. To involve themselves in teams over here with support, be it financial or guest players. Manchester United has a foothold here, why not Villa, one of the biggest clubs on the planet?
Villa are at the beginning of a new dawn with their recruitment. There are literally thousands of players here who don’t know they exist. What an opportunity to become involved here at little cost to develop talent and have possible future players born and bred in the US and Canada ready for Villa’s academy or even first team. To become a recognised entity and a team to aspire to.
They are all here waiting to be shown the way. Step up Aston Villa, there is an untapped resource practically at your feet.
The Author
