Major League Soccer’s rapid growth is being fueled by an influx of international talent, with the likes of Lionel Messi, Emil Forsberg, and Hugo Lloris all joining MLS teams in recent years. At the same time, MLS is increasingly experiencing packed stadiums and lucrative broadcast deals, all adding to its becoming a recognizable brand.
Over time, the influence of international players and a host of exhibition matches grew the sport to rival well-established American sporting leagues like the NFL and NBA. Today, America shares the spotlight with top European soccer nations, with the U.S. scheduled to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The MLS’s rise started long before the influx of modern European players, with many world-renowned British players having an important impact on American soccer throughout the 1960s and beyond. It is this influence that has steadily propelled MLS to international acclaim.
The Influx of British Stars in the 1960s
The 1960s were an important turning point for American soccer, as the local soccer club owners realized that recognizable stars were needed to attract much-needed attention to the sport. With that, many British stars started making the transatlantic journey to play in the newly formed North American Soccer League.
With the arrival of British football stars such as George Best, Geoff Hurst, and Bobby Moore, American audiences were introduced to and connected with a global sport they would soon come to appreciate. Those early British stars brought star power and got American fans hooked. Today, MLS is watched and appreciated by a global audience, with many fans following the league on and off the field.
Modern MLS fans in Europe follow their favorite teams on social media, while many British supporters engage with matches through data, analysis, and wagers offered by the best betting sites in the UK. These sites and platforms offer British fans who might not have access to watch MLS matches an opportunity to follow the latest match odds, like Inter Miami FC’s 9/2 chances of winning the league.
Transatlantic Football Before MLS
Professional soccer in the U.S. started with the formation of the North American Soccer League in 1964. While soccer was played in the U.S. before the formation of the league, this was the first real opportunity American players had to play at a professional level. Despite this, soccer in the post-World War 2 era remained a niche sport. The American sporting calendar remained dominated by baseball, American football, and basketball.
Earlier attempts at forming a league resulted in poor results, with many matches suffering from poor attendance, funding, and a lack of marketing. Soccer would continue to struggle for years to come, with small flashes of popularity being seen in isolation. It was with the formation of the North American Soccer League that match organizers realized the popularity of the sport across the Atlantic.
Today, American soccer players compete at the same level as their European counterparts, with many having the ability to win big tournaments like the upcoming FIFA World Cup. American soccer tournaments and MLS league matches attract as many fans as British Premier League and UEFA Champions League matches. These days, the United States Men’s National Soccer Team competes against the best soccer nations in the world, and will once again face familiar international opponents in the upcoming World Cup.
The Arrival of George Best and the Power of Personality
One of the most notable arrivals from the British leagues was George Best. Best, who was already a football legend at Manchester United, brought with him a reputation that went far beyond the sport. He first signed for the American team, the Los Angeles Aztecs, in February 1976. Thereafter, he would go on to play for various other North American Soccer League teams, including the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and San Jose Earthquakes.
Best’s influence extended beyond the soccer pitch, as he showed that soccer players could also be entertainers. His savvy command of media attention quickly turned him into a local celebrity in America, skyrocketing his star power to match the likes of Muhammad Ali and Walt Frazier. With his growing popularity came a greater level of visibility to the American soccer league and the start of American soccer entering the mainstream.
World Cup Winners as American Ambassadors
As the U.S. prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, American soccer fans look back at the British World Cup winners of the 1960s and 1970s who helped put American soccer on the map alongside George Best. Players like Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, and Gordon Banks arrived in the U.S. carrying the acclaim of being World Cup winners in England’s 1966 World Cup campaign.
Together, Hurst, Moore, and Banks took the American soccer leagues by storm, proving that soccer in the U.S. could be as serious, structured, and worthy of respect as its European counterparts. On the field, Moore brought composure and leadership, while Banks established himself as a force to be reckoned with between the goal posts. At the same time, Hurst brought his credibility as a striker, adding to the new technical identity of American soccer.
Conclusion: A Legacy Powered by Modern Innovation
From the flashy arrivals of the 1970s to the global powerhouse the MLS has become today, the British influence on American soccer is undeniable. This historic transatlantic exchange has matured into a sophisticated ecosystem where sports and technology collide. The rise of fintech has played a quiet but vital role in this modern era, enabling seamless global fan engagement through instant ticketing, digital collectibles, and real-time international wagering. As we look toward the 2026 World Cup, it is clear that the foundation laid by British legends has blossomed into a sport that is as much about cutting-edge innovation as it is about the beautiful game.
