Grant Wahl on Diversity in American Soccer
Note: This is the first part of my American Soccer Road Trip, which will involve me traveling across the country, finding stories that exemplify the diversity that exists in American soccer. Check back soon for further updates.
Few American soccer writers have the resume to match Grant Wahl. He has worked at Sports Illustrated for over ten years, and during that time has cultivated a wide variety of sources, experiences, and knowledge about the world game. Wahl is often the man foreign reporters turn to when they want an insider’s perspective on American soccer (he has appeared on Times Online’s TheGame Podcast), and for good reason. If anyone can be called an expert on American soccer, it is surely Grant Wahl (for more information on the man, check out Adam Spangler’s in-depth discussion with him at This is American Soccer).
As I embark on my American soccer road trip looking at the diversity in American soccer, I wanted to begin with a discussion which would provide an overview of this topic. Grant Wahl was kind enough to meet with me in Baltimore recently and offer his insights on this subject.
Grant Wahl (photo: Sports Illustrated)
I began by asking about fans in the United States. Wahl offered an interesting insight, saying that many of the best fan clubs in the US were begun by or have significant support from immigrants. He mentioned DC United’s Barra Brava, begun in part by members of the Washington area’s large Latino population, and Chicago’s Section 8, a group with many Polish fans. Wahl suggested to me that fans from other countries have brought their knowledge and passion to MLS games, and in the process have created a stadium atmosphere that has attracted many native-born fans.
DC United’s Barra Brava (photo: Washington Post/Tori L. Sandys)
If it is true that non-soccer fans are attracted to MLS games because of the atmosphere created by foreign-born fans, then it would behoove the league to spend more time attracting the hardcore soccer fan demographic. Wahl indicated to me that some within MLS want to do just this, but the league, appears ambivalent about doing so. The league, it appears, is struggling to decide what type of fans it needs to win over, the soccer moms and their families or the hardcore fans, many of whom come from other countries.
The largest ethnic group in the US, of course, is Latinos, and any outreach effort will have a heavy focus on reaching this population. Wahl had positive words for new USSF president Sunil Gulati, a man who himself speaks Spanish (something I was unaware of). Wahl noted that Gulati has made the USSF website available in Spanish and developed a long-term plan that includes more outreach to Spanish-speaking communities.
USSF President Sunil Gulati speaking at the US State Department (photo: State Department)
The situation today in terms of Latinos in American soccer, Wahl conceded, is not what it it should be. Given that Latinos constitute 14% of the country’s population, and many come from soccer-playing countries, one would expect to see more Latinos playing in MLS. With the situation as it is, though, Wahl suggested it will take time for it to be rectified. The idea that there’s a Maradona playing in East L.A., he told me, is just not realistic (but is excellent fodder for a film; see the movie Goal!), but with time, US Soccer can find young Latino players at a young age and help them develop into future MLS players.One obstacle to making this happen, Wahl pointed out to me, is the lack of Latinos involved in management, both on the field and behind the scenes. 2 of MLS’s 13 teams, or 15%, have Latino coaches (Chicago’s Juan Carlos Osorio and Colorado’s Fernando Clavijo, despite some fans’ best efforts), which matches the population as a whole. But higher up in the administration of MLS teams, the league itself, and US Soccer in general, there remains a paucity of Latinos. Change in the entire structure of US Soccer, as Grant Wahl sees it, requires more diversity in the offices of power.
While Latinos are a group inclined towards soccer, African-Americans as a whole have shown less interest in the sport. I asked Grant Wahl why he thought this might be the case. Wahl suggested that this is probably due in part to American soccer’s lack of emphasis on attracting such players. Soccer in the US is still seen largely as the suburban white kids’ sport.
There are some positive developments, Wahl noted. The New York Red Bulls’ forward Jozy Altidore is one such example: a kid from New Jersey, born to Haitian parents, who has come up the ranks to become a star in MLS. It may have taken over ten years for such a star to develop in MLS, but at least it’s finally happening, said Wahl.
Jozy Altidore (photo: Rich Schultz/MLS/WireImage.com)
There are several programs that reach out to the African-American community. Wahl offered one that was new to me: The Eddie Pope Foundation, founded by the Real Salt Lake defender who was one of the first black US national team stars, is working in North Carolina and Washington, DC to bring more African-American children to the game of soccer.As someone who’s been around the sport for such a long time, I asked Grant Wahl whether he sees American soccer becoming more or less diverse in the future. He said it depends on the decisions of those in charge. If the status quo is followed, American soccer may remain as it is. But with the right people in the right places, Grant Wahl told me, there are signs that soccer in America will become as diverse as the country itself.
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August 25th, 2007 20:30
good luck on the trip David. so jealous; oh to be going back to school.
August 25th, 2007 22:33
Go west young man. Love the writing, keep it up.
August 26th, 2007 08:11
Good luck with the trip. Hope it turns out to be everything you want it to be.
August 26th, 2007 11:20
[...] Grant Wahl on diversity in US soccer (Culture of Soccer) About pitchinvasion.net [...]
August 27th, 2007 11:02
[...] Talkin’ diversity and American soccer with Grant Wahl (Culture of Soccer) [...]
August 27th, 2007 14:41
Excellent point about MLS’s dilemma when it comes to marketing and new fans. I see MLS as having a big conundrum on their hands - many of the the die-hard fans, the ones who provide the passion that makes for a memorable atmosphere, are from cultures (whether European or Latin American) where soccer is a much more macho passtime. We like to drink, we like to shout, and we like to use profane language. For us, soccer is a way of getting away from our daily responsibilities, a chance to let our hair down. This contrasts sharply with the needs of the suburban family crowd that MLS is trying to market to. I dont know what the answer is, which segment provides a better long term solution for MLS, but I do think the two markets are pretty incompatible.
August 27th, 2007 22:19
I believe that the MLS could do quite a bit more in attracting the Latino community by having more Latino players take the field. The MLS is erroring by not attracting an established (Latino) fan base. It seems that the MLS is concerned with the super star effect, by attracting the likes of Beckham, and talks of bringing Zidane to its stage. The superstar effect can attract fans, however look at the late 1970’s league and what happened with the likes of Pele and other European greats. I believe there is also and untapped market of African American players who aren’t playing the game due to it being so suburban “white” in nature (at least here in the states) and by these kids not knowing anything about the game. Properly attracting youngsters with natural abilities who can be taught and/or get exposed to the game can only improve American soccer and hopefully lead to greater respect in the international soccer community
August 29th, 2007 15:05
Everyone likes to state the seemingly obvious, that there not only need to be more latino players and coaches on the field, but in administration as well. How exactly is this supposed to be accomplished, give preference? Sounds like affirmative action, upon which I frown. Where latino fans attracted to baseball b/c there where latinos playing, or for love of the game? No one seems to be asking these questions…
August 30th, 2007 16:01
Hi David
It is interesting to talk about the lack of Black participation in soccer. Just recently I became aware of two Black colleges who exceled in soccer. Howard University actually won 2 Division 1 college soccer national titles in 1971 and 1974, but was stripped of its 1971 title for reasons I don’t know. Additionally, Alabama A&M University won 3 Division 2 college soccer national titles and then apparently moved up to Division 1 and played for the Divison 1 college soccer title in 1981 losing in the final match. Thats amazing that in a span on 10 years 2 Black colleges would a 4 college soccer national titles and yet it still be seen as a white suburban sport. How did those two Black colleges excel in soccer? Who were on their teams? Was it all one coach? Why only this 10 year span and the 1987 Howard team? Why was Howard stripped of its 1971 title? The questions keep coming.
Its worthy to note both Howard and Alabama A&M still have men’s soccer programs. Its unusual for a Black college to contend for a national title in anything especially on the Division 1 level yet these 2 school did just that. So with that kind of success in the sport it is weird that it is still seen as a white suburban sport.
If you David or anyone else can school on this “golden age of Black college soccer” I would really appreciate the knowledge.
East River
September 1st, 2007 15:24
If there is a question of whether having more Latin players brings in more Latino fans the Dallas will be under a microscope the rest of the year. With Denilson, Toja, Ruiz, Ricchetti, Sala, Ricardinho and Alvarez there can’t be much more FC Dallas can do. Now whether Latino fans follow will be seen.