Dennis J. Seese’s sub-title ‘The strange days of the United Soccer Association’ sums up this trawling retrospect on the USA’s various attempts at establishing professional football (or soccer) in the States.
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Rather than recalling the Pele, Franz Beckenbauer and George Best era of the North America Soccer League (NASL) in sparkling glory, Seese casts his eye over the difficulties faced by soccer’s pioneers through the ages and the cultural ramifications of trying to stitch a new ‘foreign’ sport into America’s fabric.
From the early days of the American Soccer League (ASL) – formed way back in 1921 – through soccer’s other professional guises of the United Soccer Association (USA), National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), NASL and on to today’s most established incarnation, Major League Soccer (MLS), this book leaves no stone unturned in tracing the footsteps of the sport’s history in the USA.
Straight off the bat it’s not a flattering reflection of how soccer has been received in the States.
Seese’s in-depth research uncovers an evident reluctance from the government, public and established ‘American’ sports to take to the game.
Whether it be issues with race and identity or a perceived threat to the country’s capitalist ideals, this book drags up a past which seems a million miles away from the MLS, which now attracts the likes of Kaka, Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and David Villa to its league on the promise of better competition, competitive wages (for marquee players) and a burgeoning fan base.
I’m proud to say that “The Rebirth of Professional Soccer in America” is now held in over 45 libraries! See why here: http://t.co/TtzsFtML17
— Dennis J Seese (@EPLiens) May 28, 2015
It must be said that this book reads more like a historical, sociology paper than a rose-tinted pat on the back for the growth of soccer in the USA.
For that reason, it is a huge hit.
Not only will The Rebirth startle you with a previously unheard account of American soccer, it will amaze with its ability to contextualise and put in perspective the role of soccer in a country going through immense change over the course of nearly a century.
Not for the faint hearted, the book is a must for any enthusiast in the sport, its history and the role it has played in both shaping and conflicting with American ideals.
And if you didn’t know about disgraced former Philadelphia Phillies owner William D. “Bill” Cox, who attempted to take soccer mainstream in the 40s, before reading this book, his tale of hardship, passion and controversy is sure to have you hooked early on.
VERDICT: 7/10 – It doesn’t have a higher mark purely because it feels somewhat niche and may prove a bit too much for the majority who would like a more salacious read. You get out what you put in.
COST: Dhs148
WHERE TO BUY: http://www.amazon.com/The-Rebirth-Professional-Soccer-America/dp/1442238941
