American Soccer

Gregory G. Reck is a professor of anthropology at Appalachian State University. His publications include numerous articles, and book chapters. He lives in Boone, North Carolina. Bruce Allen Dick is a professor of English at Appalachian State University. He publishes in African American, Latino, and film studies. He lives in Boone, North Carolina.

“the authors analyze what ails the growth of soccer in the US, especially the ‘pay to play’ policy that governs the game, thus making it a sport dominated by the upper middle class and eliminating whole groups, especially talented, lower-class Latino immigrants, who then form their own segregated leagues...includes chapters on the upside-down pyramid and how to rectify it.... Recommended. All readers.”—Choice; “presents students, academics, researchers, and general-interest readers with a narrative inquiry into the history and contemporary socioeconomics of soccer in the United States”—Protoview; “questions United States youth soccer and how its social-economic space applies to class, ethnicity, and cultural symbols.... U.S. soccer is like an inverted pyramid and prohibits playing opportunities to those who cannot afford to play. The authors situate the current game as a middle-to-upper-class privilege. They conclude that U.S. soccer must become more inclusive, or it will remain a marginal participatory and spectator sport...case studies are most useful...contributes to national studies of Latino/a impact in U.S. soccer and the significance of the collegiate game”—Journal of Sport History.

• Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPrefaceIntroductionSection One: A Theoretical Perspective1. The Pyramid Upside Down2. Models of the Pyramid Right Side UpSection Two: Retrospective of U.S. Soccer3. History of U.S. Soccer: Beginnings4. History of U.S. Soccer: The Golden Years5. History of U.S. Soccer: Lost Years, Renewed Hopes6. History of U.S. Soccer: The Cosmos YearsSection Three: From the Local to the National7. Soccer Beginnings: The World of Parks and Recreation8. Youth Development and Club Soccer9. Appalachian State University Soccer in the National Fabric: A Case Study10. From Boone to Siler City: Case Studies in Latino Soccer11. Professional and National Soccer in the United States TodayConclusionAfterword: 2014 World CupChapter NotesBibliographyIndex