As the World Cup comes to an end, MLS works to bring in a new generation of fans

NPR | By Becky Sullivan

Published July 17, 2026 at 4:43 AM EDT

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The 1994 World Cup is universally credited with sparking a boom of interest in soccer in the U.S., from youth leagues to televised games to the formation of MLS. The league and its teams say 2026 will be another boom -- the only question is, how to harness it?

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Becky Sullivan

Becky Sullivan is NPR’s sports correspondent. She covers professional leagues, college athletics and youth sports, with stories about the people who play them and the intersections of sports with science, business and the law.

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As the World Cup comes to an end, MLS works to bring in a new generation of fans

Support quality journalism, like the story above, with your gift right now.

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with your gift right now.