The upcoming World Cup encounter between co-hosts the United States and Australia in Seattle has been painted by some as a bitter rivalry fueled by animosity. This narrative, amplified by passionate commentators, positions the match as a significant clash in a high-stakes sporting competition.
However, for the soccer communities in both nations, harboring hatred toward one another is akin to self-loathing. This match not only promises to be an exciting spectacle but also acts as a reflection of two nations where soccer, while immensely popular worldwide, remains somewhat on the margins.
Aiden O’Neill, a midfielder for the Socceroos and New York City FC, emphasizes that soccer’s standing in both countries is evolving. He notes, “[Soccer in the US] is similar to Australia, it’s starting to change here in America,”
In Australia, the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL) dominate winter sports discussions, while cricket leads in the summer months. In contrast, the US sports landscape is primarily shaped by American football, basketball, and baseball.
John Shea, a veteran sports journalist now with the San Francisco Standard, highlights a curious phenomenon.
“You’ve got some massive other sports, but I think it’s starting to grow in popularity.”
Statistics from the National Sporting Good Association reveal that over 7 million Americans aged 7 to 17 participated in soccer in 2025. While basketball has a higher number of participants in the same age group, it is more recreational, suggesting soccer leads in organized play.
Australia reported approximately 850,000 participants in soccer among those under 17, surpassing basketball by around 300,000 and ranking just below swimming in terms of youth activities, according to the Ausplay survey.
Bernardo Ramallo, involved with the non-profit Soccer Without Borders in the San Francisco Bay Area, reflects on the challenges young American soccer players have faced, often subjected to mockery from peers in other sports. “It’s one of the great oddities in this country,” he recalls. “It’s the number one participation sport among boys and girls, yet in the high school ranks, it’s not as popular as [American] football, basketball, and even baseball.”
Noelle Shaw, a former junior goalkeeper and soccer enthusiast from Oakland, expresses her belief that soccer does not receive the recognition it merits in the US. “Growing up there’s been jokes saying, like, ‘soccer is weak, [American] football’s a real sport’,” she asserts.
Ramallo, who develops social programs for immigrants and refugees, notes that those involved in US soccer tend to be younger and more diverse. “I grew up in Virginia, which is in the south – which is very different to California – it was always ‘soccer is a girls’ sport’, because of the success of the 1990s and Mia Hamm.” he explains. “Soccer is a hard sport, and I don’t think a lot of people realise that to run back and forth on that field for 90 minutes, no time-outs, no anything, that takes a different level of grit and drive.”
Edreece Arghandiwal, co-founder of the Oakland Roots in the USL, is optimistic about soccer’s growth in the US. Since its establishment in 2018, the club has drawn an average of around 6,000 fans per home match. “Soccer has always been the first sport that many children play,” he states. “But as well, now, it’s a lot of immigrants, people that come from Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, African countries, and they come here and they bring that love, that craziness, that support, so it’s a nice mix.”
Shea, who was active in sports media after the USA ’94 World Cup, enjoys the current tournament but remains skeptical about its potential to effect lasting change. “America is a very diverse place, especially here in Oakland,” he shares.
He draws parallels with the Olympics, which might generate temporary interest in sports like gymnastics or track and field, only for Americans to revert to their traditional sporting preferences. “Soccer belongs here, it always has been here, it just needs the right vehicles, the right voices, the right stories to get to the minds and hearts of people and I think we’re trying to do that here at the club.” he remarks. ‘94. He is enjoying the current World Cup, but is not sure whether it will trigger structural change. “I’
The anticipated match between the US and Australia on Friday will be closely watched, especially after both teams celebrated victories in their World Cup openers last week. This fixture also serves as a moment to reflect on the complex but close relationship between the two nations, marked by defense agreements like Aukus and the shifting perspectives of American leadership.
Commentators like Alexi Lalas have stirred the pot with their critical remarks about Australia’s Socceroos. Shaw expressed her hopes that Australian fans would not harbor animosity towards Americans during a tailgate event before a Roots game. “Which is blasphemy when I hear from all these other countries where soccer is absolutely number one, you get a taxi or an Uber and all they do is talk about soccer,” she states.
Ramallo believes that the commonalities between the two nations will be evident during the match. “And I just don’t get that here. I don’t think I ever will.”
