APThe Chicago Fire's Mike Banner, left, fights for the ball in a file photo from last year
He was chosen to play for the Chicago Fire professional soccer team in two thousand seven. He has earned a lot of praise as a promising young player in Chicago. As a defender, he does not score a lot of goals—although he does have two in his career. Banner says players get noticed through their ball skills, passing, and quickness. Today’s fans know and understand good play. Banner says coaches can tell if a player is only trying to improve his statistics or wants to help his team win.
DOUG JOHNSON: Mike Banner got his start in the Washington area through local recreational soccer. FIFA, the international football federation, says the United States has twenty-four million soccer players—second in the world. Most are under the age of eighteen.
Major League Soccer still does not enjoy the economic success of other popular American sports. Forbes Magazine estimates the league had an income of about one hundred sixty-five million dollars in two thousand eight.
But fan support continues to grow. And American soccer is developing “from the roots up.” There is strong support for youth soccer in many places like the Washington area.
Mike Banner says American players now are developing their own style of play.
MIKE BANNER: “The U.S. is very diverse in its cultures. I would say it’s going to show up in our soccer game as well. I believe the U.S. is creating their own style of play.”
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2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25
2013-11-25