Has soccer finally cracked the US?
By Alan Condon
Aug 4, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney (right) holds the championship trophy with midfielder Darren Fletcher (left) after defeating Liverpool 3-1 at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports
4. Top European clubs targeting the US market
Several of Europe’s elite soccer clubs travel to the US each summer to participate in pre-season tours which consistently attracts massive attention and support from fans.
“Superpower” clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid recognize the financial potential that the US market possesses and use these trips as an opportunity to expand their fan base, drum up interest and support in their club, and largely speaking, tap into a previously untouched market.
The US market is a locked treasure chest which these clubs have been chiseling away at for years, and now it seems that they have finally broken a way through.
You don’t buy that soccer is rapidly growing in the US? Take the pre-season fixture between Manchester United and Real Madrid at Michigan Stadium this summer. It drew an incredible 109,318 fans to watch the two European heavyweights collide, which is now the largest crowd for any soccer match in the history of the United States.
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