December 8, 2022
Why Is Soccer The Fastest Growing Sport In The US?
Telemundo Deportes released a report that had soccer as the fastest-growing sport in the United States. This poll was done by Gallup Sports between December 2012 and April 2019. Given the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) recent success at the 2022 World Cup, the numbers could continue to climb.
The numbers
The numbers show soccer has increased by 52 percent. Other sports that increased include hockey by 46 percent, basketball by 27 percent and baseball by 7 percent. The abundance of soccer on TV is a critical factor in the success of the sport in the U.S. Almost every league on the planet can be found on TV and streaming services in the U.S., including the men’s and women’s professional soccer leagues, college soccer, and our own domestic leagues. Only six days, or more than 4,600 matches, were not televised in the U.S. in 2021.
The MLS influence
The league’s expansion will give it a national presence and make it easier to obtain television rights, both of which will contribute to the sport’s increasing popularity. Some notable players who were drawn to the MLS include David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney, Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard, David Villa, Didier Drogba, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernández, Gonzalo Higuain, and Gareth Bale. In order to highlight this potential, Major League Soccer and Apple announced a deal worth $250 million. For the next ten years, it will give fans around the world more access to the league because every game will be broadcast on Apple TV. The MLS must be credited for the increase in soccer supporters in the U.S.
A world game
Any year there is a World Cup, soccer viewership around the U.S. is bound to rise significantly since the tournament will feature them this year. The USMNT was ridiculed for the past four years for missing out on the 2018 World Cup in Russia. According to FIFA, 3.57 billion people watched the 2018 World Cup in Russia, which more than half of humanity watched. The USMNT vs England match was the most-watched men’s soccer match on U.S. English television ever, with 15,377,000 viewers
, per Fox Sports PR. That record will undoubtedly be broken in 2026 when the World Cup will return to North America with a larger field of 48 teams and USMNT with an automatic bid. This generation of USMNT players has been said as the “golden generation” in U.S. men’s soccer. As they continue to rise, so does the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.
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Soccer is evolving. Today’s game is faster, more tactical, and more demanding than ever before. Physical ability and technical skills are still crucial, but there’s another factor that’s become just as important: the mind . Modern coaches are turning to cognitive training to help players think quicker, process information faster, and make better decisions on the field. At Sogility, we’ve made cognitive training a cornerstone of our development model — because the smartest players often become the most effective ones. What Is Cognitive Training in Soccer? Cognitive training focuses on improving the mental skills that impact performance: Decision-making speed Focus and attention Anticipation and awareness Problem-solving under pressure In soccer, every second matters. A player must constantly scan the field, process what’s happening, and act — often before the ball even reaches them. Cognitive training builds these skills through drills that simulate real match conditions. Why Coaches Are Making the Shift Traditional soccer training emphasized fitness and technique. Those remain essential, but elite coaches now realize games are often won by the players who think fastest. 1. The Modern Game Is Faster With high-pressing styles and quick transitions, players must make decisions in fractions of a second. 2. Soccer IQ Wins Matches Players who can anticipate runs, identify passing lanes, and adapt instantly have a huge edge. 3. Talent Without Thinking Falls Short A player with great skills but poor awareness won’t succeed at higher levels. Cognitive training bridges that gap. How Sogility Builds Cognitive Skills At Sogility, we’ve designed training stations that blend technical execution with cognitive demands. Examples include: Light-Driven Reactions: Rebound boards light up in random sequences, forcing players to react quickly while maintaining control of the ball. Dual-Task Drills: Players might dribble while solving visual or memory-based tasks, training the brain to handle pressure and multitasking. Game-Like Scenarios: Training isn’t static. Every rep asks players to scan, decide, and execute — just like they would in a match. This combination of mental and physical work develops both the body and the brain, creating players who are sharp, adaptable, and game-ready. Benefits of Cognitive Training For coaches, cognitive training delivers clear advantages: Smarter Players: Athletes who can read the game and anticipate situations. Fewer Mistakes: Quick, confident decisions reduce turnovers and errors. Enhanced Composure: Mental training helps players stay calm in high-pressure situations. Team Cohesion: When all players think faster, the team moves as one. Success Stories From the Field Professional academies and clubs around the world are investing in cognitive training technology. Players who embrace it are often the ones who rise to the top. At Sogility, we’ve seen youth players dramatically improve not just their touch and speed, but their ability to see the game differently — recognizing spaces, options, and solutions they didn’t notice before. What Parents Should Know Parents often focus on skills like dribbling, shooting, or passing. While those matter, the mental side of soccer is what separates the good from the great. Supporting your child in cognitive training ensures they’re developing the full package — the skills and the smarts. Final Thought The future of soccer belongs to players who can think as quickly as they move. That’s why modern coaches are embracing cognitive training — and why it’s central to Sogility’s philosophy. By sharpening both the mind and the body, players become more than athletes — they become complete, intelligent soccer players ready for the next level.
Soccer isn’t just a game of talent — it’s a game of repetition. Every pass, touch, and decision is built on thousands of hours of practice. At Sogility, our training system is grounded in sports science: combining physical, technical, and cognitive drills into structured, repeatable routines. The result? Players who don’t just play — they perform consistently under pressure. Why Repetition Matters in Soccer In any sport, but especially in soccer, repetition is the key to mastery. Here’s why: Muscle Memory: Repeating the right movement over and over teaches the body to react instinctively. That’s how a perfect first touch or quick turn becomes second nature. Speed of Decision-Making: When players practice hundreds of game-like scenarios, their brain learns to recognize patterns faster. Confidence Under Pressure: Players who know they’ve drilled a move countless times feel less panic and more control in real games. Think of it this way: talent gives a player a head start, but repetition ensures they can stay ahead. The Sogility Approach: Repetition Done Right 1. Interactive Rebound Boards & Lights Instead of mindless drills, our stations create real-time challenges. Players get instant feedback, forcing them to adapt, react, and repeat the right movement. 2. Cognitive + Technical Integration Soccer isn’t just about skill with the ball. Our system blends mental tasks with physical drills, so players develop sharper soccer IQ while honing technique. 3. Gamified Training Kids are more likely to stick with repetition when it feels like a game. By making drills competitive and fun, players push themselves without even realizing it. 4. Trackable Progress Players can see measurable improvement in speed, accuracy, and reaction time — turning repetition into motivation. Science-Backed Benefits of Repetition Sports science backs up what Sogility has seen firsthand: Neuroplasticity: The brain forms new connections with repeated practice, helping players adapt and learn faster. Motor Learning: Skills move from “conscious effort” to “automatic response” through structured repetition. Long-Term Retention: Players who train with spaced, consistent repetition retain skills for years, not just weeks. What Parents and Players Should Know It’s not about doing something once or twice. True skill comes from hundreds — sometimes thousands — of quality reps. Boredom kills development. That’s why Sogility keeps repetition engaging through variety and gamification. Repetition builds confidence. The more a player practices a skill in a safe, structured environment, the more they’ll trust it in a real match. From Training to Game Day Repetition in a controlled environment prepares players for the chaos of the field. A winger who’s practiced first touches hundreds of times will control the ball naturally in a high-pressure game. A midfielder who’s drilled quick passing patterns won’t freeze when pressed by opponents. A goalkeeper who’s faced endless reaction drills won’t hesitate on a split-second save. Final Thought Repetition is the secret ingredient that transforms “good players” into “great players.” At Sogility, we’ve built a training system that makes repetition structured, effective, and fun. It’s not just about doing drills — it’s about building habits that stick for life.
When parents watch youth soccer, it’s easy to spot the “talented” kids — the ones who glide past defenders, score goals with ease, or seem to have a natural touch on the ball. But here’s the truth that every parent and player should know: talent alone doesn’t guarantee success in soccer. What really separates the good from the great is consistency — the steady, structured work put in over time. At Sogility, we’ve seen this proven in thousands of training sessions. Talent vs. Consistency: What’s the Difference? Talent is what players are born with: natural speed, agility, or instinctive ball control Consistency is what players build: showing up, training deliberately, and repeating the right actions day after day. Think of talent as a spark. It can light a fire, but without fuel (consistent training), it burns out quickly. Consistency provides the fuel that keeps a player’s development moving forward. The Problem with Relying on Talent Alone Traditional soccer training emphasized fitness and technique. Those remain essential, but elite coaches now realize games are often won by the players who think fastest. Many young players who dominate at age 10 or 12 hit a plateau by the time they’re 14 or 15. Why? Their peers catch up physically. Their “natural” skills aren’t enough at higher levels. They never developed the mental habits of working hard every day. Consistency ensures a player keeps improving while others stall. Why Consistency Wins in Soccer Development 1. Muscle Memory Through Repetition Soccer is a game of small margins — the right touch, pass, or decision in a split second. Consistent training creates automatic responses under pressure. 2. Confidence Through Mastery Players who consistently train know they’ve put in the work. That confidence translates into match performance. 3. Durability Over the Long Season Consistent, structured training builds not only skills but also endurance and resilience, reducing the risk of burnout and injury. 4. Adaptability to Higher Levels Consistency teaches players how to keep learning and adjusting as the game gets faster and tougher. How Sogility Builds Consistency Into Training At Sogility, our entire model is designed to make consistency possible and enjoyable: Structured Stations: Players rotate through drills that target technical, physical, and cognitive development. Gamified Training: Lights, rebound boards, and interactive exercises keep players engaged and eager to come back. Measurable Progress: Players can track improvement over time, turning consistency into visible results. Accessibility: With both facility training and SogilityGO at-home systems, players can build habits anywhere, anytime. What Parents Can Do to Encourage Consistency Focus on Habits, Not Just Wins: Praise your child for showing up and putting in effort, not only for scoring goals. Set a Training Rhythm: Just like school homework, soccer practice should have a regular schedule. Make Training Fun: Tools like SogilityGo rebound boards or backyard training sessions help keep energy high. Be Patient: Remember, development takes time. The results of consistent training might not show in weeks, but they shine over years. Real Stories: Consistency in Action At Sogility, we’ve seen players who weren’t the most “talented” on their teams transform through consistent training. Players who struggled with first touch improved within months of steady repetition. Others who lacked confidence became leaders on the pitch simply by committing to showing up every week. Final Thought Talent may open the door in youth soccer, but consistency is what carries players through it — and keeps them moving toward their goals. With the right structure, support, and environment, every player has the chance to maximize their potential. At Sogility, we’re proud to provide that pathway.