Key Dates in the Evolution of Soccer in the U.S.

1858

A team of Trinity College students played against the Hartford Town Team. The Trinity students lost the match 3 – 0. The game was confirmed as a “kicking game,” with rules agreed upon by both sides beforehand. According to the Society for American Soccer History, the Trinity faculty vetoed another game after finding out about the match.

1862

Oneida Football Club formed in Boston by graduates of elite preparatory schools playing on the Boston Commons. They reportedly never lost a game or allowed a goal between 1862 and 1865.

1863

The 1863 London Football Association laws, which disallowed carrying or throwing the ball, are generally considered the foundation of modern soccer.

1866

The earliest known organized soccer game in the United States was played in Waukesha, Wisconsin under the London Football Association laws between Carroll College and Waukesha Town on October 11th.

1866

A rematch was played between Carroll College and the Waukesha Town team at the Waukesha County Fairgrounds in Waukesha, Wisconsin on October 18th. The Town team won this game 5-3, regaining the “laurels lost” in the previous match.

Note: It’s important to reiterate that defining the “first” or “third” games is complicated by the evolving nature of the sport and how it was recorded at the time. This match, however, represents a clear follow-up to the earliest known game played under the 1863 London Football Association laws, a key step in the development of modern soccer in the US. 

1867

Yale, Princeton, Rutgers University, and Brown University began playing the “kicking” game by the late 1860s. Princeton used rules based on those of the London Football Association.

1869

The Princeton vs. Rutgers game is considered the first intercollegiate soccer game, played on November 6, at Rutgers’ campus. Rutgers won 6–4. Princeton won the rematch on November 13, 1869, 8–0.

1884

Organization of the American Football Association (AFA)established to standardize rules for local soccer teams, primarily in the Northeastern United States. It sought to standardize rules for teams competing in northern New Jersey and southern New York. Within two years, the AFA broadened to include teams in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.

1886

The Fall River, Massachusetts region had textile companies and many immigrants from England. Its Bristol County League was formed for immigrants

1886

In St. Louis, the Catholic Church introduced soccer into its recreational programs. The St. Louis League was founded in 1886, and modified the FA’s rules.

1894

The American League of Professional Football (ALPF) was established by the owners of several National League of Professional Baseball Clubs teams in 1894 to generate revenue during the winter months, when their ballparks were empty. The AFA, displeased with the idea, banned any player who signed a contract with an ALPF team. The ALPF failed to generate much interest despite their financial backing, and the league folded after only 17 days

1895

Soccer was popular in communities with large immigrant populations. The West Hudson, New Jersey towns of Kearny and Paterson had textile factories established and staffed by British companies, and residents founded the National Association Football League.

1903

St. Louis Soccer League was founded

1907

Interscholastic League formed between Harvard, Yale, Cornell, Pennsylvania, Princeton, Columbia, and Haverford (Ivy League). Yale attains varsity level.

1907

Harvard-Yale played for the first time on May 25th.

1909

The Pilgrims of England met their first defeat 1 – 0  from the Hibernians, champions of the Pennsylvania League.

1910

The University of Chicago, under the direction of A. A. Stagg, experiment with indoor soccer football as a spring conditioning activity.

1911

Innis Falls of St. Louis defeated Tacony of Philadelphia 3 – 1 and declared National Champions of the U. S.

1913

The United States Football Association (USFA), now known as the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), was formed.

1913

Soccer Football is recognized at the United States Naval Academy

1913

Champions of the West, St. Louis, and Champions of the East, Pawtucket of RI met for the United States Championship.

1914

Southern New England League formed

1921

The American Soccer League (ASL) was formed, and was considered one of the strongest soccer leagues globally during its peak, though it struggled to compete with established American sports.

1924

At Trinity College in Hartford, CT wo teams of first-year students began scrimmaging, with sophomores joining later that year. These friendly games continued until a club team was formed in 1928. The first varsity contest for the men’s soccer team was played on October 10, 1936, against Clark University.

1929

The “American Soccer Wars” began: internal conflicts within the American Soccer League and their affiliated clubs participating in the National Challenge Cup. The debate, revolving around whether the United States Football Association or the American Soccer League was the chief organization of American soccer, negatively impacted the sport’s reputation and popularity. The ASL collapsed, and the first golden age of American soccer ended.

1930

The United States Men’s National Soccer Team competed in the first FIFA World Cup, finishing in third place.

1950

The U.S. men’s national team famously defeated England 1-0 at the World Cup. 

1968

The North American Soccer League (NASL) was formed, bringing a new era of professionalism and attracting international stars like Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer.

1975

The New York Cosmos signed Pelé, leading to a boom in the sport’s popularity.

1984

The NASL folded due to financial problems and over-expansion.

1985

The Women’s National Team (USWNT) is inaugurated.

1991

The USWNT wins the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in China, becoming the first U.S. soccer team to win a World Cup.

1994

The United States hosts the FIFA Men’s World Cup for the first time. The tournament draws record attendance.

1996

Major League Soccer (MLS) is launched as a condition of the U.S. hosting the 1994 World Cup.

2007

The Designated Player Rule was introduced in MLS, enabling teams to sign high-profile international players like David Beckham, further raising the league’s profile.

2023

Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami CF, attracting global attention and significantly boosting MLS viewership and attendance.

2024

The USWNT wins an Olympic Gold Medal.

2026

FIFA World Cup, also known as the FIFA World Cup 26, is set to be a landmark event as the first tournament co-hosted by three nations: Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The tournament will feature an expanded format with 48 teams competing across 16 host cities.