Soccer's popularity grows as U.S. Men's National Team matches record viewership

The U.S. Men's National Team's World Cup opener against Paraguay drew nearly 18 million viewers on FOX Sports, marking the most-watched U.S. telecast ever and a significant milestone in audience engagement. Total viewership, including Spanish-language broadcasts, approached 25 million. This reflects soccer's mainstream acceptance in the U.S., with Nielsen reporting an 11 percent increase in North American soccer fans over the past five years. However, American interest remains behind major sports like football and baseball, with 32 percent of the population planning to watch the World Cup compared to the Super Bowl's 70 percent. Soccer is becoming entrenched as America’s fifth sport, especially with heightened interest among younger audiences and the MLS's growing health.

• 4:02 AMYahoo Sports — Soccer Is No Longer An Outsider To American Sports Culture