512 Soccer

Austin FC and the Austin Soccer Community

Phil West

REVIEW: I Believe That We Will Win: The Path to a US Men’s World Cup Victory

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I Believe That We Will Win: The Path to a US Men’s World Cup Victory by Phil West covers the past few decades of the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) and their quest for the World Cup.

I Believe That We Will Win: The Path to a US Men's World Cup VictoryIt’s hardly a spoiler at this point that the USMNT didn’t make the World Cup in 2018. That failed effort was tough for US soccer fans.

Phil West shares interviews, events, and stories of the USMNT with a passion for the beautiful game.

The book discusses what it will take for the USMNT to return to the World Cup with a history of the team and the future potential.

The relationship between the USMNT and MLS, academy soccer, and Latino outreach are covered in this must-read for any US soccer fan.

While October 2017 was tragic for USMNT fans around the country, there was a ray of sunshine for Austin soccer fans as the news of MLS coming to Austin was leaked around the same time.

The following summer the future Austin FC crew organized a watch party for the World Cup opener at Austin city hall. And fans around the city mobbed bars for the remaining games in the World Cup.

Shawn and Jack watching the Argentina vs France match in the 2018 World Cup

Imagine the frenzy if our guys were on the pitch.

REVIEW: The United States of Soccer: MLS and the Rise of American Soccer Fandom

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The United States of Soccer: MLS and the Rise of American Soccer Fandom is a comprehensive history of professional soccer in the U.S. by Phil West.

The United States of Soccer by Phil WestBack in the late 1970s and early 1980s I was a fan of the Washington Diplomats and Team America in the NASL (North American Soccer League) and I was devastated when the teams and league folded.

So when it was announced in 1988 that the U.S was awarded the 1994 World Cup, I was ecstatic. And then learning that a condition of the World Cup in the U.S. was that there would have to be a top tier soccer league established had me out of my mind excited.

The United States of Soccer covers the lead up to MLS (Major League Soccer) and I was fascinated to get a peek behind the scenes. In the early days, I was attending MetroStars and DC United games, but I was not really aware of all of the league goings-on until I read this book.

Phil West has a compelling style of storytelling with the history of MLS, and I loved learning more about the struggles and successes of the league, the emergence of supporters in different cities, and the future.

I’d recommend this book to hardcore fans and folks new to the beautiful game.