With the 2026 World Cup just around the corner, American soccer fans finally have a chance to look back at the rich history of the beautiful game in the United States. A new three-part docuseries, Soccer Meets America, has just debuted on Roku, produced in collaboration with SB Nation and Vox Creative. The series chronicles the remarkable journey of soccer in America, from its early struggles to its current status as a major sport.

The docuseries focuses on the pivotal moments that shaped the game's rise in popularity. It takes viewers from the North American Soccer League days of the 1970s and 1980s, through the 1984 Olympics, and up to the 1994 World Cup. At the heart of this story is Alan Rothenberg, a key figure who served as soccer commissioner for the 1984 Olympics, president of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1990 to 1998, and CEO of the 1994 World Cup. Rothenberg also played a crucial role in launching Major League Soccer, adding women's soccer to the Olympic program in 1996, and bringing the 1999 Women's World Cup to the United States.

For fans who want to dive even deeper, Rothenberg recently released a new book titled The Big Bounce: The Surge That Shaped the Future of U.S. Soccer. In it, he provides an insider's account of how American soccer transformed from a sport with disorganized leagues that quickly fizzled out into the thriving ecosystem we see today, including Major League Soccer, the National Women's Soccer League, and the United Soccer Leagues. He shares firsthand knowledge of what it took for the United States to successfully host the 1984 Olympics soccer tournament, how the nation won its bid for the 1994 World Cup, and how he organized the federation to push the game forward.

In a recent interview on the USA Soccercast, Rothenberg reflected on the sport's growth. "American soccer sort of grew when I was starting in 1990," he said. "I had a glimpse of it back in the 70s." He emphasized that the rise in popularity wasn't due to one big moment, but rather a sustained buildup of momentum over decades. Whether you're a longtime supporter or new to the sport, Soccer Meets America offers a fascinating look at how far American soccer has come—and a glimpse of where it's headed next.