The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is officially on, and with it comes a fresh opportunity to explore the rich, often overlooked history of soccer in the United States. That story now takes center stage in Soccer Meets America, a compelling three-part docuseries released yesterday by SB Nation in collaboration with Vox Creative and Roku.

Spanning more than 120 years, American soccer's journey has been one of slow burns, bold leaps, and defining moments. This series shines a spotlight on that evolution, tracing the sport's meteoric rise from the flashy, star-studded days of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in the 1970s and 80s, through the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and culminating in the watershed 1994 FIFA World Cup hosted on U.S. soil.

At the heart of this narrative is Alan Rothenberg, a pivotal figure who has worn many hats in the game's development. 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 was instrumental in shaping the modern American soccer landscape. His influence also extended to launching Major League Soccer (MLS), ensuring women's soccer was added to the Olympic program in 1996, and bringing the historic 1999 Women's World Cup to the United States.

Rothenberg recently released a new book, The Big Bounce: The Surge that Shaped the Future of U.S. Soccer, offering an insider's look at how the sport transformed from fragmented, short-lived leagues into the thriving ecosystem we see today—complete with MLS, the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and the United Soccer Leagues (USL). In the book, he details the gritty, behind-the-scenes work required to pull off a successful Olympic soccer tournament, win the bid for the 1994 World Cup, and unite the federation to push the game forward.

In a recent interview on the USA Soccercast, Rothenberg reflected on the sport's growth, emphasizing that it wasn't driven by a single, dramatic breakthrough. Instead, it was a steady, sustained buildup of momentum—a slow burn that finally caught fire. "American soccer sort of grew when I was starting in 1990," he said. "I had a glimpse of it back in the 70s when we had a team in Los Angeles, and obviously the Cosmos set the world on fire at that time with Pelé."

Whether you're a lifelong fan or new to the beautiful game, Soccer Meets America offers a timely reminder of how far U.S. soccer has come—and a glimpse at the exciting future ahead, just in time for the 2026 World Cup.