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Vox Creative, Roku debut new docuseries on history of American soccer
TL;DR
Vox Creative and Roku have launched a new docuseries titled *Soccer Meets America*, exploring over 120 years of American soccer history. The series highlights key moments and figures, including Alan Rothenberg's contributions to the sport leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
Key points
- New docuseries titled Soccer Meets America released by Vox Creative and Roku
- Focuses on the history of American soccer over 120 years
- Highlights contributions of Alan Rothenberg to the sport
- Covers the rise in popularity leading to the 2026 World Cup
- Rothenberg's book The Big Bounce details the evolution of U.S. soccer
Mentioned in this story
Alan Rothenberg
Soccer Meets AmericaThe Big Bounce
LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA - APRIL 29: A detailed view of a soccer ball is seen before the Players Voice Panel Education Session as part of the 76th FIFA Congress on April 29, 2026 in Vancouver, British Columbia. (Photo by Elizabeth Ruiz Ruiz - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) | FIFA via Getty Images
The history of American soccer has spanned well over 120 years, and to date there hasnât been many opportunities to look back at that history. With the 2026 World Cup about a month away, we now have a chance to do just that. Yesterday, SB Nation collaborated with Vox Creative and Roku to release Soccer Meets America, a 3-part docuseries that focuses on the rise of soccer in the United States.
Soccer Meets America focuses around the meteoric rise in popularity, from the North American Soccer League days of the 1970s and 1980s to the 1984 Olympics, leading up to the 1994 World Cup. At the center of that history was Alan Rothenberg, who served as soccer commissioner for the 1984 Olympics, the president of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1990 to 1998, and the CEO of the 1994 World Cup. He also had a hand in the start of Major League Soccer, adding womenâs soccer to the Olympic program in 1996, and bringing the 1999 Womenâs World Cup to the United States.
Rothenberg recently released a new book entitled The Big Bounce: The Surge that Shaped the Future of U.S. Soccer. In the book, Rothenberg gives an inside account at how American soccer went from the days where leagues were not organized and fizzled quickly to some of the success we have today with leagues like Major League Soccer, the National Womenâs Soccer League, and the United Soccer Leagues. He details his firsthand knowledge of what it took for the United States to host a successful soccer tournament at the 1984 Olympics, how the nation won the bid to host the 1994 World Cup, and how he was able to organize the federation to get everything done and push the game forward. He recently sat down for an interview on the USA Soccercast, and in that interview, he mentioned that the rise in popularity of the game wasnât based on one big moment, but a sustained buildup of momentum.
Q&A
What is the focus of the docuseries *Soccer Meets America*?
The docuseries focuses on the rise of soccer in the United States over the past 120 years, highlighting significant events and figures in its history.
Who is Alan Rothenberg and what is his role in American soccer history?
Alan Rothenberg is a key figure in American soccer, having served as soccer commissioner for the 1984 Olympics and president of the U.S. Soccer Federation from 1990 to 1998.
How has American soccer evolved leading up to the 2026 World Cup?
American soccer has evolved significantly from disorganized leagues in the past to the establishment of Major League Soccer and the National Women's Soccer League, culminating in the upcoming 2026 World Cup.
What insights does Alan Rothenberg provide in his book *The Big Bounce*?
In *The Big Bounce*, Rothenberg shares his firsthand experiences and insights on how American soccer developed and gained popularity, emphasizing the gradual buildup of momentum rather than a single defining moment.