{"product_id":"american-soccer-nation-isbn-9781637748640","title":"American Soccer Nation","description":"\u003cb\u003eA comprehensive recounting of the beautiful game on American soil . . . and a look at soccer’s boundless potential in the USA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSoccer is the most popular game in the world, but does it truly belong in the heart of American sports culture? The answer is a resounding \u003ci\u003eyes\u003c\/i\u003e—and the 150-year journey of elite men’s soccer in the US is filled with drama, surprises, reversals, and triumphs that rival any world-class match.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e With meticulous research and lifelong passion, Mark C Franek delivers a fast-paced, foundational soccer book that also serves as a celebration of American soccer. This book is a must-have for all fans, players, parents, coaches, and professionals across the sport.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e In brisk, punchy prose that moves in a confident tiki-taka style, Franek explores:\u003cbr\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eThe soccer-like games played by Native Americans long before the arrival of Europeans\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eHow organized soccer predates gridiron football, started in American colleges, and was carried forward by immigrant communities\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eWhy soccer has always been more inclusive and immigrant-friendly than other professional sports\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eThe rise and fall of the original ASL and the Golden Age of American soccer\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eAmerica’s Olympic and World Cup highs and lows dating back to the early 20th century\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eSoccer’s growing popularity today, from MLS and USL to elite youth academies\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eThe accordion-like journey of the USMNT over the past 40 years, leading to the USA’s co-hosting of the 2026 World Cup\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cli aria-level=\"1\"\u003eA roadmap for how the US can go from good to great on the international stage—based on firsthand accounts from professional athletes and experts in the sport\u003c\/li\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cbr\u003eWith forewords by Cavan Sullivan and Tim Howard, \u003ci\u003eAmerican Soccer Nation\u003c\/i\u003e is the definitive text affirming that the US really \u003ci\u003eis\u003c\/i\u003e a soccer nation.","brand":"BenBella Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48505310740709,"sku":"NP9781637748640","price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/O_425d289d-9b96-4890-87a9-c170030bea26.jpg?v=1775167616","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/american-soccer-nation-isbn-9781637748640","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}