History simply doesn’t teach that soccer was nearly a mainstream sport in America. Soccer was growing in popularity late in the 1800s then again in the early 1900s, with unquestionable gains in momentum into the 1920s. It was on track to be relevant, maybe even a topflight draw. Then, the Soccer War killed it. Founding Futbol is a year-long exploration of the critical moments that have led to soccer's emerging popularity in America. Before digging into our weekly episodes focused on the sport's growth, this Prologue episode provides a brief history of soccer in the United States, culminating in The Soccer War. Noted soccer historian Roger Allaway is our guest, providing context on the events leading up to and The Soccer War itself. Visit our website for more information: FoundingFutbol.com

It's easy to assume soccer's recent popularity in America simply took time to develop. But that would be an overly simplified explanation. The history of soccer in this country is nuanced and complex. It once thrived with a chance to become mainstream, only to fade into the background of America's sports conciousness. Then a series of key moments and events slowly built soccer's popularity back to a point where it has now become one of the fastest growing sports in the country. On the basis of popularity, viewership and participation, soccer has arrived in America. Founding Futbol is a weekly podcast that breaks down soccer's journey in this country, analyzing how key moments contributed to the sports initial missteps and then slow rise back to prominence. And, now, it's meteoric ascent into the forefront of sports consumerism. Join us every week as we take you on the journey of soccer in America on Founding Futbol.