For Alan Rothenberg, the 1994 World Cup was more than just a milestone event in American soccer history – it marked a turning point in the growth of the sport in the United States. As one of the key players behind the tournament's success, Rothenberg has seen firsthand how it laid the groundwork for Major League Soccer (MLS).
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is expected to be an event like no other, with high-stakes games and a massive global audience. Rothenberg says he's looking forward to seeing the competition unfold, but acknowledges that there will be "a teeny bit of a political overload" given the involvement of President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
One of the biggest challenges facing soccer in America today is the issue of dynamic pricing for tickets. While fans are willing to pay top dollar for high-profile games, many struggle to afford the rising costs. Rothenberg equates this problem to that faced by fans at a Taylor Swift concert, where ticket prices can be prohibitively expensive.
Despite these challenges, Rothenberg remains optimistic about the future of soccer in America. He believes that the sport will continue to grow in popularity, thanks in part to the increasing number of top players who will be competing in the tournament. The addition of fan festivals and other local events is also expected to help bring more fans into the game.
However, Rothenberg also acknowledges that the growing influence of big business on sports can sometimes lead to conflicts between fans and owners. He notes that while some teams may struggle to connect with their fans, others – such as LAFC – have managed to create a sense of community around the team.
For those from other countries where soccer is a deeply ingrained part of the culture, it's difficult to understand how American fans can be so sophisticated and knowledgeable about the sport. Rothenberg believes that this sophistication is both an asset and a challenge for the growth of soccer in America. On the one hand, it means that there are many true soccer fans in the country who follow teams in Europe; on the other hand, it creates challenges for growing support for American teams.
Ultimately, Rothenberg's experience suggests that while big business may have an outsized influence on sports, fans will always find a way to connect with each other and the game they love. As he puts it, "where there's a will, there's a way" – and soccer fans in America are willing to make it work.
The draw for the 2026 World Cup is expected to be an event like no other, with high-stakes games and a massive global audience. Rothenberg says he's looking forward to seeing the competition unfold, but acknowledges that there will be "a teeny bit of a political overload" given the involvement of President Trump and FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
One of the biggest challenges facing soccer in America today is the issue of dynamic pricing for tickets. While fans are willing to pay top dollar for high-profile games, many struggle to afford the rising costs. Rothenberg equates this problem to that faced by fans at a Taylor Swift concert, where ticket prices can be prohibitively expensive.
Despite these challenges, Rothenberg remains optimistic about the future of soccer in America. He believes that the sport will continue to grow in popularity, thanks in part to the increasing number of top players who will be competing in the tournament. The addition of fan festivals and other local events is also expected to help bring more fans into the game.
However, Rothenberg also acknowledges that the growing influence of big business on sports can sometimes lead to conflicts between fans and owners. He notes that while some teams may struggle to connect with their fans, others – such as LAFC – have managed to create a sense of community around the team.
For those from other countries where soccer is a deeply ingrained part of the culture, it's difficult to understand how American fans can be so sophisticated and knowledgeable about the sport. Rothenberg believes that this sophistication is both an asset and a challenge for the growth of soccer in America. On the one hand, it means that there are many true soccer fans in the country who follow teams in Europe; on the other hand, it creates challenges for growing support for American teams.
Ultimately, Rothenberg's experience suggests that while big business may have an outsized influence on sports, fans will always find a way to connect with each other and the game they love. As he puts it, "where there's a will, there's a way" – and soccer fans in America are willing to make it work.
and getting totally ripped off by ticket prices 
. It's like, I get that high-profile teams need to make money, but come on, can't we just have a decent price range? I mean, I've seen Taylor Swift concerts where tickets are crazy expensive, but at least those events usually have more affordable options available. With soccer, it feels like you're either in or you're out 
. And yeah, I love how passionate fans are about the sport – we might be a bit too knowledgeable for our own good 
. But Rothenberg's right, as long as there's a passion and a will to connect, sports will always thrive 
like how cool is that?! i'm def rooting for the us team though, but also kinda worried about dynamic pricing for tickets...like how are we sposed to afford them?! and omg lafc sounds like an amazing example of a community-driven team btw what do u think about big business influencin sports? 
On a more serious note, I do think it's cool that there are fans who can get super knowledgeable about the sport... we're like the ultimate sports nerds over here 
. But what's crazy is how much money those suits are making off our passion for the game... I just hope we don't lose sight of what makes soccer so awesome - the community and the love for the game 
. But for real tho, the ticket prices are getting outta control 
. Btw, I'm loving the idea of fan festivals & local events tho 
. We need more inclusive games that bring everyone together. Let's make it happen! 
it's insane that some games can cost over $1000 per ticket lol what's next? ticket prices at a Taylor Swift concert?! 
.
but at the same time, we gotta find a way to support our own teams and not always be lookin down on others 
i mean have you tried those matcha green tea waffle cones? game changer 
And then you got fans who just wanna chill at a game and watch some ball, but they gotta break the bank. I'm all for having big events and bringing in cash for teams, but can't we find a way to make it more inclusive? 
. I mean, who can afford a $1k+ ticket to watch some soccer? 
. Can't wait for the tournament to kick off 
. It's crazy to think that it's been over 20 years since then and American soccer has come so far 
. Dynamic pricing for tickets is a real bummer though 
. And yeah, it's funny that people from other countries think American fans are crazy for knowing so much about the sport 
! And yeah, it's cool to see teams like LAFC creating that sense of community around them 
. I mean, what's the big deal? It's not like it's gonna change your life or anything... oh wait, that's exactly what's happening in America when it comes to soccer ticket prices