American soccer is repeating the same mistakes the WNBA continues to make with Caitlin Clark

Key Points:

• The U.S. men's national soccer team’s advancement to the World Cup Round of 32 has brought unprecedented mainstream attention and casual fans, marking a significant moment for American soccer.
• Similar to the WNBA's experience with star Caitlin Clark, this surge in popularity has triggered resistance from some media and soccer gatekeepers who prefer controlled, "approved" growth rather than broad, diverse fan engagement.
• Critics from outlets like The Guardian and USA Today have framed the growing American soccer audience in political and cultural terms, suggesting discomfort with the sport's expanding, more patriotic and mainstream fan base.
• The article argues that true mainstream success means embracing all fans, regardless of background or political views, and that gatekeepers resisting this inclusivity risk alienating the very growth they once demanded.
• The rise in viewership and enthusiasm for the USMNT and the WNBA should be celebrated as victories that demonstrate the potential for these sports to become entrenched in American culture beyond niche or elite circles.