The influence of the World Cup on a nation with two flourishing professional leagues and strong youth programs across the country will not be immediately noticeable this time.
Cle Kooiman and Thomas Dooley celebrated a 2-1 victory over Colombia during the 1994 FIFA World Cup. This image marks a significant moment in American soccer history. (Photo by Christian Liewig/TempSport/Corbis/Getty Images)
Before the United States hosted its first World Cup, another professional soccer league was necessary. In the late 1980s, prior to FIFA awarding the U.S. the 1994 tournament, American officials had to assure FIFA of the creation of a professional league.

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