By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – As the U.S. prepares for its final match in the group stage of the World Cup, local soccer fans are looking forward to what the team’s success means for the sport.
Read more Phoenix civil rights activist Jarrett Maupin indicted on fraud charges
The U.S. team beat Australia 2-0 on Friday, a match some of soccer’s youngest fans have waited years for.
FC Tucson’s youth team celebrated the win together, which academy director Ryan Hall said was a great way to build excitement for the team and energize his players.
Growing the sport
Hall is hoping the World Cup excitement can translate outside of the soccer community.
“Those that are involved in soccer already know this, but it definitely puts a spotlight on those who aren’t familiar with it, and hopefully, yeah, we’ll get more people interested that aren’t interested in it now,” Hall said.
According to a recent Gallup poll, 27% of adults said they’re fans of professional soccer, behind sports like football, basketball and baseball. Only 5% of Americans named soccer as their favorite sport to watch.
“I think it is popular, but it’s just not as glamorized as the other main four sports; as you’ve seen over the last 10-15 years, it’s slowly catching up,” Hall said.
Youth players leading charge
FC Tucson youth team players invited to watch the match ranged in age from 4 to 14. For many of these young players, this is the first World Cup they’ll remember.
Ryker Gibbs and Ethan Petersen, both 12-year-olds on FC Tucson’s youth team, said they’ve been playing soccer their whole lives and want more people to buy into the game.
Read more Pocket Fire burns 500 acres north of Sedona, sparks evacuations
“It’s like the most popular sport in the world, but here it’s like the third most popular sport (here),” Gibbs said.
“It didn’t use to, but it’s getting up to be one of the most popular,” Petersen said. “It’s pretty cool to see them win and, like, getting better.”
“It makes me feel excited for the USA in their journey, and I hope they make it far in the tournament,” Gibbs said.
Hall said the further the USA team goes, the more interest he’s hopeful they’ll see in the sport nationwide and in their youth teams in Tucson.
“The further we go, the better off it’ll be for the sport in the U.S., absolutely, no question,” Hall said.
This is the first time in more than three decades that the FIFA World Cup is being hosted on U.S. soil. The U.S. will play its final group match against Turkey at 7 p.m. Friday, June 25.
Are you streaming 13 News?
Watch a free live stream of Tucson Now and 13 News at TucsonNow.Live.
Be sure to download the free Tucson Now app, which you can find on Apple and Google.
If you are using a desktop computer, you can use your mobile device to scan the QR code below.
Read more Goodyear businesses brace for traffic as Buc-ee’s opening prompts major detour
You can submit your breaking news or weather images here.