American Soccer In The 1920s

On the night of May 7, 1921, representatives from different club teams met at the Hotel Astor to discuss their idea and plans to continue to develop a league of its own in the United States. "The story of American soccer in the 1920s is in large part the story of the American Soccer League, which was founded suavely, at Manhattan's Hotel Astor, in 1921." (Phillips) The creation of the ASL created new opportunities for other players that want to play soccer get a start at professional soccer in the United States and then eventually go over to Europe and possible play for a team over there. Within the development of soccer men and women began to get the same playing time and opportunities to play for professional teams. "Long before Mia Hamm

As the game develops the opportunities continue to grow for women and the outlooks of women’s soccer later on in the future. Throughout, the 1920’s there are many men and women who are beginning to join different teams around the United States and Europe to begin and grow into professional teams nationally and locally. With soccer becoming a bigger and popular sport there are now many opportunities and growing opportunities for everyone around the United States and Europe. "The United States sent its first men’s team to the Olympics in 1924, and the following year the country hosted its first international friendly.” (Klein). With the United States being able to send over their first men’s team to play against other countries in the olympics is a big step for the United States as they can now prepare for friendly’s and other tournaments that will eventually come along. With the growing opportunities people are becoming interested into the

"The Johnson-Reed Act of 1924 curtailed immigration to America, and the sport was damaged by an off-the-field power struggle between the ASL and USFA, who always had an uneasy relationship." (Klein). It was because of this dispute between ASL and USFA that caused the Immigration ban in America because of the struggles between the two leagues and their hard going relationship with each other. There was more than just the Johnson-Reed act problems going on at this time for the soccer players which created a new league called the Outlaw league. "In response, the ASL expelled the three teams, which caused FIFA to declare it an “outlaw league” and the USFA to form its own rival league." (Klein). Since the USFA didn’t like the fact that the ASL banned three teams the USFA decided they were going to go against this ban and form their own league and call it the “Outlaw League”. Women also had a major problem during this time which didn’t allow them to practice or play on stadium fields they had to play on fields that were meant to be practiced on. "In December 1921 the English Football Association, widely regarded as the game’s originators and leading light, banned women from playing on grounds affiliated with the association. They could still play, just not anywhere people would play." (Lee). When the EFA didn’t allow women