local
'Summer of '94': How the last World Cup on American soil changed US soccer forever
By Maya Mukherjee at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio)
· June 19, 2026
· 1 min read
The USA team celebrating during their game against Colombia in the first stage of the 1994 World Cup Finals. (Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)Although thousands have flocked to SoFi stadium for the World Cup, soccer wasn’t always a fan-favorite sport in the United States.The sport’s rise to popula...
Key takeaway (Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)Although thousands have flocked to SoFi stadium for the World Cup, soccer wasn’t always a fan-favorite sport in the United States.
Why this matters in The Los Angeles
The impact of the 1994 World Cup on US soccer is still felt in Los Angeles , where the sport's growing popularity has led to increased investment in local infrastructure and programs. The creation of Major League Soccer, enabled by the team's performance in 1994, has brought professional soccer to the city, with LA Galaxy and Los Angeles Football Club drawing large crowds to their home games. Additionally, the nonprofit established by US Soccer in the 1990s has helped bring soccer to underserved communities in Los Angeles, providing opportunities for young players to develop their skills and compete at a high level. As the city continues to host high-profile soccer events, including the recent World Cup games at SoFi stadium, it's clear that the legacy of the 1994 World Cup continues to shape the sport's landscape in Los Angeles.
About this story
Original reporting by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . The Los Angeles surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 19, 2026 ·
Source: LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Los Angeles stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The USA team celebrating during their game against Colombia in the first stage of the 1994 World Cup Finals. (Shaun Botterill / Getty Images)Although thousands have flocked to SoFi stadium for the World Cup, soccer wasn’t always a fan-favorite sport in the United States.The sport’s rise to popula...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 19, 2026 by LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio) and curated for The Los Angeles readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Maya Mukherjee at LAist (KPCC / Southern California Public Radio). To learn more about how The Los Angeles selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Los Angeles, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter