WATCH Bethlehem Steel: The Forefathers of American Soccer [VIDEO]

January 4, 2014 Bethlehem Steel, Leagues: Major League Soccer 3 Comments

The history of soccer in the United States started long before the New York Cosmos won the NASL championship in 1972. In fact, the modern game of soccer first saw signs of life in the United States in the 1860s-1870s as immigrants came through Ellis Island and quickly shared their love of the sport across the different communities where they lived in the States.

One team that emerged was Bethlehem Steel, which was founded in 1907 and has the distinction of being one of the earliest and most successful clubs in the early part of the country’s soccer history.

The Pennsylvania based team has a rich history. Watch the following video to gain more insight and appreciation of one of the forefathers of American soccer.

30+ Channels With Sports & News
  • Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
  • Watch LaLiga, Liga MX & MLS
  • Includes TUDN, GolTV, Univision, beIN SPORTS and more
Free Trial
Favorite Leagues At The Best Price
  • Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Live TV Package
  • Watch LaLiga, Primeira Liga and Copa Libertadores
  • Includes beIN SPORTS, GolTV, TyC Sports and more
Free Trial
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
  • Price: $5.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $12.99/mo.)
  • Features Serie A, Bundesliga, FA Cup, EFL & more
  • Also includes daily ESPN FC news & highlights show
Browse Offers
Live TV, Soccer & Originals
  • Starting price: $5.99/mo.
  • Features Champions League, Europa League & NWSL
  • Includes CBS, Star Trek & CBS Sports HQ
Free Trial
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
  • Starting price: $4.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
  • Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season
  • Includes Premier League TV channel plus movies, TV shows & more
Free Trial

About The Author

Christopher Harris

Publisher of World Soccer Talk, Christopher Harris founded the site in 2005. He has been interviewed by The New York Times, The Guardian and several other publications. Plus he has made appearances on NPR, BBC World, CBC, BBC Five Live, talkSPORT and beIN SPORT. Harris, who was born and raised in Wales, has lived in Florida since 1984, and supported Swansea City since 1979. Last but not least, he got engaged during half-time of a MLS game.

3 Comments

  1. Daniel Feuerstein January 4, 2014

    That was a great job from the MLS Insider show on the history of the Bethlehem Steel club. I wonder if there was someone who decided to bring them back and have them join either USL Pro or NASL. Don’t think it would be enough for them to be in MLS.

    Reply
  2. WSW January 4, 2014

    To truly do the team justice is to resurrect them in NASL.

    Reply
  3. sucka99 January 5, 2014

    Cool video. The whole ASL/Soccer War story is so interesting and goes a long way to explain why soccer is such a divisive sports topic in the mainstream sports media.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Translate »