The World’s Game
United States vs. South Korea
Preview
• History in South
Korea
• Korean League (KLeague)
• History in USA
• Major League Soccer
(MLS)
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The World Cup
Fan Support
Similarities
Differences
History in South Korea
• Korean League (K-League) started in early
1980’s.
• 5 teams--Hallelujah, Daewoo, POSCO,
Yukong Elephants, Kookmin Bank.
• Among the oldest and respected clubs in
Asia.
K-League Today
• 13 teams
• Local Cities
• Focus primarily on team rather than
individual
• Less flashy compared to other asian clubs.
• Fans show up in the millions.
History in USA
• NASL (North American Soccer League) in
1968-1984.
• Had foreign players play in our league.
• Pele
• Failed--over reliance on the foreign players
and short sighted spending.
Major League Soccer
• MLS-- 1993-present.
• Created in exchange for World Cup
• Has yet to be accepted as one of the
professional sports leagues
• Becoming popular
The World Cup
• Every 4 years
• Held in USA in 1994
• Most recent World cup held in South Korea
(2002)
Lack of Fans
• America has not caught on to the “foreign
game”
• Few or low goal scoring
• Few set plays
• No fixed positions
• Yet to be accepted by mainstream society
Similarities
• Average salaries
• MLS's maximum salary is only $236,750-less than the NBA's minimum salary.
• The minimum salary in the MLS in 20,000
• Both leagues considered “cheap”
Differences
• South Korea fans vs American fans
• Style of play
• Recruiting
Style of Play
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South Korea
More reserved
Defensive
Team defending
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United States
Attacking
Individual attacking
One on one defending
Programs for Soccer in USA
• Youth Leagues U-9 up until U-19
• College Soccer D1, D2, and D3
• Men’s and Women’s League for 21 and
older
• ODP (Olympic Development Program)
Programs for Soccer in South Korea
• Little amount of organized soccer
• Children play in streets
• Little amount of college soccer
THE END