The United States of America is renowned for its sporting prowess in sports such as baseball, basketball and 'American' football. However, the introduction of European stars to the MLS (Major League Soccer) in North America has signalled a cultural change in America, and reinforces the concept of the 'melting pot' in the United States.
In the world of soccer, or football as we know it, the USA has a reputation for being a retirement home for the ageing stars of Europe. In more recent times however, things have changed. In 2014, Brazil legend Kaká and Spanish striker David Villa signed for Orlando City and New York City FC respectively. This paved the way for many others to follow suit and sign for North American clubs. One of the most notable additions to the MLS was Italian forward Sebastian Giovinco. Aged just 27, Giovinco moved to Toronto FC from Juventus. This completely changed how people viewed North American football. Kaká and Villa had been high profile signings, but both were in their 30s (towards the end of an outfield player's career) and had won almost every competition in European football. Giovinco however, was yet to reach his prime and his move to Toronto added the competitive edge that the league desperately needed. Since 2014, Kaká, David Villa, Sebastian Giovinco, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Ashley Cole, Andrea Pirlo, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tim Howard and Andoni Iraola have all played in MLS simultaneously, promoting North American soccer worldwide and increasing the sport's popularity domestically. European soccer is now easily accessible in the United States, and English soccer, in particular is even more easily available to people in America than it is to the English.
This exposure to European soccer culture and way in which the USA has embraced it, is a modern day example of the 'melting pot' and how cultures can mix and be diluted into American life, as if it had always been the way.
Sources:
http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/england-wasted-golden-generation-steven-5679591
