The U.S. has absolutely slammed home its status as a soccer country, according to MLS commissioner Don Garber, a truth made undeniably clear during the FIFA men’s World Cup that just wrapped up on Sunday. This isn’t just talk, either: it’s the fertile foundation for the whole damn pro league moving forward, and Garber isn’t holding back.
The Nation Has Spoken
Garber, speaking with Front Office Sports, laid it all out: any nagging doubts about soccer’s staying power in a country obsessed with football are officially gone. “We proved that we are a soccer nation over the last month,” he said, beaming about the World Cup’s impact. He even doubled down, stating, “We proved that we can build the most valuable commercial market in the world [for soccer].” MLS isn’t wasting a second either, having already kicked off a massive marketing blitz this week to rope in all those new soccer converts. For Garber, it’s bigger than any single play; the World Cup provided historic gains over five weeks, fundamentally shifting soccer’s entire place in the U.S. sports pecking order. He said it gave Americans a chance to “rediscover ourselves,” showing “The Beautiful Game” is beautiful for more than just wins and losses.
The Future Is Already Here
Now, here’s where things get wild: while MLS is pivoting to a fall-to-spring schedule next year, the post-2027 era is also set to usher in a new commissioner. Club owners have already started a formal succession process for Garber’s spot and other senior roles in the MLS office. Names like LAFC co-owner Larry Berg, 49ers Enterprises president Paraag Marathe, and former Fox executive David Nathanson are all being floated as top candidates. The league confirmed a “comprehensive succession planning process” is underway by its Board of Governors, working with Garber and the board. Garber? He’s fully embracing it, feeling a deep satisfaction from his nearly three-decade run. He’s seen the league explode to 30 teams, witnessed soccer-specific stadiums pop up everywhere, and watched MLS become one of the top commercial leagues globally. Even if the on-field product still chases Europe’s Big Five, he feels he’s done his job.
Garber’s contract runs through 2027, and he’s staying in office until then, saying, “whether or not I’m commissioner, we’ll wait to see.” This succession process is happening, and he’s all in. He wanted to “capture the new America” and build a nation that loves soccer, and by his own account, “we’ve proved that.” The future of soccer in the U.S. is officially charting a new course, with new leadership poised to take the helm after 2027. It’s going to be fascinating to see who steps up to guide MLS into its next chapter, building on this World Cup momentum. The stakes? Only the continued growth of the sport we all love.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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