Soccer Moms Revisited
Where did the so-called soccer moms of this past election come from? They’ve actually been around and growing over the past 20 years as children’s participation in the sport has increased faster than in any other sport.
U.S. High School Soccer Participation, 1977-1995
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U.S. High School Sports Participation, 1985-1995 % change
Soccer: +81%
Volleyball: +38%
Softball: +32%
Golf: +32%
Baseball: +12%
Football: -5%
Wrestling: -11%
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Top Five Soccer Markets*
Los Angeles/Riverside/Orange County: 806,000
New York/New Jersey/Connecticut/Pennsylvania: 768,000
Washington/Baltimore: 634,000
St. Louis: 551,000
Philadelphia/Wilmington/Atlantic City: 469,000
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Top Ten Soccer States*
State: Total Participants
California: 1,785,000
New York: 1,395,000
Pennsylvania: 1,089,000
Texas: 917,000
Ohio: 854,000
Florida: 728,000
Missouri: 663,000
Maryland: 640,000
Washington: 599,000
Wisconsin: 577,000
* includes participants of all ages
Source: National Federation of State High School Assns., Soccer Industry Council of
