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Yeah, you read the headline. Someone posted on social media that Hervé Renard taking over as United States men’s national team head coach would draw more interest to the team due to how objectively attractive he is. They’re probably right.
We can go on and on about Renard’s accolades leading Zambia and Ivory Coast to Africa Cup of Nations titles, but we’ve had those discussions already.
What I want to talk about is how to bring in casual fans who couldn’t name you a single player on the team. Sure, they’re not the most intellectual fans, they won’t give you deep analysis on the team. You know what they will do? Buy tickets.
The public image of the USMNT to the casual fan right now is a team that couldn’t get out of a group with Bolivia and Panama at home. They might even say the USMNT stinks.
The clock is ticking on growing the interest in soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup. And you know what we saw during the USMNT’s Copa América group stage? A whole lot of empty seats.
In the opener against Bolivia the USMNT drew 47,873 fans (59% capacity of AT&T stadium). The next game in Atlanta drew a crowd of 59,145 (83% capacity of Mercedes-Benz Stadium). Then in the finale, a must-win game against Uruguay the team drew 55,460 fans (72% capacity of Arrowhead Stadium).
Sure, the tickets are expensive as hell and it’s incredibly hot outside. But the turnouts were still disappointing.
The thing is, this is nothing new. The USMNT players don’t have enough draw for casual fans to come out and pack a stadium.
Remember that friendly against Morocco in 2022 when Christian Pulisic publicly called out the lack of support?
Christian Pulisic called out the lack of USMNT home fan support after their match against Morocco. pic.twitter.com/kyxBMDw20l
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 2, 2022
It’s been two years, a World Cup and a home Copa América later and honestly the perception of the USMNT hasn’t changed much. If it’s a friendly game against a lackluster opponent, the people won’t show.
It’s 2023 and the #USMNT A-Team still can’t sell out stadiums :/ pic.twitter.com/wKZSFmKaIg
— David Moore (@RunDavidMoore) September 9, 2023
I’m game for just about anything to get more people to care about this team. If having Renard’s picturesque figure on the sideline helps, then I’m game. Obviously, his performances with the team will matter, but I guarantee there will be a bump in interest of the USMNT with him at the helm.
A similar increase in attention happens at international tournaments with players. You would not believe how much search traffic about João Félix spiked during the 2022 World Cup. Everyday fans see an attractive person and boom, their interest is piqued.
You can’t tell me that Renard wouldn’t draw the interest from the soccer moms of this country.
Of course, none of this really matters because we all have the deep, sinking feeling that U.S. Soccer will hire Steve Cherundolo as the new head coach. He looks like he could be Gregg Berhalter’s cousin.
