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Juan Vivas
Professor Nielson
COMM 100F
1 July 2023
Persuasive Speech Outline
Topic: Make Soccer the most popular sport in the United States
General Purpose: To appeal to the audience that there is value in Soccer in the United States.
Thesis: In this speech, I hope to show you that there is value in the sport and persuade you to
watch and play more Soccer to help make it the most popular sport in the United States.
Organizational Pattern: Direct Methods Pattern
I.
Introduction:
A. Attention-Getting Device: The word GOAL transcends past language barriers. It’s a
word that defines moments of sheer exhilaration and emotional release. A word that
means so much to fans all over the world. A word that defines the sport of Soccer or,
as the rest of the world knows it, Football. Soccer is the most popular sport in the
world. However, the United States has remained hesitant to embrace it for almost a
century.
B. Thesis: In this speech, I hope to show you there is value in it and persuade you to
watch and maybe play more Soccer to help make it the most popular sport in the
United States.
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C. Preview Statement: The big question you might be wondering is why you should care
about Soccer. Well, first, almost anyone can play it at an elite level. Second, it has the
power to inspire and unite the world. Lastly, its popularity significantly boosts the
U.S. economy.
(Transition: So, let us get right into it. Clearly, if you take a good look at me today, the
possibility of “elite level” obviously no longer applies, but at one point, it did, and the same
could be said about any of you.)
II.
Body of the Speech:
A. Main Point #1: I stand by my statement that almost anyone can play it at an elite
level.
1. Unlike other sports, you do not need to be the tallest, biggest, or the strongest
to be the greatest.
a. In fact, on March 14, 2023, when asked who the best player in the
world was after the last FIFA Men’s World Cup, ESPN journalist Ryan
O’Hanlon stated, “It is the same answer it’s always been, Lionel
Messi.” (O’Hanlon, 2023) A superstar from Argentina, who stands
only at 5’7” and 159 lbs. You would think this is an anomaly.
b. However, Messi is not an outlier in the sport. According to statistics
presented by Coach Ryan Horton, out of Georgia Tech, dated April 7,
2023, “The average height of a major league soccer player is 70.98
inches - just under 5’11” (Horton , 2023) and 5’7” for women playing
professionally, as reported by GoSoccerPro on January 18, 2022.
(Templeton, 2022)
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c. So based on height alone, Soccer is more attainable professionally to
the average adult in the United States.
2. It is also played at an elite level by both men and women, and in the United
States, the Women’s National Team (USWNT) clearly dominates the
headlines.
a. If you are unfamiliar with their accomplishments, the USWNT has
won four World Cups and has been in the top three of the tournament
since its inception in 1991. They will be competing again this summer,
and I encourage anyone interested to watch and support our team.
3. Rich or poor, Soccer is accessible to everyone around the world.
a. So, whether you are playing at an expensive academy or barefoot in
Brazil’s back-alley streets with a makeshift ball, when it comes to
Soccer, with enough practice, anyone can play at an elite level.
(Transition: Now that we discussed how you missed the opportunity to be the next soccer
superstar, let us talk about its impact on the world stage.)
B. Main Point #2: Soccer has the power to inspire and unite the world.
1. For at least 90 minutes, political enemies worldwide unite as fans to cheer on
their teams.
a. According to journalist Adam Robinson from Syracuse University’s
The Juice, February 4, 2023, “Football (Soccer) is often seen as a
reflection of society, and politicians have used Football to build
bridges with other countries and promote international relations.
Football has also been used to promote peace. With nations coming
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together in the spirit of the game to put aside their differences and
work towards a common goal.” (Robinson, 2023)
2. Soccer also provides a stage to highlight a range of social causes worldwide.
a.
During the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup next month, athletes
worldwide have an opportunity to choose and spotlight significant
causes in our society in a unique way with different color armbands.
Sure, this may seem like a small gesture, but this is huge in the grand
scheme of things. Each player is given a voice, even when silent.
These causes range from “inclusion, to gender equality, from peace to
ending hunger, from education to tackling domestic violence – during
all 64 matches at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.” As stated by FIFA
President Gianni Infantino in an article by CNN Sports on June 30,
2023. (Davies et al., 2023)
(Transition: If inspiring and uniting the world is not enough to make you
consider adding more Soccer to your life, let’s bring the conversation back
home and discuss its impact on the U.S. economy, which at the end of the day,
may affect you.)
C. Main Point #3: Soccer has and will significantly boost the U.S. economy.
1. Major FIFA tournaments are coming to the U.S.
a. If you are unaware of the news, here are some facts. Major
tournaments are coming to the United States, and a lot of money
comes with it. In 2024, Copa America arrives. In 2025, we will host
the “Club” World Cup. In 2026, we will host the FIFA Men’s World
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Cup. In 2027, we have a bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Finally, in 2028, we will be hosting the Olympics, which will include,
you guessed it, Soccer for both men and women!
b. How much money are we talking about here? According to an article
by U.S. Soccer on February 8, 2018, “Hosting the 2026 FIFA World
Cup could generate more than $5 billion in short-term economic
activity, including supporting approximately 40,000 jobs and more
than $1 billion in incremental worker earnings across North America.
(U.S. Soccer, 2018)
2. Increasing popularity in the U.S. also brings investments that will generate
long-term economic growth.
a. A great example of the investments already in place is the recent
signing of the greatest player in the world, Lionel Messi, who will join
MLS team Inter-Miami this month.
b. Sports Illustrated reported on June 27, 2023, that “data provided by
Vivid Seats shows the average listed price for Inter Miami’s match
against Cruz Azul jumped from $126 on June 6 (one day before
Messi’s announcement) to $2,151 on June 20 — a 1,607% increase”.
Additionally, “site traffic, increased by 27,037% from June 6 to June
7”. (Sports Illustrated, 2023)
c. So when it relates to the economy, Soccer’s increasing popularity is
already making a positive impact.
III.
Conclusion:
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A. Review of Main Points: In conclusion, Soccer possesses undeniable value and holds
the potential to transform the sporting landscape in the United States. It’s an inclusive
game that almost anyone can play at an elite level. It’s capable of inspiring and
uniting people across the globe and will leave a positive impact on the nation’s
economy.
B. Restate Thesis: Furthermore, while hesitant in the past, by watching and playing more
Soccer, we now stand at a pivotal moment to embrace this game and make it the most
popular sport in the United States.
C. Closure: So, I urge you to grab a ball, meet me on the field, and let us make this
GOAL happen on American soil.
Thank you.
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References
Davies, A., Nabbi, Z., & Ramsay, G. (2023, June 30). Armbands that highlight “a range of
social causes” permitted at this year’s Women’s World Cup. CNN.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/30/sport/womens-world-cup-armbands-fifa-sptintl/index.html
Horton , R. (2023, January 28). Average Height and Weight of MLS Soccer Players (2023).
Horton Barbell. https://hortonbarbell.com/average-height-and-weight-of-mls-soccerplayers/
O’Hanlon, R. (2023, March 14). Who is the best men’s player in world soccer right now? We
crunched the numbers. ESPN.com.
https://www.espn.com/sports/insider/soccer/insider/story/_/id/35853769/who-best-menplayer-world-soccer-right-now
Robinson, A. (2023, February 4). How Football Changed The World. The Juice Online.
https://sujuiceonline.com/2023/02/04/how-football-changed-the-world/
Sports Illustrated. (2023, June 27). Inter Miami Ticket Prices Soar Ahead of Lionel Messi’s
Arrival. Sports Illustrated. https://www.si.com/soccer/2023/06/27/inter-miami-ticketprices-soar-lionel-messi-arrival-mls
Templeton, A. (2022, January 18). Average Height of Female Soccer Players by Position.
GoSoccerPro. https://gosoccerpro.com/height-of-female-soccer-players-by-position/
U.S. Soccer. (2018, February 8). U.S. Soccer Federation. USSoccer.com.
https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2018/02/hosting-the-2026-fifa-world-cup-could-createmore-than-5-billion-in-economic-activity-for-north-amer