CGTN America
In the United States the Hispanic population is on the rise and with it comes a passion for football. Sports insiders say this demographic shift could give American soccer a boost, the national team a spark and in the future- maybe even World Cup glory. William Denselow reports from New York.
A truly international sport, some players say the team’s mixture of backgrounds is a definite plus. As the only Mexican American now on the squad, Omar Gonzalez from the U.S. men’s international team admits there’s pressure to perform. For some players on the national team, having a diverse bunch puts them at an advantage. And as the Hispanic population in the United States grows some coaches say that will help make future teams, even stronger.
Coaches here say they’re seeing more Hispanic kids at their academy. It’s a trend they think will make the national team better. Luis Mendoza is the coaching director at TSF Academy, one of the major football centers in the US. He says it’s about combining different playing styles and also injecting passion into a sport ingrained in their culture.
For these young players the goal is to bring glory to the national team in the future. A dream that coaches here say– is within their reach.
