Whither Soccer?

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar writes for Time that soccer isn't destined to be a dominant US sport. Some of his arguments are relatively persuasive.

Why aren’t those millions of youth soccer players since 1974 watching? Perhaps another perception is that it is a kid’s game. Kids get to run around, kick something, and generally wear themselves out to the gratitude of parents. Parents who dutifully and diligently attend their kids’ games don’t seem inclined to tune in to professionals on TV.

Apparently the kids don't watch TV soccer either. Soccer may be more fun to play than to watch, like golf.