The first soccer clubs were established in Sheffield in 1857, and soon they had enough to establish their own Football Association in 1867.
Sheffield FA played London FA in 1861, one of the first regional matches. and eventually the need for a unified set of rules became obvious.This group attempted to establish a series of rules that would please everyone, but they could not resolve issues such as use of hands, allowing hacking of opponents, etc. Many supporters of these elements (considered more "manly") eventually withdrew and formed the Rugby Football Union, and the FA established rules more similar to the modern game.
History of Soccer in the U.S. Starts with Small College Club Football Teams
When soccer first started in the United States, it was played primarily by schoolboy and college teams, and was largely an upper-class game.
The Oneida soccer club, formed in Boston in 1862 is often cited as the first soccer club to consist of a regular roster of players, as opposed to the pick-up games commonly played at the time.
History of the American Soccer League and US Football Teams
The Golden Era, 1921-1933
The 1920's was widely considered the first Golden Era in American Soccer. With the founding of the American Soccer League in 1921, there was finally a league with enough prestige to compete effectively for European players, and even perform on a par with the early National Football League.
