My impression of soccer when a kid was that most Americans were hardly aware it existed as a sport outside of HS gym class, until Pele’ came along. He did a lot to popularize the sport in this country.
In 1979 my college soccer team was a club. None of the players were openly gag, and we all had the Pele poster on our dorm walls. It was all about the love of the game.
I would agree with that statement wholeheartedly. As I said on another thread, Pele made me pay attention to, and then love, the beautiful game.
Rest In Peace.