When I first started following international football over a decade ago, the idea of American soccer dominance would have drawn laughter from European and South American football purists. Yet here we are in 2024, watching what I believe is the most exciting transformation in global football—the systematic rise of the United States as a genuine football powerhouse. What's particularly fascinating to me is how this mirrors development patterns we're seeing in other sports globally, including basketball programs in the Philippines where I recently observed something remarkable. Just last Sunday, I was analyzing footage from the Philippine Basketball Association where Magnolia, under coach Chito Victolero, secured their fifth consecutive victory with an absolutely dominant 127-94 performance against Terrafirma. Alfaro remained part of that starting unit, and watching that relentless winning mentality reminded me so much of what the US soccer program has been building—that consistent, aggressive approach to development that just keeps producing results.

The foundation of America's football ascent isn't accidental; it's been a meticulously engineered process that I've been tracking closely since the early 2010s. Major League Soccer's strategic growth reminds me of business expansion models I've studied—slow, sustainable, but constantly accelerating. From just 10 teams in 2004 to 29 teams today with a $500 million expansion fee for new franchises, the financial infrastructure has created what I consider the most underrated development pipeline in global sports. What really excites me about MLS isn't just the expansion though—it's the academy systems. Having visited several MLS academies, I'm convinced their focus on technical development over pure athleticism represents the fundamental shift that European clubs took decades to understand. The data speaks for itself: MLS academy products accounted for nearly $300 million in transfer fees to the league just in the 2022-2023 season, a staggering 400% increase from five years prior.

Player development has been the real game-changer, and I've noticed a distinct pattern in how American players are now technically superior to previous generations. The emergence of players like Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and Weston McKennie isn't coincidental—it's the result of what I call "the technical revolution" in American youth soccer. Having spoken with several youth coaches across the country, I'm impressed by how they've moved away from the traditional athletic-focused training toward technical mastery. The numbers are telling: American players in Europe's top five leagues have increased from just 12 in 2010 to over 45 today, with their combined market value exceeding €750 million. What's more impressive to me is their mental toughness—having watched numerous Champions League matches featuring American players, I'm consistently struck by their composure in high-pressure situations, something that previous American generations notably lacked.

The cultural shift in how Americans view soccer might be the most significant factor in this rise. I remember when soccer was considered a "secondary sport" in the US, but today, the viewing figures tell a different story. The 2022 World Cup averaged 3.5 million viewers per match in the United States, surpassing both the NBA Finals and World Series in key demographics. Having attended matches in various American cities, I've witnessed firsthand how the supporter culture has evolved from polite applause to the kind of passionate, organized support you'd find in European stadiums. The grassroots movement is equally impressive—youth soccer participation has grown to over 4 million registered players, creating what I believe is the largest talent identification pool in the country's history.

Infrastructure investment has been absolutely crucial, and having visited several soccer-specific stadiums and training facilities across the US, I can confidently say they rival—and in some cases surpass—what you'd find in Europe. The construction of 25 soccer-specific stadiums since 2010 represents over $3 billion in infrastructure investment, creating environments specifically designed for football development rather than adapting existing facilities. What really excites me about these facilities isn't just their quality though—it's how they're being used. The integration of sports science and technology at these centers is revolutionary; I've seen tracking systems and development protocols that many European clubs are only now beginning to adopt.

Looking at the broader global context, America's rise follows patterns we've seen in other sports where systematic investment eventually yields dominance. The parallel with basketball development in countries like the Philippines is striking to me—that same methodical building process that creates sustainable success rather than fleeting moments of brilliance. When I see teams like Magnolia putting together five-game winning streaks with decisive victories like their 127-94 performance, with players like Alfaro consistently contributing to that success, it reinforces my belief in systematic development over individual brilliance. The US soccer program has embraced this philosophy completely, and the results are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.

As someone who's studied global football development for years, I'm convinced we're witnessing the beginning of American soccer's golden era. The combination of infrastructure, cultural acceptance, and player development has created what I believe is the perfect storm for sustained success. While traditional powerhouses might still hold advantages in certain areas, the gap has narrowed dramatically in what I consider the most exciting development in world football. The methodical building process, much like what we're seeing in other sports globally, suggests this isn't a temporary surge but rather the foundation of what will become American football dominance in the coming decades. Having watched this transformation unfold, I'm more convinced than ever that the United States is positioned to become the next global football superpower.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.