"Popularity" is in quotes because, at least according to past threads, there is a big gap between the media's coverage and the masses' interest in hockey.
You can make a pretty solid argument that it's already surpassed hockey. If you want to compare MLS to the NHL that's a different story. MLS is still lagging behind.
In many, if not most, areas of the country soccer has always been more popular than hockey. Here in Houston, soccer is vastly more popular than hockey. Back in the 1970's, when the NASL was booming and the NHL was struggling, this would have seemed obvious. But the NASL collapsed at about the same time that two things happened to revitalize hockey: the "Miracle on Ice" in 1980 and Gretzky. So now MLS has a long way to go to catch up to the NHL. What MLS needs is Freddy Adu and a "Miracle on Grass."
As a spectator sport the NHL is very popular, as evidenced by the high attendances and ticket prices to games. However, hockey is a game that doesn't translate well to TV, so it isn't popular on television or popular nationally as a corollary.
There are already at least as many soccer fans as hockey fans. What's different is that nonfans of hockey give it respectful disinterest.
When soccer finds away to connect with those who play the game here to go on to become fans and ticket buyers of the game, it would surpass hockey in a huge way. The key will always be television media wanting it to happen. They have the power. But unfortunately, that help is unlikely as it's strickly business.
It depends on what part of the country you are in. In the Northeast, the Upper Plains states etc. hockey is by far more popular than soccer is. Just as an example when i was growing up everyone in my neighborhood played hockey and many still do. I can probably count on less than one hand how many guys i know that played soccer. Hockey is a regional sport, always will be - I live in the middle of Ranger country but no one gives a damn about any other team in the league and will not sit down to watch two out of market teams on ESPN, like they would for maybe an out of market football game. Hockey fans tend to be passionate about THEIR team but not the league in general.
Hockey is a regional sport. Soccer has much more potential as it is played in all 50 states. I love hockey but I kind of feel it gets more media attention than it deserves. Not many people follow it. Even in the Northeast it is pretty much a niche sport. It gets covered like the big 3 but itis not remotely as popular as those sports.
Soccer will be on t.v. more than hockey by 2010. Mark it down. More and more kids keep playing soccer (way more than hockey). IMO, USSF has done a great job of bringing soccer to the nation's youth. It won't be more popular than basketball or football for a while. I have to say among kids, it is growing on baseball too.
i see a lot of misconceptions posted in this thread and frankly i don't even understand why this continually comes up - why such a bullseye on hockey, because it would be the 'easist to surpass'? professional hockey is leagues more popular than professional soccer at this time - what soccer should really hope for is for it's fans to be as rabid and loyal as those of the NHL - can it reach hockey's popularity? sure it can, but what does that mean? everybody always talks about hockey and baseball and whatever sport that soccer should be more popular than - forget hockey, these days soccer is competing with video games, drugs, girls, mudding, frisbee golf and whatever else young fans are spending their time on - soccer ain't competing with hockey, it's competing with life - when will soccer blow up in the states? when it becomes a important part of enough everyday existances (instead of once every four years) - or when segroves is elected president point is they are both great sports and both are underappreciated
Since when Hockey is a Sport may be on grass but not on ice .Is called Ice skating. F%#@%ing ABC shows this junk at prime time. I have a lot respect for the Hockey players they can ice skat and box for the same price , no wonder they charge so much for the tickets. This a soccer web suite.
Watching hockey is a lot like going to your local pub to watch dart league. Lots of shooting and near misses and it's just a matter of time until a fight breaks out.
Soccer CAN do it. Thing is, it's as if the USSF competes against MLS. WUSA goes a different direction. It's awfully funny to me that there's more connection between the national teams and the youth teams than there are between MLS and the youth teams. Truth be told, it has to happen with MLS. The NT matches are rhubarb to our apples. It's the better measure when comparing NHL to soccer, or else we probably have to discuss the 10 (?) rating for the Olympic hockey final.