Is this a breakthrough moment for soccer in the US?

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. Is this a breakthrough moment for soccer in the US? Figure caption, Watch: 'Here to stay' - Fans react to the rise of soccer in the USByNardine SaadReporting fromLos AngelesPublished2 hours agoIn many countries, football is not just a national sport but an obsession nurtured over decades. That can't be said about World Cup co-hosts USA where American sports have a longer history and dominate the media coverage, the sponsorship deals and the national conversation.

Soccer, as it's known in the US, has made big strides in the country since it last hosted the men's tournament in 1994. But it's still some way behind women's football, which is a global powerhouse and higher up the US sporting pecking order. As the men's team prepare to face Belgium on Monday evening for a place in the last eight, could they capitalise on this rare national spotlight to elevate the game to new heights of popularity - and muscle in on baseball, American football, basketball and ice hockey?

The Details

Americans are flocking to World Cup matches in every corner of the country, and celebrities and ardent football fans have been donning stars and stripes for the US Men's National Team (USMNT). Pop-up shops are teeming with football merchandise and viewing parties are spread across parks, shopping centres and even museums. The sight of USA fans in colourful jerseys is commonplace throughout the host cities, and just about every restaurant with a TV has patrons transfixed on the latest drama.

Die-hard fans, many clad in American flags and US squad regalia, told the they were convinced that whether the team won or lost, this World Cup could be a tipping point for the country. While standing in queue for a burrito just before the USA v Turkey match in downtown LA, documentary filmmaker Erik Olsen, who has watched many World Cups, said this tournament had been a unifying experience. "To have all these different people come together to cheer on the US team, and maybe even their own team - if you're from Mexico or Argentina or someplace else - we need that kind of global spirit right now," he said.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Interest in football in the US is on the rise, but still faces stiff competition from the other professional sports - such as American football and basketballSteve Salcedo, a lifelong football fan who has been cheering during the tournament for both the US and Mexico teams, said his son and his friends had embraced the sport, more than he and his friends did at their age. And he was confident that football fever would outlast the tournament. "The hype is definitely here for the World Cup, it'll be here until the World Cup ends," he forecasted.

"Of course it's going to die down, but in general I think soccer is here to stay. "Keenah Pacheco, 16, came to the fan zone with her mom and friend, and said she used to cheer for Mexico but now backed the US team. The excitement prompted her to consider picking up the game herself.

The story has become one of the most prominent items on the global agenda.