The Consequences of the UK Leaving the EU for US Soccer

In case you're just getting around to the news, the referendum has just been called and the British public have voted to leave the EU. This is a momentous day for all of us that study politics (for the obvious reasons), and it is also an important day for US soccer, as the path of least resistance for an American to play in Europe has officially closed for those without a British parent according to UK citizenship law. This means that for all future contracts and player signings, an American like Matt Mizaga, who does not have a British parent, would require a work permit to play for Chelsea. This would apply to all Americans who play for a professional club in the UK, which effectively closes out the door for Americans with EU passports access to British clubs. The knock-on effects will be outstanding, and I will list the approximate effects below:

- More US kids will be turned off by soccer. Yes, you read that right. They will turn away from soccer mostly because they (or their parents) do not have the time or money to pay for a tutor in another language, which would be a de facto requirement of the American soccer player in Europe... that is, if they possess that elusive EU eligibility.
- Those players that have been playing for British clubs (Zelalem, Cropper, et al) may have to move back to the US to salvage their careers as UK clubs will find Americans with EU passports less attractive due to the work permit issues. Zelalem may be an exception to this.
- More kids that do play soccer will be encouraged by pretty much everyone to learn Spanish, French, or German if they posses an EU passport to assimilate easier into a foreign country that does not speak their language, leading to more bi-lingual soccer players

I cannot stress enough how much of a blow this is for US soccer as a whole. Not only has a key development path been taken away from Americans who do not have the patience to learn a second language but possess an EU (not UK) eligible parent, this will only put more talented Americans in the hands of less-than-qualified coaches whose goals are to win State Cups and not to develop professional-grade players.