Soccer is taking over America–and proving Apple scored the biggest win in the sports streaming wars with its $2.5 billion MLS deal.

The article focuses on the rising popularity of soccer in the United States, particularly through Major League Soccer (MLS), and its implications for traditional sports and media. A record attendance of 82,110 fans at a regular season MLS match highlights soccer's growing appeal, especially among younger demographics, contrasting sharply with declining viewership for legacy sports leagues. Apple's recent $2.5 billion deal for exclusive MLS streaming rights, coupled with the arrival of soccer superstar Lionel Messi at Inter Miami CF, has further fueled interest in the sport, leading to significant increases in ticket sales and social media engagement. Despite MLS's success, its media rights remain undervalued compared to other leagues, indicating a shift in the sports landscape as traditional leagues struggle to attract viewers. [Extracted from the article]