The problem is that people expect some big sea change over night when something like that happens. Soccer is becoming more popular here because of demographics, more kids playing it and more success at the national stage. It's not going to unseat hockey or basketball in popularity as a spectator sport anytime soon, but it's clearly increasing its popularity.
Just look at the World Cup and the attention and coverage it gets now. I recall it being on tape delay back in 1990. Now, there's wall-to-wall coverage.