The cup was created to train the American soccer team and to popularize the sport in the US before the men's 1994 FIFA World Cup.[1] Originally known as the U.S. Cup, the name was changed to the Nike U.S. Cup after Nike, Inc. signed a ten-year, $120 million contract with the United States Soccer Federation to sponsor the U.S. national teams in October 1997. As part of the contract, USSF added Nike's name to the U.S. Cup title.[2]