It's the day of days for USA soccer. As of right now we are about an hour away from one of the most anticipated games in US soccer that I can ever remember. It may not be quiet as anticipated as events like MLB Opening Day, or as much of a holiday as the Super Bowl has become to America, but the fact is that futbol is the most popular sport in the world; just not in America.
Why is that?
We Americans like our winners. What has this US team won? Really, nothing. Our olympic sports like Basketball, Hockey, and Baseball (formerly olympic sport) have all won gold medals and they are sports intrinsic to America. Soccer on the other hand hasn't made it past the Quarterfinals in it's history and hasn't even sniffed a World Cup final.
A funny thing happened in the 2009 Confederation's Cup. The United States made a final! The nation seemed to get behind their team (in a tournament far less prominent than the World Cup) after they defeated the number one ranked team in the world, Spain. The US even offered more shock when they grabbed a 2-0 lead in the final against #2 Brazil...before the soccer power woke up and beat the US 3-2.
This has proven that the US can compete on the top level if they play as they are capable of. In the 2006 World Cup, under high expectations, the United States choked, not advancing past the group stage and scoring only one goal. Although, there was still a bright spot in tying eventual champion Italy 1-1, proving, again that they can compete with the best.
We don't know how this US team will respond to the increased pressure of Americans (gulp) expecting them to compete or at the very least breakthrough the group stage, but what we do know is that the potential is there not just for team growth, but for growth in fans. I, myself have watched every US soccer game I can, however never have I felt this excitement for a match (it may just be cause of playing the 'ole chaps from across the pond) and others are feeling it as well.
"I am absolutely stoked," said US Soccer fan Willie Martin. "The World Cup is my favorite event."
"This win today could be the greatest win for a national US team since 1980 (hockey team), it is a long shot but it would be one of the biggest shockers ever," said fellow blogger Dennis LeClair.
While we still have some to win over...
"I'm so pumped I couldn't sleep last night...nah, actually I hope the US wins but I won't be watching," said "American Sports Fan" Chris Janke.
All I know is this is a national event, and it deserves that attention. If this team goes on a run it could change the way soccer is perceived here in the United States and grab some bandwagoners along the way. Let's hope today's result is similar to the Revolutionary War.
Go Red, White, and Blue!
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