First off, in order to understand this blog post, watching the video is required. This is the sole source of inspiration behind my first blog post in about a month (long drought, I know). Please watch this video.
A lot of people I know say that America doesn't care about soccer, so the World Cup in South Africa means nothing to this country. After watching the video, have you changed your mind?
The reason the World Cup is so popular is because instead of one city facing off against another, or another region of the country versus another (Boston vs. Los Angeles as an example), the United States unifies as a whole to take on other nations around the world. Everyone in America roots for the same side.
The World Cup serves as so much more than just entertainment for the average soccer fan. Like the video shows, everyone comes together and shares a common interest, a common motivation when the Unites States steps out onto the pitch. And whether the Americans win together or lose together, they do so, as I said, together.
Our nation becomes unified, just as it did this past winter during the international hockey tournament at the Vancouver Winter Olympics. It didn't matter whether you were a Canucks fan, a Red Wings fan, a Bruins fan, or a Penguins fan. The chants of U.S.A! U.S.A! drowned out any NHL bias, and brought all fans together.
Watching this video and hearing those chats of U.S.A! U.S.A! after the win over Algeria was emotionally moving, because it makes me as a citizen and a soccer fan proud not only because I like seeing people care about the sport, but because personal differences can be put aside for a while. Evidently so many people care about how big of an event this truly is, not to mention that it only occurs once every four years.
Now the tournament turns to a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament. The United States faces Ghana tomorrow (Saturday) in the United States' first round of 16 game since 1930. You can bet just about everyone is the nation will be tuning in (except for the anti-soccer Americans, who still believe the World Cup is just about playing soccer, and unfortunately myself due to my job).
I hope that by watching this video and reading this post you have become more sure that soccer, especially World Cup soccer, is whole-heartedly embraced by American culture, despite those who say otherwise. No, the action isn't always there in a 90-minute soccer game, but the intensity and support is always apparent. Feel proud to be a member of this country, and join in as we unite to support a common team!
U.S.A! U.S.A! U.S.A!
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