For one half, Team USA continued to look like the team of destiny. Despite Brazil outplaying the Americans, the Yanks had built a 2-0 lead going into the break. Victory against the most talented team in the world was certainly not assured, but things had never looked brighter for American soccer.
One half and four Brazilian goals (three that officials counted) later and U.S. Soccer rejoined its place in line behind baseball, football, hockey, basketball, golf and NASCAR. Team USA needed this win to legitimize itself as a world contender. Instead, they're just a team that got extremely lucky (needing simulataneous 3-0 wins to even advance to the elimination rounds) and then played over their heads for a game and a half against Spain and Brazil.
In the soccer world, Brazil just put the Americans back in their place.
In the United States, international soccer will likely return to its "When is the next World Cup?" place.
ESPN had the rights to the Confederations Cup, and still felt the need to shit on the sport immediately after the game. The ESPN Radio weekend schmuck started bashing soccer as soon as the 3-2 loss to Brazil was official. If the network with a cash stake in the success of soccer as a spectator support in the United States can't pretend to care, why would we get excited?
In effect, the U.S. media is doing everything it can to make sure soccer is as popular in this country as the metric system. Until Team USA breaks through and people get excited, that damper will be enough to ensure it remains a fringe sport.
3 Responses:
Did you happen to read your own article?! You sound just like "the Shmuck" on ESPN. At least he's not a hypocrite.
Ugh, that was a heartbreaking loss.
I couldn't believe the miricle that allowed the US to move through to the semis or the strong victory over Egypt, a fast attacking team, but the win over the number one ranked team in the world left me awestruck. It made me think that maybe, just maybe our boys could continue their streak of hard work and luck in the final. The hefty loss earlier in the Cup still in mind, I was shocked 10 minutes in to the final. Dempsey had done a great job with being in the right place regardless of where he meant to place the ball. Then another goal! It was looking up if the US could just break the constant attacks from Brasil. And then came the second half... I don't have much to say about that. We all started to lose hope of that "maybe" after about forty seconds. Even though USA lost, you have to give them credit for a hard fought game. They shocked us all by making the final and them actually comming to play in the first half. I for one, am happy to see the US do well in an international tournament. Go USA!
Post a Comment