Forza U.S.?

Sorry all, don't mean to overwhelm you with another post about the USMNT, but now that the team has been selected, it got me thinking: as a US resident, do I really want to see the US do well? A couple of years ago, I would have said no, and vehemently at that. I really had no reason to follow or root for the national team. I don't like soccer because I played AYSO as a kid or because I was following any US players. I fell in love with the game through the talent and personality of players from Brazil, Holland, Italy, etc. I couldn't pick the US players out of a lineup (and still can't, in most cases).

There was also the little fact that the Americans just weren't as skilled as some of the South American or European players. I didn't want to see World Cups go to a team that played determinedly, if unspectacularly--I wanted to see flair. Finally, there was this simple fact: if the US team were to win a World Cup, Americans would pay attention for all of about a day before they started thinking about their fantasy [American] football leagues. I didn't want to see the biggest sporting event in the world be won by a country that doesn't care for it. I know how much some cultures live and die with their football, and I would have rather seen a country like Argentina, or Italy, or England win, rather than the U.S., where such a victory would have been greeted with apathy.

To a certain extent, I still feel this way. I'm not naive enough to think that a US victory in the World Cup would make the sport elite in this country. Still, as time wears on, i find myself rooting a bit more for the American players. Do they have superior technical skills? In most cases, no. Do they still lack flair? Yes, but then I suppose all but a few countries do. What I'm starting to feel (and perhaps I have that Gatorade commercial to thank) is a sense of respect for these athletes who don't make millions upon millions of dollars playing, who probably won't ever be awarded the fame and status they would have been given had they chosen baseball or basketball. My heart's warmed (however condescending that sounds) by the continued presence of the MLS (which I still don't really watch and which is riddled with faults). I'm proud of the growing community of football supporters, at the club and national team level, in this country, including some of you in this very community.

So, will I be rooting for the U.S. this summer? I think I will. Well, til the quarters anyway, where they'll probably meet Brazil (my favorite team) and in all likelihood lose. Hey--one step at a time, right? :)