It occurs to me that people don’t see things the way I do. For whatever reason, that truth has become evident through the game of soccer of all things! I should preface this soapbox speech by saying that I am a bonafied soccer nut... I see the game as someone who has devoted over 20 years to playing, watching or coaching. (Don’t worry, I like other sports too. Also if you touch me I don’t fall down in a heap like I was gunned down by sniper fire.)
For 4 years we soccer fans gear up for each World Cup, yearning for the start of the most popular sporting tournament in the world. Let’s just say, however, that being a U.S. soccer fan is an experience in humility and often shame as our national team has a dearth of talent, and a country behind it whose attitude could at best be described as luke-warm apathy. It is for that reason that we soccer fans carry an extra burden when the tourney rolls around…American’s apathy.
You see, it’s not enough for me just to root for us to win. I have to think of my bandwagon brothers who will occasionally glance at their T.V.’s not because they love the game, or are truly invested in the U.S. team, but they yawn and briefly acknowledge the existence of this “rest of the world” sport. It’s not enough for me to scream for Landon Donovan to score you see, I have to root for him to score 7 times to satiate the appetite of faux fans that would otherwise deem soccer dull and disinteresting.
You think it was hard watching the U.S. lose to Ghana?!? Try watching them lose and seeing your hopes and dreams of the game you love becoming a true national pastime..a hope and dream that melted away in the South African night like a Frenchman. Or French team if you like….
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