World Cup 2014: What Makes it Motivational and Inspirational to Americans?
Football or “football”?
The World Cup is different for many of us Americans. Most of us grew up participating in sports like football, basketball, baseball and track – from little league into Junior High and High School teams. However, soccer has soared in popularity here over the last few generations, becoming the sport of choice for kids early in life. With the success of the US soccer teams in the last few World Cup tournaments, that trend is only growing and attracting more support at home.
In the past, one of the biggest hurdles to sports fans watching occasional soccer matches was understanding the game, its rules and appreciating the tempo and strategy employed by both teams on the “pitch.” However, broadcasts today are much richer in terms of content, multimedia and statistics, so it’s easier to casually enjoy a match. Plus, nowadays it’s easy to Google anything – so if you’re confused about what constitutes and offside penalty or want to know what team Cristiano Ronaldo plays for, you can easily dig deeper into the sport.
Plus, the World Cup is a great example of passion at the highest levels. In the U.S. we are “all in” when it comes to our favorite teams, there’s no lack of passion here. But when you tune into a World Cup match and 80,000+ people are chanting “U-S-A” or “Por-tu-gal,” it’s not just about the teams but also about the players and the dreams of a nation in a global tournament.
That brings us to now. At this moment, Team USA is still relevant, having advanced beyond the group stage into the round of 16 teams. If that doesn’t sound like a big deal already, consider that there are 209 FIFA member nations and only 32 qualifying spots for the World Cup. Furthermore, there were a lot of major upsets this year, with top-ranked teams like Spain (defending champions), Portugal and England being eliminated early. The “Stars and Stripes” or “Yanks” are still in it, and looking to go further. Think this will keep Americans interested a little longer? You bet!
Since many people don’t remember much World Cup success for TEAM USA, let’s take a quick peek at the top 6 moments in US Soccer history.
Top 6 US Soccer Moments
6. 1930 World Cup vs. Belgium, Paraguay
Playing in their first ever World Cup match (in the first ever World Cup), the U.S. demolishes Belgium by a 3-0 score. In their next game, the Americans beat Paraguay by that same score, as Bert Patenaude records the first hat trick in World Cup history.
5. 1989 World Cup Qualification vs. Trinidad and Tobago
Tony Meola and John Harkes celebrate the United States’ victory over Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the 1990 World Cup. (Photo by Russell Cheyne/ALLSPORT/Getty Images)
Paul Caligiuri scores what many consider to be the biggest goal in the history of American soccer to beat Trinidad and Tobago 1-0 and send the U.S. to its first World Cup in 40 years.
Patenaude records the first hat trick in World Cup history.
4. 2002 World Cup vs. Mexico
Brian McBride of the U.S. (L) celebrates with team captain Claudio Reyna (C) after scoring the opening goal against Mexico during their World Cup match on June 17, 2002 in Jeonju, South Korea. The U.S. upset Mexico 2-0. (Photo by Chung Sun-Jun/Getty Images)
Brian McBride and Landon Donovan give the U.S. a 2-0 victory over rival Mexico to advance to the quarterfinals.
3. 1998 Gold Cup Semifinal vs. Brazil
Kasey Keller of the U.S. grabs an attempted goal during the CONCACAF Gold Cup match against Brazil at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in February 1998. (Photo by Hector Mata/AFP/Getty Images)
Kasey Keller morphs into a brick wall and the US stuns soccer superpower Brazil, 1-0.
2. 2009 Confederations Cup Semifinal vs. Spain
US forward Jozy Altidore (L) celebrates with Charlie Davies after scoring the first goal during the FIFA Confederations Cup semifinal match against Spain on June 24, 2009. (Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images)
The U.S. ends Spain’s 35-game unbeaten streak, winning 2-0 via goals by Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.
1. 1950 World Cup vs. England
The captains of England and the U.S., Billy Wright and Ed McIlvenny, exchange souvenirs at the start of their match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which the American team won 1-0 much to the amazement of the football world. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
It has been called the “Miracle on Grass.” The Americans were huge underdogs at the time and had no business beating England, but they did so by a score of 1-0. The win is one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history and likely the greatest one the USMNT has ever racked up.
Match Time
This took me back to 2006 when I was pushing through Europe as an Ambassador for Health, Fitness & Sports. This was an incredible opportunity to serve as an ambassador and to discuss health and fitness concerns with people from other countries. More than that, it made for a wonderful, and romantic, trip to a new part of the world. It wasn’t too long after I’d married my second wife, Dora. She was a registered nurse that I’d met during my recovery, and we’d kept in touch. I don’t know what I can say except that she’s a beautiful, magnificent, and giving woman. Truly, coming together with her has been a wonderful gift from God, and I was so glad to be able to share the experience with her. Together, we met wonderful people and saw sights in Germany, France, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands.
Probably the most exciting part of this trip was the fact we were traveling in these countries when they were all taking part in the World Cup competition (hosted by Germany that year). After spending some time in Italy we traveled to France. As the quarter-finals and semi-finals wound down, the French team continued to advance. The passion and enthusiasm of the locals was already incredible, but it hit an unbelievable motivational fever pitch for the World Cup Final: Italy v. France. Both countries fought out to a draw after 90 minutes of regulation, and the match was decided by penalty kicks, which just added to the excitement, tension and nail-biting anticipation of the people around us. Italy would go on to win the match, but we saw firsthand just how soccer could uplift and unify the world.
From the Field of Competition to Everyday Life
The owner of the World Cup store in Torino gave me an Italian scarf in honor of their World Cup Victory in 2006.
Team USA, we’re rooting for you at home!
