U.S. Earns 2010 World Cup Berth. Games Now 37% More Interesting

October 11, 2009 at 11:53 AM | by Victor Ozols | Comments (0)

I'm an enthusiastic supporter of the U.S. World Cup soccer team because: A. It's my country after all, my homies; and B. It's always fun to root for the underdog. The U.S. dominates in so many sports, but in world soccer it has almost no impact at all. That gives the current squad - which qualified for a 2010 World Cup berth on Saturday - an aura of rebellion, like they've got the potential to upset the natural order of things. I like that.

Their presence at the games in South Africa is sure to be a boon, drawing extra attention and adding a potentially dramatic storyline to what many (non-Americans) consider the greatest sporting event in the world. Like our last World Cup squad, this team has heart. Its 3-2 victory over Honduras included heroics from a number of players, including veteran Conor Casey, who scored two goals.

Of course, it seems unlikely that the U.S. will come home with the cup, given historical odds against the stiff competition, but I predict we'll see a couple of emotional, high-energy efforts from the Americans. Either way, the parties will be better. I won't be at the games in South Africa, unfortunately, but the bar scene in New York is bound to be raucous.

[Photo: AP/The New York Times]

Related Stories:
· U.S. Advances to 2010 World Cup [The New York Times]
· U.S. Soccer [Official Site]
· 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa [Official Site]
· World Cup Coverage [Jaunted]

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