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opinion
Americans
drink from World Cup
The U.S. National Team has made it to the quarterfinals of
the World Cup and Southern Californians are still flying their
tired Laker flags from SUV windows. Wake up, America.
History is being made, yet people are hung up on baseball
and Kobe Bryant instead of World Cup fever and Cobi Jones.
Despite considerable doubt from outsiders who have understandably
never seen the U.S. as a true soccer country, the red, white
and blue have proved everyone wrong. From its first upset
of powerhouse Portugal to a deadlock with hometown heroes
Korea among a sea of red and most recently, an upset over
longtime rival Mexico, the U.S. continues on its incredible
quest for the Cup.
While it is true that the team played poorly in a match against
Poland, in the end, a Korean victory pushed them through to
the next round. What started out as maybe a little bit of
luck has turned into a team full of skill and surprise around
every corner (kick).
One would think that with all of the patriotism running rampant
through American veins, more people would be rooting for the
underdog team. Yes, the games are on at odd hours of the night,
but there are replays and VCR’s. Just give the team a shot,
so to speak.
This is a team that finished 32nd out of a 32-team field in
the ‘98 World Cup in France. But things are different now.
The U.S. has nothing to lose and everything to prove. The
formation of Major League Soccer has produced the MLS Strikeforce
of DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis and Josh
Wolff, young blood ready for battle. Now American soccer is
getting the respect it deserves.
One of the most enticing things about this World Cup is the
chance for anything to happen. Some goals are lucky, others
are miraculous. But a goal is a goal. France, winner of the
last World Cup, has been eliminated. Upsets abound. There
aren’t any boring series like the recent Lakers vs. Nets snoozer.
With every match closer to the Cup, more excitement flows.
The U.S. can beat Germany. Critics have reconsidered their
negative opinions, saying that the U.S. can beat anyone that’s
left. I don’t want to get too overconfident. But odds are
against them yet again. They are playing in Korea in front
of an unruly crowd of Koreans still sour over a speed skating
loss in the Winter Olympics. If Koreans can get that passionate
over speed skating, for the love of god, can’t Americans get
excited about the best World Cup showing since 1930?
One British bookie gave the Americans a 125-1 shot at winning
the whole shabang. Now they are one of 8 teams left standing.
So set those VCR’s or brew a pot of coffee on Friday morning
at 4:30 a.m. Support the team, you won’t be disappointed.
With this unsurpassed run, our country may have another shot
at hosting the Cup in 2010. But don’t wait another four or
eight years to give the team a chance.
It’s time to Reyna on Germany’s parade. Sink your teeth into
a McBride header and keep Arena’s arena packed with American
support. The underdogs are ready to play, and Landon the Cup
they just may.
Lyndsey Shinoda is a journalism major at Cal State Long
Beach.
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