Why the World Cup Matters

Football is the world's sport.  No, not the American version, which might better be termed "Tackleball," but the more aptly named game that enthralls billions.  Some of us here in the US of A are fortunate enough to understand the reasons for the love of the game, even if we do call it "Soccer."  Here are a few.

It is a simple, simple game.  With the exception of the offside rule, nothing takes much explanation.  People do not need to speak the same language to play on the same team.  In the formalized rules provided by FIFA, the world's game-governing body, there are only 17 "laws," and several are procedural, relating only to organized games.  The essence is this: Get the ball into the other team's goal without using your hands.

No equipment is necessary.  Yes, in fortunate places, we use cleats and shinguards and goalie gloves and uniforms and regulation size goals with nets into which we try to place the regulation size ball, but none of this is really needed.  On beaches and in alleys and in fields all over the world, people kick a ball (or even a substitute like rolled up socks) back and forth between each other, trying to get that object between the dual discarded shirts or other debris that make the goals.  

Law enforcement goalkeeper.  Beat the Man?

The people of all ages who play the game need not be of any particular size or shape.  The game does not discriminate against those of us who might not be particularly tall or wide or muscular or fast or graceful.  Over the years, many of the world's best players have been quite small.  Lionel Messi is the current embodiment.  Yes, quickness and speed are certainly beneficial, but not absolutely required in the way that size is demanded for so many sports.  Even with speed and quickness being advantageous, the game has a place for those who tower over the small and quick as long as they learn to use their strengths to advantage.  And for us more average physical specimens, intelligent play can be at least as effective as physical prowess.

Excellence in football is not limited to rich or powerful or large countries.  In 2018, the slightly more than 300,000 citizens of Iceland were proud to cheer on their team in the Cup, while the teams from the Netherlands, Italy and the USA stayed home.  Croatia's total of 4 million people root for their team in the final.  Every country has a chance!

Coolest postage stamp sheet ever, but they should all be soccer balls.

It is an inclusive sport.  All countries are welcomed, but each has to prove its worth to make it to the world's stage.  The qualifying process takes 2 years with multiple rounds and games, so it is very unlikely that any team making to the final 32 of the World Cup is not deserving.  The matches in the 2018 Cup are particularly demonstrative.  Previous winner Germany did not make it out of the round robin stage.  Perennial power Brazil did not get to the semi-finals.  Japan came Oh-so-close to eliminating powerful Belgium.  

Every fan in every country can unabashedly support his or her national team.  In 1994, when the tournament came to the US, the joy of watching one's team play was obvious.  The Argentinians came painted and caped with flags.  The Bolivian fans chanted Bo-LEEE-via as one of their own pounded out the rhythm on an oversized blue and white drum.  When the Italians scored, fans came from all over the stadium to kiss the meter-tall Madonna statue carried by the man a few rows in front our seats.

Politics matter little, if at all.  Once the whistle starts the game, your national side must prove its value.  And any team that makes it to the final 32 is just that...a team.  Star players can help, but there is no substitute for teamwork.  Though players on the roster for each country may be separated by geography, language, religion, race or any of the other wedges we use to divide ourselves, if the players are not working as a team, defeat is inevitable.  All must be singing from the same hymnal, even if it is not the one preferred.

The trophy.  Not everyone gets one.

And there is no shame in defeat.  All understand that not everyone can win, and that an inch here or there can decide a close game.  Every "weaker" team knows that if they can stay in the game until the very end, there is a chance that they can do something brilliant and win.  The only way that any team or player need be ashamed is if they did not bring their absolute best effort to the field.  If they've done their best, they've represented their nation as well as they possibly can.

So while there is only one cup winner, fans all over the world have every reason to be proud when their players represent their nation with a great effort...a united effort where all are elevated by incorporation into an effective team.  An effort that is the best they can produce.

The world beyond football has much to learn from the World Cup.

Dos a cero, otra vez!

My friend Jim convinced me that I should accompany him and Brian and Andy to Columbus, Ohio, to see our Men's National Team play.  Soccer team, of course.

That's Clint Dempsey featured on the ticket.
He is one of the stars of the team, and has no lack of personality.

Leaving earlier than I would have liked from Rochester, NY, 
we rolled into Columbus around 2 PM.
The name on this old mill building made me feel very much at home.

Why did we arrive so early?  
To join the "tailgate" parties and pretend we were young, of course.
The sign at the back says, "ROADWAY SUBJECT TO FLOODING."
That's a lot of spilled beer.

One of the US National Team Fan Clubs, the American Outlaws, were hosting parties at local bars within walking distance of Columbus Crew Stadium.  There was free food and not so free beer.  Since the temperature was well over 90 degrees F, we took pity on the burger chef and provided him with a beer or two.  Our good deed for the day.  

America's Finest !!!

Behind our stalwart group, you can make out the red, white and blue "I Believe" sign.  In addition to being a hopeful statement, this is at least in part an acknowledgement of the rise of the US in the world soccer community.  For many years, the US has struggled to field a team that is competitive at the highest level.  No more.  While few expect the US to win the World Cup next year, this is not a team that can be taken lightly by anyone.  We have a team to be proud of.

The back side of party number 2.

Recruiting new members.
The other guys were already members.  I didn't want to carry my swag, 
so I signed up when I got home.

Have you picked up on the theme yet?

I want to make sure you understand that going to a National Team Game is not like watching Dallas vs. New York, no matter what the sport.  You can't decide to cheer for Green Bay if Buffalo has disappointed you.  This is supporting the only team you will ever have.  It is the team your citizenship has selected for you.  You suffer with them, you rejoice with them.  And getting to see them live is a party, a town meeting, and an affirmation of your culture all at once.

Partying outside and in.  If it was 95 outside, it must have been 105 in.

And a good time was had by all.

We left via the front door.

Some just can't seem to properly color coordinate.

 After walking back to the hotel the long way, we rested for a while before heading to the stadium.  

Blimps overhead.
Video screens in the sky.  Is this the future?

The dates indicate that the US Soccer Federation is 100 years old.

We know what he means, regardless of spelling.

Flagwear everywhere.

A portion of the Mexican contingent.

Finally approaching the stadium.  

Great scarf, don't you think?

Brian McBride is posing with some fans.
Now retired, he was one of the best for our side.  It has been said that
"McBride would stick his head in a woodchipper 
if he thought he could get a goal out of it.

Waiting to get scanned for entry.

Even during warmups, the place was rockin'.

Smoke from a few anticipatory fireworks.  
Note the video advertising boards around the field.
In a stroke of advertising genius, the adverts on one side were all in English,
and all in Spanish on the other.  
Where do you think Telemundo's cameras were positioned?

The players enter the field.
A child accompanies each starter.  A nice touch, I think.

We are definitely on our way, but the Mexicans still hold an advantage in soccer-ready names.  Little Pea (Chicharito) and Johnny Two Saints (Giovani dos Santos) are just musical, don't you think?  Conversely, two of our stars are named Timmy and Landon.  These are both fine names, but they just don't sound ready for the international game.  But wait, maybe this is "A Boy Named Sue" psychology.  Yeah, these guys have to prove their worth every time they step on the field.  Yeah, that's it.

Look at all that Red, White and Blue !!!

It didn't used to be this way.  When the USA played Mexico, the stands would be filled with more of the Green of Mexico than the home team's colors.  At one game years ago, my friends and I found our seats to be in the center of an entire section where we were the only people preferring to speak english.  We were dots of Red, White and Blue in a sea of Green.  The good natured Mexicans would point and laugh when the US players made mistakes.  Mexico had been the class of our group for many years while the US struggled.  

When one of the US forwards hit a wild shot high over the bar, my friend Fred stood up, turned around, and announced, "I could have done that !!"  The rows of green-clad fans above us roared.  Not five minutes later, another of our forwards repeated the feat.  All of the Mexicanos behind us stood up, pointed at Fred, and chanted, "You! You! You!"  We all laughed together as Fred stood up, turned to face the chanting Mexicans, and took a bow.

Did you ever wonder how all those fans see 
when the huge flags and banners unfurl up the stands?
They don't!

But the view over the top of the fabric is pretty cool.

Another huge banner rises up to the scaffolding.

The chanting went on through the entire game.  Some were well planned, coming from a song sheet distributed by the fan club.  Others were spontaneous when a player distinguished himself.  In the sing-song high-low high-low cadence we all know from first grade, we yelled, "Tim-eee How-ward," for a great save, and "Ed-eee John-son," for a shot on goal.  Good to have a sing-song name for fan recognition.

Some chants had a leader.  "I..." yelled the leader.  "I..." we shouted back.  "I believe..."  "I believe..."  "I believe that we..."  "I believe that we..."  And then in unison, "I believe that we will win!  I believe that we will win!  I believe that we will win!"  

Some were profane.  "USA ain't nothin' to 'mess' with."

The aim for both teams is to qualify for the 2014 World Cup.  This time, Mexico has just not been able to get their game together, and is in danger of missing the tournament.  Another chant highlighted the good position of the US with, "We are going to Brazil," and taunted the Mexican team with "You're not going to Brazil."

Toward the final whistle, we yelled, "This is our house!" and the ever popular, "Na-na-na-nah...Na-na-na-nah...Hey, hey, hey...Goodbye..."

But the favorite was clearly the simple spanish phrase, "Dos A Cero," signifying the score of a number of games determined in favor of the US over Mexico by the score of 2 to 0.  And this game was no exception.

Game on!

The game went back and forth with Mexico putting pressure on early and the US settling down and taking control as the game progressed.  Just after half time, Landon Donovan placed a fine corner kick on the head of Eddie Johnson and the place erupted as the ball hit the back of the net.  And in addition to the shouts of joy, all that the fans held went into the air.  I had not anticipated the beer shower, particularly at nine dollars apiece.  But unbridled joy is not to be denied, and the surprising weather repeated itself as Landon tucked the second goal behind the keeper 20 minutes later.    

Love all the flags waving after the final whistle has blown.

US Soccer has arrived!

Watch the video for a little taste 

of what it's like to be in the stands!