Let's talk about that.
In 2006, I visited Italy, which also happened to be the year that Italy beat out Germany, the host team for the Cup, to win the title. The atmosphere during the games was something I had never experienced before. It was impossible to walk down the street without seeing the games on some TV, whether it was in a bar or restaurant or a young boy trying to find a signal with some spare wire. It was contagious, even I wanted to stay glued to the TV. But as quickly as I was exposed to the soccer fever, it went away the moment I stepped onto American soil. This year, it seems to be a different story. The World Cup fever has spread like an epidemic, but whether it'll extend past the World Cup only time will tell.
The American team was brought to public attention before the Cup began when their coach, Jürgen Klinsmann (who managed the Germany team from 2004-06), did not put Landon Donovan on the nation roster. Donovan is easily the best American player but was kept off the team causing quite the heated controversy. Some speculate that it is because the two don't get along but Klinsmann claims Donovan just wasn't up to par this year. Regardless of Donovan's lack of involvement, the U.S. national team has received more attention this year in soccer than they have since the sport was first introduced. Now it's not in Europe do you see people huddled around the television watching matches. Below is a picture of people watching the Germany/U.S. match this past week which the U.S. team unfortunately lost.
Americans have never been so invested. People have been taking days off from work to watch matches, something that would've been unheard of before. Whether it's the team's early success in the Cup or the soccer fever has finally moved to America, I don't know. I'm just glad it wasn't David Beckham that made us like soccer, it was actual Americans playing soccer that made us like soccer.
So, to answer the first question, maybe. As I said before, only time will tell if the soccer fever continues but so far the outlook is bright. I'll certainly be keeping closer tabs on local teams. There's something very special about a total stranger moving out of the way so you can see the TV better, or a different stranger that can see the TV passing the score down to someone who just walked up. A unique unity emerges that only sports can forge. It's part patriotism and part entertainment. That moment when you start to care what happens, that moment when your heart skips a beat as the ball just misses the goal, that's when you know you're a sport fan.
Excellent post, your observations are spot on and very insightful. Your writing is even more contagious than a group of passionate Americans watching soccer. The soccer fever in America is at an all time high. It's a unique thrill when nations compete every four years (like the Olympics). It speaks to how multicultural America has become (like the show Lost). I love your comparison between soccer in Italy and soccer here. And your information about the American coach was fascinating. Good work.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad you liked it, I really tried to appeal to non-sports fans. Your support is wonderful, thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI was so surprised by how many people watched the World Cup this year. I had coworkers taking days off when the US team was playing--this is not an exaggeration. I was conned into watching a couple of the games because we went out to lunch at restaurants that were airing the games. Most boring lunches ever.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest, it has always been strange that Soccer is not a bigger deal in the US. I understand that we have plenty of other sports to focus on. But soccer is always something that kids play in the US. And then somewhere around HS, they just stop playing.