Why Dan Struggles Cheering For USA Soccer

I realize that I'm about to put a gigantic target on me, be called a traitor and be told to move to Brazil. And I don't care. I am proud to be a fan of Brazilian football and have followed them as long as I can remember. And off we go.

Reason #1- I'm a Brazil fan. My family served there as missionaries and my brother was born there. My family cheered for them because in the 70's and 80's, USA soccer was laughable. No matter how hard they tried to popularize it (including bringing Brazilian Pele to the USA), they failed. No one watched. Brazilian's have passion about their team that has been around for generations. My family cheers for them. I am a proud American and hope for the best for the USA, but I cheer for Brazil. I cheer for USA in every other sport.

Reason #2- USA soccer style. The MLS is ugly soccer...period. I am bored trying to watch it. I find myself captivated at Italian, English and German football, but MLS can come across as middle school soccer compared to them. I thought this may change a few years back when the US had the chance to hire Klinsmann to manage and bring European style to America. Instead they hired an American. And the US team continues to be average. We blow every nation away in every other sport except soccer. US style is boring. Honestly, it bores me to tears and I can't last over 20 minutes.

Reason #3- US Soccer fans. I'll be careful here. I have a number of good friends who actually follow the US team year round (Billy Hearn!). These are true fans. Then, there are those who follow when the US is doing well. The majority of America has little to no appreciation for soccer and it is alarming. They complain that its to boring, slow and has no scoring. They say they don't mind low scores because "I watch baseball." However, if baseball scores were normally only 1-0, 2-1 or 0-0, would they still watch without complaining. The American sports fan (of which I am one) expects a lot of action and a lot of scoring. I am hoping that the US' recent success translates into more of a devoted fan base, but I still see soccer as always being less popular than the big four, golf, MMA, and World Series of Poker. Sad.

Reason #4- US World Cup. If the USA were to win the World Cup, there would be celebration for about a week or two by 95% of the USA. They would see a surge in MLS sales and interest in the team. After 3 months, they would be right back where they are now- not watching and bored with it. Winning the World Cup would be like winning a free Big Mac: exciting, but not life altering.

Reason #5- Brazil. The place breeds soccer players. There style is beautiful. Their fans are fanatical even in the most remote of villages. The history is long. They never disappoint even when they don't win (I'm still trying to live down 2 World Cup losses to France). They do it better than anyone in the planet. They are the Tiger Woods of soccer. You have to appreciate them and they normally are not arrogant (minus Romario a few years back). They love the game.

Compromise. It the USA plays Brazil, I cheer for Brazil. If the USA plays Ireland, I cheer for Ireland (my roots). If the USA plays England or France, I cheer for the USA. I cheer for the USA for almost every match up other than the team I have cheered for longer than most of the new US fans have been cheering for their team. If I chose a team, I stick with them...kinda like the Calvinist view on predestination, election and perseverance of the saints : )

So if you are offended that I don't cheer for the USA in ONE sport that is underappreciated by 95% of the country (except when they are winning), I apologize. I have my loyalties. And I will wave an American flag on July 4th, be a proud Philadelphian, eat hot dogs and ice cream, listen to Bruce Springstein and Johnny Cash, defend our messed up government, and offer my service to the point of death to protect this country. But when it comes to soccer..."Terra adorada, Entre outras mil, És tu, Brasil, Ó Pátria amada!"

Fire away...

Hooliganism Strikes US

I read this story a few days ago. It was only a matter of time. West Ham fans start a rumble with Americans. Sad part...West Ham? When have they had anything to be proud of? It's like being proud of being from Turkey Spur, WV. They are a joke. The fact the English tried to start a rumble with Americans is them trying to get payback for the Revolutionary War.

Anyway, hooliganism has been in America, just not around pro soccer. Even at children's soccer matches, you have rumbling parents. Detroit Piston fans showed us hooliganism when Ron Artest went nuclear on fans after they threw stuff at him. Chicago had riots after winning championships. My beloved Philadelphia had a jail and judge in Veterans Stadium specifically for rowdy fans. There are fights in Jersey with Flyer and Devil fans. This is OLD NEWS. The only reason this story gets attention is that it is a soccer match and a large number of people. Soccer gets a rep over hooliganism, yet wake up America...we have our own skeletons. Stop blaming soccer for something that happens at NFL games every week.

Is National Pride Dead?

As I've been watching the Euro religiously this week, I LOVE the singing of national anthems at the beginning of the game. You hear each country LOUDLY singing the praise of their country. I remember first seeing this at a Rugby match. The Rugby players could rip your face off and yet they loudly and proudly sing the anthem of their nation.



And it makes me sad. In the USA, we are condemned when we reflect too much national pride. We are supposed to feel guilty if we do. I have never seen American players in any sport or hear a crowd as loud as this. Whatever happened to being proud of the nation you were born in and have sworn allegiance to? Shame on us.