I thought about titling this diary "Why you should fall in love with the US Men's National Team" but felt that was a bit too presumptuous.
But you should. Really you should.
It's been a long road through qualifying. Many Americans may not even know there's a qualifying stage in the World Cup. It takes almost two years. I doubt you haven't heard of or seen Landon Donovan's goal to send the Yanks through to the Round of 16 in absolute style. But following this team is so much more different than following other "TEAM USAs."
This is a game that is not loved by the majority of America. Some consider it communist. Others consider it "girly" or for kids. In many of our sports winning isn't paramount, it's expected. Watching the Dream Team in the 90s stomp on its opposition was fun, but it was largely inevitable. On Wednesday, that was not the case. The USMNT bombed forward time after time for 90 minutes begging to score a goal. It seemed it would never come. Until, a scramble led to Landon Donovan finding the ball with just enough space to slide one into the far corner and speed away down the touchline in jubilation. For many, the feeling of hopelessness was real. This World Cup, the World Cup that ESPN had poured money into, the one that could genuinely change the course of American Soccer was about to end. And the United States was going home. Until that goal. The move from anger and desperation to pure exaltation was incredible. The truth is, winning everything wasn't half as fun as almost losing everything was.
We're used to winning. We're an entitled people. We have Michael Jordan. We have Lance Armstrong. We have Michael Phelps. Watching Michael Phelps was exciting. But it felt like a foregone conclusion. The "destiny" storyline is fun. But had Phelps come home with 2 or 3 golds he would have been declared a flop and a failure. Because so often we are entitled. We deserve to win. It's our destiny.
But the USMNT is different. They aren't expected to do much of anything by most. Playing the role of underdog is new for most of us. In fact, getting into the Round of 16 is something that deserved the celebrations it got on Wednesday. Hardship is something this team is built around.
Clint Dempsey spent 6 hours driving back and forth from Dallas several times a week just to get a chance to play on a team that could show his talents. When his family's money ran thin, they looked to his sister, a star tennis player, as the standard bearer for the family. Dempsey had to give up his love. Until he had to give up his sister. She died suddenly at only 16. In a sick twist of fate, Dempsey's dream was once again renewed.
Most of the team are journeymen. Soccer in the states isn't a high paying job. Many of the youngsters barely crack the poverty line and are forced into side jobs. They represent something lost in American sports. The days of the baseball barnstormer are long gone. Striker Herculez Gomez was released by his MLS club the Kansas City Wizards and found his way to Puebla in the Mexican league. Last season, despite what common sense would tell you, he lead the league in scoring. Jay Demerit was a bartender in Chicago for several years. Then he decided to chase a dream, left his life and set out for England. For the past several season he has captained Watford FC, an up and coming Championship Divison side. And it doesn't stop with the journeymen either.
The new American hero, Landon Donovan. After the 2002 World Cup he was declared the great hope for American soccer. For much of his career he has seemingly failed to live up to that standard. Despite all of his successes in the MLS, Donvoan consistently failed to live up to expectations. Twice in Germany he was sent home with his tail between his legs. Until last summer when he led the United States to a thrilling 2nd place finish against Brazil in the Confederations Cup. The soccer media lit up the lights with numerous stories linking him to a move to England. However, he returned home to the LA Galaxy. He reconciled a difficult situation with David Beckham and the two led the club to the MLS Final. After a difficult game, the lights went out twice, penalty kicks would decide who held the MLS Cup. Donovan, wearing the captain's armband, stepped up to strike it. Surely, the new leader would score. He missed. But his year would not end there. Despite the laughs the British press had upon word of his move to Everton FC in the English Premier League, he excelled. His loan was wildly successful and manager David Moyes practically begged the MLS to sign a longterm deal. They did not.
Many of these players are unknown to you. They've worked their entire lives for these moments. It is truly an American tale. Mainstream America seems to enjoy dismissing soccer as much as it enjoys dismissing hardship. Our boys are historically underdogs. But so was our country. It was built on the backs of sweat and tears. So was this World Cup run. The detachment from this thought has harmed our nation. So many forget that it wasn't God or Destiny that brought America, Michael Jordan or Michael Phelps to where they are today. It feels sometimes that we have lost our competitive edge. This soccer team has been built on a truly American spirit for the last 20 years. Our MLS did not even exist until 1996. That's 13 years. It took 13 years to put us in a position to make a deep run into the World Cup. Something that I still find hard to believe. But it's time to believe.
In 2006 we were captivated by a message of hope. I think it's time to remember that message. I think you should watch the United States v. Ghana Saturday on ABC.
I think you might enjoy it.
And I think you should fall in love with our boys.
These people have...