The Beautiful Game Leads A Beautiful Charge

     I won't pretend to be an expert on soccer. I know as much, maybe a little more, as the next sports fan. The MLS has never really caught on in the US, and our obsession with just about every other sport fits in with our American way of being different. However, this year's World Cup was able to completely change the context of soccer in America, if only for 2 weeks. The beautiful display of heart and pride exhibited by our now beloved 23 red, white and blue-clad men is seemingly juxtapositional with the little relevance of soccer in America, but upon closer examination, exhibits the American spirit in the way only sports can.
     There were plenty of moments throughout the World Cup when giving up seemed a good option: starting with being placed in the 'Group of Death'. Experts predicted American failure at seemingly every opportunity, even now fan-favorite coach Jurgen Klinsmann commented on the impossibility of American victory in Brazil. As a nation, we cautiously watched our crucial game against Ghana tip off. While we didn't witness a spectacular performance, it was probably our worst of the Cup, we saw a type of determination we take pride in. From Clint Dempsey getting back on the field after breaking his nose, to the I-dare-you-not-to-smile moment when unknown sub John Brooks headed in the game-breaking goal, we showed true heart. In America, heart is everything. Faced with difficult circumstances, we prevailed, truly exhibiting the American spirit.
Feeling good, we played a dominant game against Portugal. Jermaine Jones scored a beautiful goal, Dempsey followed, and we were able to contain reigning Ballon d'Or champion Cristiano Ronaldo. Of course, it made it that much harder to bear when Portugal scored the equalizer with 35 seconds left in extra time. Well it was easy to lose faith after the shocking draw, our team, and with it our country, was able to remain composure and consider the positives of drawing with a world-class Portugal team. What better representation of the American, someone who can see the positive in depressing and extenuating circumstances?
Even in our loss to Germany, we were still victorious in that we made it to the next round (and in hindsight, only surrendered a single goal to Die Mannschaft, worlds better than the 7 host nation Brazil surrendered yesterday).
We eagerly awaited the game against Belgium, and what a game it was. There were so many hold-your-breath moments that it's no wonder we didn't all suffer respiratory issues. During regulation time, we had nothing to worry about: we had Tim Howard. While we suffered the heartbreaking loss, sinking after allowing 2 goals, perking back up after Julian Green netted a goal, and tearing our hair out at every oh-so-close opportunity (Wondolowski, Wondolowski!), and ultimately the disappointment of realizing this captivating journey was over, we went through it together. These players went to Brazil as a bunch of vaguely familiar names, and came back heroes (except for Tim Howard, he's a legend). For two weeks, these 23 guys were able to not only unite, but united a nation. Despite our elimination to Belgium, we were able to see the type of heart that is not only refreshing, but inspiring. Well it would have been nice to continue in the bracket, we were still treated, in every sense of the word. Besides, freedom tastes better than waffles anyhow.