US left out of World Cup buzz

[T_i_B]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1791870,00.html

The United States always feels challenged by the World Cup. Unlike the Olympics, where Americans tend to dominate, the US has rarely shone in the tournament, although it famously defeated England in 1950. It is an 80-1 long shot this time and may struggle to overcome group stage opponents Ghana and the Czech Republic, let alone Italy. For Americans used to winning, there is something vaguely shocking about this.

But US soccer-related insecurity is political and cultural, too. For four weeks, the world shows its back to the number one nation. The usual hierarchies of power are turned upside-down; the agenda is no longer Washington's to command. It is not often that old enemies, such as Mexico, or relatively new ones, such as Iran, get the chance to "beat" the US. But either may do so in Germany if their teams progress.

US exceptionalism applies to the politics of football. No US president ever lost his job, or won an election, on the back of a World Cup result. Its political impact is far greater elsewhere. By boosting the national feel-good factor, a winning performance can advance a government's fortunes. Harold Wilson was quick to ride the wave of England's 1966 victory. The exact opposite happened in Italy after it lost to North Korea the same year. It was called "a defeat without honour", an Italian Waterloo, and a shame-faced nation descended into recrimination.

If anything, the World Cup effect has become more intense. Diplomats admit that Dominique de Villepin, France's embattled prime minister, could use a repeat of his national team's 1998 victory - a triumph hailed, prematurely given last autumn's riots, as a product of French racial integration. In Germany, by contrast, officials said yesterday that public expectations were so low that even a moderately good run could bolster Angela Merkel's government. A win, and she could be chancellor for life.

[dufrenne]

1. lol

I think people take it way too seriously. A little bit of over-analysis about the US and the World Cup. "Soccer-related insecurity?" lol...

[Karenina]

3. People take it way too seriously???

YOU simply MUST see John Cleese's "Art of Football" EVERYTHING from A-Z with commentaries from Desmond Tutu to Henry Kissinger. It's a HOOT and THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE, in-your-face documentary on the subject I have ever seen.

[psychopomp]

2. This will be my third WC in Japan

and I am looking forward to the matches! I keep getting asked who I am going to root for, but being an American and realizing that "my team" is an underdog, I just want to see some excellent games played out between teams whose past matchups have been the stuff of sports legend.

Of course, the Japanese are keen on their team's placing in the event but dread the challenging games they have ahead of them, not the least of which is Brazil, but the Croatian and Australian games should be tough, too.

[melissinha]

4. The World Cup phenomenon is quite interesting

Being half BRazilian, I know what its like to get a World Cup buzz.. it can magically inflate national spirit.... BUt with the World Cup comes years of a football institution.... Brazil didn't magically become awesome... If the US ever hopes to really connect with other countries it should really try to develop its soccer institution, but then again, aren't we all glad the US isn't good at something????? I'll watch, but my heart won't break when the US loses.... like my heart broke in 1998 in France....

[Bob3]

5. that may be but Nike's hyping the holy hell out of the US team

Which, given that US didn't look that good in their final matches before the Cup starts, could boomerang. if the US plays the listless soccer they did against Morocco they are going to turn potential fans off. Not much in the world is duller than a badly played soccer game - it's even worse than one of those baseball games where neither pitcher can find the plate and none of the hitters can't hit the ball- you know a guy gets a walk, next batter grounds into a double play, then the next batter works the count deep and them pops up to the third baseman. And then the pattern repeats.

I personally expect 3 and out - Losses to the Czech Republic and Italy and a tie with Ghana.

[T_i_B]

6. The US team?

Over here it's the Brazilian team Nike hype the hel out of (although they have had a big own goal with Wayne Rooney breaking his toes in Nike football boots). The references to America can be found in Budweiser ads portraying American football presenters as being well, just plain thick really.

But besides that, it's England who are being hyped with within an inch of their lives over here. Even though I'm an England fan myself I must admit that it does get very tiresome. Still, at least the actual football is under way now! :bounce: