The word "anxious" doesn't begin to describe how I, and so many other USMNT fans, feel today, twenty four hours ahead of the Confederations Cup final in Johannesburg. I can't remember the last time I wanted a weekend to go by faster, rather than creep along.
What a victory over Brazil tomorrow might mean for soccer in the United States is debatable, and we can't really know for sure if it would make a significant difference in the way most of Americans views the sport. What's not debatable is the satisfaction all of us who live and die with our national team will feel if our Yankee Boys* are able to finish off what has been one of the most shocking weeks in our international footballing history.
The turnaround from the low brought on by flailing mightily against Italy and Brazil has not only restored our faith that this nation can compete with the best soccer playing countries in the world, not to mention lessened the heat on Bob Bradley from the soccer community, it has also brought the question of the game's "mainstream" potential back into play. Many wouldn't imagine it possible that soccer could even be a topic of conversation in many of the places that it showed up this week outside of a World Cup year. So many Americans simply ignore the sport unless it's being played on the grandest stage.
The Confederations Cup is certainly not the grandest stage. But with several international powerhouses including the number one team in the world participating, and with their full strength squads called up, it's not exactly a series of international friendlies, either. Spain, Italy, and Brazil didn't bring along their stars just warm up for qualifiers; they brought them because the intended to win the competition.
I find myself angry with Europeans or American Eurosnobs who imply that the US is in the final because Spain didn't really care. Watching the match, it seemed obvious that the Spanish were putting into the match everything they had, and were simply unable to break through on a resilient American team. Whether or not Spain is far and away the better side means nothing when the scoreline doesn't reflect it. Say what you want about the American style of play and whether or not it will lead to future success; the point of sports it to win, no matter what it takes to do so.
Even if the USMNT doesn't gain international respect from their performance in the tournament, a victory tomorrow will make a mark here greater than anything we've seen since the World Cup quarterfinal appearance in 2002.
I know I'm rambling without a point here, but I just had to get some thoughts out. We're all on pins and needles, hopeful and full of trepidation at the same time. I guess that's what happens when you suddenly look up to see your national team in a FIFA tournament final against the most storied soccer country in the world.
So if you're feeling anxious as well, feel free to use the comments of this post to commiserate with your fellow fans; less than twenty four hours to go now.
*Sorry about the crap nickname; I'm one of those who thinks the USMNT needs one, and with the "Eagles" already taken by the national rugby team, I thought I'd try something out. Why not? Besides, "Yankee Boys" is better than "Yankees", and fits with "Samba Boys" and "Reggae Boys".
