Here we are, only a few hours ahead of the United States Men's National Team's first shot to win a trophy in a FIFA tournament. My head is still a little foggy, so I probably won't have any profound statements or biting insight; but what I do have, and in abundance, are butterflies.

The backlash has already begun, with the old guard of American sportswriters lashing out against a sport they don't understand. While I think it's easy to overstate the impact a victory today might have on the relevancy of soccer in the United States, it's clear that there has already been an effect. Making the final of a competition that includes Brazil is enough to raise the eyebrows of many.

As for the match, I've promised myself that I won't make a prediction. I don't want to color my expectations of the match with any preconceived notions of what might happen. I simply want to watch the game, root hard, and let the result be what it is. No punditry today, because nothing I could come up with will be any more original or insightful than what anyone and everyone else says. The talking points, the things the Americans must do if they're to have a chance to win, are well known at this point; I won't bore you or stress my brain by rehashing them.

So. Only hours away now, and the American soccer community is just beginning to really get itself worked up. Twitter is abuzz with comments about the game, discussions on the treatment it's getting by the traditional media, and exhortations of exciting and anticipation. Whether this will be a tipping point for soccer in America is a discussion for another day; today is just a day to be a fan, to revel in the Americans making a final in a world tournament for the first time, and to do everything in our power (lucky shirt anyone?) to help our boys get another shocking victory.