As fans, particularly the type that actively hope for soccer to take the next step (even if we're not sure what that next step might be) in the United States, it's easy to get overexcited about "moments", put too much into them, and believe them more influential than they actually are.


2009 is a perfect example of this phenomenon; between exciting success in Seattle (which was a series of moments rather than any singular event, but is still pertinent), the US Confederations Cup run, and various other "smaller" moments sprinkled throughout the calendar, the year past could be viewed as fairly important to the popularity growth of professional soccer in the America.


But doing the prudent thing and pulling back our excitement just a bit is necessary for proper perspective. Soccer isn't going to "blow up" overnight as a nationwide obsession, and shouldn't be dismissed (as the old guard media so consistently do) simply because it hasn't. The fan base of the game in a country of 310 million, which is not insignificant, will always support it on some level, and it would take mistakes on an epic scale to ruin the pro game as well as success on an equally epic scale to bump it into the mainstream (and even that would likely be fleeting, even if the number of committed fans grew significantly).


Unfortunately, "epic mistakes" are not out of the realm of possibility with the MLS CBA negotiations casting a pall over things. For observers of the American game in its totality, even the excitement of a World Cup year is muted by labor uncertainty in America's top flight.


Add the second division drama to the list of concerns, as well as more mundane on-field issues for the USMNT (injuries for example), and it would be very easy to be slightly downtrodden for 2010.


Fortunately, I'm almost (somewhat) possibly (provisionally) certain that the labor nonsense will get fixed, that USSF will make a decision that gives us second division soccer for 2010, and that soccer will make strides with the general public if for no other reason than the ESPN hype machine will be in overdrive. Fairly soon, the relative whispers about the England match to open the World Cup will mutate into outright shouts emanating from the sports TV behemoth. Think of it as a cattle call; not all of the cows will heed it, but more than a few will come along for a look.


As for those more "mundane" issues, the ones involving the United States and their World Cup fortunes, my belief in a positive outcome is less strong (if that's possible). As hopeful as I am (and I am, believe me), I also recognize that it will take the team's and Bob Bradley's very best to make the tournament a success. I won't even bother myself with expectations, which will surely be raised thanks to the fortunate draw; the public will be the public, and if the US fails to meet some kind of unrealistic standard placed on them by a few under-informed mainstream voices, the disappointment will do little to affect soccer's actual standing here. We could all try to face down the tidal wave with reason if we choose, but I'm positive we would all be swept away. Best to just ride it out.


The 2010 World Cup will ultimately be a disappointment for the United States. That's because no matter how or when they go out (and they will), fans of the team will be heartbroken; that's the nature of passion, and why I'm slightly more tolerant of blind-homerism and "rah-rah" type opinion than some. Soccer needs deluded fans just as much as it needs rational analysts; this isn't an academic exercise to be broken down to its essence and examined like some wispy 19th century novel. It's a game, meant to arouse irrational hope and unrealistic belief.


All that being said, and confirming again that the World Cup will ultimately be a disappointment for the US (because they won't, and can't, win it), there could be some joy to be had. I expect them to progress to the second round, even with the issues currently facing Bob Bradley; it won't be easy, and there will be more than a few dodgy moments, but with England clear favorite and capable of getting nine points, the Americans can get through on four, or even three, points.


There are other ways to see it, of course. Whatever is behind it, and I'm coming to grips with the notion that it really doesn't matter, there's nothing unfair about a disastrous prediction for the US at the World Cup. Injuries and form (which is probably best left to later judgement) make it easy to see the Americans falling flat. If we're all just "best-guessing", a conservative estimation, based on missing players, a sometimes tactically-naive coach, a poor record in the last World Cup, and other factors too numerous to name, is understandable. I may hate it, I may have a visceral response to it (working on that; might try the counting thing), but I become one of the deluded if I refuse to see the possibility, and although I recognize the need for unrepentant homers, I have a relatively strong desire not to become one.


And that's just it. Anything is possible, no matter how much we think we know. It's possible the US will beat England. It's possible the US could fail miserable and come home with no points and the worst World Cup showing since France '98.


Neither outcome, or anything else that happens at the World Cup for that matter, will have any explosive or implosive effect on the place of soccer in the sports hierarchy of the United States. It's just doesn't work that way. Even if it did, or if someone soccer entered "fad" or "new hotness" territory (like it seemed to briefly during the heady days of "Beckham-mania") would that we want that? Wouldn't the inevitable regression back to niche/fringe status just be depressing?


Not that everyone cares, or really wants to see soccer explode in the US. I know that there are plenty of you out there that are fine with the way things are. I envy your attitude.


2010, provided there will be an MLS season (compromise people, compromise) and a second division (Hello? USSF? Are you there?) to go with the World Cup will probably be the biggest year in the history of American soccer. That means more attention than ever before, more interest than ever before, and more growth than ever before. What it doesn't mean is soccer becoming a major sport in the United States of America. That is still a long way off, if it ever happens.


So get ready, and get excited, for the moments as they happen over the course of the next year. Just don't go reading too much into them. Slow growth is maddening to the impatient among us, but will ultimately serve American soccer better than any sudden explosion of popularity.