When it comes to sports, here in the US we to obsess over football, baseball, and basketball. The more marginalized of us follow hockey. And then there’s the real outsiders – soccer fans. The latter number high school athletes, immigrants and the die-hard “I follow any and all sports including cross country skiing” among their ranks.
But every four years an event comes along with an overwhelming energy that even sweeps in the uninterested: the World Cup. Taking place in South Africa this year, the tournament begins tonight, with the USA’s first showing tomorrow, against England. It’s bound to be a tough match – two English speaking countries pitted against each other. The other two teams in the group are Algeria and Slovenia, and both Anglo teams are much higher ranked. But surprises are the name of the game at the World Cup, and no one’s destiny is predictable.
This year America’s team even boast three Jewish players: Jonathan Bornstein and Benny Feilhaber hail from California while Jonathan Spector plays for a London team, West Ham United, which adds even a bit more tension to tomorrow’s match. For an insider’s view, you can follow Bornstein’s tournament diary on ESPN.
So to all the non-fans out there, let yourself get carried away. Keep track of how your team is progressing by printing out a match score sheet or even join a fantasy team. Once you give in you’ll find the energy irresistible.
Go Team USA!
1:1. Not bad. And we got to see Feilhaber and Bornstein! Guess they didn’t play Spector to avoid any cross loyalties?
Did you catch the game on Friday? Okay, it was tough with it being played so early in the morning, but WORTH IT! Amazing comeback from the US and we even got to see Feilhaber play.