As I sit here, anxiously awaiting the decisive US/Algeria soccer match, I can't help but wonder why this World Cup has been so bewildering. France's meltdown, the mediocrity of elites such as Spain, and the rise of Slovenia are just a few examples. It seems that signs of the apocalypse are breeding upon the soccer grounds of South Africa. Nevertheless, through this confusion, one team has been consistent through the opening weeks. The US soccer team has been inconsistently consistent in two areas. The first, although I'm not terribly proud of it, is that we are unstoppable when it comes to playing horribly within the first fifteen minutes or so. The second and more gratifying fact is that we may be the grittiest, most proud, and most relentless group in the chase. Sure, the second fact may be amplified by the first, but America loves some drama. Our team surely provides.
Examples...
180 seconds into our World Cup start, things were looking dismal. England had already 'proven' their assumptions that Group C was theirs for the taking as they went up 1-0. We weren't having any of that. The US went on a stunning attack as they pounded and pounded away until Clint Dempsey got off a shot in the 39th that miraculously bounced off of the goalkeeper and spun in. However skimpy the shot, the score was tied. The US continued their offensive and had a couple of other chances to score including a spectacular opportunity for Jozy Altidore.
We went on, proud to have tied England, to play the underdog Slovenia. Again, we allowed a goal right out of the gate. Twelve minutes in definitely abides to our fifteen and under standard. No worries. It's Slovenia. They soon hung up another goal right before the half. Now worry. Down 2-0 is a huge task for any team, especially one of the lesser elite. Our resiliency soon kicked in. Three minutes into the next half, Landon Donavan was one on one side left of goal with the goalkeeper. A tough shot, he upper-decked a beautiful shot to put us within one. With newfound confidence, we started an assault that I do not believe any team could have stopped. Finally, Michael Bradley scored a clutch equalizer in the 82nd to send the game into a draw in which it ended.
-For purposes of length, I won't get into possibly the worst call in soccer history which would've put us in a great position to advance today. Bradley was being bear-hugged from behind, he couldn't have fouled if he wanted.
Thank you, USA, for being consistent and not having a complete and utter meltdown like France and for not giving up a million goals like North Korea and for not having a nickname like socceroos or anything like that.
PS. Please refrain from your fifteen and under testament. It really doesn't appeal to most of us.
ROOOOOAAAARRRRRRRR!!!!
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