Wonders of America: Soccermania sets the U.S.A. on fire

Big game tonight: the U.S. team is playing the German team and both coaches are not only Germans, but also good buddies. We would love them to tie tonight, not sure for whom we are going to cheer.

Nevertheless, this will be a great game. More so for the U.S.A., because it’s the first time during a World Cup that the country is swept by soccermania. For Germans this is an everyday situation, everybody being dressed up in team jerseys (usually white) and flags set up all over the place (black – red – gold). And now, suddenly, the whole United States are embracing soccer as well. We knew, that there are regions where soccer is big – especially in the Northwest (Portland and Seattle) – but most people don’t care much about this game with 20 guys kicking a ball with their feet and two guys between poles trying to catch it.

The U.S.A. is picking up soccer-wise, just think of games of the U.S. Pro League MLS (Major League Soccer). In Seattle over 40.000 fans cheer for the Sounders, there is a parade before every home game from downtown to the stadium. Or Portland/OR (see pic of stadium): You’ll have to be lucky to get a ticket at all. The dyhard fans, called „Timber Army“, cheer and sing during the whole game – 90+ minutes. In other regions Americans started to get interested in this fantastic game, too, especially the younger generation.

Soccer, football or Fussball? Most people think, "soccer" is - once again – one of these American inventions, but, no way: It was used in England since the late 19th century to differentiate between Association Football (= soccer) and Rugy Football. Until the 1970ies the term was used parallel to "football" in England, only when the NASL (remember this fancy first US Pro Soccer league called North American Soccer League?) was formed, "soccer" suddenly got labeled as an American term. Speaking of the NASL: In the meantime the league was revived! It now forms the Division II league of US Pro Soccer and teams with familiar names are back, e.g. Cosmos New York, Fort Lauderdale Strikers oder Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Back to The game today: On paper the German team is the favorite. They do have many great players who are technically perfect, can fantastically handle the ball, precisely pass it, they do have a great team spirit and play as a team. But sometimes defense is acting chaotic (remember the two goals Ghana scored?) and a few guys sometimes just "disappear" in the course of the game. The U.S. guys are not nearly as perfect, but they play with heart and enthusiasm and will be pressing all the time – something the Germans don’t like. So, look forward to a great game!

Our bet for tonight: USA:Germany 2:3 (M.), 1:2 (P.)
And never forget: Reason, soccer balls are round is that the game can change directions!