The Only Thing Left: An American Soccer Dream

On the heels of what many would say was a dissappointing showing by the U.S. side, a chance for soccer to claim a stake at the American sporting table will unfortunately have to wait until South Africa four years from now. International competitions have come rather easily for us Americans throughout the years- dominating the Olympics, being unrivaled in basketball (until recently) and always having superstars all over the individual sports.

Americans love the sports that are unique to them. Baseball is the so-called pastime. Football is the American game. No one else plays it. To most Steeler and Raider fans, it is our gift to the world. The only problem is, the world was back at the gap the day after Christmas exchanging that way too pretentious sweater we bought them for their favorite color t-shirt - real football.

As a Miami Heat fan, there is nothing better that winning a championship. But our sports landscape is all about our professional clubs (i.e. Miami Dolphins, New York Yankees, etc.) When one of these teams win a championship, yes it's a big deal, but only to the city they play in, the region surrounding them, and their fans scattered throughout the country. So, what then would be the biggest thing that could happen to American sports? What could be the event, championship, that would captivate an entire nation and claim to be the single greatest moment in American Sports history right with the Miracle on Ice? A World Cup Title! If in 2010 this presently young team continues to grow and makes a legitimate run at the finals, and if they won the whole shabang! hands down it would be the biggest thing ever in American Sports! We are expected to win in every sport we play...except soccer. And when we do, either in 2010, or sometime in the next 25 years, not only will soccer find a seat at the table, but it will own the restaurant.