U.S. Grabs World Cup Berth

Tonight, the U.S. Men's National Team qualified for Germany 2006 with a 2-0 triumph over Mexico. I know what you are thinking. "Brian, only you would post something about soccer on the first Saturday of the college football season. What is worse, is that only you care." Both sentiments may, indeed, be accurate. Regardless of how nutty you presume me to be, let me assure you of two things: 1) Qualifying for Germany 2006 is a big deal. 2) Lots of people care.

Every other nation on the globe wants in the World Cup. You've heard this before, but it's is true. The World Cup is the championship sporting event on the Earth. Every nation wants in and failure to succeed in that endeavor leaves lots people unemployed. It tarnishes the careers of many great players.

In addition, every other nation doesn't want the United States in the W.C. They love to see our team get kicked to the curb. That includes tonight's rival, Mexico. Yet, despite the rest of the world looking down on U.S. Soccer and the vast majority of our own sports fans not caring, the U.S. has become, to use a college basketball term, a mid-major.

The U.S. soccer program is clearly behind Germany, Brazil, Italy, Argentina and other traditional powers. However, inside their region, or conference to keep the college hoops analogy going, the U.S. has become a power. They now are qualifying for soccer's big international dance somewhat routinely. (I hesitate to say "routinely", but it is becoming pattern.) The boys wearing the red, white and blue might not be amongst the favorites to win, but they are becoming a thorn in lots of people's sides.

This is actually rather impressive considering the state of soccer in this nation. Most of you have stopped reading this, or never started, simply because you found out I was talking soccer (again). Some people aren't just indifferent to soccer like they are towards the Outdoor Games or water polo, no they despise the world's version of football. They refuse to even consider embracing the sport.

It is with this as a backdrop that U.S. Soccer has elevated itself. Again, the U.S. may only be a mid-major, but imagine if even one quarter of our sports fans chose to care? How many more kids would aspire to become professionals if their parents loved the game? Or if enough Americans cared about the sport that the MLS became a viable option? Or the games overseas were more popular in non-World Cup seasons?

Tonight's game is one that I feel more sports fans would like if they could get past whatever negative stereotypes they hold about the game. First, I think most could find a rooting interest. It wasn't a Real Salt Lake versus F.C. Dallas match-up. It was the good old U.S. of A. in action. Second, the boys representing us did have something to play for. A World Cup bid was at stake. Again, think making the Big Dance.

Third, and finally, U.S. Soccer took on Mexico, their biggest rival. The match-up between the U.S. and Mexico is like many border rivalries. The teams are in the same region. They are vying not only for the same goal, World Cup qualification, but they are also looking to be the big dog in their corner of the planet.

They face each other often enough that they aren't real friendly. The games tend to get chippy. The fans of both teams are very passionate. Translated that means road games are tough. Very tough.

In the end, the U.S. won on goals by Steve Rolston and Demarcus Beasley, avenging a loss in Mexico City earlier in the qualifying round and advancing to Germany 2006. That seems like the recipe for compelling sport, but I know lots of you, or both of you still reading this, still don't care. It's too bad because I think you are missing out.

On the very first Saturday of the college football season, not only did I take time to write an extended post about soccer, but a sellout crowd in college football crazed Columbus, Ohio filled the stadium to watch the match. Maybe you can love college football and soccer, too.