Why America Should care about World Cup (Boring or not)
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by user Wrightsmyboy
This poem was on the back of ESPN Magazine months. And though I have no real interest in the sport until World Cup rolls around every 4 years I think this is a great poem that every American should read and should generate interest in the Sport and support our country in the World Up. Plus it sends a great message, great enought that even though I don't like the sport that I would post it on this site. So here it is...
SO SAYS THE AMERICAN GAME
(apparently by nike soccer)
It is hereby stated that this game, needing only a ball and your feet, is no longer the whipping boy of ignorant.
This game, from sea to shining sea, has swarmed America's parks and yards. Every green space and a driveway is our shooting gallery. This game is now as integral in our country as hot dogs at a barbeque or Turkey on Thanksgiving or fireworks on the Fourth Of July. It is booming. It is exploding. Light fuse and get away.
So says the American game.
We live in a proud nation with more than 17,000,000 players of this game. We outnumber Holland's total population. We are twice Portugal's population. By Sheer numbers alone we are going to sweep over most of the globe.
So says the American game.
Our men's national team ranks in the top ten in the world. Less than 20 short years ago, even microscopic nations drooled at the oppertunity to dribble arounds us; to make us wish we never gained independence from England. They laughed at us. Now thses United States are going to Germany to play on the bggest stage of all. It's our fifth consecutive qualification. Other nations do not merely scout us anymore; they toss and turn and develop digestive problems over us. And our sport is one in which you actually play other countries on your way to the world championship.
So says the American game.
A fierce, unwavering strength of this land is that is the great American melting pot. No game has taken greater advantage of this fusion than ours. We assemble o rich roster of Hispanic, European, Asian, and African cultures, kick in a ball, stir it all up, and we make the best of all worlds.
So says the American game.
Our preeminent stars include everyone from a player who grew up in a Texas trailer home to a striker who learned to shame defenders in the projects of Florida. This sport is no longer exclusive to children of the suburbs. The minivan is not the official vehicle of our sport.
So says the American game.
Yes, there are still those who despise our sport-our own countrymen, in fact. But let them hate. Let them moan all they want from atop their barstools and behind their keyboards and radio booth glass; the First Amendment says they can do just that. But there is no where the hallowed, yellow documentation that says we will listen.
So says the American game.
And no matter how much France looks down on us, or Brazil doubts us, or England mocks us; no matter what the odds, or the situation, or the game, the American people have this uncanny, gloriously stubborn belief that if we want something badly enough, we will achieve it. This is the desire that coursed through the veins of our revolutionaries in 1776, and of our hockey team in 1980. Our country finds a way to win.
So says the American game.
This is soccer. A game for the flag-waving, tax-paying, apple pie-eating, Star Spangled Banner-singing, re-blooded American.
So says the American game.
Source
- http://journals.aol.com/y2cooljadeegssj1/sportsflames/
- http://insider.espn.go.com
- http://nikefootball.nike.com
Date
Fri 06/09/06, 8:23 pm EST
