I cannot wait for summer.
Yes, I know that pretty much every other human being shares this feeling, but let me elaborate. This particular summer excites me even more so than usual because the world will unite for an epic event that only occurs once every four years. Of course I’m talking about the FIFA WORLD CUP!
June 12th-July13th: Experience the world’s game at its greatest splendor.
Ask anybody, and they’ll tell you that I am a huge soccer nut (yes, I know that the rest of the world calls it “football”, but I live in ‘Murica). I love watching it on TV, and even moreso playing it in my dorm room (the trick is to not hit my roommate’s lamp). Naturally, my loyalty lies with the U.S. national team, and I am beyond stoked for this year’s tournament. Jürgen Klinsmann, the team’s coach, has put together an exceptional squad, and they are poised to take on the rest of the world. Despite the talent of players such as Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey, the U.S. will need its other players to step up and deliver. The U.S. drew an especially difficult group draw for this year’s tournament. Along with the U.S., the group known as the “Group of Death” contains Germany, Ghana, and Portugal. While many in the international community have already written the U.S. off, I can confidently proclaim that we will prevail!
The location of this year’s World Cup, Brazil, currently struggles to deal with controversy. Last year the country experienced nationwide protests by demonstrators who accused the Brazilian government of spending more money on the World Cup than on helping the poor and needy. To make matters worse, at the time of this article’s publication, the Brazilian government hadn’t even completed all of the stadiums to host the matches! This has caused FIFA, or le Fédération Internationale de Football Association, to consider other venues for this year’s tournament.
Regardless of where the games will take place, I know that when the U.S. game comes onto play, I will plant myself in front of the TV screen, cheering my heart out for the Red White and Blue squad. My one hope for the U.S. team (besides ultimate supremacy) will be to win another close game on a crazy goal. This dream of mine came to reality during the 2010 World Cup match between the U.S. and Algeria. Landon Donovan’s come-from-behind game winner solidified itself as the greatest sports moment I have ever witnessed, and has been coined the most dramatic moment in U.S. soccer history. In addition, sports commentator Ian Darke’s famous call of “You could not write a script like this!” sends shivers down my spine to this day.
So, this summer, while you’re hopefully lounging about and relaxing, make certain to follow the action down in Brazil and cheer on our boys to bring home the gold!
