Soccer Matches and Disappointment

On Sunday, I watched the US vs Brazil soccer match for the Confederation Cup. Unlike the majority of Americans, I think soccer is an exciting sport to watch and I fully understand why it is the number one sport in the world. The match was thrilling with the US taking an early 2-0 lead, and by halftime I was nerve racked and shaking. I was really wondering if the US was finally to make a splash on the global soccer scene.

But, of course, it all came unraveled. To say I didn't see it coming would be a lie. When Brazil scored less than a minute into the second half, I no longer was hoping the US would hold, but was waiting for the moment when we would fall. That moment came, and I suddenly felt all the air go out of me. The US was so close but just couldn't hang on. All the passion, all the urgency that had been on the surface in the first half was buried in the second. The entire team looked flat. There were an uncountable number of times US players stopped and stared as balls rolled away from them. In short, what was lacking in the Second half was heart.

I want the US to do well, and I'm hoping we qualify for the World Cup next year. I honesty believe that, if we play with the urgency, passion, and heart we showed in the first half versus Brazil, we can play with any team on the planet.

The major plus I had from watching this match was some great company that watched it with me, and they too felt the dejection of defeat before schooling me in air hockey.