Pretty cool item from the White House website that shows the big impact of the game on American culture. http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press...l-congratulate-us-men-s-world-cup-soccer-team "Earlier today President Obama called the U.S. Men’s World Cup Soccer team. The President congratulated them on their extraordinary victory and told them that while he was meeting with General Petraeus in the Oval Office, he could hear the rest of the West Wing erupt when Landon Donovan scored the game winner..." A little more, including his comments to Howard and Dempsey at the link.
Pretty cool. I hope it doesn't heap any unnecessary, added pressure on the team. If we stay focused and play our best, then barring any outside influences like refereeing, we should be through to the quarterfinals. We just have to prepare and can't take Ghana lightly.
I dont think the lads will have any added preassure i{m sure it fills them with pride and happyness...just another memory they will have of this world cup.... the visit from president clinton is also up lifting another note and story and pictures they have and will look back on 15 years from now.........
Yeah, there are situations where the existence of a country's government depends on the team doing well in the World Cup. For our lads, it's only the future of soccer in the U.S. that's at stake. Much less pressure.
I dunno.... Does anyone here think the team should stay isolated....all these interviews and hurrah hurrah may just get in the way. Its a little early for a ticker tape parade....I think the players should stay focused and stop with the Good Morning America Interviews...
Indeed. Today I assume was a rest and recovery day anyhow, but beginning tonight, they need to get their game faces back on. We all remember what Ghana did to us last time.
Last time felt different. The team had played poorly, though the Italy match was inspiring, they didn't really have the momentum they have now - scoring goals and winning the group. Confidence is higher.
Don't forget that the ref handed Ghana a goal, and Reyna was steamrolled for the other on an uncharacteristic mistake. Ghana has homefield advantage in this tournament, so we gotta expect the ref to throw them a few bones.
In an ideal world, definitely. However, this is one of those deals where you only get the opportunity to plug American soccer like this once every four years, so you have to take it and run with it (to an extent). Exposure = good for audience growth. Plus it's interesting how US Soccer temporarily becomes an "it" property that TV hosts want to/have to book on their shows. Like Rachel Maddow and John Stewart. How funny (weird) is that?
It is rest day. Just like the Olympics, it only comes every 4 years and when it is over nobody cares. They have to be ambassadors to the game in this country. We are still a long way off where we should be. I truly believe some of these players want to win for the game to expand more in this country.
this is all true but that was a game where I never felt the US was really in. The Beasley Dempsey goal was beautiful, no doubt, but it felt like the US was outplayed the whole game.