On Miracles and Resiliency

As a descendent of Spain and Real Madrid supporter, I take no pleasure in seeing Iker Casillas being beaten. As an American, I was filled with unbridled joy to see my country upset the best in the world. My shame during the first two games of the tournament turned into immense pride at seeing the impossible scenario come to fruition at the conclusion of the group stage. The U.S. had qualified for the semifinals in a tournament where the only sorrier team looked to be New Zealand. The U.S. finally found its form against Egypt and beat a team that had looked terribly unlucky not to tie (or beat) Brazil. The dream run continued against unbeaten Spain, who brought down from lofty heights by Altidore, Dempsey, and Howard. Halfway into the final against Brazil the United States were two ahead and likely winners, but a playing-not-to-lose mentality derailed the fairytale.

This defeat stings considerably less than our elimination at Ghanian hands in Germany. The shambolic match against Italy earlier in the tournament was also considerably more frustrating. It is tempting to demand more of this side, especially after having beaten Spain, but much has been learned about the limits of this team. Luis Fabiano's rapid response at the beginning of the second half came too early, knocking the United States into a defensive shell from which it could not emerge. Bob Bradley had little choice in attempting to make some changes to buy breathing room for the heroic back four, but the squad's bench has proven to be shallow. The coach's son, midfielder Michael Bradely, was sorely missed in the second half after suffering the third of a sring of shocking expulsions during the tournament.

There is some comfort to take in the genuine talent that shone against three continental champions: Egpyt, Spain, and Brazil. After years of being critical of Landon Donovan for his supposed softness, penalty-inflated scoring record, and inability to truly shine in Europe, I have come to realize he is something the United States can ill-afford to lose. Donovan is the most conistent threat this country possesses, and one of our hardest working players. By all rights Clint Dempsey should be leading the national team forward after consistently impressing at Fulham in the EPL. Dempsey was unfortunately nowhere to be seen against Italy, Brazil, and Egpyt until he scored in the final minutes. Charlie Davies showed exciting pace and confidence while Jozy Altidore showed his colleagues in La Liga why there is much to respect in the 19-year old striker. Onyewu has shown he deserves another crack at the Premiership, after having failed to impress at now-relegated Newcastle.

I watched the final in a bar in St. Louis, amongst a handful of fans but mostly surrounded by curious onlookers simultaneously watching their baseball team, the Cardinals. My right to listen to the game and commentary was denied by the damnable noise of vuvuzuelas, as the other patrons complained about the noise and made us turn the volume off. Surprisingly, when the U.S. scored the entire bar exploded. I can assure you under ten percent of those watching would be explain to explain the significance of a yellow or red card. ESPN has recently acquired the rights to over forty Premiership matches, assuring the continued growth of the sport in this country. For now, the sport will continue to thrive in its niche, but continued succes from this team in 2010 can only help.

- Alex Galarza - galarza.alex@gmail.com