When the World Cup kicks off on Friday with Mexico playing host South Africa, almost the entire world will be watching. However, in the United States, nary an eye will be focused on Soccer City in Johannesburg.
But on Saturday, when the Americans take on world power England, a few more folks on this side of the proverbial pond will take notice. Just not with near the intensity that will be prevalent in England and much of the world throughout the next month.
While the World Cup has gained a cult following in the U.S., it remains the Holy Grail of the international sports world elsewhere.
"It’s huge," said St. Pius X boys soccer coach David O’Shea. "My friends back home (in Manchester, England) said that every single car has a national flag on it. The whole island is taken over by the World Cup right now."
"Growing up, I would always rearrange my schedule to make sure that I saw every single game and that’s the way most people are (in England)."
Imagine a 32-team Super Bowl mixed with Mardi Gras.
"It’s a global celebration," said Walton boys coach Bucky Boozer. "The whole world is watching. The pros are about who can pay the most money (for players) but the World Cup is about where you’re from."
WATCHING FROM AFAR …
For Atlanta-area high school soccer coaches, the World Cup represents many things. For some, it is a chance to glean information on the newest trends in the game, while for others, it is a chance to sit back, relax and watch the game of soccer being played by the world’s best.
"World Cup soccer is a great thing because players are playing at the highest level for their country," said O’Shea. "They really just bring together all the best players in the world and it’s a showcase for the game."
Boozer, while watching for pleasure, also finds time to check out new trends and innovations in the game.
"It sets the standard for coaches and players to see what new innovations, formations and tactics are taking place," he said.
"You’re watching to enjoy it rather than dissect it," Boozer continued. "We dissect soccer all the time as coaches so it’s nice to sort of sit back and enjoy the games."
Regardless of why they are watching, one thing is for sure: these coaches will find time to take in many of the games, especially those involving the American squad.
"I’m going to a wedding on Saturday in Florida, but I had to make sure the wedding was not at the same time as the U.S. (versus England) game," said Mark Karen, head coach of the North Gwinnett girls’ team. "If it was, I wasn’t going to the wedding. I was dead serious about it."
The coaches also make sure that their players are tuning into the games to help hone their skills.
"I meet with my kids at the end of the year and I told them all that they have to watch the World Cup as much as possible," said Centennial boys coach Phil Thomas. "It gives them a chance to learn how to watch the game beyond just trying to be entertained, but actually watching how to play their position and how they can apply that to their game."
TEAM AMERICA …
The U.S. national team has now made six consecutive World Cups going back to 1990. A soccer nation that was formerly laughed at is now a legitimate power, although still not among the world’s elite.
The success of the Americans on the international field of play has heightened awareness and support throughout the nation. And playing elite soccer nations like England will only increase the interest in the national team.
"The fact that the U.S. is in it makes it a much bigger deal," said Wesleyan boys coach Billy Coxhead. "If the U.S. were to not qualify, it would be completely forgotten about in this country.
"The U.S. playing England in their first game has greater appeal to Americans than if the U.S. were playing some other random country."
Boozer added that although American fan support is growing, it still does not match rabid soccer nations like England.
"England has a fantastic following, but we have a growing one," he said. "But it’s been pleasing to me to see the United States’ support grow and grow."
PREDICTION TIME …
How will the U.S. fare in this World Cup? Despite the lack of worldwide respect for American soccer, the team has some impressive accomplishments in its history. In 1930, the team made the semifinals in the inaugural World Cup. There was also the much-ballyhooed upset over England in the 1950 World Cup, when a rag-tag American team upset the favorites to win it all. The U.S. hosted the event in 1994 and saw its team upset highly-touted Colombia and advance to the knockout stage. More recently, the Americans upset Portugal in 2002 and then defeated neighborhood rival Mexico in the knockout stage to advance to the quarterfinals.
Besides the English, the draw for this Cup was relatively forgiving for the U.S., as Algeria and Slovenia aren’t very imposing names in the world of soccer. But can Landon Donovan and comapny do enough to finish in the top two of their group and make the knockout rounds?
Coxhead: "I think they’ll get out of the group, make the next round, maybe win a game there and then lose in the (quarterfinals),"
O’Shea: "I think England and the United States will qualify from the group stages, but its hit and miss after that. It really depends on who they come up against in the knockout rounds."
Karen: "They should advance out of the group. If they do, they’re likely to face Germany. They’re going to have to pull upsets (to make a run). I don’t have them going past the second round."
And who stands a chance to become the next world champion?
Boozer: "Brazil’s always easy money. But with lofty expectations also comes pressure. So it can work against you."
O’Shea: "Spain. If Fernando Torres comes in fit, I think Spain will win it."
Karen: "You like to see the kind of game Brazil plays just because of their skill. They’re the ones I have winning the whole thing."
Thomas: "Before Ballack got hurt, I was saying Germany. I’m probably going to have to go with Brazil now."
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