Here’s what soccer’s all about
For those of us who understand and love, “The Beautiful Game,” this year’s competition was a disappointment.
From the qualifying stages to the semi-finals, the “underdogs” showed more enthusiasm and desire to win. A lesson was learned here. Expectations and reputation does not win games. Consistency in execution to produce fast-flowing soccer was sadly lacking.
The attitude of “we don’t care how we win as long as we do,” doesn’t promote what this game is all about. Applying a defensive structure and sticking to it is not World Cup soccer.
The sudden-death syndrome wasn’t so sudden as five out of eight games went into extra time with two of those decided by penalty kicks, not including one game in the quarter-final. That’s three games where the goalkeeper was (and quite rightly so) the MVP.
Creating interest in this game in the USA needs something where a team’s performance shows pride, win or lose. The first semi-final showed us what the game is all about. Germany 7, Brazil 1. Not just from the score point but how they accomplished it. The other semi-final was the first ever goal-less tie in World Cup history. Why doesn’t that surprise me? The teams played keep away soccer. The very few chances that were created were missed, just like the penalty kicks. Argentina eventually defeated the Netherlands 4-2. Once again the goalkeeper was the MVP.
Playing for your country is a tremendous honor. The third-place game, however, is like all other competitive sports. Finishing third or fourth is of little consolation. There is a purse of $22 million and $20 million respectively per team. We must remember these guys are heading home to start a very long season and avoiding injury at this stage takes top priority. It takes a lot to get up for this type of game.
The championship game is different. You have two teams who very obviously wanted to win while entertaining all spectators. This proved that a game that only produces one goal can be more exciting that one that has eight. It took 113 minutes to decide the winner, and it was a goal worth waiting for. Congratulations to Germany.
Of the 32 countries, out of 200, that competed, the USA can feel very proud of its achievement. Eliminated when they were, still entitles a team to a $9 million purse. Soccer in the USA is growing rapidly and as we know a strong tall tree needs good roots. The roots of American soccer are our kids. Encourage them and support them to get them involved in this physically and mentally challenging game.
Who knows, someday the World Cup may just be resting on American soil.
Just in case you are interested. The total amount of prize money for this year’s World Cup was $576 million. The winning team received $35 million while the second-place team took home $25 million.
Bill McGibbon is a resident of Uniontown.