Notes from a World Cup
An American fan enjoying this year's biggest tournament
A few thoughts…
I’ve never played soccer. In middle school one of my friends played in the local community league, and I used to go to a few of his games. It was boring.1
In the summer of 1982 I scanned the sports section of the Philadelphia Bulletin for the briefest of updates from the World Cup. I was fascinated with the groups, and particularly the West Germany-Austria match which eliminated Algeria.
I didn’t follow the 1986 or 1990 World Cup tournaments even though the latter was the first time the United States qualified for the World Cup in 40 years.2
This is the best American soccer team I’ve ever watched, and while the 2014 team had better goalkeeping (and most of our teams over the last 30 years, for that matter), this team has more talent than any other previous roster. It’s deep, it’s athletic, it has an offensive midfield that does not crumble under pressure.3 In addition, it’s ability to press opponents is nothing like we’ve seen from an American team before.
The United States has qualified for the knockout rounds seven times previously, and lost immediately in six of them. We lost 6-1 and 7-1 in our first two back in the 1930s, then didn’t reach another knockout round until 1994 when we were hosts. Brazil went fifty minutes down a man after Leonardo drawing a red card for this hit on Tab Ramos, and still we never looked like we were going to score.4 We looked strongest in 2002, and this is the team our 2026 team is competing against for the GOAT title. They drew Mexico in the Round of 16 and defeated them easily before falling to Germany in the quarters.5 2010 found us outclassed by Ghana; 2014 Tim Howard saved us from being run off the pitch, and in 2022 we were by the Netherlands.
That win against Mexico happened in a stretch (2000-09) where we only lost to them twice, and only at Estadio Azteca. It was probably the best matchup we could’ve had in that round.
If this team somehow overcomes Balogun’s suspension (someone please explain to me Messi not getting a red card but Balogun receiving one? Or how appeals aren’t allowed??), this will be the best team on paper as well.
I think the United States has benefitted from hosting these games - it’s allowed other nationalities to realize we’re not jerks (although the games are being held in blue cities), and Americans to appreciate people from around the world. I mean, can anyone beat this? Or this?
Finally, the U.S.-Bosnia match drew 33 million viewers between Fox and Telemundo, only beaten by NFL playoffs and the State of the Union address. MSL is the ninth highest drawing soccer league in the world; and on average draws more than the NBA and NHL.6 While MLS TV ratings haven’t grown as rapidly, the league is hindered by NOT being the best in its sport, and the leagues better than the MLS7 have television contracts within the U.S.8 I can imagine the Round of 16 matchup with Belgium will draw even higher, especially if we start strongly.
Key to the future? Keep Pochettino!!
That’s not true. I played a pickup game for older adults when I was 45. I was invited by a friend who played weekly, and my goal was to not embarrass myself. I didn’t do much, but at one point I did get by an opponent, and that disgraced player’s teammate said, “Dude…you just got beaten by a guy wearing a rugby shirt.” I guess that’s one of the worst insults a soccer player can receive.
There is a great oral history documentary on that team…but I can’t find it. If anyone knows it, please share.
I liked Michael Bradley, but he was a very conservative center midfielder. His game improved once he joined my favorite team in Serie A (R.I.P.), but he couldn’t hold a candle to these guys.
Ramos wound up hospitalized with a skull fracture for three months.
MSL stadiums are larger than NBA/NHL arenas, and there are less games which create greater demand, sure. But considering the growth in attendance (up 70% since 2000) and franchise values, one can see a future in which the professional leagues are the Big 5, not the Big 4.
The MLS is currently ranked 10th best. https://globalfootballrankings.com/
The NFL is in its own world with average views around 19 million per game. MLB averages about 2.28 million, the NBA 1.78 million, and the NHL 546,000. MLS is about half that of hockey, but with the league now in a contract with Apple TV, ratings aren’t well-known. If we combine MLS ratings before 2023 (and they were steady) with the Premier League, Serie A, Bundesliga et al, we wind up with a soccer viewership higher than basketball and hockey.