As the United States celebrated a thrilling 3-2 victory over Portugal during the 2002 World Cup, ESPN commentator Jack Edwards seized the moment to highlight the significance of the event. Broadcasting from Suwon, South Korea, where the US embarked on a journey that would culminate in a quarter-final appearance, Edwards delivered a passionate monologue that underscored the importance of World Cups not only for the national team but for soccer’s growth in America.
“The players on that 1950 team that beat England … this [result] is about the foundation that they laid,” Edwards proclaimed in his commanding voice as dawn approached in the Eastern Time Zone. “This is about the thousands of American families who have helped this sport grow, and the people in those pockets all over the country who have stuck with soccer. And it’s also for those seven- or eight- or nine-year-old kids, who are going to hear about this result when they wake up in the morning and rush outside, and knock a ball against a wall, and dream of something even greater than this.”
Edwards’ words resonated with me throughout the United States’ recent World Cup campaign. They echoed in my mind as I witnessed streets bustling with red, white, and blue on match days along the West Coast. I recalled them each time I saw astonishing TV ratings roll in. The image of eager children, captivated by the sport and gathering with their parents at practice facilities and stadiums, longing for an autograph or a glimpse of their role models, lingered in my thoughts.
Yet, I found myself questioning: When will that moment of inspiration arrive for these young fans? Who will be the source of it? What will that triumphant display entail? I hadn’t fully grasped the consequences if the opposite were to occur.
What would those children have made of the US team’s performance during their 4-1 loss to Belgium? What were soccer enthusiasts saying to their friends who were new to the sport, having finally convinced them to tune in for this pivotal match? As for the families Edwards referred to, what must they have felt? One moment they were on the verge of a breakthrough, believing their dedication to soccer might finally garner mainstream recognition.
What inspiration could they find in the team’s erratic plays, missed defensive opportunities, and lack of composure in critical situations? The stark contrast in technical and tactical abilities compared to a proficient Belgian team could not be ignored. Meanwhile, rival teams and commentators celebrated the US team’s downfall.
Although the viewership figures from Monday’s match are not yet available, last week’s weekday primetime game set a new record for US soccer broadcasts with approximately 31 million viewers. It is likely that millions more, possibly tens of millions, tuned in for their inaugural experience of the US men’s national team, only to be met with a lackluster performance.
These new viewers were not the loyal supporters that Edwards referenced. However, they would have recognized what it looks like when a team competes against a top-tier opponent. They must have witnessed Mexico, despite its flaws, fight valiantly against England, or seen Cape Verde heroically bow out against Argentina. They might have also seen the US’s previous matches in this World Cup, such as the stunning 4-1 victory over Paraguay and a solid 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The upcoming 2026 World Cup was anticipated to mark a new era for the US men’s national team. Yet, the illusion of this tournament may ultimately reveal that for a brief, intense period, we all dared to believe in a promising future. Instead, we find ourselves back where we began—performing well against teams we are expected to defeat, while still yearning for that elusive breakthrough against stronger opponents.
Numerous analyses will undoubtedly emerge dissecting the reasons for the US team’s shortcomings on Monday night. However, I am not convinced that any of that will truly matter. What remains clear to me, a daunting realization, is that the US has squandered what may be the greatest opportunity for growth in the history of American soccer.
What becomes of a newly engaged fanbase, ripe with potential, when faced with something worse than disappointment? Total inadequacy might be the answer.
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