The sporting world witnessed a huge upset this week, at an event which drew widespread attention everywhere but in America. Which is surprising, since the victors were Americans.
The US Men’s National Soccer team beat Spain 2-0. Had Al Michaels been there, he would have asked if anyone still believed in miracles.
Spain is the top ranked soccer team on the planet, and had been undefeated in their last 35 matches. The US is perhaps the best team in North America.
The historic win occurred at the Confederations Cup in South Africa, a tune up to next year’s FIFA World Cup in that country. It followed an improbable advance to the semifinals by the US, which floundered in the opening games of the tournament. But in this game, the Americans played with exceptional determination. and defeated the soccer equivalent of Goliath to earn a place in Sunday’s final against Brazil.
Given soccer’s second class status among sports in America, it was nice to see ESPN show highlights of the match on Sports Center. Local sportscasts and the newspapers gave it a mention. But look at the headlines from other countries:
India's Hindustan Times
From the Clarin in Argentina: “The United States shocks the world of football and takes down Spain”
From El Mundo in Spain: “The US destroys the Spanish legend”
From Sky Sports in England: “USA stuns Spain to make the final”
From the Daily Star in England: “It’s S-pain as Yanks spank ‘em”
From the Gazeta in Brazil: “The miracle workers from the US appear once again and eliminate ‘The Fury’”
From the Dominion Post in New Zealand: “Utterly Stunning Ascent”
From the Bangkok Post in Thailand: “US celebrate huge victory over Spain”
Clearly the US victory was a huge, huge story in the rest of the world. Not so much so in the US.
Jay Sports Confederations Cup, soccer, Spain, US soccer
