Let’s worry about what it means later, can we make that deal? Let’s wait a few weeks, a few months, whatever it takes, before we start to ponder if the epic 1-0 win the United States earned earlier today over Algeria will have any kind of lasting impact on our always fickle relationship with soccer, OK?
Let’s just enjoy what we’ve got.
Let’s bask in the genius of Landon Donovan, who may already own the title of greatest American-born soccer player in history, who tallied the game-winner in extra time one game after scoring what was surely the most important U.S. goal of the Cup before then, the ice-breaker from an impossible angle that allowed the rest of his teammates to believe against Slovenia. Let’s admire the grit and the skill of goalie Tim Howard, playing with cracked ribs, who started that fast break.
It was that kind of game, that kind of moment. This time it was soccer. Thirty years ago it was hockey. The Miracle on Ice brought a brief surge of popularity to the sport, but it has remained fourth among the U.S. majors and nothing will ever change that. Will this morning’s triumph instantly transform MLS in this country into the dizzying juggernaut NASL became in the ’70s?
I won’t bet that way. But does it matter? For years people who hate soccer have bemoaned how boring the sport is, yet if you watched Wednesday’s match you saw 90-plus minutes of drama and athleticism and end-to-end action that should stand as the default argument for all who believe the Beautiful Game is just that. Does it translate long term? Who knows? Who cares?
What matters was the moment, and the game, and the tears that Donovan shed as he was talking to Jeremy Schaap afterward. What matters is that for those of us who’ve always been skeptical and cynical about this game, it may well have been an education and an insight into what we’ve been missing lo these many years. Will I instantly go out and buy Red Bulls tickets?
I won’t promise you that.
I will promise you I’ll be in front of a television set for the U.S. date in the round of 16 with the runner-up from Group D. And I will promise you I won’t be alone in making that kind of reservation.