Do You Believe in Miracles

The U.S. soccer team completed a nail-biting group stage of the World Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Algeria in the 91st minute. It was a an apt end to a game that looked like it might leave bitter memories of another blown call -- an errant offsides that wrongly negated a goal for the second game in a row. This is an ongoing trend in the World Cup, where the Americans suffered several terrible calls in a 2002 quarterfinal defeat by Germany (including a missed hand ball in the box and two questionable offsides) and a ghost foul against Ghana after a questionable red card in a draw with Italy.

It has been a great World Cup, with the exception of pretty consistently bad refereeing (not just against the U.S.). We have witnessed serious challenge to the European stalwarts, though England and Germany pulled through in their final matches to advance and Spain looks like they will as well. We've seen the reemergence of Diego Maradona, this time as a coach who doesn't seem to fit in his suit either metaphorically or satorially. Brazil looks good, but it is Argentina that looks great, and really all of South America, with the exception of Honduras. The World Cup has not been great for the home continent, except Ghana who snuck through today on goal differential.

The greatest event in the world marches on. The U.S. will have their chance at redemption from four years ago Saturday and this team has the potential to go far, if they can keep from the defensive mistakes that wil cost more as the talent level of their opponents increases. Lets hope the referees stop intervening for our opponents. The beautiful game has gotten some beautiful moments from a team that used to play the game even uglier than Germany. One wonders if the country will ever find real love for a game that  has limited commercial opportunities and excitment that is more oriented toward team than individual performance. I hope so, as I have grown to love it ever since living in Barcelona 10 years ago.