Reflections on World Cup 2006

In reflecting on the Wold Cup in the last month, I must say I am glad I don’t need to see the commercial with Jose any more. It was a cute commercial, 2 kids imagining that they are playing soccer (futbol) with the greats of the game. I love the CGI and editing used to get images of Beckinbauer in his youth. A real nice touch. I wish they had included images of Pele, Maridona, Reynaldo and Ronaldinho. But it was still quite good. That is until it was on 2x or more in every pre-game and half-time commercial spot. I cannot imagine why, for a month long contest that is viewed by the world en masse, that at least one or 2 more commercials for the U.S. could not be made. If any series of commercial spots could be worth it, this is it. Comparisons to the Superbowl advertising are not applicable. The quality was not there, nor the diversity.

And I found it quite amusing, how the Man of the Match was up for grabs in an American Idol-esque format. And the selection was consistently limited to a group of players that I normal found to not be worth the title. But such was the attempt to draw American fans. Ill fated attempts I think.

Overall there was nothing to really draw American fans. The commentators tried their best, but were hardly up to the task. Initial games were horrendous. Constant gaffs in what nation was playing, which players were on the field, and mistakes in stats were complimented by on screen statistics the obscured game play, and were inaccurate. While these initial mistakes were corrected, well some of them were, for those that were unfamiliar with the game I’m sure it was confusing and annoying. I particularly found the constant references to every sport, except futbol, useless. I think the only thing that matches were not compared to was golf and perhaps bowling. But I may have missed one or two of them. And in most cases the references fell flat or failed to describe the action well. Of course this was better than what has been the experience in the past.

Soccer in the U.S. will grow. Perhaps the inclusion of Reynaldo, or another well respected and famous player, in the MLS league will spark more European players to come to the U.S. It would also raise the bar on the level of play our home team has. That would definitely be worthwhile. And it’s just a matter of time before it happens. And unlike Pele in the Cosmos back in the 70's, the American soccer program is far stronger and diverse. Bringing superstar entertainers now will take hold and speed the interest in the country. We can be one of the best in the world, and anything that helps that along is worth it.

Of course it would have been nice if ESPN could have shown a bit more respect. Showing the national anthems of the various nations should not be a request. It helps create the atmosphere of unity the game brings. And other nations should do the same for when our anthem is played. You wouldn’t expect the anthems being played during the Olympics to get cut off, this is no different.

But we have 4 years to improve. And I think that along with respect for the game, our ability to play will improve. I’d love to see a U.S. team make it to the quarter finals, but I’d settle for a well played, well managed run to the round of 16. It may shock the world but we can definitely do it. And I’d love to see the faces, and words of commentators if we did go to the quarterfinals.

This is what I think, what do you think?