World Cup in America simply a distraction

It seems impossible at this juncture to ignore the popularity of World Cup soccer in the United States. Americans of all ages are clamoring for Landon Donovan, Jozy Altidore, and Tim Howard. People all over America are chanting “U-S-A! U-S-A!” like its going out of style. National media organizations are capitalizing on the interest in the tournament by breathlessly providing coverage and analysis. Seattle – the capital of U.S. soccer – is filled with joyous and raucous soccer fanatics pleased with America’s two draws and a single win thus far in the tournament. Is this the birth of soccer in America or is it a well-timed distraction?

In May, the unemployment rate in the U.S. was 9.70 percent. Layoffs and frustrating job searches are an ongoing reality. Americans are, understandably, concerned about their economy and their job prospects. Now, an oil spill is further threatening the American economy and American job prospects and having devastating impacts on wildlife and natural habitat. Service men and women continue to serve abroad in two theaters of war, with one perilously close to a devastating tipping point. Americans need a distraction and the World Cup is providing it.

For sports fans, the World Cup is being showcased in a national sports vacuum. The NBA season is over, the NFL has yet to heat up, and Major League Baseball is trudging through the front-half of a 162-game season. In other words, the World Cup is providing a new and international landscape for sport during a lackluster spring sports season; what else is there to watch?

In March, the United States faced Canada in the 2010 Olympic Hockey gold medal game in Vancouver. Hockey fever was high – so high in fact, many people thought aloud about further NHL expansion in the U.S. 27 million Americans watched the U.S. lose to Canada in a dramatic overtime game featuring – probably – the NHL’s biggest star scoring the game-winner. Hockey is here to stay! America loves hockey! Please, NBC, broadcast more NHL!

Needless to say, hockey fever was quickly squelched.

Soccer in the United States will follow Hockey’s well-trodden path once the 2010 World Cup is finished.

Tags: Afghanistan, hockey, Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan, Seattle, soccer, Tim Howard, unemployment rate

Anton

Anton Northwood is a Seattle resident who spends much of his time working on the Eastside.

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