I also want to pipe in for the ole US of A. Even though they were eliminated, they played hard and earned some much needed respect from the rest of the world.
As for Soccer replacing european football. Nah, I don't see that happening. I would like to see more interest however. I think that Americans have engrained in them what I like to call the "suspended breath" factor. We love sports were it can come down to the last play, last pitch, last basket attempt. How many times have I watched Football (American) when winning came down to that last play. Five seconds are on the clock. The ball is hiked, the quarterback goes back for the long hail mary pass, the receiver running full speed down towards the goal, a defensmen hot on his tail. All eyes are on that ball spiriling through the air. Will he or won't he catch it? Not a breath is heard. Will be pass be complete and a touchdown? Or incomplete and a nice try but no dice? Either way, someone is going to be bitterly disappointed. Everything seems to be moving in slow motion. The receivers arms stretch out and with his fingertips, the pass is caught! A collective breath of air is released.Quicky he pulls the ball into his body and runs into the goal with the defensemen falling on his face desperately trying to tackel him.
Touchdown!
And that team gets to go to the Superbowl.
Those kind of plays are legend here in the US.
Businesses here love to use football analogies when attempting to motivate employees or when CEOs give speeches.
Soccer lacks the single play suspended breath thing.
However, I like to watch it.
Andee