34-Frustrated Entitlement: How a World Cup Draw Changes the World

If you haven't noticed, today there's more than one American game called football, only don't call it football; it sounds more like futbol. Exposure to the beautiful game is no longer so easily avoided by a nation of hyper-connected youth with an immigrant background. Even the days of referring to the most popular sport on Earth as soccer are numbered. The draw between the US and Portugal signals the death of American soccer and the birth of US Futbol. No longer will the game be a lonely outcast in America and no longer will the US Team be summarily cast out by the best in world.

The draw began with a perfect Portugal attack – one can only speculate at the number of cable channels changed once that ball sailed into that net. And emotion is the keystone to this sport. Less than a quarter minute of individual talent can reverse an hour of deserving team effort. The volatility of any single moment is balanced by the frugality of the overall score. Few athletic outcomes are so completely driven by the hearts of the players. Wins and losses are decided in the split second it takes the striker to shoot and the goalie to commit. And should the goalie be absent, anyone's knee will do.

The ease of the first point poisoned Portugal with defensive hesitation. On the other hand, this same ease was the slap in the face the US needed. Just as the US spent most of the game on their heels after their first goal against Ghana, Portugal retreated. What happened between the first few minutes and the last half minute was certainly a beautiful game for any US spectator. And when the last point was tallied, US fans felt something they've never known before: frustrated entitlement. Play warranted more than random hope but pure victory over one of the best teams with the brightest star. Americans caught a promising glimmer of what greats like Brazil, Germany, or Spain feel when they lose: stunned disbelief.

By experiencing these new, unsettling feelings, we've graduated to the next level: triumphant validation mixed with speechless despair. America will no longer arrive to the ball in a magic pumpkin and pray it's our year to play Cinderella. We will come as a skilled contender with more than just a real shot – a growing expectation as to who will have that final dance.

For Americans, soccer is an acquired taste. But just like beer or coffee, the more exposure, the more enjoyment. And as the US team continues to mature, futbol will continue to taste better year after year. For those who rather watch slow-motion replays of house-paint drying than a single second of soccer, just consider the fact that the whole world loves it. They can't all be wrong.

In the past, we relished our hatred for soccer because we, as Americans, had something far superior: football. We're all about yards, not meters. And no one cares about a sport with a combine score less than double digits. But we're also maturing. We now know we don't have to hate soccer to love football. Instead of rank disinterest, we find ourselves on the edge of interest. It happens subtly – maybe we recognize a player or team name during a random conversation. Maybe we admit to enjoying it as a child, watching random highlights, or buying a cool jersey. We cannot long maintain our air of superiority as we fall in love, step off our soapbox, and join the rest of the world on the field of play.

Removing the barriers of American Exceptionalism opens the channels of communication. Clear communication enhances functionality. Image a functional world. Nice … But there's many more ways to connect with everyone else. For example, we could finally adopt the metric system. Objectively speaking, it's easier. But if that's too radical, how about a comprehensive climate treaty?

There's no telling what the future holds. As we give ourselves license to love this game, we change the world with our participation. For most Earthlings, futbol is no small matter. Therefore, it's about time we include ourselves and simply watch some World Cup play.