| A 50-yard sideline-to-sideline pass, a splendid ball | | | | peoples and cultures, each differing from the rest in |
| played down the line to a bolting runner, a cross | | | | one way or another. However, as a whole, we are a |
| perfectly swung in by the winger, and finally, a calm | | | | very low-context culture. We say what we mean and |
| and collected finish, headed into the top corner of the | | | | we are very blunt. For the most part, there are no |
| net. | | | | hidden meanings in what we say. Along with this |
| Such is a typical play in the top soccer leagues around | | | | low-context aspect of our culture comes the incessant |
| the world. 22 players absoutely flying around the field, | | | | desire for instant gratification. WE WANT WHAT WE |
| showing superb control and finesse with their feet. | | | | WANT AND WE WANT IT NOW!!! Despite the old |
| Excuse the pun, but this a feat which is almost | | | | adage "patience is a virtue," Americans simply cannot |
| impossible to find anywhere else. And yet, even | | | | just sit around and wait for something to happen. We |
| though this type of athletic achievement is so rare, | | | | are go-getters. And the sports we have come to love |
| Americans just do not get that excited about it. Usually | | | | reflect just that. Take basketball for instance. Each of |
| when something is rare, Americans pounce on it. Just | | | | the two teams competing can score well over 100 |
| think of diamonds, highend clothing, and undercooked | | | | points. Every play is fast-paced, end-to-end stuff. Also, |
| meat (ok that was a stupid joke). But still, for the most | | | | in football, almost every play is exciting. Either the |
| part, Americans appreciate things which they | | | | offensive team rips a play for 20 or more yards, even |
| themselves cannot do. However, when it comes to | | | | scoring a touchdown, or the defensive team lays them |
| soccer, we just don't get it. If the aforementioned play | | | | out with a bone-crunching tackle. Even in baseball, |
| were to take place in a European or South American | | | | which to most is somewhat of a boring, drawn-out |
| soccer stadium, there would be a buildup of anticpiation | | | | game, there are plenty of exciting plays; home runs, |
| from the start of the play to the finish, by the end of | | | | strikeouts, double plays, diving catches, etc... Ever since |
| which the intensity would be so thick that the crowd | | | | childhood, we have grown up thinking that if something |
| would begin to grow restless, awaiting the culmination. | | | | exciting doesn't happen right here, right now, we should |
| One can literally feel the pressure build up. And when | | | | not be impressed. It must be derived from the notion |
| that goal finally comes, there is an thunderous | | | | of the American Dream, making something happen |
| explosion of applause that would put any volcano to | | | | right now. It seems as if Americans are more |
| shame. However, when such a play occurs in a | | | | interested in the destination than in the journey. |
| stadium in the United States, the attention and ovation | | | | Everything is simply a means to an end, and the end is |
| come only near the end of the play or when the goal | | | | what we want, no matter how we get there. |
| is scored. There is no buildup. It seems as if in America, | | | | But, soccer is not that type of game. Whereas in |
| we either cheer or we don't cheer and it depends on | | | | basketball and football you have ali-oops and hail-mary |
| whether we score or not. There is no buildup of | | | | passes, in soccer you have subtle passing schemes |
| anticipation. No sitting on the edge of your chair, waiting, | | | | and precision control. Don't get me wrong, soccer is |
| yearning for something to happen. For this reason, | | | | exciting, more so than any other sport in my opinion. |
| most Americans view soccer as boring and too low | | | | But you have to be an astute viewer and a dedicated |
| scoring of a game. | | | | student of the game to notice the beautiful intricacies. I |
| As a soccer fan of over 20 years, I constantly ask | | | | honestly feel that if we Americans would place more |
| myself why we don't seem to appreciate what the | | | | emphasis on the journey rather than the destination |
| rest of the world deems as the most beautiful and | | | | and watch how a play unfolds, not how it ends, we |
| electrifying game around. I finally came up with what I | | | | would be more in tune with the spirit of soccer. We |
| feel is the answer to that question. | | | | would understand its beauty. We would see what the |
| WE ARE AN IMPATIENT PEOPLE. | | | | rest of the world sees. |
| The United States of America is filled with a myriad of | | | | |