Divided Loyalty

Soccer is beautiful. Soccer is important. Soccer is my sport.

I've lost count of how many seasons I've played in house league and intramural. I have done at least twenty-seven. To me, the World Cup is not only a sports tournament, but also an opportunity to see the art I engage in raised to its highest level.

Whenever there is a conversation about sports, the participants are expected to name the team that they support. Therein lies my dilemma. Today's match sees my homeland on the pitch against my parentland.

I am a second-generation Ghanian American. To my family, I am American. To my peers here, I am Ghanian. I've always supported both teams, marveling at the rapid rise of both. Of Ghana I am especially proud, as they rarely fail to upset a European powerhouse once in an Olympic tournament, and the announcers that smugly dismissed them at the outset squeal themselves blue in the face about how unbelievably unlikely it is. Their outperforming the Nigerians to reach this World Cup gives me something to be smug about at African Student Association meetings.

When Ghana touched the ball last week, it was like magic. By contrast, the USA embarrassed me. I've seen most of those men do far better many times. The strategy and sportsmanship were gone. Eddie Pope, my childhood soccer hero, was an especially big disappointment. It almost tipped my favor to Ghana.

The announcers are clearly in favor of the USA and not Ghana, even more obviously than they supported the Czech Republic over Ghana until it was clear who would win that game. It annoys the hell out of me. Describe what's happening in the game, fools, not what you want to happen.

I do know for certain that I will be both making and receiving some very snide phone calls when it's over.

I missed the penalty kick while posting, and now my cable is screwing up.

You win and lose all at the same time.

Although if Czech Republic qualify along with Italy, that's twice as bad.

Outrageous it is that the referees called a legitimate foul.

Quick, go buy a lottery ticket!

It's bittersweet, but anything other than a tie is perfect.