The Confederations Cup: Counting Down One Year to Brazil 2014

By Stephen Barston

          Although the prominence of domestic soccer has begun to improve within the United States during the last decade or so, the American view of soccer has always been one of indifference. However, such strides have been made (both to the United States national team and to the overall state of international soccer) that the sport should no longer be ignored in this nation. One more reason to watch and appreciate this great game: the Confederations Cup.

            The Confederations Cup is an officially sanctioned tournament held by FIFA every four years, taking place the year before the World Cup in the host country. This year’s tournament takes place in Brazil, and the quality of play is incredible. Mexico, Brazil, Uruguay, Nigeria, Japan, Tahiti, Spain, and Italy are representing their prospective regions during this year’s action.

            International soccer has made significant steps in recent years, and competition has become so enticing that it is almost disappointing that Americans still fail to see the entertainment in such a sport. Neymar’s goal against Japan on Saturday, in the first action in the Confederations Cup, simply displays the level of competition that has become the norm for world soccer. As we continue to witness such incredible play, we also can count down until the real show begins: World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Wondering whether or not there will be the same excitement as the World Cup four years ago in South Africa is not even necessary; undoubtedly, there will be. We will see another last-minute finish like Landon Donovan’s heroics against Algeria, we will see impressive goals like Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s against Uruguay, and we will see the all-around skill and technique that comes with the sport being played at such a level, just in different circumstances. As we watch the Confederations Cup, as we admire the skill of Brazil, as we revel in the glory that is the Spanish style of play, and as we surely pull for the inevitable underdogs, Tahiti, we can only imagine the exhilaration that is certain to come next summer in Brazil for the World Cup. This excitement is what soccer is all about, and while I only came to see this recently, and I would never consider myself to have true soccer knowledge, many more Americans need to come to this realization, especially as their home team begins to improve every moment as we speak. Soccer may have a bad reputation in the United States, but for those that appreciate the game, it is truly something special.

Caption: American soccer, led by Landon Donovan, has taken great strides in recent years