The FIFA World Cup begins on June 12, 2014 and most Americans could care less.  It’s not because we call the game “soccer.”  It’s not because we don’t understand the game.  It’s not because there’s a lack of scoring.  It’s not because the USA hasn’t hosted but one World Cup (in 1994).  It’s because we Americans lack a legacy of outstanding team or individual performances in the World Cup.  No winning equals no interest.  No superstars means Americans can name more Texas Hold ’em poker players than US World Cup team members.

The USA’s best finish in a World Cup was 3rd place in 1930.  Most American sports fans would consider a 2nd place finish as failure.  Americans only remember who finishes first.  Not winning means to Americans you’re nothing but a loser.  Surprise, surprise.  The USA has never even won the Most Entertaining Team award, which is given to the team which had “done the most to entertain the public with a positive approach to the game.”  What American team can stay positive when all you do is get your ass kicked in World Cup games?

Just one American player has made the  World Cup All-Star team, can you guess who?  He played on the ‘outstanding’ 1930 team.  Still no guesses?  Bert Patenaude, who scored the first hat-trick in World Cup history, is not exactly a name that rolls off the American tongue.  You can win a bar bet on that one, so you’re welcome.   No American has won the Golden Ball, the Silver Ball, or the Bronze Ball.  No American has won the Gold Boot, the Silver Boot, or the Bronze Boot.  No American has won the Golden Glove.  In 2002, Landon Donovan was named the Best Young Player Award but today, at 32, he’s considered “too old” and was cut from this year’s US World Cup Roster.  Is that any way to treat someone widely considered to be the best player to ever come out of the United States?  To Americans, it is.  He’s a loser.

Every American loves a hero.  But, Bert and Landon fell far short because we expect our heroes to win battles and make their teammates better than they really are.  They also have to be male.  We have had but one American football hero, Mia Hamm, but she’s a woman, retired and no longer giving Americans a reason to shout.

Is there someone on the 2014 squad who will step up and lead the USA out of the Group of Death?  If the USA is going to advance, they’ll have to beat Germany (FIFA World Rank #2) and Portugal (FIFA World Rank #4).  Ghana (FIFA World Rank #37) is no slouch and will be a must win for the Americans if they have any hope of moving on.  I think it would take a miracle for the USA to advance and it would take a miracle to capture the American sports fans’ attention.  But, that’s what it’s going to take, a miracle to garner avid interest in the beautiful game.

Americans love champions especially those that have no chance to win.  The stage is set.  The opportunity to defy expectations will drive a little bit of a bump in television ratings but it won’t swing the tide of the American athlete.  We need our own Pele to come alive and kick the living shit out of whoever we play in Brazil.  We need to make it out of the Group of Death.  We need to make the Finals and we need to win.  And then, they must doing it again 4 years from now and then again in 2022.  That’s what’s going to swing the tide in the USA.  Winning.  Winners.  That’s what going to make Americans get excited about soccer.  And only then.