[nas] American and I don't care

["Krall, Stephen E" <SK131281@exchange.DAYTONOH.NCR.com>]

You know, I've been reading a LOT lately about the USA and foreign
perception of our efforts.  Mainly disparaging comments - ie, we don't play
attractive soccer (I think the Italians might have said this...), or we were
lucky to get through.

Then we have half the Germans paying us the necessary lip service - it'll be
a tough match, but many under their breath are planning their semi-final
parties.

Nick Webster from FSW.com reports that many of his fellow journalists think
1) Arena has been lucky, and 2) would not succeed in an English league -
unless the USA wins the whole damn thing.

Oh by the way - we're still the Vegas longshot.

You know what?  I don't give a crap.

Sure I think we're in for a pasting, but we're in the damn quarterfinals.
You have to have done something right to get this far.  It takes something
special to make it to the semi's and finals.  And if we get there by having
a tsunami consume our oppenents then so be it.  We earned our right to be
there.  '06 is bound to be a letdown simply because of the difficulty in
reaching this stage that we'll probably be considered longshots to repeat
our performance.

We've scored a lot of goals comparative to other teams (France, maybe you
should take notice of the finishing, and not hit the woodwork so often).
We've taken a point off the home team, despite giving up a PK (eh,
Portugal?).  We beat Mexico and tied Korea (are you taking note, Italy?)

Get over it, World.  You can't turn the clock back on progress.

Again, I think fortune will smile on the Germans on Friday, but dammit - I
am SO freakin' proud to have been able to wear my red and white US tops to
work after our wins.  

Finally, if the USA team, upon return to the States, de-planed here in
Dayton, I would be front and center to greet them enthusiastically no matter
what hour of the day/night.

Steve
steve.krall@daytonoh.ncr.com

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