Soccer mania exploded in the U.S. after an excellent performance in the World Cup. Men, women, and children discovered the pleasure of this healthy game played at the beach, in the parks, and even in the streets, as it happens in Europe and in Italy, where soccer is a religion.
A clear evidence of this new trend was the friendly game played on July 23 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena between Los Angeles Galaxy and Manchester United. Attended by 86,443, an unprecedented record, showing a greater passion than during the 1994 World Cup that took place in the U.S.
Perhaps, U.S. sport supporters will put aside baseball, football, and basketball for a few months, and learn the technique, tactics, and rules of the most watched and played game in the world.
It doesn’t matter that Galaxy lost 0-7 against the Red Devils in Pasadena, because what really mattered wasn’t victory but to take part in a soccer match followed by so many people. The real success was seen, before and after the match, in the parking area around the Rose Bowl, turned into a big soccer field where children and adults created exciting matches trying to emulate Donovan, Hernandez, Rooney, and Mata, just to name a few. It was a celebration of the constant growth of soccer in the U.S., which is bringing them closer to the old continent and to Italy.
In this regard, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) should look overseas as an example. Inside and outside the Rose Bowl, the party started two hours before the match; whereas in Italy, two hours before a Serie A game the only concern is to keep the most dangerous supporters under control.
The final score was Galaxy-United 0-7, but it definitely was a victory for USA soccer!
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