Brazil’s Lucas celebrates with fans. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
Today’s big winner: Soccer Fans
What an amazing performance by Brazil yesterday in the Confederations Cup final against Spain. Never have I seen Spain, the reigning World Cup champion, outclassed in every aspect of a match so comprehensively as they were on Sunday.
Brazil dominated Spain, and Neymar — Neymar is about to embark on a journey that will end with him becoming the best player in the world.
Despite Sunday’s riveting match, and all the wonderful qualities the beautiful game possesses, soccer will never — EVER — beat out the NFL, NBA, MLB, and college football in the hearts and minds of Americans.
1. The NFL exists in every aspect of our culture, much like soccer exists internationally. At this point, no sport carries the weight of football domestically.
2. The starpower of the NBA is too great. The NBA is the only league in the world where the players are bigger than the teams.
3. Major League Baseball is still and always will be America’s pastime.
4. Are there any rivalries that are more fun than college football rivalries? Sure, other sports have passion that has been taken to terrible extremes in the past. But there is nothing more fun than watching two college football rivals throw down.
Soccer has all four of these qualities in other countries, but it doesn’t in the U.S.
And you know what? That’s OK.
The summer is an opportunity for American soccer fans to thrive. MLS is in full swing and the U.S. is about to play in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. If ever there was a time soccer was needed, it’s in July.
As the NFL, NBA, and college football seasons lull, and MLB is still two weeks from the All-Star game, soccer fans can tout the sport they love, and not feel the need to compete or evangelize. Soccer is on when nothing else is, so watch.
Maybe you’ll like it. If not, NFL preseason is just around the corner.
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More of today’s big winners …
Neymar: Neymar had everything to prove coming into the Confederations Cup. After his performance in the final, he heads to Barcelona and will return to Brazil for the World Cup in 2014 with a year of European soccer and under his belt. Be afraid of Neymar. Be very afraid.
Yasiel Puig: Puig can do just about whatever he wants on a baseball field, as proven yesterday when he came one home run shy of the cycle.
Phil Costa and Brooke Hogan: The Dallas Cowboy was engaged to the daughter of Hulk Hogan in Las Vegas over the weekend. Good for you, brother.
Chris Davis: The Orioles first baseman hit his league-leading 31st home run yesterday, and also has 25-doubles to his name this season. It’s really kind of preposterous how good Davis has been this year.
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Dwight Howard’s eating options in Dallas: A restaurant in Dallas is offering Howard all the chicken fingers his heart desires, if he signs with the Mavericks.
Darnell Nurse: The nephew of Donovan McNabb was chosen No. 7 in the NHL draft.
NBA free agents: Free agency is upon us, and these are the teams with cash to burn.
Bonus win:Good luck to my brother, Nick, and the McLean Hotspur as they play for a Region I soccer championship this week.
Check out the Morning Win every weekday.
