The following question was presented:
I must have been too upset after the equalizer against my home country on Sunday to remember the vote question as I appear to be late (again). My home country obviously being the good old US of A as I'm not going to admit to being English after their poor performance. This week, we do have a World Cup question, but with a little twist. Which country (excluding the host Brazil) has sent the most fans to the group matches in the 2014 World Cup?
Results:
Chile and Mexico tied with 50% of the votes each from the following selection:
- Argentina (0%)
- Australia (0%)
- Chile (50%)
- England (0%)
- Germany (0%)
- Italy (0%)
- Mexico (50%)
- Spain (0%)
- Portugal (0%)
- United States (0%)
Graphic of Results:
Analysis:
So, the answer is the United States, followed by Australia. I'm absolutely amazed at how much coverage the World Cup is getting here in the States and it's being done right. There is so much of the right kind of promotion - all the press are behind the US team. Large TV screens have been put up in major cities with thousands of people turning up to watch them. The thing that cracks me up is that when a goal is scored, they show the reaction from various places in the country that scored, so when the US scored, they showed the masses gathered in the big park in Chicago, New York and then a US military base overseas ... when Mexico scored, they showed the center of Guadalajara and other places. Now I know it was a rare occasion, but when England scored, they showed a couple of tossers watching the game in a pub.
So here's the thing. You can say that the Americans don't know proper sport and I'd probably agree with that (for now). But they sure know how to party and they know how to support their team and have a lot of fun doing it. I can only think the Aussies are the same - I'm guessing Mr O may have some insight into that given that he's there right now.
The other thing I have to comment on is the fact that the first World Cup after I got here in 2002, there was hardly any coverage and I had to watch some of the games on the Spanish channels. But I will always remember seeing an interview with a Los Angeles resident that goes by the name of Jurgen Klinsmann. He was asked whether or not the US would ever be a major force in soccer. The interviewer presented the question in a way that was looking for the answer yes, but Jurgen simply said no, because there are not enough programs in the schools.
There are some people who are good and there are a few that are great. I really believe that Jurgen Klinsmann is one of the greats. To see what he's doing with the US soccer programs in schools and leading the US team, I really think he's laying the groundwork for the US to win the World Cup in 2026 or 2030. Crazy? Maybe, but if the World Cup returns to the US, I think it could happen. Also, if they get a hero (maybe Dempsey), it will start to take off in a big way.