The USA wasn’t ever going to win the World Cup were they? Of course not, the experts say. But what they achieved in that thrilling round of 16 defeat to Belgium has implications not only Stateside, but right here at home too.
The fact that President Obama played football as a youngster and is already an admirer shouldn’t disguise the importance of his phone call to USA goalkeeper Tim Howard and captain Clint Dempsey.
The parallels are clear. Both the US and Australia have emerging domestic football leagues. The MLS [Major League Soccer] organistation is, like the A-League, battling the mighty forces of the established rival codes which dominate TV, Online, Radio and Newspapers.
Like Australia, the USA also went into their own group of death which included Germany, Portugal and Ghana. But some fighting displays saw Team USA make it out of their group only to go out against Belgium in a game that, thanks to a heroic effort by keeper Tim Howard, could easily have seen them reach the last eight.
Everyone loves a winner don’t they? Well in Team USA’s case, everyone loves a loser too. ESPN posted average viewing figures of 18.2 million on that network ALONE for the USA v Portugal group match, to become what the network called “the most-viewed soccer match in the USA ever”. That figure was then smashed by the Belgium game, which drew 23.7 million viewers across ESPN and Univision’s TV and Online platforms.
Tim Howard. (Getty Images)
Everyone loves a winner don’t they? Well in Team USA’s case, everyone loves a loser too.
SBS’ audiences in an apparent lost cause for the Socceroos have also hit the heights with the tournament reaching 9.66 million Australians since it began back on June 12th. More than 4.5 million video streams on theworldgame.com.au website is further evidence that football is here, and here to stay.
President Barack Obama wanted to personally thank the USA team for its efforts in going down fighting during the tournament. “I know it is disappointing but what you guys accomplished is really, really significant, It will make a difference in the country, so congratulate Coach and maybe you have got a couple of other guys there. Fantastic job everybody and I hope I get to see you guys sometime at the White House sometime soon.”
It’s enough to give Australia’s battling football codes here pause for significant thought. A red carpet invitation to the White House shows just how hard football is knocking on the door of the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball.
Barack Obama watching the World Cup. (Getty Images)
It may only be a baby elephant In the room, but it seems when Presidents are lauding footballers in a non-footballing country, that baby elephant’s appetite is growing, and growing steadily.
Share
