The U.S. mission entering this World Cup on home ground was to win matches and, if all things fell into place, win Group D and win a few knockout games.
The first two goals have been met.
The team carried another prime assignment into the summer soccer festival: Win over the public.
“We’re doing our job — and trying to do our job as best we can — winning games,” goalkeeper Matt Freese said, “And sometimes more importantly, putting on the performance to excite them, to make them proud.”
In a richly diverse country with fractured rooting interests, the U.S. is not the only national team with a built-in audience. Mexico has a massive following and, when playing the U.S. in large American stadiums, El Tri has undeniably greater support.
And such is the complicated dynamic of soccer in the U.S., where, unlike most other countries, the national team doesn’t enjoy unconditional support. Young people typically follow in the footsteps of their immigrant parents or grandparents, but by playing quality soccer and winning, the U.S. team has an opportunity this summer to sway the new generation.