RSS
ATOM
advertisement
World Cup 2010: USA Players Discuss What Hosting The World Cup Means To South Africa
The Americans are impressed with the host nation.
Jun 16, 2010 9:23:00 AM
By Noah Davis
PRETORIA, South Africa -- While members of the United States Men's National Team find themselves a bit secluded from reality as they prepare for Friday's crucial match with Slovenia, they can't help but feel World Cup fever overtaking South Africa.
"You see it on TV. You see the smiles on everyone's faces. No one is having a bad day in South Africa for a month, basically," DaMarcus Beasley said during a Wednesday afternoon media session. "They forget about all the hardships they've gone through and just enjoy the World Cup. Seeing their idols on TV, some of whom are with them in the hotels. From the outside looking in, they are always smiling and always waving."
Stuart Holden agrees with his teammate.
"You get the sense that everybody's soccer-mad right now," he said. "This is my first time in the country, and it's great to see how everybody rallies around the World Cup. You get a sense as a player how big the World Cup is and what kind of stage this is. It really is the world's stage."
The eyes of the entire planet are focused on South Africa, and the country is handling the scrutiny so far. Stories of robberies and security problems continue to filter through the headlines, but no major problems have popped up. The soccer has been less than stellar at times, although Brazil's exciting 2-1 victory over North Korea on Tuesday night could signal the true start of the tournament.
The Americans, who drew 1-1 with England in their first match, are feeling the love from the local residents.
"All you need to do is walk through the hotel to our place," Michael Bradley said. "The people who work at the hotel, the people who have breakfast there, they are so excited to have us here. They have smiles on their faces the whole day. You can ask them for anything and they are so excited to do it."
The employees even stayed up to cheer the Americans after they returned from their first fixture.
"Every staff member at the hotels we've been at are rooting the USA on, and they're out at 3 a.m. when we got back from Rustenburg [the site of the match with England] with the vuvuzelas, really cheering us," Holden said.
Another concern heading into the World Cup was the safety of the team. Security guards roam the American compound and the bags of media members are subjected to a search before entering press events, but the presence isn't overwhelming.
The players are used to the constant existence of protective measures.
"I think [the level has] been normal," Beasley said. "Obviously, the USA might get a little more security, but it's nothing that we worry about. We don't notice the security as much as everyone else does."
The Stars and Stripes feel safe, well supported, and enjoy seeing the country celebrate its moment. The impression inside the U.S. camp is that the tournament is functioning fine.
"There was a lot of concern particularly from the media about whether South Africa could deal with the World Cup," defender Jonathan Spector said. "The infrastructure has done a pretty good job of handling it."
Noah Davis (@noahedavis) covers the Untied States Men's National Team for Goal.com and is reporting from the World Cup in South Africa.
PRETORIA, South Africa -- While members of the United States Men's National Team find themselves secluded from reality as they prepare for Friday's crucial match with Slovenia, they can't help but notice the World Cup fever overtaking South Africa.
"You see it on TV. You see the smiles on everyone's faces. No one is having a bad day in South Africa for a month, basically," DaMarcus Beasley said during a Wednesday afternoon media session. "They forget about all the hardships they've gone through and just enjoy the World Cup, [and] seeing their idols on TV, some of whom are with them in the hotels. From the outside looking in, they are always smiling and always waving."
Stuart Holden agrees with his teammate.
"You get the sense that everybody's soccer-mad right now," he said. "This is my first time in the country, and it's great to see how everybody rallies around the World Cup. You get a sense as a player how big the World Cup is and what kind of stage this is. It really is the world's stage."
The eyes of the entire planet are focused on South Africa, and the country is handling the scrutiny so far. Stories of robberies and security problems continue to filter through the headlines, but no major problems have popped up. The soccer has been less than stellar at times, although Brazil's exciting 2-1 victory over North Korea on Tuesday night could signal the true start of the tournament.
The Americans, who drew 1-1 with England in their first match, are feeling the love from the local residents.
"The people who work at the hotel, the people who have breakfast there, they are so excited to have us here," Michael Bradley said. "They have smiles on their faces the whole day. You can ask them for anything and they are so excited to do it."
The employees even stayed up well past midnight to cheer on the Americans when they returned from their first fixture early Sunday morning.
"Every staff member at the hotels we've been at are rooting the USA on, and they're out at 3 a.m. when we got back from Rustenburg [the site of the match with England] with the vuvuzelas, really cheering us," Holden said.
Another concern heading into the World Cup was the safety of the team. Security guards roam the American compound and the bags of media members are subjected to a search before entering press events, but the presence isn't overwhelming.
The players are used to the constant existence of protective measures.
"I think [the level has] been normal," Beasley said. "Obviously, the USA might get a little more security, but it's nothing that we worry about. We don't notice the security as much as everyone else does."
The Stars and Stripes feel safe, well supported, and enjoy seeing the country celebrate its moment. The impression inside the U.S. camp is that the tournament is functioning fine.
"There was a lot of concern particularly from the media about whether South Africa could deal with the World Cup," defender Jonathan Spector said. "The infrastructure has done a pretty good job of handling it."
Noah Davis (@noahedavis) covers the Untied States Men's National Team for Goal.com and is reporting from the World Cup in South Africa.
The 2010 World Cup is finally here, so keep up to date with all the news at Goal.com's World Cup homepage and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Thank you for your comment!
Please enter your name
Please enter your location
Please share your comment!
3 Comments
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
ROSANO: Mexican soccer needs to address referee treatment
Nick Rosano argues that Mexico's continued officiating problems may have less to do with referees themselves and more to do with how they are treated by the federation.
-
VERTELNEY: MLS owners take to Twitter to spread their team's word
"Any time you tweet, it's a mini press conference," says Portland Timbers owner Merritt Paulson.
-
ISOLA: Roma's De Rossi smart to remain with one club for career
De Rossi has a chance to build a lasting legacy at Roma similar to NBA veterans Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant, who have never switched teams.
-
RANKINGS: Torres breaks into the top 10 as Altidore drops out
The Pachuca midfielder is back on form, and with many of the USA's top players struggling, he breaks into the top 10.
Advertisement
Advertisement
