"It's a beautiful day." -U2

June 2nd has arrived, and another one of our incredible adventures begins. Why is this game so important? What makes the beautiful game the beautiful game? Football, as it's known to everybody but us Yanks, is the game that brings the world together. There is, of course, beauty in the way the ball travels on the pitch. The lines and angles that are created by the ball on its way to a goal. The cross that leads to a perfect header into the corner of the net. These are the technical things we love about the sport. The sport, however, is bigger than that. Every four years the world stops. The Olympics are big, but the World Cup is huge. Think about it. One entire month dedicated to ONE game. 32 countries playing for the pride of their people. Some won't win a game, and will head home after the first two weeks. But what a glorious two weeks for the people of that country. Their colors on the international stage for all to see.

I head for Germany wearing my country's colors with pride. The red, white and blue has seen better times. We aren't exactly the popular kid in school. However, an event like the World Cup can only help our cause. We are all human, and a game like this reminds us of that. A silly game. Sometimes it is that simple.

USA! USA! USA!