Perfect Patriotism

Patriotism feels too often forced.

Holidays, war and tragedy can do that to us.

Sports are scheduled, so to say they bring out completely spontaneous acts of national pride would be false, but they sure can bring a bar to its feet.

Such was the case Saturday morning.

At the Harp Inn, an Irish Pub in Costa Mesa, Calif., the fervor and sheer size of the crowd watching the USA/England match was stunning.

The small sign on the far wall reads "maximum occupancy: 147" but by the time the game was in full swing more than 350 raucous revelers were packed in an area half the size of a goalie box.

The action on the field was fast-paced and had it's share of twists and turns but one event just before the whistle blew stood out above all else: The American national anthem.

One of my absolute favorite You Tube videos is of the entire crowd at Rexall Place belting out "O Canada" before an Oilers-Ducks playoff game in 2006. The anthem singer quickly bows out as the crowd simply takes over in a passionate chorus. I had chills watching it the first time and goosebumps watching it again as I pasted the link into this post.

I have no connection to Canada, it's a tremendous anthem, but I feel no attachment to it.

Something magical happened that reminded me of that video yesterday morning. With the volume of the game not audible above the crowded bar, the Star Spangled Banner began to play in South Africa as the players were shown standing with their hands on their hearts.

All of the sudden, 90 percent of the bar, or all of American supporters began to sing. It started out as a swelling sound and began to be an enthusiastic yell.

People were smiling and laughing, some were crying. But I'll never forget that sound.

More than 300 soccer fans gave me the greatest sense of patriotism I've ever known and it was truly remarkable. I'm not proud of a lot of my country's past nor do I agree with a lot of what we are currently involved in but for those two minutes I was enthralled with the words and passion of the red, white and blue.

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As for the game itself the British certainly had the most quality chances but the U.S. has to feel as though they had the biggest "oh, what could have been" moment when Jozy Altidore sprung free down the left flank and his scoring attempt was deflected by the keeper off both the goalpost and crossbar before caroming away.

The Yanks were mere inches from taking a 2-1 lead and could have scored a huge upset and registered a massive three points.

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The first two things I screamed after the pandemonium finally quieted a bit and I shook myself from utter shock following the American equalizer were "that would have been bad in high school" and "what in the name of Bill Buckner just happened?"

For a U.S. side desperate for some consistent play on the world's biggest stage their goal, and Green's gaffe, were a welcome break. It doesn't matter how you score, just that you do, and considering the gift they were given by the British blunder was enough to earn a tie they will certainly take it and move on accordingly.

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In the other net, Tim Howard was unequivocally the man of the match. After not sleeping at all the night before the game and spending six-plus hours at the bar, I've read none of the press or seen any of the highlights.

This may have already been echoed by many but the U.S. could have finished that game in a three or four goal hole if not for the brilliance of one of the world's best keepers.

Add to the mix the fact that Howard took a boot to his arm and chest in the first half and the Americans certainly have a hero to ride as far as he can take them over the next few weeks.

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Getting a point had to be exactly what coach Bob Bradley and the red, white and blue were playing for. Anything more would have been gravy. But the U.S. is still in a precarious spot. They really need decisions in their next two games and ultimately a win and a draw may be necessary to get them through.

Assuming England win's out they will finish on top of the group with seven points. If Slovenia beats Algeria then the U.S. would need to also beat Algeria and at least earn a draw with Slovenia to finish with five points or one more than Slovenia would have.

Here's how that would look:

England 2-0-1 (7 pts)
USA 1-0-2 (5 pts)
Slovenia 1-1-1 (4 pts)
Algeria (0-0-3) (0 pts)

If Algeria upsets Slovenia then the same could be said for their chances and what the U.S. must do but ideally these two sides will draw and the Americans could advance even without a win if they can stay out of the loss column.

But a Slovenia win would make Friday morning's showdown a winner-take-all affair.

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I own many different hats and jersey's for my favorite teams and plenty get attention especially considering I'm a bay area native living in enemy territory in southern California but the amount of people that stopped to ask me about the game, yelled at me from their cars or simply made a comment as they passed by me in the hours that followed the match as I walked around the beach yesterday afternoon was staggering.

People wanted to know the score, talk to me about the game or most entertaining, a handful actually thought I had netted the lone American tally.

I'm not sure what that says more about the state of soccer in the lower 48. On the one side, in an official blue jersey exactly like the ones the U.S. wore and with a beard and sunglasses on I do look a lot like Clint Dempsey.

But the U.S. and England had just finished playing halfway around the world and except for cheesy TV commercials most athletes don't wear their jerseys around in public just for fun.

It made for some interesting exchanges and I was definitely thrilled with the number of passers-by that had something soccer related to say. Not an everyday occurrence by any stretch of the imagination.

Until next time.