I'm a little late getting started on this one. I was singing Country Roads with the crowd after we beat Bosnia-Herzogevina with one hand tied behind our back.
I have to admit I have no idea why we were singing Country Roads. But the crowd in Santa Clara seemed to love it as much as anybody in Mingo County so why not sing along? Team U.S.A. was on the field leading the chorus.
It's an interesting thing when a town named for a Catholic saint in Spanish on the left end of the country celebrates with a song celebrating the mountain life on the eastern side of the country. Read into it what you may, but I think it says good things about us.
As does the entire spectacle of the World Cup match I watched Wednesday night. A full stadium of rabid fans. A team that looks like the country it represents, multiple races, cultures and beliefs. An aggressive game plan that created a lead and clear dominance until a questionable red card meant the team had to play one player short the last 35 minutes of the game.
Then with one hand tied behind our back, we managed to score another goal and shut out the very worthy opponent, 2-0. It was the first World Cup knock-out win for the United States since 2002. On to the round of 16, we live to play another day.
Which reminds me, on Saturday we celebrate our country's 250th birthday. I've seen a few of these. We celebrated our country's 200th the year I graduated high school. ECHS Class of '76.
I was pretty optimistic back then. It's safe to say my optimism for the country has run hot and cold in the fifty years since. And it looks like this year's national celebration will be as anti-climatic as it was 50 years ago.
What, you don't remember? Ford didn't mess it up this badly, but it wasn't good.
Anyway, since looking backward is the least reliable way to get somewhere, let's look forward. This is why I am optimistic on our 250th birthday.
On Wednesday night, the most culturally diverse team in the World Cup took the field representing the United States. The stadium was full of U.S. citizens from all backgrounds and races united by national pride. The sport is one we have only embraced in the last couple of generations, while the rest of the world has played for centuries.
If you think of it, 250 years isn't very old for a country. Compared to most of Europe and Asia, we're teenagers and they're grandparents. Great grandparents when you look at Egypt or India or China.
The teen years can be tough times for humans and countries alike. But if you can survive them, a lot of great years can follow. Having gone from the 200th to 250th birthday, I think I can say that.
When Americans can still adapt to new things, can pull together in our diversity, can overcome unfair circumstances to prevail, then celebrate singing "take me home, country roads" there will be reason for optimism.
So eat it king!