historian said:
No. I never wanted to. Part of me wishes I had when I lived in Berlin for a few months 20 years ago but I didn't. I have a few regrets about the things I missed when I was there.
I have developed more of an appreciation for the game with all my travels to South America. Watching the passion these fans have in bars. Hotel lobbies. Wherever.
And as a friend of mine in Brazil noted, all soccer takes is a ball and a dirt lot.
I would see that all over Brazil. All over Uruguay. Argentina. Many kids who come from nothing.
Soccer in the USA comes off more as a privileged sport with parents putting their kids into leagues at the youngest of ages.
I'm actually surprised that USA soccer isn't bigger. Considering the obsession and widespread nature with the sport at the youth level. I know it's big right now because FIFA matches have come to the USA. When it's elsewhere, it gets press, but not nearly as much.
As far as the FIFA Europeans loving their visit to the USA, it's interesting to watch other YouTubers who come here, travel the states, and say they just don't get what people are talking about when they diss on the USA. They'll say their fellow Europeans (or whichever country they come from) will make comments about the USA. But they'll say, we just don't see it. They will admit that the USA isn't perfect, but will then admit that no place is. And they love their journeys around the USA.
Most of the hate for America, seems to come from certain groups of white Americans here in the USA wearing their hair shirts.
I was out to dinner with a friend who is somewhat liberal. And doesn't like DT. He asked a young waiter from Mexico if he feared what was going on in the USA right now with ICE, etc. He said, no. He has his green card. All his paperwork in order. He's in school and he's working on his citizenship. He's been here for five years. He said if anyone asks him, he will provide his paperwork. He's not concerned. And loves being here.
A lot of the negative discourse is being manufactured by white liberals on "behalf of others." Others who do not necessarily feel they need the "help." In fact, I have a lot of Mexican friends who are all in on DT. And they agree with him on the immigration thing. Because they understand that their native country would do the same thing. And maybe even throw you in jail rather than just escorting you out. They understand it's okay for a nation to expect people to be in a place legally.
