U.S. Must Not Falter in 2010 FIFA World Cup

Every four years, countries around the world have a chance to change their history forever. I'm not talking about capturing the most gold medals in the Olympic Games or even the United States electing a new president. Neither of those are comparable to what captivates the planet one month out of every 48. What I'm referring to is, of course, the FIFA World Cup.

The U.S. is one of those teams that has to play well to garner interest in the competitive field of American sports. The national team has made great strides in the past 10 years—their 2002 World Cup quarterfinal appearance and 2009 Confederations Cup runner-up finish stand out—but this is their last chance of the decade to put U.S. soccer on the map.

Why is this World Cup so important then? Like I said, it is only every four years the world's biggest sporting event comes around so it is pivotal that the U.S. brings their A-game. If that doesn't happen, soccer fades into the background of the American sports landscape without a second thought, only to be revived again four years later.

Just look at 2006. 

After a phenomenal (and downright astonishing) quarterfinal finish in the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan, the U.S. failed to advance out of the group stage in Germany. In fact, the Red, White, and Blue did not win any of their three games and was outscored six-to-two in those matches.

Although many saw the U.S. soccer on the rise, this pitiful performance reaffirmed the common belief that Americans are still light-years behind the rest of the world. The result back home was the "beautiful game" failed to spark interest in the people and they refocused their attention to football, basketball, and baseball.

But a stellar showing in the 2009 Confederations Cup in, of all places, South Africa refocused the nation's attention to American soccer. The stunning victory over No. 1-ranked Spain that snapped their 35-game unbeaten streak rejuvenated interest in the sport and had the whole world talking. A 3-2 defeat to perennial powerhouse Brazil in the championship match did not lessen the impact of such a monumental win.

So now what?

Once again, expectations are high for the men's national team coming into a World Cup.  What matters now is living up to their potential and not giving fans—both hardcore and casual—another reason to forget about soccer. 

A soft group. A talented squad. A great coach. In other words, everything—besides Charlie Davies—is in place to make this World Cup one US supporters will remember for a long time. 

But can they deliver?

A victory over England on June 12 would certainly make a case.