2010 FIFA World Cup: Torn Between Three, The Case Of Group C Final Matches

It is not always that a soccer fan's allegiance is torn between three teams. Today was one such rare case.

I have stated in my profile page that I root for the USA and England, besides Nigeria or other African nations, and, of course, traditional favorites, such as Brazil and Holland.

The case of Nigeria is natural, being that she is my homeland,  and the case of the USA is similar, since I live there. England? That's one of the cases where your reason for something isn't exactly based on any rational ground, not one you are conscious of anyway. I don't know why I root for England,  I just do.

I couldn't help but sympathize with Algeria, being one of the African representatives that could have progressed to the round of 16. For that to happen, it meant that the USA would be out. I didn't want that either—talk about eating your cake and having it.

I wanted the USA to progress because, for one, they are playing well: always positive, always hoping, always fighting. For another, the team has generated such a following, that it can only profit the game of soccer in the USA.

The current following in the USA may be compared to the one generated when the USA hosted the competition in 1994. Since then, there has been a steady rise of interest in the game. It is gradually turning from a family pass time solely for girls to a sport that boys could seriously consider as a life-time sport.

A buzz as the current one only comes once in four years. You wouldn't want it to end prematurely.

In the end, the Algerians went down after putting up a valiant fight, if not to win the match, but at least, to earn a draw so as to bow out of the World Cup with grace. As in the case of South Africa, I think their effort should be applauded. They were certainly not disgraced, though their effort fell short.

It was clear from the beginning that I would have to support the best side to stay neutral, but how can you in a situation like this? You have to pick your side. I picked the USA, apologies to Algeria. Yes, I was selfish in doing so. But I think I can be forgiven for putting my money, as it were, where my mouth is.

England?

I would have been sorry to see them eliminated, but I'm not sure they deserved to go through, though I have tried elsewhere to defend their effort. I must admit that their performance  hasn't been worth writing home about, as they say. They've clawed their way through, can they stay in?

If the USA continues to play with such a positive spirit, great promise awaits. That's saying it mildly. I don't want to get ahead of the situation. Whether you are a fan or foe, you must admire such positive energy and such "will-to-power." Kudos USA.

I criticized ESPN's English commentator, Ian Darke, on the Coulibaly incident. In the spirit of fairness, I must commend him for his professionalism today. You wouldn't have known he was English and that a USA victory in this match would not be good news for England exactly. It was such professionalism that I was implying in the aforesaid situation.

Well, something had to give. You can't always have everything. The USA came through, and I'm glad for it. Algeria went out, but I applaud them. England? I'm still not convinced.