Views from the draw: U.S. to learn fate imminently

Friday, 04 December 09, 06:10 AM · Comments (1)

CAPE TOWN -- The countdown is nearly over and the excitement will reach a boiling point in just a few short hours. Up to this point, the people of South Africa have been working and putting everything they have into 2010. Excitement is building in the streets, as a marathon party is planned to celebrate the arrival of the World Cup to the African continent. Traffic into the city continues to thicken as Long Street starts to sound off.

Back in the U.S., celebrations may depend on the names that are pulled out whatever apparatus FIFA is using to select the groups, as fears about a second consecutive group of death appearance looms. Those have already been debunked in this space, and the focus can now switch to taking care of business in June.

Breaking down potential opponents are moot at this point as the actual opposition is imminent. Speculation and debate of U.S. chances will fire up even further as the tournament inches closer and closer to actuality.

Today's draw will mark a strong sense of achievement for the people of South Africa. Reminiscent of a pre-opening ceremony, the The entire process has been far from controversy-free, and work plenty of work in Cape Town must be completed over the next few months. Roads are still in the process of being improved -- though they are already in pretty decent to begin with -- and the finishing touches around Green Point Stadium are in the works.

Party-goers will be out in full force, and some already are, as the celebration and culmination of nearly six years of hard work comes to an end. Amidst the controversy, a united spirit and sense of hope emanates from both the city and the nation as the accomplishment of hosting a World Cup nears.

Tonight, however, the work that remains will be far from the minds of those out in the streets. A nation that celebrates football in the fashion that South Africa does -- it is the nation's most popular sport, after all -- deserves a chance at hosting a World Cup. That's without mentioning the beautiful background of Cape Town, a breathtaking city to put on display as the entire world will be watching soon enough.

Depending on the results, Americans will have to settle for either a shred of confidence or a resounding chorus of "here we go again."

Like this blog? Help spread the word: