The Beautiful Game

The market crash of 2008 sparked the greatest movement for US soccer since Pele in the late 70's. The economy never quite recovered after the "downturn" and poverty across the country hit levels never seen before, not even the depression. Children everywhere no longer had money for Wii or Playstation and were forced to actually play the games they had previously only seen on their personal hand held devices. Stick ball made a comeback in the streets of New York until all the windows were blown out and it was not longer fun to play. Basketball was played for a few years until cities no longer had money to maintain the hoops.

Around the same time kids began to kick whatever they could find around in the streets or the vacant lots in pick up soccer games. Ball handling skills improved as did short passes (since a can or whatever piece of trash was lying about could not travel that far) and the youth of America started to play the game as it was meant to be played.

About the time World Cup 2030 rolled around, the US national team was gaining a lot of respect and had high hopes for a good outcome in the tournament. Anchored by their captain at center back, the 23 year old Sebastian Stewart (known as Steel) felt good about playing in the host country India, "My father used to read a lot of Rudyard Kipling to me as a lad, so yeah, I am really looking forward to playing like a tiger over there."

The Martinez brothers, from Atlanta, were also fired up to play their opening draw against Jamaica, but were unsure which team their father would root for, "Dad will always back Jamaica, but I have a feeling he will put some money on the US," said Gabriel "the Brain" Martinez, starting goalie for the US side. When asked the same question to the starting right striker, James "Yam-foot" Martinez replied, "I don't know....Do they have chocolate in India?"

After retiring as arguably the best player in the world, Tim Chaffer ("TC" to his players) decided to take on the roll as head coach for the Americans. "We have a lot of talent this year. I feel good about our chances." When asked about the gamble to start the barely 20 year old from Maine, Thomas Radesky ("LB" on the pitch) at center mid-field, Coach Chaffer responded, "I have no doubt that Tommy is going to be the spark out there. No doubt. He is young by age, but wise in the game. I heard his parents started teaching him moves at three months of age in the bathtub - can you believe that?" Young Radesky was asked about the team's chances to which he replied, "Get your camera's ready - it is going to be beautiful."