The World Cup’s Unexpected Gift
One German fan, Freddy, became a viral sensation while road-tripping across America. His simple observation resonated with so many others: “I came for soccer, but I fell in love with America.” His experience echoed that of countless others. He spoke about the kindness of strangers, the excitement inside the stadiums as crowds organically erupted into chants of “USA! USA!,” and Team USA fans enthusiastically singing John Denver’s “Country Roads” together.
And then there was Scotland’s famous Tartan Army.
They descended upon cities like Boston and Miami with bagpipes, endless songs, and enough enthusiasm to fill every pub they entered. They reportedly drank some local establishments dry, made friends wherever they went, decorated statues with orange traffic cones, a long-standing Scottish tradition dating back to the 1980s, and somehow managed to leave places cleaner than they found them. Their big personalities became almost as entertaining as the matches themselves.
Another topic that visiting fans can’t stop talking about is American food. They’re fascinated by our enormous portion sizes, amazed by the endless choices, and completely bewildered, in the best possible way, by unlimited drink refills.
Then there’s ranch dressing.
Apparently, it has become something of a national treasure among international visitors. Stories have circulated of fans attempting to carry bottles home, only to discover at airport security that liquids aren’t allowed in their carry-on luggage. Rather than part with their newfound culinary obsession, some reportedly chose to chug the contents instead. Consider this a free, friendly travel tip: next time, pack it in your checked bag.
For me, though, the World Cup became personal.
My three sons have always loved soccer. They played throughout high school and on travel teams, and every four years the rest of the world seemed to disappear whenever the World Cup was on television. I still remember family vacations where the beach waited just outside while my boys sat glued to the television, unwilling to miss a single match.
So, when it was announced that the World Cup was coming to the United States, they couldn’t have been more excited.
My twins, David and Matthew, decided they were going to attend a match in Philadelphia. David lives only about two miles from the stadium, so they rode their bikes to the game. Thankfully, I didn’t learn that detail until afterward. As a mother, I’m not sure my imagination needed that image.
As photos began appearing on my phone, I found myself in tears. There they were, two grown men wearing the same expressions they had as little boys, grinning from ear to ear as a lifelong dream came true.
After the match, I called them. Both talked over each other as they relived every moment, repeatedly saying, “I can’t believe we just watched a World Cup match.” They described the atmosphere as electric and the experience as surreal. Hearing the excitement in their voices was every bit as memorable to this mother as the game itself.
The World Cup has become so much more than a soccer tournament. It has become a reunion of sorts, a chance for people from every corner of the globe to gather, celebrate, laugh, and discover one another.
Perhaps that’s the greatest lesson of all.
When we meet people face to face instead of through headlines or social media, we often discover we have far more in common than we imagined. The visitors who came expecting one version of America left with another. And maybe, watching their reactions, many of us were reminded of something we had forgotten ourselves.
America isn’t perfect. No country is. But it is also a nation filled with hardworking, generous, welcoming people. Sometimes it takes seeing ourselves through someone else’s eyes to remember just how much there is to appreciate.
Who knew this beautiful game could remind us of the beauty that has been here all along?
Rhonda S. Kelley, Executive Director, Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce