I have to take a break from my regularly scheduled blog on the Holy Life in order to comment on an occasion of the highest order: the United States soccer team has advanced into the final 16 teams of the World Cup. The epic win today over North African power Algeria has caused quite a stir in the sporting world, and especially right here in Waco, TX.
The Yanks needed a win to secure their progression into the next round of the world’s largest and greatest sporting event. After a great tie against England and then a disappointing one against Slovenia, the American faithful pinned their hopes on the likes of Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Jozy Altidore, and Landon Donovan to show the world that we are serious at this game they call “football.”
In the twentieth minute our own Clint Dempsey of Nacogdoches, TX scored a goal. But, the sporting gods would not have it, and the glorious net-buster was turned into a spirit-breaker. A delirious referee shamefully disallowed it by claiming that a phantom U.S. player was offside. I screamed like a little girl.
After knocking on the door of destiny for a full ninety minutes, the sons of Uncle Sam finally did the incredible. They grasped a heart-stopping victory from the jaws of a cynical tie. I screamed like a little girl, and then I cried a little bit, and then I waved my American flag, all the while bellowing at the top of my lungs: “USA! YES WE CAN! USA!”
Stars and stripes forever, and bring on Ghana. Freedom marches on toward glory.
the rev. jimmy abbott 