Brazil 4, USA 2

While lamenting the start of the loathsome American football season, I seized an opportunity to watch some real football. With 43,000 others, I saw the U.S. National soccer team face the best in the world, the Brazilians.

Even better than the football match I watched in Rome, the Brazilians dazzle with their skill and deftness. The U.S. took an early lead on an ugly goal, but quickly gave it back with an own goal. Brazil led 2-1, then the U.S. tied it again at 2, before two more Brazilian goals (including one on a magical shot from the world’s best player Ronaldinho), composed the final, a 4-2 Brazil win.

The result might have been disappointed, but the opportunity to watch the best in the world play the beautiful game in before a passionate and vocal crowd is the essence of sport. That this match was a meaningless friendly bolsters my desire to see the real deal at the World Cup. South Africa in 2010, anyone?