Today we have a big Confederations Cup double header from Brazil. The action begins at 11:30 a.m. on ESPN with Uruguay facing Italy. As we have heard the Italian coach Cesare Prandelli’is not too keen on even playing this game, while there is very little doubt, that Uruguay would love a win over Italy.
Meanwhile, the main event will take place on ESPN at 5:30 p.m. with a real marquee Championship game between the host country Brazil and the top team in the world from Spain. That game will draw a large worldwide audience because these the biggest brand name teams in all of soccer. Both Brazil and Spain feel they are the world's best and they will go all out to prove it.
The final being played in Rio de Janeiro is very important to the Brazilian team Soccer has not been on par with the top programs in the world as of late. A win over Spain would go a long way to getting that "Somba Boys," swagger back and building some momentum for the World Cup they will be hosting next summer.
So why do soccer fans from the United States care?
Because it is soccer being played at the highest level. The soccer fans in the United States have proven that this is a great soccer country and that the ratings are building. More American's care about a game between Manchester United and Manchester City than they do when Columbus plays Dallas in the MLS.
We are a country that wants to watch sports, Major League Baseball, NBA basketball, NHL hockey and PGA Golf all played by the best athletes in the world.
That is why ratings continue to grow as we follow the English Premiership, Italy's Serie A, Spain's La Liga, the German Bundesliga and the UEFA Champions League. They are leagues that all feature soccer played at its highest level.
Meanwhile, the US. based MLS, while entertaining, is simply not on the same level as the European leagues.
So that is why when FC Barcelona plays Real Madrid in a friendly in the United States it can draw 76,000 fans. American fans love watching the worlds best soccer and will pay to do so even for an "friendly."
You can bet there will be a good crowd watching this afternoon when Brazil and Spain face off in Rio today.It is top notch soccer between two world powers, well worth taking the time to enjoy.
One final point and that is soccer fans in the United States do follow both the Men's and the Women's National teams. I should also take a moment to say that each of the MLS teams have a loyal and growing following. I have followed D.C. United, my local team and they put on a very entertaining show but to be fair there is no way they can compete with the budgets of the world's super teams.
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