Help Yourself to Some World Cup Passion

Trust me.

You'll want to feel the passion of the USA vs. Japan match on Sunday.

Yes, I am a soccer fanatic and yes I've been known to push the sport. I've played, coached, managed, refereed and am a crazy soccer mom. But this is the FIFA 2011 Women's World Cup final and it will not disappoint. The match will be historic, only the sixth tournament final of it's kind, and there will be guaranteed tears on that field in Germany, win or lose.

In fact, this match will be so sweet that you will remember where you were on that day. The table has already been set for a dramatic finish. If the U.S. wins, it will solidify its place as the winningest nation in women's World Cup history, and more importantly, it will showcase the team's dedication, strength and never-quit focus. Japan will be playing in honor of its country and has promised to send happiness and hope to those at home affected by the devastating earthquake and tsunami. Damn, who can root against that?!

I know you'll be recovering from the weekend's PotterMania and graduation parties, but I'm telling you, you have to watch. Get your church on early, do some obligatory yard work and time lunch to leave the grill at exactly 1:30 p.m. You'll be just in time to settle in for the pre-game chatter and national anthems.

And you won't be alone.

Last Sunday's USA vs. Brazil quarterfinal match, according to the Nielsen Company, was seen by 3.89 million people. Whether you are a soccer fan or not, you cannot deny the passion and excitement that comes from this tournament's finale and you will want to feel it.

I felt it in 1978. My travel soccer team and their families squished in my coach's living room to watch the men's final on his little TV. We all went crazy when Argentina won, even though there wasn't a single Argentine in the room. 

I felt it in 1982. I remember watching from my parents deck when Italy's men's side lifted the cup. I was outside getting some sun, the TV was inside. Not even the thick doorwall glass could stop the goose bumps and tears from having their way with me.

I felt it in 1994. This was the year I worked for the World Cup Organizing Committee, side-by-side and up-close and personal with the best players in the world. There were many moments of that summer that stopped me in my tracks but the best was at the Rose Bowl final. My husband and I sat baking in the California sun with 100,000 others to witness Brazil's boys win in penalty kicks. I cried and hugged sweaty strangers in yellow jerseys for what seemed like hours.   

I felt it again in 1999. This time it was the women's final, U.S. vs. China. I was holding my baby daughter who had just fallen asleep in my arms. The game progressed to the dreaded penalty kick shoot-out and I found myself standing inches from the TV. When Brandi Chastain hit the winning shot and all hell broke loose on the field, I stood there frozen and cried. I didn't want to wake the angel so there was no screaming, but I shook with a feeling of joy and pride for our U.S. ladies.

And last Sunday I felt it. Although it wasn't the finals, the U.S. tied Brazil at the end of regulation and then beat them in the shoot-out. Our house was packed with family and friends who donned jerseys and flags and it erupted with screams and hugs and spilled drinks. It was a wonderful, warm moment that was only interrupted by my blowing of my vuvuzela. 

We'll feel it again on Sunday at 2 p.m. when the U.S. plays Japan for all the marbles. 

Where will you be?