Prediction From Capitol Hill: USA Survives Group Stage

Capitol Hills biggest soccer fans can be found in theCongressional Soccer Caucus, a group of 25 representatives spanning the political landscape but all dedicated to promoting the sport.

The Wall Street Journal caught up with one of the caucuss co-chairs, Rep. Dave Reichert(R., Wash.) to learn more about why the caucus was formed and to get a sense of how the self-proclaimed big fan was feeling just ahead of the U.S. opener.

Q: So, why the soccer caucus?

A: I wanted to help chair the soccer caucus because Ive seen the value of team sports in shaping young peoples lives. It teaches them so many things that you dont get in a traditional classroom or in individual events. You learn leadership and teamwork. You learn split-second decision making. You learn how to lose gracefully and you learn how to win gracefully. These things are all so important and set you up to be successful in adulthood.

Also, my daughter coaches high school soccer, my granddaughter plays soccer, and I kicked the ball around coaching my daughters when they were young and in my days in the King County Sheriffs Office.

Q: Do you do anything as a caucus, including but not limited to lawmaking and watching soccer together?

A: The Soccer Caucus doesnt generally have time to sit down and watch a full match together, but well all be keeping up with the World Cup. And of course, Go [Seattle] Sounders!

Q: Have you seen more Americans (or more of your constituents) express interest in soccer? What of the claims that soccer is un-American?

A. Well, I come from Washington State where soccer is extremely popular! I think we can look around at the MLS and seeing the new talent its attracting and the new teams that are being formed and its very evident that soccer is a growing sport in the United States. So the claims that it is uUn-American just dont make sense to me. As more and more Americans play the sport, the more well create an American style for the sport and our own ways of celebrating it. Its a sport that is very much like our nation diverse, multicultural, and made to last. Thats definitely American.

Q: How do you think the U.S. soccer team will perform against its first round of opponents, Ghana, Portugal and Germany? People are calling it the group of death.

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Prediction From Capitol Hill: USA Survives Group Stage