The face of the bid

Posted on February 17, 2010

Earlier in our campaign, we asked all of our supporters to write a letter to FIFA explaining why "The Game is in US" and more specifically, how the game is in them.

We committed to including the best letter in the official bid book that the USA Bid Committee is delivering to FIFA in March.

The response was overwhelming. Inspiring letters poured in that show just how much soccer touches the lives of countless Americans.

A runner-up to the contest, Michael Nojeim of Tomball, Texas wrote to us about how soccer is "Democracy on Grass," which is something he teaches his students:

Greetings:

For more than 35 years, I have lived and breathed soccer in the United States.

As a player, as a high school coach, and even as a Political Science professor (yes, I have taught soccer at university), I have experienced first hand the meaning of the often-quoted phrase that "soccer is democracy on grass." Anyone can play, whether small or large, quick or slow, black or white, immigrant or native, rich or poor, tall or short.

But what makes "democracy on grass" so special in the United States is that here it reflects the incredible diversity of the sport worldwide. On soccer fields across America, you find virtually every type of person playing the game: whether you are in Iowa or Texas, Illinois or Florida, Oregon or New York, soccer in the United States unites people across languages, races and cultures in ways most other countries cannot.

American soccer fields are little U.N. General Assemblies scattered throughout the American countryside where diverse people come together in a common bond, with a common purpose. I have learned Spanish, German, Arabic and even a little Ibo on American soccer fields.

Soccer in America gives us the example of democracy as sport that is transferable to democracy as governance. What better lesson could I offer my students than in engaging them on the soccer field?