Too much flag waving at FIFA

[Cyrano]

I think the American women's soccer team was incredible. Their athletic skills, enthusiasm and spirit is outstanding and inspiring.

But all that fucking flag waving, among the fans and on the field, was a turnoff to me. And people shouting "USA," "USA," is barf inducing.

I saw a few small Japanese flags being waved in the stands here and there. But no other country seems to throw their flag in the world's face as much as we do. It's as though we are somehow "superior" to the rest of the world and we have to let them know it as often as possible.

The only other country I can recall waving a flag this much was Germany in the 1930s and 1940s.

Somehow, we've got to get rid of this "American Exceptionalism" sickness of the mind and realize we are on a planet with almost seven billion other people. And many are content without having to wave their national flag in the face of the world.

It's time we got over ourselves.

[Fawke Em]

1. I heard that the icky, "USA! USA!" shouting was at a minimum.

Nothing like it would have been had it been any other sport.

[randr]

2. If you are a sports fan do you cheer for your own team?

[Capt. Obvious]

4. You know who else used to cheer for their own sports teams?

That's right, Hitler.

[tazkcmo]

59. lol

He also wore underwear. And shoes. And socks. And stuff.

[Telcontar]

169. Hitler loved dogs, opposed animal testing, and was a vegitarian

Sound like anyone you know?

[Capt. Obvious]

171. He also hated smokers

[Capt. Obvious]

3. I see you didn't watch any other matches

or any other soccer event ever.

[whatthehey]

5. D'ya ever think it might be because Canada is a bit closer to the US than Japan?

After all it's not a unique phenomenon

https://www.google.com/search?q=south+africa+world+cup+crowds&rls=com.microsoft:en-us&tbm=isch&imgil=XC98bmYmxtCBtM%253A%253BiSVXm4hlXw4I1M%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Fsienna17.wordpress.com%25252F2014%25252F11%25252F14%25252F73%25252F&source=iu&pf=m&fir=XC98bmYmxtCBtM%253A%252CiSVXm4hlXw4I1M%252C_&biw=1680&bih=903&usg=__6vv29ciZTu9WmjT1Px0CJSkaa6Y%3D&ved=0CCwQyjc&ei=NpeaVePBN8qnyAT4rou4Dg#imgrc=XC98bmYmxtCBtM%3A&usg=__6vv29ciZTu9WmjT1Px0CJSkaa6Y%3D

[Travis_0004]

6. Flag waiving is quote common in the world cup

I would assume the United States had a large presence, since traveling to Canada is a lot easier for Americans, than it is for Japanese

[JaneyVee]

7. If USA USA USA offends you...

Perhaps it's time to move?

[MattSh]

92. Ye Gads...

Is it "love it or leave it" time again?

[Fawke Em]

95. I don't need to move.

I think a lot of us find that chant full of propaganda because it was employed so much during wars.

[NorthCarolinaL]

140. I really think that line can be blurred.

National flag waving is obviously common in international play, but this has bled over to sports within the country. I remember the 1991 hockey all-star game. There were lots of flag wavers in support of the Iraq invasion. One sign read, "No flag burners here."

Maybe the OP was really thinking more about that. This type of pseudo-patriotism has taken over a lot at national sporting events, especially football. The ceremonies are full of military idolization and other baloney. I pay to watch a sporting event, not some zombie adulation for people killing others thousands of miles away.

[Fawke Em]

165. I don't pay to have to stand up and chant like a zombie, either.

[Nye Bevan]

8. .

[Nuclear Unicorn]

16. haters

[snooper2]

31. HOLY SHIT they look like NAZIS!

[DonCoquixote]

58. and keep in mind

The St. George's flag is a come down from the union Jack, which was only abandoned once Scotland started getting serious about leaving the UK.

[Nye Bevan]

68. It's ALWAYS been the England flag (St. George's Cross) at football matches.

Scotland and Wales have their own national teams.

[iandhr]

85. Exactly

[pintobean]

9. USA! USA! USA! USA! USA! USA!

[Capt. Obvious]

12. Needs more eagle

[cascadiance]

80. I guess if they'd beaten China in the finals instead of the quarterfinals...

... that then perhaps that order and the "familiarity" with what is happening today is that we might have a way to beat China in the world economy too, which we are losing to them at the moment with the free trade crap that we have now!

[NightWatcher]

10. and what was with all the ball kicking and running around?

Why don't they just chill out and read a book? I could lend them my copy of Sylvia Plath...

[BeeBee]

11. Wow. You must not get out much. n/t

[Nuclear Unicorn]

13. Women's professional sports seldom garners the attention given their male counterparts.

Beach volleyball does, though I'm not entirely certain if the attraction is the athletics or just -- ahem -- the athletes.





So people were cheering an American female sports team for their skill. What else should the crowd have chanted? And let's face it, "USA! USA! USA!" rolls off the tongue easier than, "Eritrea! Eritrea! Eritrea!"

[Glassunion]

125. Point of order....

More Americans tuned into the the Final last night, then did those who tuned into the last game of the world series last year.
Last game of the World Series Ratings = 13.7
Last night's final of the FWWC = 15 (initial ratings, may be as high as 18 once the final numbers are out)

[cyberswede]

14. From the men's final

[Capt. Obvious]

17. Yeah but that pic is from the 1930's and 1940's

[stevenleser]

25. I know you are kidding, but the flag of that time would be somewhat different. nt

[mythology]

86. Obviously it's photoshopped

[Cyrano]

15. Well, from the answers I've seen so far,

it seems like there are a lot of "true patriots" here.

Sorry, but my "patriotism" is of a quieter kind.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

20. We're all special in our own way.

[Capt. Obvious]

23. You know who else were "true patriots?"

That's right, the Nazis.

[tymorial]

132. God I love histrionics

/sarcasm off.

[snooper2]

33. that quiet patriotism is what led Hitler to come to power

[Cyrano]

36. Surely you jest

[tkmorris]

69. Your entire premise was just plain wrong

I think the responses are more due to that than patriotism, or the flavor of it anyone prefers.

[randys1]

81. You are supposed to sing songs like "proud to be an American" while advocating for

lower taxes, starving poor people, killing Women in back alleys and so on.

Patriotism BY ANY country or group is dangerous and can and often does lead to abuse and in our case here in the good ole USA, American Empire.

I went to a celebration on the 4th with thousands of folks and the speaker said the main reason we celebrate is to celebrate freedom.

But the kind of freedom he was thinking of, based on his other comments, should be spelled freedumb.

Like the freedumb to have the Koch Bros and friends steal half of our country's resources and wealth.

[BeyondGeography]

101. ffs

[NCTraveler]

113. If that is what you are getting from reading the replies.

Then I understand how you came to the thoughts necessary to post your op.

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. Try going to a soccer match at at the Colusseum in L.A. when a team from Mexico is playing.

No flag waving whatsoever. That should make you feel better.

Oh yeah I almost forgot... the American National Anthem is booed so loudly you can feel the sound. You'd like it.

[KamaAina]

83. That would explain why we no longer hold our qualifiers against El Tri there

which we used to do because, thanks to the Mexico supporters, we could at least sell the place out. You could hear the poutrage all over Mexico the first time we dared to hold one in Columbus -- in February, no less! The Mexican press dubbed it la Guerra Fria -- the Cold War! And we kicked their tricolored butts.

[zappaman]

19. Never watched soccer before, eh?

[stevenleser]

22. We composed essentially the same thoughts at the same time. The OP is a ridiculous post. nt

[underahedgerow]

29. Right??? They've never seen world cup football! (soccer) Aw it's great to support your home team!

See, when a person's experience is limited to national commercial teams such as American football, there are no flags. When it's an international match, that's a 'whole 'nuther ball game, baby!'

[stevenleser]

21. You're kidding me right? Have you never watched English, German, Italian or Spanish soccer league

games? Or any league games in Latin America?

Have you watched any Euro cup or Copa America matches?

This was tame compared to what fans of those countries or teams do during matches.

I was in Hamburg, Germany during Euro cup 2012. Hamburg essentially shut down during the matches and the entire city came out to celebrate wins, waving flags and going crazy.

This manufactured outrage is ridiculous.

[Cyrano]

30. No, I'm not a big soccer fan/watcher

But flag waving is something I never approved of. And the fact that many Americans think we're "The Greatest Country In The World" is depressing. True greatness doesn't need to brag.

[stevenleser]

34. Your subject line here says it all. Exuberence of US fans is tame compared to that of other

countries and teams. You've created a non-issue here because you don't know the sport.

[nadinbrzezinski]

41. They were tame

take my word on this. I love the sport...hooligans not so much. You might want to google that term.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

43. "True greatness doesn't need to brag."

Tell us again about the greatness of your quiet patriotism.

[Cyrano]

45. Okay. True patriotism doesn't need to be shouted.

[Nuclear Unicorn]

57. They're in a f-ing stadium! Do you expect people to sit there with their hands folded in their laps?

I could never be accused of being a sports fan of any stripe but I know people go there for the thrill of competition. It makes them exuberant.

And it's not just sports. Ever seen Justin Bieber fans? It eludes me but they scream and carry on and buy merchandise. Apparently that phenomenon has been going on since Elvis. I don't get it but I'm content to let people have a good time.

[tazkcmo]

65. You're confused.

It's the national team. They represent the USA, thus the USA chants and USA flag waving. If it was a league game, say the Greens vs the Oranges you'd see green flags, orange flags and hear chants peculiar to each of the teams. See, it's not about country so much as it is about team support. Also, if this is the biggest problem you have today, you're going to have a really good day.

[Lizzie Poppet]

159. I get that you don't get sports...no worries.

But because you don't attend events, I respectfully suggest you haven't the experience to be forming opinions about the motivations, the emotional involvement, the astonishing rush of joy that results from having your team win (particularly a victory of such stature). There's a bit of basic, broad patriotism involved, sure...but it's mostly for the team itself. Please trust me on this (huge, over-the-top soccer fan).

[NCTraveler]

114. You don't approve? lol.

Sound like my dad.

[cwydro]

144. Lol, I've been in Germany and England

during big soccer matches.

Both are waving the flag on the durn trains!!

I enjoyed it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

24. Could it be because they were playing with home field advantage

and to mention that other World Cup, you sure missed the people wrapped in other national flags.

The World Cup is known for this, not just on our part. I expect to see this at the Olympics as well, for multiple nations.

[Capt. Obvious]

26. Rec because this needs to get to the front page

[pintobean]

27. +1

[Dr. Strange]

96. You know who else tried to get to the front page?

That's right, the Nazis.

I think it was in an episode of Hogan's Heroes.

[Capt. Obvious]

99. Did you know Kinch had a radio in the coffeepot?

[snooper2]

28. you were able to weave NAZIS! into the FIFA win LOL

[Cyrano]

32. You're intentionally misunderstanding

what I'm saying. However, believe whatever you wish.

[LittleBlue]

35. Welcome to international soccer

It's 90% nationalism, 10% soccer.

The men's games usually suck. Count yourself lucky that we saw seven goals instead of the usual 1 or scoreless pk shootout.

[GitRDun]

37. There is nothing wrong with enthusiastically cheering on your team...

flags and all.

There were articles written about "over-enthusiastic" Chicago Blackhawks fans flying their colors at away games in the recent Stanley Cup playoffs.

Cheering on your team has nothing to do with American Exceptionalism.

You are missing the mark on this post.

[Cyrano]

38. Perhaps. But I think that Nationalism/tribalism is

something the world would be better off without.

[philosslayer]

66. So then you're opposed to the World Cup, and the Olympics

On principal. Because its countries competing against countries. Correct?

[Telcontar]

170. I think more Nationalism is what we need

[Throd]

39. We should have let Japan win because we suck or something.

[Cyrano]

40. Let me answer you with this --

sigh.

[joeybee12]

42. I think it was mainly due to the location of the event...Vancouver...

Proximity allowed for the majority of fans to be American...all countries do it during the World Cup.

[Texasgal]

46. I don't know about that.

When world cup was in Dallas years and years ago the Brazilians were the craziest most fun fans I've ever seen or encountered! They were nuts! Dallas, TX is a long way from Brazil!

[joeybee12]

51. With 4 World Cup titles, those Brazilians...

live and die for the sport...when they didn't win last time after hosting, one would have thought their world had ended!

[Capt. Obvious]

56. Crying Brazilians

[pintobean]

63. I only see two.

[Capt. Obvious]

64. Well, how many is a Brazilian?

[thucythucy]

105. I think a Brazilian is somewhere between a billion

and a gazillion.

Then again, math was never my strong suit.

[iandhr]

88. Soccer is the national religion of Brazil.

[brooklynite]

44. here's a hint: the USA was next door...

...easy for US fans to come up. If the match had been held in Japan, the Japanese presence would have been just as imposing.

Sports fans do this.

(2014 World Cup)

[bigwillq]

47. No issue with flag waving or the chants.

USA, baby!

[Capt. Obvious]

52. I have a problem with the USA chant

it's boring and dated.

I'm glad AO has been bringing new chants to the game.

[tkmorris]

71. I've always thought that chant was a tad inane

The video however is just brilliant. It always gets me riled up.

[Capt. Obvious]

54. Another great chant that didn't catch on last year

[Cyrano]

53. My feelings exactly

I'm really surprised that so many here on DU don't see this.

[CANDO]

60. I self deleted

Because I didn't want to get in to any pissing contests. But nice that you and I see eye to eye on this garish display, whether its us or any other nation.

[Codeine]

49. Every country does this at international games.

It's part of football all over the globe.

And in my experience American fans of the sport trend quite liberal and enlightened about other nations. We just want to generate some 12th man enthusiasm and cheer our women or our men on.

"USA! USA!" is a damned good chant, btw. It's clear, it carries, and it's easy for a crowd to synch up to.

[lunatica]

50. Have you ever watched any men's soccer matches between countries?

It's not uncommon, albeit as a non sports person I find it bizarre, but from all countries involved.

[NutmegYankee]

55. You are so wrong!

I've gone to the Olympics in foreign countries and they would shame us for lack of patriotism in comparison. Hell, you should have seen Canada before the final in men's hockey back in 2010. People were draping themselves in Canadian flags and cheering through the streets the night before the game. As I rode down the escalator to the subway in Vancouver, whole crowds of young men were chanting "Canada Canada Canada" as they rode up. Everyone wore national colors. Maple leaf flags were everywhere.

[Capt. Obvious]

61. C'mon people - only one rec away from making the Greatest Page!

Maybe we can make it a trending topic too.

[msanthrope]

167. Me, I can't wait for the Leni Riefenstahl documentary on the USA team. nt

[theboss]

62. We need to copy the Europeans and just throw bananas

And sing songs from the 30s.

[Ryano42]

67. Call it nationalism, call it whatever you like...

But this meant so much to us, to me...at time we really needed it. And yes, it felt great to beat the Soviets!!!



It's certainly better than cheering for an actual war don't you think?

[bpj62]

151. Perfect Picture

You posted exactly what I was thinking. It is absolutely common at international events for rhe team or individual winner of the event to walk around the track or field waving the flag of thier country. The women on that team will never make the money that thier male counterparts do but they play for the love of the sport and the country they represent. We are not a perfect country but international sporting events is something which unites this country and that is a good thing.

[madamesilverspurs]

70. I'm not a sports fan. But ...

I'd rather see flags waving in a stadium than on a battlefield. Any day.

[tkmorris]

72. Amen to that

And I'm an Atheist, I don't use that term lightly.

[GoneOffShore]

73. ^This^

You nailed it.

And I'm saying this as someone who doesn't like flag displays.

[3catwoman3]

75. Damn right.

It was absolutely exhilarating.

[Lizzie Poppet]

158. + a gajillion

[demmiblue]

74. Vuvuzela. n/t

[DawgHouse]

107. Nooooooo!!

[demmiblue]

149. Sorry for bringing up that horrendous memory. Here is a video that will help you sleep:

[DawgHouse]

150. I had forgotten but now the horror is fresh again.

[GoneOffShore]

76. You don't get out a lot, do you?

[LanternWaste]

77. No doubt, you'll allow us the precise and appropriate amount of flag waving, yes?

No doubt, you'll allow us the precise and appropriate amount of flag waving, and the objective measure on which that number is based yes?

[The2ndWheel]

78. This happens at any global sporting event

Look at Canada when they win in hockey. Look at any country that wins in whatever they're competing in. Flags, national anthems, etc. Every country does it. Every country.

I'm fine with some good old fashioned America bashing, but your critique in this case is a little narrow in scope.

[Adrahil]

79. Bullshit post of the week goes to.....

It's the national team. In the world championship. Nothing wrong with cheering for our women.

[Cyrano]

82. I'm all for cheering for our women

It's the flag waving and the "USA," "USA," crap that I object to. We can cheer away. But a truly great country can show a bit of humility and not get caught up in nationalism. It's unbecoming of us, and often ugly.

[cherokeeprogressive]

87. Say you are at the match, for the sake of argument. Do you limit your cheers to "Yay"?

[LTX]

90. I think you need to supply an alternative cheer.

The team is the U.S. team. The announcers refer to the team as U.S.A. The match was between the U.S.A. and Japan. It's rather unsurprising that "U.S.A." is the predominant cheer.

But you say you are "all for cheering for our women" (an oddly chauvinistic turn of phrase, given your objection).

So what cheer do you propose? Maybe "Go women!" (problematic, since everyone on the field is a woman). Maybe "Go our women!" (actually kind of creepy, if you think about it). Maybe "Very well done, women in the white uniforms!"

Any suggestions?

[Adrahil]

94. To be fair "our women" was my phrase.

I agree is sounds odd, but I couldn't think of another phrase off the top of my head. I guess "our team" would have worked, but I wanted to acknowledge the accomplishments of these women more directly.

[1939]

164. Ameliorate, gentle ladies, ameliorate NT

[LanternWaste]

91. A list of appropriate and humble cheers may be in order. You will provide us with one, yes?

A list of appropriate and humble cheers may be in order. You will provide us with one, yes?

[Adrahil]

93. They're the USA national team. WTF do you want people to cheer!?

Hooray women from the United States, but please don't mistake this for a jingoistic cheering chant!

Hooray women from the United States, but please don't mistake this for a jingoistic cheering chant!

The whole idea of international tournaments is as a peaceful outlet for nationalistic feelings.

Sorry, you just jumped the shark.

[LTX]

97. How about this?

"Maneuver the round leather ball auspiciously with your feet, women who are not in the blue uniforms!"

[Adrahil]

100. Excellent! nt

[iandhr]

84. Welcome to sports

Every international game has flag waving crowds regales of country.

The fact that is there is this level of boisterous sport in a women sporting event is what I call progress.



Have you every been to a NFL, MLB, NHL, or NBA games.


It the same thing. Let go (fill in the name of the team) is shouted through out the game. The louder the fans the better the atmosphere.

[philosslayer]

89. You know what else I'm offended by ?

The fact that someone had to win. I mean, of ALL those teams, there was only one winner. What about the teams that didn't win? That's really not fair to them, is it? They tried just as hard as the winning team, but they didn't get all the praise that goes along with actually winning. It's just not fair.

[Dr. Strange]

98. Everyone should get a trophy.

Even the spectators. As long as they don't have a flag.

[sarisataka]

102. Rather than piling on

I'll just say

Good Job Ladies!!

[Kalidurga]

103. Well I never thought I would see Soccer, Godwin'd.

Good job.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

108. This ^^^^^

[Fla Dem]

104. Few Japanese because it was further away in Vancouver than the US.

I have no problem when you are playing for a world championship to enthusiastically cheer on your team. If that includes flag waving, so be it. If you've watched other world games you see other countries do it as well. Small thing to nit pick over.

[Capt. Obvious]

106. Yeah, but were the other countries waving their flags with such furor?

Like the Nazis used to do?

[Fla Dem]

111. Fans have been waving flags at international sporting events forever. Have you never

watched the Olympics? I can't tell if you're just being cantankerous, serious, sarcastic, witty or trying to be funny. In any even, the Hilter/Nazi reference is ridiculous.

[sarisataka]

121. Cricket fans are a bit nutz

and skiing



or is it only football(soccer) that counts?

[DawgHouse]

109. I'm glad that the USA won

but I am not much a fan of national or international sporting events.

[NCTraveler]

110. So much wrong in your op I don't know where to start.

Yes I do, it isn't worth starting. By the way, what is the name of the winning team? What do they represent? You have clearly never watched football. Dear Lord the disconnect from society is frightening.

"The only other country I can recall waving a flag this much was Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. "

Not as cute as you thought it was going to be considering the complete disconnect between your op and world football events.

[ForgoTheConsequence]

112. I'm a proud democratic socialist.

And I have no problem cheering on our country.


I also put out the flag for the 4th. I guess I'm a Nazi = (.

[jimlup]

115. Yes I agree ... as a soccer fan I find it annoying

I support the USA team because they are my copatriots and a great team. But the USA USA USA stuff is weird I think. Not perhaps because you don't see it from other countries but because we are a world superpower and also a sports superpower it seems different.

A poor sportsmanship tweet made the natioanal news this morning. Something about a tweet that the game was "payback for Pearl Harbor." That kind of stuff shows true ignorance of history as well as poor sportsmanship.

[PersonNumber503602]

116. Is your issue just with the US flag waving or with soccer (or any sport) fans in general?

Based on the replies in this thread showing that it's common everywhere, do you still believe this is a US problem, or do you think that soccer/sports fans in general are borderline nazis?

[Capt. Obvious]

118. Show me a country that waves the flag so much

and I'll show you the Fourth Reich.

[brooklynite]

120. USA! USA!

[Lizzie Poppet]

160. Then you're calling every country with a national soccer team the Fourth Reich.

Because trust me, they all do it...

Here are some Swiss Fourth Reich types:

[NCTraveler]

117. What team...

All of those foolish people waving American flags, what team were they cheering for?

[dembotoz]

119. Silly post...they won the god damn world cup

[Godhumor]

122. This is one of my favorite threads in recent memory

So a big thumb's up to you.

[B Calm]

123. Every country in the world does the same thing!

[Glassunion]

124. You admit you are not a soccer fan/watcher. Perhaps you should watch a game or two.

You are more than welcome to pick a league...

Like a Premier League game. If I could recommend a match between Liverpool and Man U.


Or if perhaps a Liga BBVA (Spanish League) game. Any Real Madrid match would suffice.


Or a Fußball-Bundesliga league game...


The behavior you are describing is not unique to the U.S. This is something that fans all over the world do. No matter what continent you are from, the fans of soccer are pretty much quite similar. Even the Antarctic league gets into their matches...


This is not "American Exceptionalism". Nor is it a sickness of mind. It is fans, getting together and cheering on their favorite team. No matter what the team, the fans will cheer them on. There is nothing to get over.

[B Calm]

126. Bingo!

[tymorial]

127. It never fails...

Whenever people show even a modicum of pride for America, inevitably someone shows up to express their loathing.

[Cyrano]

128. And inevitably some jingoist mistakes

disdain for ultra-nationalism as loathing one's country.

[tymorial]

131. I so rest my case.

Flag waving and celebrating one's national team winning the world cup is "ultra-nationalism" as is apparently my comment. Too funny.

[fadedrose]

129. US, close; Japan, far

I think there were a lot of flags because so many Americans crossed the border to see USA team play, so flag-bearing fans was natural.

I think I heard on TV that the President of Japan did not come, and it might have made a difference if he had, a larger contingent might have come.

I think a lot of flag-waving is to booster the morale of the team, and if so, it sure worked.

But if it had been held in Europe somewhere, the flags wouldn't have been so noticeable because there would not have been nearly the number of US citizens.

[yeoman6987]

130. I think it is fantastic! We are supposed to route for our team

What better way to show the desire to win then yell out our team? I have noticed that fun is being taken away lately. Complaining about everything is status quo. Well thankfully not everyone feels that way.

[Crabby Appleton]

133. Some of the horrible flag wavers at the match

[SwissTony]

134. Can I just say...well done, USA.

Deserved winners.

Flag waving? Not a problem. Loved the woman with an eagle's head.

[johnp3907]

136. And she was flapping her "wings!"

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/07/united-states-japan-womens-world-cup-final-fan-eagle-costume

[arely staircase]

135. that is how one cheers on a national team, regardless of the nation. nt

[AngryOldDem]

137. Oh, please.

This is how spectators from every country cheer on their teams. Check out Europe, for instance.

We're no more "exceptional" than anybody else in this regard.

[Glassunion]

138. USA! USA! USA! USA!

Finally... A female US sports team. Not only outpaces their male counterpart... Well, to be honest, the women set the pace and the men have failed to pull anything remotely close.

A female team, that had higher ratings than the final game of the last World Series, a game that I might add is known as America's Pastime.

A sport that is popular the world over, not just here in the US (baseball, football), and they kicked the worlds ass.

How many times, in all honesty can you say, where this country got behind a team of females on any level, in any sport, and showed this level of support, spirit, and enthusiasm? I can think of none.

So, if you could enlighten all of us that have no issues showing up to a game, sporting the team's colors and flags (remember, these are national teams), suggest how we might go about cheering on the national team we wish to see win, that is in no way different from how the other teams go about supporting their team? A team mind you, that in the ever-so-short period of time that the cup competition existed (founded in 1991), has managed to take the most wins and the lion's share of awards since it's founding.

[Logical]

139. One of the oddest posts I have ever seen here. nt

[MH1]

154. C'mon, you LOLed. Admit it.

[JCMach1]

141. Seriously??? It's the FREAKING WORLD CUP

[a la izquierda]

142. I have to hand it to you...

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. A LONG time.
I've watched soccer in five countries (US, Mexico, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands). The flag waving, as pretty much every other person has mentioned, is standard. I was in the Netherlands for one of their WC matches last year. The fireworks and celebration went on until about 4am.

[romanic]

145. Then don't watch sports then.

If flag waving and chants bother you that much then don't watch. Simple as that.

[KamaAina]

146. Flag waving? At the World Cup? Surely you jest.

[MH1]

155. This did turn into a pretty fun thread though.

I'm glad I chose this one to click on rather than one of the ad nauseum primary fights.

[cherokeeprogressive]

156. He never jests. And don't call...

Oh never mind.

[MicaelS]

147. I really miss the Unrecc function.

So I'll just say - Unrecc x 1,000,000.

[LiberalElite]

148. The flag waving had nothing to do with

"American Exceptionalism" Yes, EVERYBODY DOES IT. There's flag waving galore in soccer. If the Japanese had won instead, do you really think that team wouldn't be waving their own? Their fans in the seats surely did (when they scored, which wasn't often).

[RandySF]

153. It was basically a home game for the US team.

[RandySF]

152. You haven't watched a lot of soccer, have you?

Watch any game in the world and you'll see people waving national flags or the flag of their favorite clubs. Here is a video at a big FC Barcelona home game.

[Lizzie Poppet]

157. Never watched a World Cup before, have you?

Trust me, during the group stages and the knockout rounds, there's flag-waving and over-the-top displays of national pride by every single team's supporters. Some more than others, obviously, since some countries are closer to where the tournament is played than others. But they all do it.

And that Nazi Germany comparison was over-the-top and insulting...

[bravenak]

161. You know who else hated people waving American flags and yelling USA USA USA?

That's right, Nazis. And Hitler.

[lovemydog]

163. lol

[840high]

162. Better to wave the flaf than burn it.

[T_i_B]

166. We all do it, not just America.

Cheering on your national football team isn't a very good example of "American Exceptionalism" to be honest. Not compared to that NFL gumph which other nations eschew in favour of rugby.

[msanthrope]

168. K&R, because seldom does a thread remind me of this.....

[brooklynite]

172. It's not a week at DU without a holier-than-thou "I'm offended and you should be too" post...

[Capt. Obvious]

173. .

[Recursion]

174. I went to an India-Pakistan cricket match last season

I don't know that FIFA even counts as vaguely nationalistic after that.