U.S. Hopes Confederations Cup Run Buoys Support

The U.S. men’s soccer team stole the headlines in an otherwise sleepy summer weekend, losing in the finals of the Confederations Cup to Brazil but giving the sport rare top billing across the U.S. sports radar. The men’s team proved they can compete on the world stage, but whether this will generate real momentum before next summer’s World Cup remains to be seen. As is generally the case, there are both believers and skeptics as to what the long-term significance of the event is for the future of soccer in the U.S. The other groups being tested during the tournament were FIFA and South Africa -- the N.Y. TIMES’ Jere Longman wrote the answer as to whether South Africa will be ready for the World Cup "appears to be a qualified yes." The Confed Cup was "reasonably well run," as stadiums used were "safe and secure."