International visitors to the North American World Cup have been marveling at all the idiosyncratic quirks of American life, from free refills to seemingly nuclear-powered air conditioning and Buc-ee's. But they're also discovering that one of the things that used to be near the top of the list of things that make Americans different (our historic lack of interest in the world's top sport) is no longer there.
America is a Soccer Country Now
For the Washington Post, Andrés Martinez's opinion essay argues that the manner in which Americans are following the World Cup this summer and the U.S. Men's National Team is performing on the pitch proves that this country has now joined the soccer-obsessed world.