A tough final for some to watch

Soccer connoisseurs in the United States cringed Sunday afternoon after the World Cup final.

Though entertaining to avid fans, Spain’s 1-0 victory over the Netherlands provided the picture-perfect match as to why Americans don’t enjoy soccer: few goals, little action and minute after minute of inconsequential plays.

Sigh. To think the sport almost made a big impact in this country after the U.S. team provided moments of passion and glory.

One can hardly blame the two teams involved. The Dutch had to take a physical approach to the game. It was the only way to stop — or at least contain — the vaunted and brilliant Spanish attack.

See, La Furia Roja possess the ball better than any other team in the world. They wear opponents down by making them chase the ball around the pitch. Their skill and finesse are unparalleled.

Naturally, the Oranje played rough. They tackled hard and committed fouls. They used any way necessary to disrupt the Spanish.

It led to an ugly and, at times, uneventful game, albeit strategically interesting and close.

Yet, to explain that to a casual fan or newcomer, looking for a reason to follow soccer, is difficult. It’s why so many people called the game boring.

Imagine trying to describe why the Baltimore Ravens defense, with its complicated blitz schemes, is worth watching to someone unfamiliar with the NFL. Or why running the ball 20 times in the first half makes sense, even if the team picks up three yards a carry.

It’s not easy. A Peyton Manning strike to Reggie Wayne or a 75-yard run by Adrian Peterson is much more visually stunning. No one needs to understand the nuances or complexities of a game to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of those plays.

A 3-2 game, full of goal scoring, bicycle kicks and brilliant runs, surely would have made the World Cup final exhilarating and interesting to everyone.

Maybe it’ll happen in 2014. Maybe the U.S. team will galvanize the country.

Or just maybe some things just never fully stick — like NFL Europe.

Sports reporter Evan Mohl can be reached at evan.mohl(at)galvnews.com or twitter.com/evanmohl. E-mail your ‘Bleacher Buzz’ letter (200-word limit) or guest column (350 words) to sports(at)galvnews.com.