The BigRich Sports Report
The rare summertime episode of Monday Night Football had a strangely familiar feeling to it.
“This is the one! We’re finally going to break through!”
“We have this great talent. Now’s the time to shine.”
“Sure, we haven’t won a big game yet, but we’re due.”
And then, the game starts.
Sucker punch. Roll over. No fight. No heart. No life.
“Why aren’t they better? Look at the fan support. People care.”
The USA men’s team being decimated by Belgium 4-1 in the FIFA World Cup round of 16 Monday night gave bandwagon and die-hard American soccer fans a glimpse into what it’s been like being a Nebraska football fan the past decade-plus.
One micro step forward before three devastating steps backwards and a spectacular car crash you just can’t look away from.
Hold that thought, hydration break.
Like many, I watched every minute of the United States in this particular World Cup. How could you not? On American soil, a vested interest and a team that had all the look and feel of one that could contend until the end.
Sound familiar? Isn’t Nebraska a yearly “dark horse” playoff pick?
The United States national team captivated an audience starved for something good to happen. There’s nothing quite like it when American fans band together as one, rooting for the same end goal. Wasn’t it just a few months ago we basically stole Canada’s national sport from them to win gold at the Olympics?
I was far from the only one who thought the United States had a real shot to play deep into the tournament. Now we’re stuck eating crow-feathered Belgian waffles.
Think about how often Husker fans have lived through Monday’s exact scenario. A sell-out crowd, prime time game, raucous atmosphere.
And then, the game starts. The hometown team wasn’t ready to play. Kicked in the teeth.
But, hang on, the USA responded! Tie game!
Only to be kicked twice as hard south of the border before we were even done celebrating.
Stop! Hydration break.
This wasn’t supposed to be like this. I didn’t want to be that guy. The last couple of weeks have been so much fun as a sports fan as we all cheered for the same team.
That’s what makes these events special. They only happen every four years. We’re all on the same team. We may be high school rivals, but we all wave the red, white and blue colors.
But, that’s sports. Only one team gets to leave happy at the end of the day. That’s why we watch.
Yes, I’ll continue watching the rest of the World Cup matches, just like I consume all of the high-end bowl games and college football playoff contests I can only dream of the Huskers playing in some day.
The “Go Big Red” chants will soon return with fervor, just like the ‘USA’ calls. One day, hopefully before I leave this land for another, I can see both win the big one.
Is this it? How much extra time is there?
College football starts in just seven weeks, which is just enough time for all of us to drink enough Kool-Aid that 2026 just might be the year the Big Red hits the right combination.
At least until the game starts.
RICHARD RHODEN can be reached at sports@hamilton.net.