Football again shows its power among the common people

Today Iraq's beleaguered national team beat Saudi Arabia 1-0 in the final of the Asian Cup and for the first time claimed champion status, despite the terrible odds their country's condition places on the competition. The Iraqi team, under threat, is actually a true example of what we Americans said we wanted- a multicultural social structure. Kurds, Arabs, Shiites and Sunnis boot up and take the pitch together for Iraq--an Iraq which is hazardous to them and their fans. As a footballer myself, albeit on a level far below theirs, I toast them and their achievement. I honor the reality that a black and white paneled ball can bring people from almost anywhere in the world together...for game. We have sacrfiiced so many American youth to the war. I suspect we could have won hearts and minds earlier if we had brought boots, and balls, and broadcasts of the world game--because when you're part of the world game, it is a counter to the idea that you might want to reach Paradise by blowing other people up. Simplistic? Maybe. But I think the power of football is underestimated around the world. The Iraqi National Team deserves all our congratulations. They know what football is about.