Happy Independence Day From City Of Champions

Jul 1, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; Soccer fans react during a viewing party for the USA versus Belgium World Cup Soccer match on Freedom Plaz. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports

I just recently returned from my first trip overseas, as my wife and I visited friends in Denmark, Sweden, England and Germany over a two-week span.

It was an enriching and fun experience, but it just made me more grateful that I live in the United States of America. While there are benefits to residing in the Old World, the mix of nationalities and traditions that make up the USA give it a uniquely interesting character.

The people who first came across the ocean to settle in the New World did so to make their own way in this life. It’s a bold example we can all do well to emulate, especially in a modern culture that can encourage complacency.

It was refreshing seeing so many sports fans get behind the United States men’s soccer team during its (too short) World Cup run. We live in such a diverse nation – which encourages open-mindedness and acceptance – but that can make it difficult to feel truly unified at times.

But there’s nothing like a challenge to cause Americans to close ranks, and taking on the world’s best in the world’s game certainly qualifies as a difficult task.

Maybe it’s because of our origin story, but I believe we feel most comfortable as underdogs. International soccer allows us to experience what the first patriots felt. It’s quite galvanizing.

Anyway, I guess all of the above is a long-winded way of saying happy Independence Day from all of us at City of Champions.

In the sports world, we may feel like Pittsburghers more than Americans on most occasions, but we can all wear the same team colors today.