"The People Under the Stairs"

Have you ever seen the Wes Craven classic about a family who kidnaps children only to throw in their conveniently large basement? When the frightening youngsters show their long hair and pale skin to the audience, one seemingly can't look away.

Kind of reminds me of United States soccer.

For years, U.S. Soccer was a person under the stairs; striker Landon Donovan (left) and his teammates were locked away in a dark hole with little to eat and no sunlight. With its win over No. 1 rated Spain on June 24, U.S. Soccer was discovered and rescued thanks to its own actions. It busted free of the tyranny that is a basement with a padlock attached.

The United States now has a chance to work itself back into society with a win over Brazil this afternoon. If the Americans can find some way to sneak past the amazing Brazilians, U.S. Soccer will be the new rage in this country and for good reason. Though just fighting for the FIFA Confederations Cup, victory over Brazil could go down as the greatest moment in U.S. Soccer history. And give the Americans momentum heading into next summer's World Cup.

Consider the situation America was in a week before; the only way for the United States to advance into the Cup semi-final was a three-goal victory over Egypt, who was coming off a huge victory over Italy. Also, Brazil had to knock out the Italians by a minimum of three goals. Remarkably, both events occurred, which boosted America into the final four.

Can United States Soccer give America something to celebrate by winning its first FIFA competition? Let's hope so for the sports sake.