When Patriotism Isn't a Party Favor The American flag is being waved, and the country's international reputation is receiving an unexpected boost.
But scratch beneath the surface of this World Cup phenomenon, and you'll find it's not just about soccer or sportsmanship – it's what happens when politics take a backseat.
For a summer that was supposed to be marked by America 250 celebrations, which promised national unity and grand spectacle, the opposite has turned out to be true.