Leave it to the generation that popularized “swag” and “YOLO” to turn the embodiment of American efficacy that is “I Believe That We Will Win” into an even more unapologetically proud celebration. Are you ready for it? Because the kids certainly are. And, incase you haven’t heard, the children are our future.
The U15 Boy’s National Team put their own spin on the American Outlaw staple of Brazil 2014. If you expected them to tone it down, then you are seriously out of touch. They huddled up after winning the Tournament delle Nazioni — a competition featuring Italy, Brazil, England, and Mexico — and began chanting the words that I hope come to define the next generation of American Soccer: I believe that we just won.
Here’s the full highlights from the win: a rollercoaster 3-2 affair. The chant starts at the 6:24 mark.
I can already feel the future hatred raining down upon our nation as 60,000 Americans chant this song during any and all of our future victories. Imagine the Azteca being serenaded with “I Believe That We Just Won” after another Dos a Cero. Or our fans, outnumbered 2 to 1, belting this across a stadium as the United States upsets England at the 2018 World Cup. If haters are supposed to be our motivators, I am pretty sure this chant can guarantee us a semifinal appearance at Russia 2018. It will make #ThereWillBeHaters seem like #ThereMightBeCake. And honestly, I’d be lying if all that didn’t make me feel a little proud.
These boys are owning the reputation that our country has spent a decade thrusting upon itself. We all grew up being told that America was more or less the greatest place on Earth, our national reputation of confidence bordering on cockiness precedes us everywhere we go, and I for one could not imagine a better place than the world of sport to put that belief and reputation to good use. We are already one of the most hated countries in soccer, so why stop at the teasingly indefinite “I Believe That We Will Win?” Our victories are already greeted with everything from reserved fuming to vehement anger, we should bask in it.
Of course, we will still need to walk the walk, but if the highlights above are anything to go by, that doesn’t seem like very much of a problem. Andrew Carleton, the boy who scored a brace, had 7 goals in 5 games, and Tim Weah, who added the final nail in the coffin in the Final, is the son of former World Player of the Year George Weah. If Tim can come close to being the kind of player his father was, he could be one for the ages.
That being said, it’s absurd to try and predict what kind of player a 15-year-old will be when they grow up. With luck, talent, and hard work, some of the boys on this team will make the senior USMNT going to Qatar 2022 — if that godforsaken tournament does even take place. If they do step out onto those controversial pitches, they can rest easy knowing that they have dealt with animosity since they were boys. They will be critiqued from positions both tactical and political, and they will likely be criticized regardless of the result of the match. But that’s just fine; it will be why they believe that they will win the next.
Follow Ivan on Twitter: @yelty
