Most think not, and they're probably right. For whatever reasons, Americans don't like soccer. Arguments are made all the time as to why, but the bottom line remains the same. What should not be lost sight of, though, is the remarkable achievement the Americans accomplished by reaching the round of eight.

Sometimes, great teams fail to qualify for the Cup (see Holland). Sometimes, great teams are placed in an easy group and fail to come out of the first round (France and Portugal). Sometimes, great teams are placed in the group of death and can't escape the first round, either (Argentina). And sometimes, teams get knocked out far before they should when the finish is in sight because the host country gets the benefit of every call (Italy and Spain).

America could have much better teams in future years, but they might not advance as far. Skill can only take you so far in the World Cup - you need luck on your side, as well. Which was clearly evident when South Korea squeezed in that goal against Portugal. The day when America played their worst was the same day they advanced to the second round.

The luck continued when John O'Brien clearly punched a would-be header goal opportunity out of the penalty area vs. Mexico. That should have been a penalty kick and a red card. Instead, the U.S. moved on to play Germany -- which is where the luck ran out.

As far as Torsten Frings' handball, you can cite any rule and dress it up any way you want. But the first thing one learns when he puts the spikes on the pitch for the first time is that you cannot handle the ball to prevent a goal unless you are the one wearing the shirt which looks nothing the rest of your teammates.

Franz Beckenbauer believed the U.S. should have been awarded their first-ever penalty kick in World Cup play. And if that's not a penalty kick, then Germany's greatest player is wrong and all those Patriot fans are right when they said Tom Brady was in the act of passing.

Frings probably did not mean to handle it, but I'm guessing when Michael Ballack made his sliding tackle late in Tuesday's game, he meant to get the ball, not the man and a yellow card that accompanied the clumsy challenge, ultimately leading to his suspension for the final.

Yellow cards are another subject which keep Americans away from soccer. Ballack is clearly Germany's best player, yet he has to abide by the same rules the rest of his team must adhere to. In America, superstars usually live by a different set of rules.

Barry Bonds, aside from his own recliner, TV, and personal trainer, also has his own strike zone. Michael Jordan and Shaquille O'Neal are officiated quite differently than the rest of the NBA. When a star player and a coach have a feud, the coach is usually the one holding the short end of the stick. Roy Keane goes home in Ireland -- in America, Mick McCarthy gets the axe.

Americans like their stars. Golf was okay until Tiger Woods burst onto the scene. Now most tournaments he participates in are non-competitive, yet the ratings are higher than ever. Excuses are made to ensure the moneymakers are always around when television needs them most. If FIFA were run by David Stern, I guarantee Ballack would be available to play on Sunday.

All that aside, the yellow card rule is flawed. Two yellows in three matches should not lead to a suspension in the next match, especially with the amount of chicanery that accompanies these fouls. Three yellows in three matches, or two in two matches should result in a match ban. But that should be discussed for the next World Cup. That, and the officiating, which has bordered on the insane.

The only thing more insane was Perugia's decision to void the contract of Ahn Jung-hwan, the South Korean player who ended Italy's dream prematurely. Both semifinal games were officiated beautifully, which puts a little water on the fire, and assuming Pierluigi Collina refs the final, the officials can go out on a high note. Which is what they will need after the robbery that was perpetrated on the team from Spain to name one in a series of horrendously, poorly-judged contests.

Alas, the finals are here, with familiar faces Germany and Brazil slated to meet. Ironically, they have never met in the final game. I don't know if Oliver Kahn will be able to keep the likes of the three R's out of the nets, but as this World Cup has shown, anything is possible. Except soccer as a major sport in America.

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