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Shared Challenges and Hopes
Edreece Arghandiwal, co-founder of Oakland Roots in the USL, sees soccer's potential in the US. “America is a very diverse place, especially here in Oakland.
Soccer belongs here, it always has been here, it just needs the right vehicles, the right voices, the right stories to get to the minds and hearts of people.”
Longtime sports writer John Shea remains skeptical about lasting change.
“I've heard about that narrative every few years for decades, and it hasn't changed to the point where soccer has emerged as a first or second or third sport nationwide in viewing.”
He compares the World Cup buzz to the Olympics, which draws short-term interest before habits return.
Despite the hype, the match is also a moment for reflection on the broader US-Australia relationship, including defense deals and political shifts.
But on the ground, fans hope for unity.
“At the end of the day it's all sports, and sports are meant to unify us and bring us all together,” Shaw said.
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Ramallo echoed that sentiment: “Beer, drinking, laughs, jokes … so I think there shouldn't be hatred. Instead, it should be a giant party.”
