The stage was set for a spectacular showdown between the USA's football faithful and the rest of the world - but as the tournament hurtled towards its climax, doubts were raised about whether 'soccer' would ever truly capture America's heart. Would the World Cup be just another footnote in the US sporting landscape, or could it somehow break free from the stranglehold of basketball, baseball, and American football?
At first, it seemed like a David-and-Goliath battle: international football pitted against the mighty behemoths of US sport. John Bennett, reporting for BBC Sport, noted that initial enthusiasm in New York was eclipsed by Knicks fever - not exactly a surprise, given the team's 53-year title drought was finally coming to an end. Meanwhile, in other host cities, security concerns and local preoccupations seemed to overshadow the tournament.
But something remarkable has happened over the past three weeks. The USA's World Cup fortunes have begun to weave their magic, drawing a new generation of fans into the fold. Alex Howell, our England reporter, confessed that his initial doubts about the tournament's ability to punch through the noise had been 'totally debunked' by the spectacle on display. John Bennett witnessed a Harlem event that was positively electric - packed with supporters from all corners of the globe - and even spotted construction workers and businessmen enthralled by Cape Verde vs. Spain in Greenwich Village.
Ian Dennis, reporting from Atlanta, has seen a fan fest that's been nothing short of vibrant, with fans from every nation mingling and having the time of their lives. And it's not just about the games - it's the passion, the drama, the global appeal of football that's finally starting to win over the hearts and minds of America.
It's a victory for the underdog, then: the World Cup has taken its place alongside the US sporting elite, winning over even the most hardened sceptics. As one fan put it, 'it's not just about USA vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina - it's about something much bigger'. And if that's not a recipe for excitement, we don't know what is.
Source: BBC Sport