Soccer Moms Get Their Due

The opening victory of the American soccer team in the 2002 World Cup was a tribute to all those who have labored in building up this sport in the United States.

Especially all the mothers (and fathers) in minivans who tended to young players year after year.

The US team, ranked 13th, beat 5th-ranked Portugal, 3-2. Not since 1950, when the US beat Britain, have American men showed their potential to win against the best teams in the world's most popular sport.

A win for the US in this Monday's game against South Korea could seal the sport's place in the pantheon of great athletics to watch in the US.