STRIKE LOOMS LARGE IN BASEBALL AFTER ALL-STAR GAME: WORLD CUP FINDS SOLID FOLLOWING IN UNITED STATES

On the subject of sports, the World Cup continues to make a favorable impression on its host nation. The United States has embraced this competition, even though its own team departed the tournament eight days ago. While soccer is the most popular single athletic event on the planet. We continue to watch in amazement.

Soccer has a solid following in Cape Girardeau and the region, with youth leagues and interscholastic teams spawning a legion of young fans. Nationwide, response to World Cup games has been similarly good, with television ratings and on-site attendance flourishing.

Teams that remain in the tournament are Italy, Bulgaria, Brazil and Sweden, with the semifinals scheduled Wednesday and the championship game set for Sunday. You won't find any of these countries on this continent, but the World Cup isn't about parochial allegiance. This is a tournament for the world to observe, and the United States has had a good glimpse this year.