IT seems there are more flags flying out of cars, vans and trucks this week than there are fluttering on the masts of those boats that have just completed the Newport Bermuda Race.

The biennial ocean thrash attracts some of the biggest and fastest boats in the world and always has been, and still is, considered one of Bermuda's foremost sporting events.

Yet the various national flags which can be seen throughout day and night on almost every street, indicates that, as usual, football's World Cup captures the attention of everyone, sailors included, whether they have an interest in the game or not.

It quite rightly is described as the 'greatest show on earth' overshadowing even the Olympic Games.

Millions might watch the Super Bowl, billions watch the World Cup.

The football 'pools' prevalent in almost every office in town are another indication of the tournament's enormous popularity as is the fact that those same offices become slighlty less crowded whenever the big games are shown on TV.

Bermuda, of course, will never reach the dizzy heights of this sporting spectactle but that doesn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who still take a huge interest in the tournament.

Portuguese and England flags are a sign that these two countries are the most heavily supported, but there seem to be plenty from those who follow Brazil, Argentina and the various African nations.

Unfortunately the French flags have been prematurely removed. And the Italians are still crying over their Chianti.

But in the next few days you can expect to see a lot more of the Stars and Stripes.

And that might be the story of the World Cup so far.

That the Americans have reached the second round, topping England in the group phase, is proof that the US can now hold their own with any football nation in the world.

More importantly their progress should be the catalyst that will elevate football to a major sport in the US, putting it on the same pedestal as baseball, basketball, NFL and ice hockey.

FIFA took its premier tournament to American shores in 1994 in the hope that the game would expand in North America. It was a plan that backfired.

For a couple of weeks, Americans showed some interest but when it was all over, the majority couldn't have cared less whether it was played or not.

The' big four' still dominated.

That all suddenly has seemed to have changed, primarily because the USA team have had an enormous impact – everybody loves a winner.

And the coverage provided not only by ESPN but by the major networks and the fact that bars from New York to Los Angeles have seen fans spilling out into the street is an indicator that at both college and club level the game will continue to grow.

Most Americans would be surprised if told their country is currently ranked number 14 in the world.

And that ranking could improve once this World Cup is over.

In a roundabout way, the growth of football in the USA might even benefit Bermuda players.

More professional clubs will be formed thus creating more opportunities for those locals who want to test their ability overseas.

That might be optimistic but there can be little doubt that already the US team's success in South Africa has changed the way Americans look at the sport.

The next step, hopefully, will be to do away with the word 'soccer', and recognise the sport the same way as the rest of the world.

NFL followers might disagree, but there's only one football game that matters.

And at the moment it's grabbing the attention of not only those in Bermuda but in every nation around the globe.

– ADRIAN ROBSON