Gold Cup Victory Celebration

You need to watch this video provided by the USSF. It shows pregame, the all important halftime in the locker room, and the post game celebration.
If you are wondering why Miss USA is sitting with the team, she was recently loudly booed by a Mexican crowd in a competition. Smith said she received numerous letters and e-mails of support, many from U.S. soccer fans accustomed to their national team playing road games at home.

“I didn't understand why,” said Smith, who will sit in U.S. Soccer's private box at Soldier Field today. “So I did some research. I know why now. These men have faced so much adversity, and they have been so successful. It's a testament to their character. Overnight, I've become their No. 1 fan.

“I've been on the edge of my seat waiting to see if the U.S. and Mexico would play each other (in the Gold Cup). When I found out they were, I said: 'I've got to go to that game.'”

This is the letter she had sent to the soccer federation:

June 22, 2007

Dear U.S. Men's National Soccer Team,

For as long as I can remember, professional basketball has been my all-time favorite spectator sport due to my own personal love for playing the game. However, due to a recent personal experience, I have discovered that I now have a new favorite professional sport: Soccer!

During this past May, I represented the U.S.A. at the 56th Annual Miss Universe Competition in Mexico City. It was a great honor and pleasure for me to compete at this international level, but along with that privilege came a bit of adversity.

Aside from a highly publicized graceful "fall" in front of a television audience of nearly a billion people, I felt the wrath of some of the hometown crowd and was consistently "booed" whenever "USA" was called out. I received many calls and letters of support afterwards, many from U.S. National Team fans.

As an amateur athlete, I appreciate the skill and stamina required to play at the top of your game for 90-plus minutes on the field. But now I have a greater appreciation for your team and what you must endure when you compete in hostile environments while representing our country. I also want to make my supporters aware of the similar, and often worse, conditions you experience almost every time you head out onto the field.

Congratulations on making it to the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Finals! I want to make sure you know I am rooting for and supporting each one of you. As someone who can relate to you at this time, I am the newest recruit to "Sam's Army" and I will be cheering absolutely the loudest for you.

GO USA!

Your new #1 fan,
Rachel Smith
Miss USA® 2007