Many-a Swedes have traveled across the Atlantic in search of success and a better economic life for themselves. Though the Scandinavians crossing the pond in our times do not share the financial necessity that often did their ancestors, we still love getting America-letters home telling of success and glory.
Swedish sportstars are today probably the most frequent senders of America-letters, mostly in ice-hockey naturally where cities like Detroit, New York and Denver have been painted in blue and yellow. Less renowned is the American soccer league, MLS, which now hosts two Swedes. Former superstar and leader of the national team, Fredrik Ljungberg, brings star-quality to Seattle Sounders. Newcomer for this season is coach Hasse Backe, who was given the difficult job of turning the tide for the leagues worst team last season, the New York Red Bulls. To say that Backe has fulfilled his job assignment so far is a huge understatement. New York tops the Eastern Conference, has already after seven games as many victories as the whole of last season, and has advanced in the MLS Cup.
Swede Backe has been accredited with shaping the Red Bulls' earlier shaky defense, and his players salute him for his Scandinavian calm, describing him as "strong, relaxed, not too pressuring, giving us players a very positive feeling". Aside from a few exceptions, the league-adventures of Backe's team doesn't receive that much attention in the homeland, unless it has to do with him being cheered for his work, such as this time. Just as we Swedes love hearing that American superstars love our country, we love getting notice of Swedish success-stories from home. It boosts our small sense of national pride to know that Henrik Zetterberg is carrying the Detroit Red Wings, or that Johan Renck and Alexander Skarsgård are collaborating with the biggest stars of Hollywood. That our small nation can produce success on the largest of stages, in the toughest of businesses, in a country where so many before have tried and failed, almost makes us raise the yellow and blue and sing "thou old, thou free..."
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