No World Cup berth? No problem!

Ok, maybe it’s a bit troubling, but it’s also important to remember that the lights have not gone out on this sport in America. Fans in the U.S. have much to look forward to in the near future, and just as much to be thankful for in the present.

In the spirit of the season, we take some time for a few spots of optimism regarding the beautiful sport, played in America beneath spacious skies and amber waves of yellow cards.

Here, 10 reasons to be offer a thank you for the state of soccer in the U.S., while you ritually imbibe in alcoholic and non-alcoholic sauces:

1.The United Bid for the 2026 World Cup – Although there is no such animal as a sure thing when it comes to any FIFA vote, the United bid by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico remains heavily favored to top Morocco’s proposal to host the 2026 tournament. The inclusion of the two other North American countries likely neutralizes any anti-Trump, global sentiment.

FIFA’s final decision won’t be made until May, 2020, but until then Americans can busy themselves dreaming about a 48-team soccer-palooza held throughout the country. Here’s the biggest bonus of all: the U.S. team would automatically qualify as one of the hosts.

So take that, Panama.

2. The availability of soccer matches on television. The abundance of options is truly remarkable these days, thanks to eager, live-sports-loving networks like Fox, ESPN, NBC, and Univision.

Americans can tune in games from the English Premier League, La Liga, Serie A. Ligue 1, and the Bundesliga. They can watch Champions League matches, national team qualifiers and friendlies. They can watch MLS games and they can even watch an assortment of college matches.

By stark comparison, us Baby Boomers grew up with just one, pathetic choice on our black-and-white televisions: grainy broadcasts on UHF band waves of matches off Rai Italia (although we did learn how to say corner kick in Italian (calcio d’angolo).

3. Christian Pulisic, and the next generation – There are a lot of promising kids coming up through the ranks, at least on the attacking end of the field. Pulisic is an established star, while teens like Josh Sargent, Tim Weah and Weston McKennie promise to score many goals in the future for the national team.

Now, if only America could develop a decent back four…

4. Sponsors – Sometimes, we take for granted that companies like Nike, Budweiser and Coca Cola are willing to throw a ton of money at soccer in this country – even though the sport can’t yet compare to football or basketball in TV ratings. The U.S. Soccer Federation received nearly $50 million in sponsorships during 2015, according to its 2016 990 tax form. In addition to that, companies fund tournaments, academies and equipment.

As long as participation continues to build at the recreation level, corporations will see soccer as an attractive market. Growth potential among a young audience is really all that matters, and soccer offers plenty of that.

5. The U.S. women’s team – The USWNT – the three-time, defending World Cup champ and currently the No. 1-ranked team by FIFA – is truly one of this nation’s sporting treasures.

Along the way, the American women have featured some of the greatest stars of the sport, from Michelle Akers, to Mia Hamm, to Abby Wambach, to Carli Lloyd. Judging by recent results, they will be top contenders for many tournaments to come.

6. New soccer hotbeds – Not that long ago, soccer was viewed as merely a regional pastime in America, with support concentrated in the Northeast, West Coast and an odd pocket here or there such as St. Louis.

Now, we tend to see the sport as a real national presence. Boys and girls varsity soccer is available at virtually every high school. Attendance records at places like Atlanta, Nashville, Cincinnati and Seattle demonstrate that the country’s appetite for soccer is widespread and voracious.

7. Major League Soccer – The young league has been around for only two decades, but has evolved to a point where nobody wonders any longer if it will survive. Instead, the only question is where it will expand to, next.

While MLS still has some obvious growing pains and cannot compare in quality to the European leagues, there is no denying that it is spreading the gospel effectively throughout America.

8. Stadiums and facilities – Soccer-specific stadiums have sprouted everywhere, but it’s not just that. America offers facilities that range from 70,000-seat stadiums to all those clusters of soccer fields perched right outside the cities, servicing recreation, travel, and academy teams.

No other country, other than the U.S., could host a 48-team World Cup with almost no lead-up warning. Meanwhile, the quality of playing fields for kids has improved immensely, in many ways outpacing the country’s coaching capabilities.

9. National Women’s Soccer League – The 10-team, pro league is still a bit wobbly and unpredictable (just last week, a new team surfaced in Salt Lake while Kansas City folded). Average attendance hovers just above 5,000, boosted by the huge popularity of the Portland Thorns.

Still, despite problems, the NWSL is still a professional landing place for top women soccer players, and must not be taken for granted. The league deserves both our thanks, and our support.

10. Sunil Gulati – A lot of people are condemning the president of U.S. Soccer, and FIFA vice president, for the failings of the men’s national team. Gulati was guilty of throwing a lot of wasted money at Jurgen Klinsmann (more than $3 per year, toward the end of his contract). The nation’s pay-to-play youth programs are still lacking in reach and diversity.

But it’s too easy to forget, also, that Gulati helped nurture several of the above-mentioned achievements during his 11-year realm, while delicately navigating FIFA’s treacherous political waters. The Chuck Blazer bribery scandals never pulled the U.S. Federation too far below water, in part because of Gulati’s boy-scout image. His diplomacy is likely to be rewarded three years from now with a vote awarding the United bid the 2026 World Cup.

Considering he was paid nothing to do all this, Gulati was something of a bargain. So, in the darkest of times, some thankfulness for him as well.