FA Cup: Does it still matter?

This past weekend, we got the chance here in the states to see a small selection of FA Cup games from England. This competition has long been considered one of the great sporting competitions in the world. The question keeps getting asked on the many podcasts I listen to. Does the FA cup still matter? From the view of a supporter of an English club from the US, I personally feel that it does. I think the "magic of the cup" is shown in the fact that despite no one wants to admit it, they do seem to care. Asking the question every time the competition comes around. In the same right, the unbelievable support of one of history's most hated clubs, Leeds United A.F.C., in their defeat of one of the clubs with the largest support bases worldwide in Manchester United shows that people are looking for the unlikeliest winners and the most interesting stories. The competition isn't what it was, but teams like Spurs, Man City and teams playing want that trophy to shove in the faces of their rivals. I absolutely want to remind every Arsenal fan that tries to make fun of me for being a Spurs fan that we have more trophies in the past 5 years. It's not the most fulfilling, but atleast I have something. Without the 2008 Carling Cup we Spurs fans would have little to be properly excited about. The question is repeated and answered by pundits all over the place, but the real important people in this is the players. Niko Krancjar has come out after the weekends fixtures and pointed out that he wants to win it again. If the players still want it, then it definitely still matters.