Optimism after WC bubble burst

[SixSeven]

I feel great about improvements in US Soccer in spite of the tough trip to the WC for USMNT 2006. Here are some of the top things I can think of that have improved for the US between WC 2002 and 2006. Also, I've added some positive thoughts about beyond 2006. Am I wrong about any of these things?

1) Most players ever in Premier League right now
2) Smart investment for MLS in Soccer specific stadiums
3) More European teams playing in US markets
4) European teams now playing MLS teams when making trips, not just Mexican teams
5) Beasley 12 goals in 2005 season for PSV most ever for US player
6) Only time in recent memory that USMNT qualified prior to final qualification game
7) Improved respect for field (non-goalie) US players in Europe
8) WC 2002 and 2006 viewership surprised (and pleased) broadcasters
9) We tied the 2006 champion while playing a man down for 40 minutes
10) US fan involvement at WC 2006 improvement over 2002
11) US fans who want to support contender can support USWNT
12) We'll probably get some non-US coaches working for MLS and USMNT in the future (hopefully, from Spain, Argentina, Brazil, or Germany) :)
13) MLS allstar game is a great format
14) Interest in soccer is growing here
15) It is fun to have soccer growing, but not huge--no doping scandals and high priced primadona players
16) It is fun to support and underdog team before everybody jumps on the bandwagon (which will happen someday, I think)
17) We had a tough bracket in 2006, so the team is better than they looked this WC--I think in the next WC, we'll have an easier bracket, and people will be surprised about how much we improved (I think we were better than we looked, this time)
18) Klinsi could be our coach! :D
19) Since MLS season is in Europe's off season, we can watch soccer year round!
20) Goalie awards for Brad and Tim; MVP for Brian this year at Folsom; Players improving abroad.

Thinking about these things, I've recovered from the WC. :cool: I still think it is great to be a USMNT soccer fan. Anybody agree?

[MarioKempes]

20) Goalie awards for Brad and Tim; MVP for Brian this year at Folsom; Players improving abroad.


I've got the Folsom Prison Blues

[sidefootsitter]

When did Beasley score 12 goals?

I mean, unless one of his goals was to get arrested for DUI....

[LittleMaradona]

I've got the Folsom Prison Blues
He is referring to Brian McShank of the Folsom Prison Rec League.

[FirstStar]

I've got the Folsom Prison Blues

I killed a man once, just to watch him die.

[russ]

I killed a man once, just to watch him die.
Unless you shot him in Reno,it doesn't count.

[sidefootsitter]

I shot him in my pajamas ... and no, he did not get into my pajamas.

[MarioKempes]

I shot him in my pajamas ... and no, he did not get into my pajamas.

Is that you, John Mark Karr?

[Soccerprep]

When did Beasley score 12 goals?

I mean, unless one of his goals was to get arrested for DUI....
he scored 12 in his first season at PSV (04-05). THat included 4 in the champions league (i think he led the team in champions league goals that year)

[FormerGermanGuy]

I think in the last 4 years we solidified our position, at least in the rest of the world's mind, as a good but not great team. All the Mexican fans I know (and I know a lot; check my location) say the same thing: we're good but we just played with no heart at the WC. We have good and proven players who are often inconsistent. After 4 years of development we now have a greater depth of good, proven, inconsistent players.

I do think that the core of our team became complacent and began seeing their spots as birthrights at the end. I hope bringing a new coach in will re-instill some urgency in their play. There is not much hunger left, and that needs to change in a hurry.

[mette72]

I do think that the core of our team became complacent and began seeing their spots as birthrights at the end. I hope bringing a new coach in will re-instill some urgency in their play. There is not much hunger left, and that needs to change in a hurry.


This was the problem in Germany, and it was crystal clear in the first 10 minutes of the first game. Because of this problem, I believe that more players need to test themselves over-seas instead of playing in the secure confines of MLS (hello, LD).

Anyway, I hope the new coach, whoever that is, can figure this problem out. I think this problem with lack of heart stems from how most of the US National players come through the ranks, and their socio-economic background as youth soccer stars (and I said most, not all, so chill on the examples of how I am "wrong"). Compare that upbringing with other places where soccer is the way out of the ghetto. Those players have heart and a great deal of fight. A lot of our stars have always had a starting spot on the team, and when they go home, they live with mom and dad in their 4000 square foot home behind gates. Nothing wrong with this at all, but in most cases, this type of player doesn't have the same drive/passion as the player who lives in the 800 square foot apartment in the ghetto with his 10 cousins.

Actually, when I reread what I just posted, I think this really may only pertain to LD!!! AHHHHHH....time to move on!

[2ndAveFC]

When did Beasley score 12 goals?

I mean, unless one of his goals was to get arrested for DUI....

easy

[SixSeven]

I think in the last 4 years we solidified our position, at least in the rest of the world's mind, as a good but not great team. All the Mexican fans I know (and I know a lot; check my location) say the same thing: we're good but we just played with no heart at the WC.

I was reading World Soccer prior to the WC, and they said basically the same thing, that the US had talent, but that they were probably not going to thrill the spectators.

I think that the 2006 team carried 11 players from the 2002 team, which I think people would say had a lot of heart and soul. With so many of the same players on the team, I don't think that they were lacking this time in character, that they had before.

I thought Koller's big header, and those two other Czech goals, led to a significant let down of confidence for the US's part, that contributed to our quick exit at the WC.

I think the other part was the ball not bouncing our way. In 2002, the ball went our way in the Portugal own goal, the missed hand ball on O'brien, Korea beating Portugal, Brad stopping two PKs, and we scored attractive goals (Lewis and Sanneh's crosses) that we had not seen in qualifying.

This time, the ball did not bounce our way. We had Pablo and Eddie red carded, Keller didn't stop a PK, and most of the neutral English online newspapers I read said Gooch did not commit a foul on the Ghana PK. And, the smart Czech coach knew to play the ball behind our advanced wing defenders, and the rest is history.

I agree with you that our team is good, but not great yet, at the WC level. But I don't think we didn't play with heart. I think that Arena places a lot of emphasis on playing with confidence, and I credit the talent of the Czechs and their coach, for knocking the hole in that balloon.

It was an almost impossible task after the Czech game, and I thought the team showed heart, staying in the game short hand with Italy. :)

[SixSeven]

[QUOTE=mette72]This was the problem in Germany, and it was crystal clear in the first 10 minutes of the first game. Because of this problem, I believe that more players need to test themselves over-seas instead of playing in the secure confines of MLS (hello, LD).

QUOTE]

I agree that our team is improved by having more players playing in European leagues. I felt that our superior effort in qualifying this time around was enhanced by the Americans that are seeing improved playing time/prospects in Europe.

I also feel that our possession has improved, as our midfield has improved. I thought earlier US teams had a tendency to play the long ball exclusively, or relegate possesion too much to the other team. I thought we had the best team, and the best midfield this time around...and I was really disappointed with the lack of offensive production and shots on goal. I think we really were better than we looked, and that is a product of being in a tough group, not of not having improved field players.

I'm not sure where to go with the comments about quality players coming from poverty. Dempsy and Johnson, from what I've read, had a hard road to the US team. Hopefully, the team will continue to improve.

As for Donovan being too wealthy growing up? I don't know. SI ran an article on him, Convey, Gooch, and DMB; talking about how they were all in the project 40's first camp. Even if these are suburban guys, I have to say, they are excellent players. They did come up short this time, compared to the wildly spectatular (overachieving) 2002 WC.

I hope that the disappointment this time around will serve as fuel for them to train harder and improve their game prior to the next WC.

[SixSeven]

I've got the Folsom Prison Blues

Whoops! McBride plays for Fulham, where I believe he was awarded the MVP by the team this year. Thanks for catching the error! :)

[SixSeven]

he scored 12 in his first season at PSV (04-05). THat included 4 in the champions league (i think he led the team in champions league goals that year)

Thanks for this correction. A lot of BigSoccer folks wish for US players to get to Europe, to start games, and to make contributions. DMB has done that better than anybody yet, even at the Champions League level.

I think he was he was slowed by injury during the last part of qualifying, and at the WC, and it has been a surprise to me that some folks seem to question his motivation rather than his leg injury. Playing two games a week, in a physical league, takes it toll on a guy who weighs, what, like 145lbs?

I think DMB's stint at PSV has been positive for US soccer, in spite of his run in with the law, which is something he should avoid doing in the future!

Hopefully, we'll have more players who have the skill and mental desire to follow his lead.