When does the US stops learning, gaining experience, growing in soccer terms....

[Ricardo Fonseca]

repeat reader, rookie poster

Since WC 1994, apparently, we are still learning from the best. We still sent young players to play in Copa America to gain experience from South America. We are still using that term over and over. When do we become an experienced team. I would like one day to confront Argentina, Brasil, power euros without giving the same excuse.

In regards to Bradley, I really dont know anymore if he is the best option but for now, facing WC, its hard to chance a program or may I say, stop an 8 year term Arena to Bradley.


As for players, what does BB sees in Johnson? oh yeah wait, he'll be scoring hat-tricks against Concacaf and he'll be a star again, please. I really like what we have under the bars for years to come. Howard for 2010, Guzan 2014, maybe Cervi or Edwards for 2018. We need to start thinking beyond Oguchi and Boca. They are locks for 2010 but what about after. We need to start with thinking about the Orozcos, Spectors, etc.

We really have a problem in the midfield. We are two different teams, a good team with Landon and a subpar team without Landon. Dempsey thinks he is IT but he lost his love for the game. Against Eng, Spain and Arg, he was playing without pasion and that is sad coming from a player claiming thru his rapping and lifestyle of a hustler. Beez is good, quiet, steady and productive. As for Adu, he needs to start period. Micheal seems to play better with Edu. They show more communication among them. I would like to see 45 minutes of MB full speed and aggresive and then sub for another 45-min full speed player like a Clark or Mastro. Micheal is not a 90 minute player. We also need to recuperate Feilhaber.

It is no secret, we dont have forwards period. Johnson was a joke, is a joke and will be a joke. It is sad to be waiting for a 19 yr old to lead us but it may be worth. Cooper needs a chance besides his young and seems to be a good time.

Again, with all this directors, coaches, players coming in and out, when do we stop learning and start playing our game with our own style (if we have one) of game? When do we start putting an exclamation point after a game and not a question mark?

[The Clientele]

Welcome to the boards!

Per your title question on when the "US stops learning about the game", I think I'd just like to say that we are just starting... I think, in all honesty, this is a multi-generational evolution. Soccer is still not a mainstream sport in the USA. Not yet. Better than 20 years ago, but we've got a long way to go before we can regularly play with the big boys. We simply are not there yet in terms of having a 'soccer culture'. I anticipate that the little boys watching MLS right now will be the first generation to compete successfully with the Brazils, Argentinas, Italys of the world.

When you visit those countries, it is amazing to see the youngsters play. The game is simply a larger part of the culture, much like Football, basketball are here.

So, in the short term, I think we will continue to grow and get some results every so often. Our soccer culture just needs to grow, expand and become more "organic" - rooted in the lives of people...

Until then, we might have one first string of players, when all of whom are perfectly healthy, that will be able to upset the soccer powers. But our bench will be woefully shallow compared to those big soccer powers... My two cents.

[russ]

When soccer stops being used as a means to finance college educations and becomes,instead, a serious endeavor to achieve wealth through professional careers for the vast majority of those involved in the game.

[TheGodofSoccer]

repeat reader, rookie poster




As for players, what does BB sees in Johnson? oh yeah wait, he'll be scoring hat-tricks against Concacaf and he'll be a star again, please. I really like what we have under the bars for years to come. Howard for 2010, Guzan 2014, maybe Cervi or Edwards for 2018. We need to start thinking beyond Oguchi and Boca. They are locks for 2010 but what about after. We need to start with thinking about the Orozcos, Spectors, etc.


Again, with all this directors, coaches, players coming in and out, when do we stop learning and start playing our game with our own style (if we have one) of game? When do we start putting an exclamation point after a game and not a question mark?

Why do we need to plan past 2010? And hell, there are 12 year olds right now who could be on the team in 2018. The problem is our youth development system. It's too late for most players once they're 19 or 20.