Why do we play defeatist soccer on the road?

Nermalthecat · Aug 25, 2004

JohnR said:

But this doesn't disprove the thesis. As the #10 team in the world, the U.S. can and should be expected to outperform the #54 team, even when on the road. It is quite possible that the U.S. played too conservatively ("defeatist" strikes me as too strong a word) in making the match roughly even.

That Bruce Arena and most U.S. fans do not expect to beat Jamaica in Kingston is puzzling. In the '02 qualifiers, Costa Rica beat Jamaica in Kingston. Mexico beat Jamaica in Kingston. Among teams that advanced to the World Cup, only the U.S. failed to beat Jamaica in Kingston.

Perhaps that is because we are very satisfied with a lesser result?
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Thank you. That sums up my initial post. This isn't Jamaica-specific...it's just a rant against our general posture on the road. We should expect to win games, not be happy to squeak out a draw. A draw is a fine result, but not when that's all you want out of it and play like that.

whip · Aug 28, 2004

Nermalthecat said:

Tonight's awful lineup and negative performance retriggered the Saprissa feeling in me, so I thought I would throw this out (looking for thoughtful responses)...

Understanding there are a number of teams (e.g. Brazil, Argentina, etc.) where this strategy is appropriate, why do we come out in a "tie is a good result" posture against much of CONCACAF? The U.S. is the best or second-best team in the region -- why can't we impose our will on teams regardless of locale? It's baffling to me that we often go in with a defeatist posture and "hope" to grab a cheap counter-attack goal.

We're better than practically every team in the region, even away from home -- can't we act like it?

(Note: This is not bashing Jamaica's quality -- it's always been a tough place to play and they are big and physical, which gives the U.S. issues. It's more a global mentality question.)
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Be patient with Da Bruce...world soccer is not only streng an speed is also a psicological warfare among the coaches, one you have this point cover Bruce will star to make more sense to you.....