2006 Expectations After the great World Cup in 2002 what do you guys expect the USA to do in 06? I think depending on the team,the current form of players and injuries I think the team would have the potenial to make it the semis. But with that beening sayed I would expect the team to make it back to the quarterfinals. I also think its vital for the U.S. to develop a deadly striker before 06 I dont think Adu will be ready by then.
With all the quality players coming through, and if Bradley or Arena are coaching, we have the potential to medal. Personally, I'd be happy with just making it to the second round, the only way I'd define failure is if we go three and out.
2nd round. Only Brazil can really EXPECT more truthfully. If we equaled 2002, but actually won two matches in group play instead of relying on a miracle by Korea we'd be doing well. 2006 will be broadcast during the evening in the USA, not the middle of the dang night and if we do well the US will take notice this time. Kevin
Re: 2006 Expectations we have a deadly striker he plays for Metrostars...(for now) another one or two wouldnt hurt though...
We've got a solid team now that can beat most anyone on a special day. Still, plenty of good teams get knocked out of the first round every year. If we make it out of the first round, anything can happen in a knock out tournament, and I could see us getting to the final 4-8 again. There's really no way to judge things until you see what kind of draw you get. We could end up in a group where the major accomplishment is just taking points in the first round, kinda like in France right now.
did you people notice how neither France nor Argentina (with superior squads then we will have in 06) scored 1 goal between them? Strange things happen and youc an't expect a semi-final or a quarter-final. My only expectation is to get out of the group stage, after that there are a million things. Injuries, Cards, location, weather, days of rest, all sorts of stuff. This isn't like the NCAA tournament where there are less variables to contend with.
I'm hoping for a trip to the second round. I wouldn't say I even expect to get there if we draw a tough group (i.e. England, Argentina, Sweden).
I'm not even close to conceding that premise. We could have a very special squad in Germany 2006. Kevin
Right now I'm just hoping for a nice qualifying campaign, no serious injuries, a nice draw and a real chance to advance. I'm not raising my expectations, I'm just hoping are guys play better, and hopefully have some good fortune, and develop more depth, more skill, and more talent and camraderie (team unity, as opposed to '98) in this next campaign.
I would say I EXPECT us to put together a decent team that has a good chance to make the second round. I would HOPE that we put together a special team, that is expected to qualify for the second round and that lives up to those expectations. I am DREAMING of another run at the Quarterfinals, with something brilliant and unexpected (to the rest of the world) happening: like one of our young players emerging as a world superstar (having a cup like Ronaldino of PSG did in the last one) or of a certain 17 year old stepping on the pitch as a substitute in the first round, and then guiding us as a a starter to the final: in DREAMS, anything can happen.
No need to dream for this. Rather be dissapointed if Donovan doesn't fulfill any of that potential of his and doesn't become a world star....there is one of 2 ways that Adu becomes a regular starter. #1-no one steps up as a right midfielder. #2. something drastic happens to Landon Donovan.
I'm trying to keep my expectations under control w/Adu as well, however, if he did go in next years MLS draft, he could conceivably have two complete MLS seasons under his belt and on his way to his third by the time the next cup comes around, or a season or two over here followed by a trip to Europe. Who knows, but I can tell you that I can see scenario's where Adu makes the '06 squad and sees time on the field. It may be unlikely right now, but it's possible, and w/his talent they'd shuffle around the attacking side of the equation to find some room for him if he was ready. Arena played Donovan and Beaseley as 19 year olds, and I think Adu is more mature at 14 than Donovan was at 16 in terms of handling himself. It's not too crazy to imagine him seeing the field in the spring and summer of 2006, he'd be turning 17 then. Who could have guessed back in '98, that we'd be thinking of how to fit so many attacking players onto one field. Where to put Convey, Beaseley, Donovan, Mathis, Reyna, McHead (if he plays), and potentially even Martino, Adu, and Tino if he ever gets his act together. There's never been a better time to be a US Nats fan.
Luck!!! Luck is a sweet draw. Godlike performances by Donovan and Adu and the goalie (as if we know who it's gonna be?) and the rest of team. And maybe a bad game from Brazil or Deutschland, it is on their soil afterall.