Congressman encouraging US v. Iraq matches

To what degree do you think international soccer increases "goodwill and understanding?"

Do you think that the US and Mexico will be closer on Friday morning? I'm sure we can think of plenty of examples where matches have had just the opposite impact, at least in a small way. Can anyone think of good examples where international soccer has led to "goodwill and understanding?"

 

US vs. Iran; there was obvious effort both on the field and in the stands to keep the game a friendly and show mutual respect. Did change the nature of our political interactions, probably not. Did it do some good; seems so.

 

hey lets just be happy a congressman is talking about the us soccer federation and the us national soccer team.

 

A US vs. Iraq match would be cool, and after we beat Iraq at least their athletes won't be beaten this time around.

 

The pickup match in Iraq was actually with the Royal Marines, not the US Marines. But that's okay. I think a match is a good idea.

 

Holy cow. Not only does he understand what soccer could do to show goodwill, it actually sounds like he knows a thing or two about soccer.

Hey JD, What's your username?

 

It's funny if he was on here, cause I suggested this a while back. I set foreign policy!! Cool!

 

I would laugh about this, but I live in DC, so if there ever is a home and home, odds are it'll be in DC and I'll spend 3 hours in line going through security. Maybe a doubleheader w/ the Afghan Women's Team?

 

Both countries Marines plyed Iraqi teams. The Brits lost 9-3 and our grunts lost 7-0.

 

MLS Aids Iraqi Youth

http://www.mlsnet.com/content/03/mls0506iraq.html

NEW YORK (Wednesday, May 7, 2003) – Major League Soccer along with its member teams, official suppliers and fans will kick off an “Iraqi Aid” soccer ball and equipment donation program this weekend in the metropolitan areas of Chicago, Columbus and New York, with opportunities next week in Dallas, Denver, Kansas City, San Jose and Wash., D.C.

 

Kicking the living crap out of a very poor national team will not help relations with them. Even before the war Iraq sucked big time at soccer.

 

Iraq was okay once:

https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=48177

Refer to Tom Hill's second post in that thread.

FYI.

 

I saw Iraq play Thailand in a WCQ. They weren't that bad. Could certainly beat Saudia Arabia on a good day.

 

Iraq nearly qualified for USA '94, losing out only on the final day of qualification.

Sachin