From the Dallas Morning News. http://www.dallasnews.com/s/dws/spt/soccer/stories/012504dnspocooper.371c9.html
Hehe, posing in Manchester United-like shirt, leaning on a soccer goal, on a field with American football lines. Don't know why, but made me chuckle.
I'm probably going to spark a major arguement here, but something caught my eye: Why does every article about Americans in England contain a mention of the player's competitiveness? The same was said for Howard, McBride and Bocanegra as well. I can accept the arguement that the average (non-athlete) American *may* be more competitve than the average (non-athlete) European or Englishman. But we're talking about professional atheletes here, who are by definition, competitive. I can't believe Ruud Van Nisterlroy is less competitive or wants to win less than Tim Howard or that Eddie Johnson isn't as intense as Kenny Cooper. If there is another thread discussing this, please point me in that direction. Sachin
It was Ferguson who first made the point and it is safe to say he has had a fair amount of time judging European players. I think they perhaps are mistaking optimism for competitiveness. Americans are told from their birth they can do whatever they set their mind too. Whether this is true or not is best debated in the politics forum, I reckon, but regardless it is part of our culture. In contrast, in Europe there is a a good dose of pessimism/fatalism in the national psyches. Nowhere is this more evident than in the UK where proclaimations of disaster especially among soccer fans is the norm.
Ferguson wasn't the first one to say it. I haven't been to Europe in a long time, but I would imagine at least a small part of this is related to the pretty big differences in lifestyle. Many of us work 60, 70, and 80 hours a week, while they have siestas in some countries and 4 day work weeks in France (I think). They also have a lot more time off than the paltry 2-3 weeks that we do. I personally wish we had a little more wine and naps and a little less hard work.
I heard a quote, I think it was Figo--when asked who would win the Euro Cup this summer, he thought it was France, Italy--the usual suspects. He DIDN'T suggest Portugal. Realistic, perhaps. On the other hand, we were in Europe during WC '02, and my wife found a quote from a local paper quoting Clint Mathis telling a reporter that the USA would win the whole thing "because we're number one at everything" The European sportswriter was having fun with this. Of course, Cletus was being ridiculous...but then again, how can anybody expect to win unless you...well, EXPECT to win? That could be the attitude Ferguson is referring to.
Another thread about this: https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93255&highlight=american
Even in Paris? I swear I read an article in the NYTimes about people complaining they had to do 5 days work in 4 days or something. Maybe I'm misremembering.
Maybe it's voluntary? http://www.findarticles.com/cf_dls/m0LVZ/7_18/98415452/p1/article.jhtml "France, Netherlands and other countries have a voluntary four day work week and most workers have chosen the shorter work week even if it results in a reduced paycheque. The four day week has created a labour shortage that has been most acute in the health care field."
Maybe it comes out to four days a weeks because they have such long vacations. It's near impossible to get work out of French companies in August. Anyway, back on topic, the same thing was said about Karboosyan (sp!) by coaches that knew him growing up. Apparently he is very intense and high maintenance. I wonder if our USSF system unintentionally discriminates against players that are PITAs. Perhaps england66 could comment?????
kenny cooper ..the article was written when Man U were leading the premier league...I guess the dmn editor was waiting for the right time to run it...the photo was taken at Jesuit Prep ( where Cooper went to high school ) during his ten day break back home for the holidays...he wanted to stay in Manchester but was told by Sir Alex to take a break..he had earned it....( Ferguson always takes time out to speak to Cooper when he runs into him at Carrington )....I believe Man U is slowly waking up to the fact that American athletes ( in any sport ) are extremely competitive...on a global level...no doubt Tim Howard opened a few eyes...and to a degree Cooper and Spector are "guilty" by association...( they are Americans too )....the recent loaning of two regular Man U reserve forwards ( johnson and nardiello ) has opened the door for more playing time for Cooper...( did anyone notice that Nardiello scored twice and assisted on a third as Barnsley ( 2nd div. ) won 3-0 in his first game on loan )....Coopers size, skill and physical presence have also opened a lot of eyes in Manchester....always remember this about the English...they are loath to change...always take a " wait and see" attitude...always think they know best ( kinda like Americans, wonder where the USA got that idea ? )...there is no doubt that Man U is aware of the HUGE potential of American players....by the way Man u's reserve game this week was cancelled due to the weather...snow and freezing rain in the north...Mike
Re: kenny cooper Mike, has there been any talk of asking Kenny to any National Team camps? Has he expressed any interest in trying to make the Olympic team?
Here's a simple trick that'll keep you from ever misspelling his name again. Break it up into syllables. First off Kar (like car), then bass (like the fish), i (see me, myself), yoon (who knows what a yoon is). And there you go, Karbassiyoon
Re: kenny cooper The article is dated 1/25/04. Arsenal was in 1st two weeks prior to that. If it was written even earlier than that then the editor most definitely should have reviewed it before going to print.
The only part of the article that made me scratch my head was when he referred to Benfica as a "bigger club with more money"...Bigger than Man U?? Doesn't seem like he spent alot of time researching that...
The author was comparing Benfica to WBA and Blackburn (not to ManU). Probably Benfica isn't much bigger a club than Blackburn all told, but who knows, they might have had more $ to offer than those English teams.
kenny cooper ...for the FULL story on Kenny Cooper read the "Kenny Cooper or Edson Buddle"... thread from a couple of weeks ago...(might as well open that can again, I could do with a good laugh ) obviously the dmn article was referring to blackburn,blackpool and west brom as being smaller clubs than man u...