i don't know if this has been suggested before, but US Soccer needs to put together a tribute match for our soccer heroes who brought us to where we are today, but aren't likely to play again. they gave a match to Dooley -- and nothing against tom, but his accomplishments are dwarfed by these guys: john harkes tab ramos marcelo balboa alexi lalas eric wynalda paul caliguri plus the guys who may have a few more caps, but probably won't be around for the next cup: jeff agoos tony meola cobi jones earnie stewart joe-max moore
It could be called "Thanks For France '98" and the US would lose to keep the theme. Seriously, while I respect what they did for the game, I'd much rather look forward and forget all about most of them. I think it's a solid idea, and I hope we someday have a real reason to celebrate, but IMHO nobody fits the bill yet.
Unfortunately, we don't have the games to waste at this point. We're alreadly trying to build a team for the next WCQer and beyond, and all game time at the international level is important, particulary for the MLSers.
Steve Sampson: fat-white-lump Let the Steve Sampson era die. No tributes. No captains for life. No 7-2-1 formations. NO MORE LAST PLACE FINISHES IN THE WORLD CUP. Let Steve go, let Steve go...
The players mentioned in this thread may not represent the golden era of soccer in America, but at some point we need to start recognizing our players as they leave the game. Building a history of the sport here in the USA will help to ensure its future. Kids not only need current, on the pitch heros, but they also need living legends to look up to.
I agree with the sentiment to do a tribute game but it is a difficult proposition. Because whenever you do one, there may be someone else you are leaving out.If you give Ramos one, what about Harkes and Wynalda? Lalas? Meola? Balboa? I know you can say, so and so wasn't as good as so and so, but the USSF can't be doing that.So, as stated above, they can't do a tribute to the 98 team( not gonna happen), and it is tough to single out one or two players. Among our challenges coming up, this is a nice idea, but probably a political problem the Fed does not want to deal with.
I think this was indeed the case-- to honor the past, as well as the present, contributors to the USA's World Cup legacy. Let the sentiment rest, as thoughtful as it may be. Hey, like Arena himself said before the World Cup, if decisions were made on value of sentiment alone, he himself would be keeping goal.
I'm sure it was. Harkes, Lalas, and Burns all played for the Nats. I don't think they would have gotten a 'call-up' without the match having a 'look how far US soccer has come' theme.
Those guys are: in no particular order Bruce Arena Landon Donavan Clint Mathis Brad Friedel John OBrien Get the idea? Let's face it. With the exception of a few players, the US Nat teams before this one sucked. Why would pay tribute to them? For being last in France '98? By advancing only because Colombia scored their own goal in '94 (or was that in 1990)?