------------Howard ---Pope Berhalter Cherundolo ---Lewis Mastroeni Stewart ----Convey Beasely -----Donovan Mathis Sink or Swim? CONFED CUP 2003 The Europeans will give a standing ovation for how far we have come if this group can play. Will they work for each other?(yes) Will they maintain this defensive "shape" when tired & when the opponents are running them dangerously ragged?? Very good experienced field players in the back and midfield. The best attacking American talent in the four(4) front players. Each, by their play, demanding to be on the field. Placed where they can contribute defensively and inspire us offensively!!! These midfielders, forwards and Howard, the goal keeper, have earned their right not to be denied from the eleven. Sink or swim boys? The bench/reserve players are there to back you up! So try your best.
Those Euros won't even give us a standing ovation when we take the 2010 World Cup. Oh well, no hard feelings.
"Oh sure you had a nice little run in the cup, but you can't really be one of the top teams until all of your national team players have been involved in a Champions League final."
Really? Just watch us! We don't need tradition, we don't need years of doing something to keep us from winning the CONFEDS CUP. How about 2 3rd place finishes in the last couple of years. I think we're ready to break through. GO USA!!
Actually the Italian fans cheered us off the field at halftime after we outplayed the Italians in Italy. It was in January of 2002. And kicked off our drive to the World Cup.
The Germans, Italians, and Dutch would probably give us respect but the French and English never will. Not until Brad Friedel lead Arsenal team goes up against a Tim Howard lead ManU squad face each other in the Champions League Final.
Much as I hate to say it as an Arsenal fan if McBride had stayed for the Arsenal-Everton game and scored against them -- what if he had scored the winner?-- then he would surely have increased the respect level.
It is one of America's finer attributes to both overestimate how much the rest of the world loves us and to overestimate how much the rest of the world hates us. Really, most of the world is not overly concerned with American football one way or other, unless their team is playing them or the US results impact in some way. If England really is so anti-US, how does Friedel get so much fan adoration? Glasgow welcomed "Captain America" with open arms. JOB, Stewart and even Berhalter were fan faves in Holland. Sanneh was bought to "anchor" newly promoted Nurnberg. As noted, the Sicilians applauded the US during the pre-WC friendly. Really, tho, most of the time, like the US, if the game doesn't involve them, they aren't so interested. When's the last time you applauded England (beside the 5 goal spanking of Germany, of course...)?
I have always wondered why people in the states say this. Being an American that has been living abroad since the mid-90's I've never encountered people that go on about how little respect they have for the American team. You talk to an Englishman about US Soccer and they will tell you things like, "It [1994] was one of the best World Cups ever" or "That team you have now is pretty good" or just tell you that you have some really good players. They aren't American themselves, so i don't really see why they have to really care about how we do. I guess all these positive things that people will say to me may not actually be "respect" but it is by no means, "disrespect". I have just always thought this was a really silly debate. It is a sport, not a popularity contest.
Listen. 1--Just because there was a lot of anti-French sentiment going around the  US  pre and during war, DOES NOT mean that the French don't like Americans. 2--French people DO NOT hate Americans. It's beyond ridiculous to think that any country of people hate the U.S. Yes there are groups who don't like the US's politics, but that doesn't translate into the French hating Americans. I live here. They don't. I doubt saying that will stop you from believing your own ignorance, but it's worth a try.
This is one thing i have noticed. Most Americans can't tell the difference between the political body of a country and the citizens of that country. In Europe this is not usually the case, as people can realise that the politicians and citizens are two different groups.
I've never figured this out, not about americans being able to seperate the two, but about anybody, its so dumb to lump a nation of people together with politicians. Especially dealing with the U.S. since most people didn't vote for Bush. But please don't say mostamericans, thats a generlization,thats like saying all french people suck cause they wouldn't support what we were doing.
of course unless you can supply some statistical evidence that states that most americans can't seperate the too, then i will proceed to shut up.
I was just trying not to say "all". How about "most that i have had contact in my life" or "a large number". I think my point was understood though
I'd agree with that, but also you know that we don't see a lot of the 'love' in the papers or on the news while in the States. There are a lot of people who would be quick to open their mouths and speak out against the US, but their overall feelings towards the US are totally different. I can easily see why a lot of people view things the way they do....
I have to say that everywhere I've travelled outside of the US, people have been unfailingly polite to me. Even all dressed up in red, white, and blue (me, not them )
i understood what you were trying to say, but then i could say the same thing about "a large number of europeans" i have met, i mean i lived there for 4.5 years in germany and the UK, i've met anti-americans, and quite a few, way to many to be exact, but it would never even occur to me to think thats what the general populace would be thinking.
i'm sorry splarg if you have run into stupid americans, I just hope it doesn't sway you to think that the general populace is like that, or rude to europeans or think poorly of them. Come to Michigan, we'll treat you nice, i mean we have to deal with those pesky canadians all the time!
Don't worry, i've run into stupid people everywhere! In case you missed it, i am American, i just haven't lived there since 96. (still get back for a month or so each year though) Personally, i feel i can blame all (haha) problems in the USA on Fox News.
no i didn't know you were american, you picked up a british accent in your typing, so it threw me off. And i agree on the Fox news comment, but i guess maybe we are dumb, cause it is "Fair and Balanced"
Blame that on going to uni and living here.... All the papers/print spell things that way, as do most of my professors. Some of them have said that we have to do so as well, so i've had to get used to writing like that. Oh well, when in rome....