I am in the middle of reading "The Story of the World Cup" by Brian Glanville. This is a pretty good comprehensive history of the World Cup competiton. Glanville is from the UK, and his ideas were very prevelant in two areas that are normal to those who follow the USMNT. In discussing the 1978 final, and the two world cups which were held in Mexico, he seemed amazed at the gamesmanship and sway the crowd held over the officials. He talks about how the Argentines in 1978 waited five minutes after the Dutch to enter the field, while letting the Dutch take the brunt of the Argentine fans, and then when they did enter the stadium complaining about a bandage that one of the Dutch players had been wearing the entire tournament. The sections about the English team in Mexico were funny when the Brits complained that the locals surrounded their hotel at night and harassed their players. This sounds very familiar anytime the USMNT plays to our south. I did not realise that a qualfiying process could be without crazed fans outside the team hotel early in the morning, or blatently biased officiating. I guess those Euro teams just don't get it. Qualfying for the World Cup out of CONCACAf is a battle, and those that do, should be commended, because normally, not only have they defeated a team, but usually a nation also.
Yes, qualifying in CONCACAF road games, and even "home" games for the U.S. is difficult. But qualifying will always be tough on visiting teams, no matter what federation they are in (UEFA, Comebal, Concacaf, AFC, etc.) One would be foolish to think that big European teams traveling to hostile environements (ie. Turkey, Greece, Slovenia, Yugoslavia, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, etc.) would get a warm reception from the fans at away games(before, during and after games). Case in point, when England traveled to Albania for a qualifying match. That's as hostile an environment that ANY game the U.S. has played away in Central America. (and I seriously doubt that the England players got a good rest the night before at their hotel). Australia certainly doesnt get great treatment either. (ie. Australia vs Iran WC 98. Or Australia vs Argentina WC 94. Or Australia vs Uruguay WC 02) And finally, Nigeria certainly didn't get great treatment from the local Liberian fans when they tried to qualify in WC 02. Glanville is a great football writer, having written many books and articles in English newspapers (not the tabloids) and magazines (World Soccer for quite a while). But remember, he's English....and he's certainly not going to paint a nice picture when it comes to things related to Argentina (or Germany, or Scotland, or Ireland etc.) Need I remind you that Rotterdam fans (as well as most Dutch fans in general) can give English hooligans quite a run for their money on harassing officials, players, and other fans!?!?! Having said that, i hope you enjoy his book...i've got a copy of the first or second edition (only went up to the 1978 World Cup).
Try to find "22 Foreigners in Funny Shorts," by Pete Davies. It goes up to just before USA'94, as well as following a season of 3rd Div. Wrexham. Great read, and quite funny. Makes some interesting observations towards the end (Keller & Friedel) that have been proved out by recent history.