End Of An Era?

Here’s a breakdown of the US goals:

First Czech goal: Eddie Lewis, playing lefback, gets caught up field. Gooch can’t decide to mark or Koller or rush out to the attacking winger.

Second Czech goal: Gooch heads a cross into teh center of the pitch, instead of outsides.

Third Czech goal: US is already chasing the game and opens up to a counter attack

Fourth Italy goal: Eddie Pope stops marking his man on a setpiece but his teammates don’t play the offsides.

Fifth Ghana goal: Claudio Reyna is dispossesed rather than a) passing back to Keller, or b) punting the ball out of bounds

Sixth Ghana goal: Bocanegra inextricably clears the ball into his own box, rather than punting it out of bounds.

Notice a pattern? JUST CLEAR IT OUT OF BOUNDS FOR A THROW IN! How many times do you see that in the Champion’s League?

We need to train Defenders to realize they are not Ronaldo and it is okay to cede possession if it kills an offensive burst!

Posted from  Dominican Republic

“*a special negative is the awkward appearance of impropriety in the calling of the Italian game* AC Milan president and Italian Prime Minister, Berlusconi at the cusp of the WC offers amnesty to any players (many on the team) involved in the bribery and game fixing scandal if they win the WC – the well known home of the mafia is? – the ref made awful calls and from a US fan’s perspective seemed determined to give the US a disadvantage until he eventually did – this is an aweful situation – I hate FIFA for keeping quiet on this”

Ehm, This is a pure Idiocy… First Berlusconi isn’t the prime minister, Italy had his elections on april and people didn’t re-elect him (by the way the scandal came out AFTER he lost). Second even if he was the prime minister he wouldn’t have the power to do that. Third even thought he is a real idiot, he never said such things, I’m still wondering where did you read about that but it’s a bullshit

Game Note from yesterday – the penalty call was abysmal. However, the U.S. were outplayed and outcoached, and the better team won.

25-30 years ago, one couldn’t even follow the U.S. team through their (brief) World Cup qualification efforts on TV, and even major newspapers provided nothing more than a scoreline. We used to play “home” qualifiers against Mexico at places and times where Mexican fans outnumbered U.S. fans 5 to 1, or more. “Quality” soccer was only found in the weekly public TV broadcasts of “Football Made in Germany”, announced by the one and only Toby Charles.

The now-defunct NASL attempted to provide some sort of regular training ground for the U.S. selection by forming “Team America” as a club in the league. While the results were unimpressive, it was better than a group of strangers meeting at an airport to train for a couple of days in advance of a loss to Haiti, for example.

It was a dismal time to be a lover of soccer in the U.S. The Selection, as well as soccer in general, have made great strides since then, and we should take pride in them.

There have been many astute observations already made in this blog, and I won’t attempt to now “re-create the wheel”. Among those of which I’m strongest in agreement are:

Youth soccer – too much structure doesn’t permit promising players to excel; while the game is played for recreation, the lack of “pick-up” games doesn’t permit a player to develop themselves against the best-available competition, but merely the best-available out of a highly-structured, twice-a-week practice schedule (as an example, when I was a young teen, several of us were invited to play for a local men’s club, which included recent players from some good college programs and some pro experience. It was great for a 14-year old to go against more experienced, stronger players, and that experienced developed my play much more than could have been achieved solely against more “level” competition). Also, soccer is not the “golden ticket” away from poverty in the U.S. as it may be elsewhere (let us not overlook how that approach also produces thousands of trashed dreams and bodies for each success, but this is true for all money sports and in many cultures, our own included). As a result, there isn’t the cultural obsession with the sport, nor the drive to achieve by a large population of players that is eventually honed into a top-flight pro league and/or world-class selection.

U.S. Professional Soccer – MLS cannot develop players capable of taking on the top teams in the world, if the expectation is to win. The level of competition offered by even the middle-tier leagues in Europe is at least as good. MLS may be able to provide local entertainment and local heroes who, hopefully, can be more available to their fans than what has happened with the “money sports”. It may also provide a showcase for legendary players to wind down their careers, and to display their talents in less trying competition, as was done by the likes of Carlos Valderrama. It will never, however, enable the U.S. to develop world-class players or teams, and it is a fantasy and unfair to the league to expect that it can.

The U.S. Men’s Selection Today – can compete bravely at the World Cup finals, but not splendidly. As fans, we can choose to take heart in gutsy performances, such as those against Italy, if we are satisfied with adopting a cynical, defensive, uninspiring style of play (the Italians themselves have often been the model). The results will be that our team will always play, and the fan will always watch, in fear of the single mistake that lets in the goal that we cannot overcome. Moreover, such a boring style removes any hope of growing the fan base, and therefore the potential player pool. If we adopt the “playing not to lose” approach, we may as well set our expectations to enjoy the occasional lucky foray into the round of 16 (perhaps round of 8 when the Cup is hosted outside Europe), but no more.

We can also come in with inflated egos and self-image, as happened this time around, and get our collective clocks cleaned. Our talent isn’t there, and we don’t play with the abandon that Japan showed in at least the first half against Brazil. While they were pummeled, they also entertained. We did neither, but won deserved respect for the effort against Italy.

We now, along with Mexico and Costa Rica, dominate CONCACAF. That is progress, but not satisfactory if the goal is to not merely participate in a World Cup, but to challenge. That day is not yet here, and the pre-tournament bluff and bluster of this team (and its showcase players Donovan and Beasley, in particular) embarasses when the performance doesn’t back it up.

The good news is that long-time and long-suffering U.S. fans are unwilling to accept the “brave effort” alone, nor the false bravado of this team. These same fans expect that our culture, blessed as it is by many other cultural influences, should be able to produce quality football, by quality footballers. We have the raw numbers (a wealthy nation of 300 million, despite competition with the money sports, can’t eventually produce 40-60 athletes good enough to take on the world? I’m not buying it). We have the organizational ability and the potential market to attract corporate capital into player development (Nike and Anheuser Busch have long supported U.S. Soccer). We also have at least the potential to seek out and nurture our talented players, if we choose to.

I also believe that the apprenticeship programs, similar to those employed by European clubs and, to a lesser degree, Africa and Latin America, hold promise. While many Americans might protest about “professionalizing” young players, such protest ignores the fact that the practice has long been in place with many other U.S. team sports, basketball and football being the leading examples. It could also potentially provide excellent educational opportunities for the great majority of apprentices whose athletic skills won’t take them to the professional ranks. Even if, as in Africa, our local teams get “raided” by Europe, that result could create the pool of talent that makes a difference in the World Cup.

2002 vs 2006 – Four years ago, the U.S. Men took people by surprise with it’s willingness to attack and ability to finish its chances when provided. We were also treated to some heroic goalkeeping, a position where the U.S. is sound. However, and as was pointed out in an article today, when the best take us seriously and play us in a stand-up game as happened this time around, we cannot match them. We have been found out, and rising to the next level will not be possible without adopting new approaches.

What needs most to be developed is the skill and comfort on the ball that can withstand the intense pressure and pace of the Finals. This ability produces the confidence that, in the player’s mind “slows down time”. That is up to the players, and to their agents and sponsors, to develop. They should go to the best environment that will permit them to develop such skill. When we have a pool of 40+ players who have won starting roles in the elite of the Premiership, Bundesliga, Seria A, and La Liga, THEN we will have the basis for expecting success at the Cup.

2006 Performances -

Reyna has been one of the few who has consistently demonstrated abilities described above, but time, injury, and the lack of an equivalent teammate to share the load put too much on his shoulders this time around. This team has never enjoyed more than one similar player in each generation (Ramos and Perez being Reyna’s predecessors), and the lack of that overall ability to hold and control tempo showed.

Donovan was asked to do too much, and as a result of trying to be everywhere, he was nowhere. This is also a failure of leadership; his own, and Arena’s, as well as a lack of team talent that would task Donovan with the ridiculous challenge of covering more than one position in the World Cup. This experience may also provide him a dose of some much-needed humility, and can serve to either spur him to greater heights, or break him.

Beasley simply looked weak and timid for most of the Cup; his excellent anticipation, vision, and touch in setting up Dempsey against Ghana made one wonder (and hope) whether he will ever be able to do so consistently. He looked lost on the right side, and again, it underscores the fact that, while this may have (legitimately) been the most talented U.S. team ever to participate in the World Cup, that talent overall is nowhere near the elite, and is spread too thin across too few players.

McBride was abandoned by the system/style. He is excellent in the air, but needs support to turn his efforts into opportunities. Asking him to produce goals in a single-striker formation pits him against too many defenders, and too few opportunities.

We should thank the players, coaches, and supporters that have carried the torch of U.S. Soccer, and the players who retire are certainly deserving of our respect.

The Future – the true acid test will be when we can play against top European sides on their turf and reasonably expect to win. That day is a long time off, but the foundation was laid by the last few generations (including players like Rick Davis and Kyle Rote Jr., who helped create American awareness, but never enjoyed the privilege of suiting up in a World Cup Finals round).

For U.S. fans – it should also be remembered that only Brazil have ever won the Cup in Europe, and no European side have ever taken the Cup when hosted in the Americas. To win a World Cup is a tremendous achievement; to win it on “hostile” ground an incredible one (and while licking our collective wounds, take a moment to congratulate Ghana on reaching the knockout round in their first World Cup…after looking up how few teams have achieved that).

For those who take pleasure in the U.S. team’s struggles – it should also be noted how few nations have won the Cup away from home (Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Uruguay). Anyone else who wishes to throw stones at the U.S. for our lack of footballing pedigree may consider how many panes of glass are in their own house.

Posted from  United States

Also, on the Reyna goal Dolo was caught upfield and Conrad and Gooch were woefully out of position.

Keller also could have came off his line, but he hasn’t done that in about a decade.

Posted from  Dominican Republic

The majority of the world’s elite athletes come from poor or working class homes.

In America, 99% of soccer players come from rich, suburban areas and attend elite prep schools and colleges.

In America, most kids from poor areas play basketball, football and baseball, in that order. Soccer, tennis, hockey and golf are not even on the radar, and I doubt they ever will be. There is simply too much money in those other sports.

Posted from  United States

In response….

Hockey: a silver medal in Salt Lake City 2002. The miracle on Ice. (Hockey by its nature is a pay to play sport though, so this is biased)

Golf: Tiger Woods (reasonable well off parents)

Tennis: Andy Roddick (suburban brat)

Of course, Gold and Tennis are elite, borgeois rich sports anyway.

I think the US needs more youth academies (Like in Europe and South America) so that a) poor but talented kids have a chance, and b) kids start playing regularly at a younger age.

It could be like Triple A or Double A baseball.

Posted from  Dominican Republic

What era? What has Landon Donovan ever done for the US soccer team? He is strictly a spot player, shows up once or twice during a game for one or two good passes. He is an amateur, just lucky to play for Bruce Arena. Talking about Bruce Arena: he was scared of his own shadow. How can you play McBride as the only forward? If you play only one forward then it has to be a speedster like Eddy Johnson. DeMarcus Beasley can be a super player if used properly. All the talk about the depth of the US team depends upon the meaning of depth. I am not disappointed: my prediction was ‘no points’. Italy donated at least one point.

Posted from  United States

ETucker –

“Adu grew up in the port city of Tema in Ghana, where he played football barefoot against men three times his age.” (Wikipedia)

Enough said. You are wrong.

Posted from  United States

Claudio was waaaay past his prime to be playing in this World Cup.

His sweet give-away was proof of that. Thanks for your efforts, but it’s time for the old guys to take a hike.

For all the Freddy Adu worshippers: I would be wary of making this kid out to be the saviour of US soccer.

Posted from  United States

How can it be the “end of an era” when there was no start to the “era”? Every four years we’re subjected to this over-hyped boring exercise, ESPN gets stuck with lousy programming (maybe not quite as bad as dominoes and paintball – so now I’ve pissed off two other “sports” factions). The re-re-reruns of the WSOP are more exciting…thank goodness that begins next month…its truly the national pasttime. Everyone loves a game of chance, millions of dollars, and scantily-clad servers…now that’s America for you. See how easy it is to get off topic when discussing soccer?

Posted from  United States

Bruce Arena has egg all over his face right now! He referred to the Australian team as easybeats and one of the worst teams of the tournament. Well, now look at who is going home first eh? It’s not the AUS but the USA.

Go dig yourself a hole, Bruce. You’ve made a clown of yourself.

Posted from  Australia

Deloitte, where’s Touche?

Seriously though, congrats to the Socceroos, but they woudn’t have made it out of group E either.

Jurgen for Bruce?

http://fifaworldcup.sporati.com/jurgen-for-bruce.page

Posted from  Philippines

Great conversation. The more I think about it, this conversation is exactly what needed to happen. The casual fan needs to know how US Soccer has been run for years.

Business first, expensive coaching and clubs, fancy boots at $200 a pop, fancy track suits with your club name on them, fancy bags, fancy fields, fancy tournaments. Pay $100 bucks to try out. Crappy college game.

FYI- only kids from these elite clubs get to the college programs anyhow. The elite clubs cost upwards of 4-5K a year with travel expenses, from the time they are 10.

To quote Leo Beenhaker: “you can’t buy good football on a street corner”.

Not to sound pessimistic, because lots of progress has been made. In 20-30 years things are bound to change. The part that is troublesome is we have the potential to do this now and much sooner that 20-30 yrs. The main problem is the big money club coaches and camp directors and US Soccer people are not going to step aside. It’s a quagmire of sorts.

Suggestions: a lot of people have already floated lots of good ones. It’s up to us to implement them or help implement them.

Posted from  United States

Minboca, I’m having a hard time with your thoughts of the Italians. No one helped the U.S.A. more than the Azzurri. They scored for us to even the match 1-1!! They gave us life for the 3rd match against Ghana. That game wasn’t pretty, but the help never stopped coming from the Italians. There game against Paval Nedved and company was the Azzurri that the world knows. There truly was no better friend to American Soccer than the Italians in this World Cup. The interest by the average American to even want to watch soccer on T.V. soared according to ESPN. As far as match fixing that comes and goes in domestic soccer in Italy is the business of the Italians and Seria A,B.C and D. It’s what makes Italy so interesting and full of life.

In the 2002 World Cup did Spain and Italy give money to the “Refs”?

Posted from  United States

Caroline | June 22nd, 2006 at 9:58 pm

Prior to World Cup ‘06, Bruce Arena commented that Australia was the weak link of the 32 teams, an ‘easy’ team to beat. Well, Australia is through to the next round and the US isn’t. Have a nice flight home, Bruce.

By his statements above, I guess you can see it in Bruce’s attitude were the team was head in this years world cup. Very arrogant PR**K!!! Its time to leave Bruce and his Lovely 4-5-1. Bruce you need to attack. Think of taking some teching courses in europe. Klinsmann come save USA national team.

When it comes to the quality of officiating World Cup matches, FIFA is in dire need to get its act together in the selection of referees. In the majority of matches to date, referees hung out their cards as if they were burning a hole in their pockets. Play was frequently stopped for totally clean tackles (as demonstrated in TV replays) and often because players who had tripped over the ball or the opponents’ legs sold their phony acts of pain to some of the most hapless refs.

As for the U.S. team whose only bright spot was the performance of the keeper, the World Cup event was and still is way over its head, and its total lack of scoring punch sent it home early. Coach Arenas must accept most of the blame for failure to properly prepare the team given the advance knowledge of the tough group it was facing in the first round. No excuses!

Posted from  United States

The strategy for the U.S. offensive attack was the biggest failure. If there was a strategy. All three games, it seemed like there was no change in trying to attack. All the guys upfront did not seem to know what to do, and never connected. Arena is not an offensive coach. The team did nothing to fix the problem, no adjustments at half time, no change between games. Same ol same ol. The talent was there. Donovan is probably one of the best passers and set up men, and his goals either come from break aways (tough to do at world cup level) or give and go pass backs. But he had no where to go when he had the ball and never once dis a ball come back to him on a give and go. Beasly, McBride, and others were never in position for through balls, and they never worked a give and go. This was the difference between what worked in 2002 and what failed in 2006. The strategy seemed to be get the ball to a player and go one on one. There is no US player talented and fast and strong enough to go one on one with any defense. Lack of or not changing an attack strategy and for that Arena needs to bring on some coaching assistance. He can not go another 4 years and not come up with a team that can attempt several attack strategies so he can adjust based on opponents strengths. This is why South American Teams are so strong, they can adjust. Need to bring in a South American coach to help Arena on offense or take his place.

Posted from  United States

I think that one comparison that can be made between this team and the flop of ‘98 was that we went with some “proven” (read: old) personell instead of giving some fresh, hungry newcomers playing time. One example is how Eddie Pope was beaten pillar to post by both the Czechs and Italians, but Jimmy Conrad stepped up big time. All of the above mentioned guys have done a lot to get us here, and deserve lots of credit for their efforts. But, alas, their time is passed and it’s time for some fresh new faces to emerge and continue the US’s progress.

Posted from  United States

Steve-

good point about Bruce needing to vary the attack. I would really liked to see the US try a 4-4-2 or even a 4-3-3 formation.

however, do we really have the personell to do it? the problem with teh US is our best centermid is 4 years too old. I think we could do a 4-4-2 (with Donovan at the top of the diamond and Mastro at the back).

Charlie Chan-

good point about Bruce favoring veterans past their prime. Pope was cleary outmuscled for that first goal. Maybe Conrad should have gotten the start against CR.

the ideal coach is like the ideal forward: absolutely ruthless. we may need a foreign coach to come in and objectvely analyze the players from top to bottom.

Posted from  Dominican Republic

Luis-

Wikipedia? I bet you altered that yourself

Find a real source and we’ll talk.

Plus, how old was he when he moved to the States? 10, 9?

When is the critical point in a soccer player’s development? How long has he been playing for US soccer teams?

He is 16 now, so the last 7 years he’s been learning the game in the States.

Posted from  Dominican Republic

The critical variable in a players development is the age when he starts to play. He started when he was 4 or 5 and developed his game for 5 years playing among older, stronger, better players, there is no way you can honestly tell me an American kid can develop into a phenom much like the way Adu has. True, he has been developing his game in the US over the past 7 years, only after playing in Ghana for 5. Also, in the US, he played against players his own age. Another thing, watching Adu play soccer against kids his own age, is like watching LeBron James play for his varsity high school team. No one stood a chance. What happened in the olympics though? Nothing. You cannot truly say that Adu will have an impact on the future of US soccer until it comes.

Posted from  United States

Luis-

I agree 100% that playing against older players helps the younger players’ development.

However, let’s wait and see if Adu is as good at 20 as Donovan was. If his World Cup in 2010 is not as good as Donovan’s in 2002, then that would make a strong case that some talent can emerge in the US system.

I feel like everyone is trying to analyze the US system and say its either too organized or too disorganized.

Too be honest, I feel like Brazil has hte best players not becase poor kids play everyday with their older brothers, but becase a) Brazil has a huge population and b) Soccer is pretty much the only sport.

that being said, the pay to play system in the states sucks, excludes boatloads of Latino talent, and a few decades down the line should give way to a club system that scouts young players and pits them against older ones.

I think the US needs a reality check: after 2002, no one was criticizin the US soccer structre and it has not changed considerably since then. The only difference is that in 2006 we had a REALLY tough group.

Let’s not forget that Arentina didnt get out of 2002 becase it was in a tough group. Should they have changed anything?

Posted from  Dominican Republic

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Posted from  United States

ok i agree with all of them but my opinion is that some players from abroad would be more siutable for playing soccer than the ones in the USA. You have to scout or even though to give some scolarships for those who want get trained and play absolute perfect soccer!!!

Posted from  Greece