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Reuters Video

May 22nd, 2006 | By: Daryl | 9 Comments »

Some excellent Cary training footage, mixed in with Arena/player interviews from no lesser source than Reuters news agency available here.

Really gives you a good feel of what camp was like, and once again leaves me feeling very optimistic. Here’s my favourite Arena quote from the video, on the difference between Italia ‘90 Group A (which also included USA, Italy and the then Czechoslovakia) and Germany ‘06 Group E:

“It’s a completely different set of circumstances. The US team in 1990 in many ways was almost an amateur team, and they were playing the host country, who were one of the favourites to win the World Cup. This time around Italy is one of the favourites once again to win the World Cup. However, the US team at 16 years is much more advanced. We have experienced players, players that are not in awe of the Italian players and we expect to be able to step on the field and be able to compete with them.”

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Comments

By Vin | May 22nd, 2006 at 4:16 pm

I am sorry, but those comments by Arena show a hint (just a hint) of over-confidence.

The squad needs to remember that they are playing powerhouses, and despite the ridiculous FIFA ranking, the United States is not a football powerhouse just yet.

How many of us would HONESTLY say that the United States plays to the same level as the Europeans?

There’s no doubt that the team has improved since ‘90, but there is still a long, long way to go, and I don’t think that athleticism (everybody always likes to talk about how athletic the team is) is the key here. The key is real European experience, and more US players need to get it - and THE COACH needs to get it - before the U.S. will become a powerhouse.

Posted from United States

By Razzle | May 22nd, 2006 at 4:27 pm

Donovan said in one of his interviews that if USA plays Brazil 10 times, it will not beat them 10 out of 10 times. But we will be able to get them 1 or 2 times out of 10.

Thats what this is about. USA is fit, and doesn’t have anything holding them back. On match day, USA is capable of pulling off wins.

Look at the quarter final against Germany in 2002. Too bad we lost the match, but we literally owned them. So we know we can give ppl a serious run for their money and heck maybe even win the cup!

Posted from United States

By Razzle | May 22nd, 2006 at 4:29 pm

One item that doesnt help USA’s case is the form of Ghana. I was hoping the Black Stars would be able to pull off an upset or two in the group and help us out a bit.

But given Ghana’s current form (see the Ghana blog) that doesn’t seem like a possibility.

Posted from United States

By Beto | May 22nd, 2006 at 10:19 pm

I’m with you Razzle,
The US has great potential. I hope that they play a quality game and that this will be the year that they can finally get some wins on european soil.

Posted from United States

By Vin | May 22nd, 2006 at 10:34 pm

Um… I wouldn’t rule out Ghana just yet. It is not inconceivable for a team to hold back in friendlies leading up to the cup… just to give opponent a false sense of security.

If they give Italy a hard time on the 12th, then I guess I called it right.

Posted from United States

By Rick | May 23rd, 2006 at 12:59 am

Vin, the same thing goes for Team USA: don’t rule them out just yet.

I’d rather they exude confidence than talk about how they’re just happy to be there. At the start of camp, I think some players were a little apologetic, as if they were saying, “We don’t think we’re going to win it all”. Now they’ve got a little bit of swagger–not a lot–but a little. They believing in themselves, and I think that will increase a little more with this weeks’ games.

I suspect the big teams are still discounting us, and they’ll find that we’re MUCH stronger than they first thought. It is very likely we will win the group with 7 points. I see us eventually advancing to the quarterfinals and falling to France (oh the shame). Go USA!

Posted from United States

By jjburch | May 23rd, 2006 at 8:38 am

Interesting, but I thought Arena’s swagger was right on the money. We may not win the Cup, but we’re going to be a very tough team to beat. I seriously think we’ll make it out of our group — I hope I’m not the only one.

Overall, I really appreciate Arena’s attitude. Like Rick, I don’t feel like our team has to apologize for being there.

Posted from United States

By M Hackman | May 23rd, 2006 at 1:03 pm

If you think that the U.S. can defeat even Italy’s U21 team, you’re smoking some nasty sheeeet.

By “compete,” Bruce was clearly referring to scoring a goal in a somewhat respectable 4-1 contest –> as opposed to getting trounced 6-o.

Beating the Azzurri = Crack Dreams.

Bruce knows he has to beat Ghana and the Czechs for the U.S. to have any chance of advancing.

Posted from United States

By ETucker | May 23rd, 2006 at 1:24 pm

Hackman-

once gain, how did Italy do against Mexico the last World Cup? A late Del Piero goal salvaged a 1-1 tie. Stop it, my knees are trembling.

Look, I’m glad the Azzuri dominated soccer in the 1930’s, and thats fantastic for all those retired players who won the world cup before the invetion of the forward pass. But right now, after Euro 2004, I’m more scared of the Czech Republic than Italy.

Both teams are great and potential tournament winners, but European overconfidence did wonders for Portugal last time around (and France). Here’s hoping you guys keep making the same mistakes.

Posted from United States

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