USA v. Guatemala

V

Venom

Bench
While it was a much needed win after that loss in Mexico City, I thought they blew a lot of scoring chances. US rarely dominates the ball the way they did tonight, and still could not capitolize. Now, I am new to the game, but why is the US so mediocre at futbol? The US style seems to be similar to that of Germany or England, but without the pinpoint passers or physical defenders that those two sides have. With our type of talent (and to draw people into the game) I think they should be using a free flowing style, like the Brazilians. The US clearly does not have that level of talent yet, but playing a more open game would sure help.

Imagine if the guys who grow up playing cornerback in American football were instead playing forward or mid, the US would be nasty, and a World Cup contender. Instead we play the game that suits the suburban kids currently filling up the futbol ranks. Guys like Landon Donovan seem to have talent to me, but gosh are they soft.
 
The US is already a moderate power internationally. I have no idea what you fellas are talking about. No, we're not Germany or France or Brazil, but we can beat Spain or Argentina on a good day, and potentially dominate lesser teams. Losing to Mexico in soccer is hardly a shameful thing. I remember when we couldn't even beat Guatemala.
 
El Duque said:
The US is already a moderate power internationally. I have no idea what you fellas are talking about. No, we're not Germany or France or Brazil, but we can beat Spain or Argentina on a good day, and potentially dominate lesser teams. Losing to Mexico in soccer is hardly a shameful thing. I remember when we couldn't even beat Guatemala.
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No way could we beat Spain right now, they are LOADED. Granted, they underachieve quite often, but we're not beating them. We might be able to sneak up on Argentina. After all, they couldn't beat Brazil's B squad in last years SudAmerica Cup. I still they would beat us 7 out of 10 though.

My concern is not so much with who they are losing to, but how they lose. They rarely play with the fire and intensity you see out of other teams. All that could change very soon though. Eddie Johnson looks awesome, and is only 21. Adu will be of age by the 2010 Cup, and Beasley and Donovan will be wily vets on that team. I guess my main concern is leadership and intensity. They display neither. They seem easily intimidated, and I think that they also do not play a style suitable to the American talent pool. Their style fits the talent they had 5-10 years ago, but they need to drop the reins and let these guys get after it. If American kids saw a free-flowing game, and were aware of the kind of money out there in futbol, there would be a lot more talent in the American game.
 
We could beat Spain. I've seen the Spanish NT in person, and they are just like any other supremely talented team with no heart; they play down to the competition. I'll pit our athleticism up against most countries, but our strategy and coaching are often flawed. We also lack experience and winning tradition, though those things are gradually becoming rectified. I see the US becoming to soccer what the former Yugoslavia is to basketball; the best country on its' continent with enough talent to have a solid domestic league and a decent amount of exportable talent, with the eventual capability of competing with most nations on an international scale. I do agree with your analysis of our needed strategic changes.

As for the lack of intensity, occasionally it's a problem, but when the real games come around, like the World Cup, this team shapes up and plays pretty well. I think that more than the speed of the game or the money, most American kids don't like soccer because what is important in soccer is not as valued in our society as it is elsewhere. All that running and teamwork for little reward and little personal acclaim, at least at the minor level, unless you can somehow become good enough to make it into European soccer, which is stocked with amazing talent. Sort of like how many Europeans are interested in basketball but prefer soccer because it is team-oriented and more accessible for them whilst the NBA already is stocked with American talent, allowing only the golden best through.
 
Just Imagine if people like Barry Sanders, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Deion Sanders spent ther whole lives playing soccer/futbol. USA would dominate! My friend Shaun McDonald was an amazing soccer player but is now a Wide Receiver for the St. Louis Rams. People go to where the $ is, BOTTOM LINE!
 
Here is my take on USA soccer.

It is on th minor league level at best.

Only reason USA qualifies to WC is because the region sucks. There is only Mexico. If USA would play quallys in Europe or South America - they would NEVER qualify.

You gusy lack on coaches and skilled players. There is a lot of talent especially physically but no teachers.

Also the mentality here is not suited for this game. It is a team game and it is never about one or two superstars. There is lots of strategy involved too.

You guys have long way to go to even pull close to the "important" soccer nations
 
I just think people underestimate the US team tremendously, whether out of blatant anti-Americanism, or just ignorance. Wait for the games, I guess.
 
El Duque said:
So by your reasoning, Serbian basketball is minor league, at best. Correct?
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Considering that Serbia is currently a WORLD CHAMPION - everybody else "sucks" a little more - so if Serbian BB is minor league - everybody elses is even worse.
 
El Duque said:
I just think people underestimate the US team tremendously, whether out of blatant anti-Americanism, or just ignorance. Wait for the games, I guess.
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Neither. You just overestimate it. That is all. One of the best players L. Donavan came recenrly back from Germany with the "tail between his legs" because he could not make it. There is a 15 years old playing in MLS. No 15 years old could play in any serious leauge on this planet.
 
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