FIFA World Cup Cmments?

[DannyG]

Anybody interested in exchanging thoughts, impressions, analyses?

USA now has a good chance. Argentina, Brazil, England, Germany, Netherlands, also look okay.

England/Germany; one goes home next, bad luck draw for them.

If USA gets the defense solid, and somebody (anybody) steps up to the sniper level up front, then the USA has a great chance to make the final four, believe it or not.

The successful teams have several guys who each play really good, phenominal, game-of-a-lifetime games. That type of game where the media says, "Wow, look at this guy!" The USA needs about five guys to do this, all at the same time. If they get it, then they will continue to be successful. I'll even go out on a limb and postulate that in the final four, anything could happen. Donavan, Howard, and Cherundolo need about three more guys to move up to that level.

Anubody got opinions?

[RichardGraham]

Hi Danny,

I'll just echo an article in the Los Angeles Times by a writer I dislike for ragging on Roller Hockey International back in the day, Bill Plaschke. Plaschke makes the argument that the USA national team has to start thinking like a soccer superpower instead of "continually setting its expectations so low..."

He continues, saying, "Now if the U.S. team can win two more times and make the Final Four for the first time? Well, that's something. That's progress. That's an awakening. That's big-boy soccer. Until then, don't just cheer for their success, but demand their success, and stop treating them like children."

[DannyG]

final score..bummer.

effort...good job, guys.

[growl89]

Watching the US soccer team in this tournament was one of the most frustrating events of all time. The "heroics" to tie the Slovenia game and also to win the Algeria game were great. But they should be expected. Our countries population is 310 million, the largest in the ENTIRE world cup. We should be on of the top 4-6 teams there.

Personally, I think the problem is Bob Bradley. There was not one inspired first half for the US in the entire world cup. Then in the game against Ghana, the first 5 minutes of extra time looked like the US were just planning on walking around the pitch until penalties were to be had for the tie break.

I'm very into the international sporting events, even took off work to watch all of the games. So it was very disappointing to see such a lackluster effort for a better part of the tournament. US had a weak group, which is the only reason they advanced.

And finally! Why on earth didn't EDU start yesterday? That move costed them the game in my opinion.

[SPORTSPLEXJEFF]

While I could write a mile long thought on the disasterous performance that I saw at this world cup from the US I will not. I will however comment on some things said here.

As it relates to the population we have here in the US it is not why we don't have one of the top 4-6 teams there. The problem with that solely lies at the youth level from 20 years ago. Here is the problem growing players was not a requirement for coaches and giving them skills beyond their ability and pushing them to the max. A problem at the youth travel soccer level it was rampant throughout the country in the early 90's through now. The worst thing is because parents run their kids from team to team year to year just to win championships.

Most of the players on the US team have great history in youth soccer in the US. I have a friendly relationship with 3 players on the National team from playing against them growing up and guess what they all played in one place.

About 10 years ago the US created a year round soccer academy in Brandenton FL and the best players in the country 18 and up were moved there to train year round. Now they have started bringing kids down there at 15 and over the next 2 world cups we will reap the benefits.

The biggest problem is the US has not had a legitimate pro soccer league in forever. The MLS according to soccer enthusiasts was a joke up until about 3 years ago. With this now in place and finally working after a decade you will start to see more players as kids want to do what the top pros do. So just like other sports it that are considered infantile in other countries it will take time to grow aa large national program.

I say give it another 2 world cups and you will see the US become a force.

The only thing they need most right now is a new manager. His lineups were poor and he could not motivate his team.

Ok so I was long winded shoot me.