Looking back on the wonderful performance by the US woman's team during this past World Cup, I couldn't help but think about the current status of the men's team. I have never previously written about the US Men's team. Even though I am absolutely obsessed with Juventus and Italy, it does not mean I don't have a passion for my homeland. Over the past decade there has been a lot of talk about soccer in the United States and the "progress" of the men's team. However looking back I see this progress being blown way out of proportion.
Lets start back at 2002. What can probably best be described as a run of luck before it ran out. USA beat Portugal and, thanks to South Korea, moved on, even after losing to Poland. That infamous quarterfinal loss to Germany, with the non-call of a handball, eliminated the USA but gave them something to hang their heads on. 2006 was a completely different story. After a successful Gold Cup in 2005, the USA went to Germany with such hope and expectations. They ended up crashing out by recording one tie and only two goals. With such a poor performance, a change needed to be made, thus enter Bob Bradley.
Leading up to 2010, there had never been more hype about a USA team. The success at the Confederations Cup had people thinking that the USA could make a run deep into the tournament. Realistically they should have. After the group stage, USA wouldn't have had to face a top ten team until the semi finals. Many people like to say that the USA was unlucky, they just couldn't find the back of the net against Ghana and that the World Cup was somewhat a success. I don't see it like that.
I don't want to take anything away from the performance of many of the players and I'm not saying it wasn't amazing when Landon Donovan scored in the final minutes to put the team through but that cup was nowhere near a success. The US was extremely lucky to pull off a tie against England, no denying that. However, regardless of the bad offsides calls, there is no reason the USA does not easily roll over Algeria and Slovenia. Looking at the quality of players between the three teams. USA has more players playing in top leagues than the other two. There is no excuse then for the USA to not win. People should not be quick to remember the 2010 World Cup for only Landon Donovan's goal and the horrible calls by the referees but also include the fact that the USA scrapped by the group stage by the skin of their teeth.
So here we sit, still hurting from that 4-2 loss in the Gold Cup final with many questions needing answers. First of, Bob Bradley needs to go. He will be remembered for that Confederations Cup second place finish but his time is over. For years, the US have turned to their own for coaching. This is not the answer. American coaches' experience ranges from NCAA to MLS. That level of football does nothing to prepare a coach for the big stages. American coaches need to start getting jobs abroad. Go to Europe start as an assistant coach in a big league or a head coach in a lesser league and work your way up before looking to coach the national team. Meanwhile USMT can bring in a foreigner to coach the team. Look at what Guus Hiddink was capable of doing for Russia and South Korea.
Next, keep improving on the youth programs. Every MLS team should have youth programs and if a prodigy comes around, let him play on the senior squad (Wayne Rooney scored against Arsenal when he was 16). As un-american as it may be, forget about NCAA. The top players should be going straight to the pros and not wasting their time in college.
The USA Men's team has a lot of work to do if they are to be ready for Brazil 2014. There is enough talent on the team to compete in the World Cup with more talented players on the way. In the mean time, get a new coach, preferably one whose coached a top club or a big country.
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