As a huge soccer fan, it is depressing when you really don't have much to cheer for as far as your home nation goes. International soccer is as big as it gets, but when you want so desperately to cheer for your home nation and they end up disappointing you 90% of the time, it is tough. Today, The US played against England in Wembley Stadium and just looked outclassed in every way. The score was only 2-0, but the outcome was never in doubt. In fact, England looked almost bored. One might say, losing to a good team like England on their home soil 2-0 isn't bad at all, but England isn't that good now right now. In fact, they didn't even qualify for Euro 2008 next month, a World Cup like tournament with the best 16 teams in Europe. Sure, England is probably better some of those 16 teams, but in the end, they didn't qualify, but they were still good enough to make the US look like a team of amateurs.
So what is wrong? Well, first the valid excuse. The US has just not had a bonafide international program as long as many good countries. Secondly, until soccer becomes big in the United States, there will not be a strong commitment towards building a high class quality team. Other countries take players from a very young age and put them into soccer academies. They have youth programs that bring the child up - like a junior Manchester United. We just don't put out funds towards programs like that because frankly, the genral population doesn't care if we have a winner or not. The money is just not coming. Thirdly, our league, MLS, just isn't very good. I watch some games sometimes just to get my soccer fix, but the level of play going from the English Premier League to Major League Soccer is just night and day.
We have had a few successes here and there. In 1994, we made the round of 16 in the World Cup. In 2002, we made the quarterfinals. As the World Cup is only every 4 years, we rarely get to make an impact. Sure, we have qualified for 5 straight World Cups, but besides Mexico, we are qualifying against mediocare teams such as Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Trinidad and Tobago. Hardly powerhouses by any means. So what is it going to take? I have no clue. In the mid 90s, the US Soccer Foundation outlined a plan to develop a powerhouse team called Project 2010. It's goal - to win the World Cup in 2010. Unless an act of God happens, this will definitely not be happening. I will settle for making it out of the first round. That, is even more sad.
4 comments:
hey, leave the Toboggans out of this...sleds have never been known for soccer prowess
Maybe because the true powerhouse nations snatch up the young talent at an early age and bring them up in their system is one reason.
Maybe because most Americans see 2-0 as boring and being the "action flick" society that it is would rather see a score of 102-97 or 35-31.
Maybe for the same reason that I feel like the only person on the planet that is watching the Stanley Cup. Hockey seems to have taken quite a plunge in the past few years and most Americans don't get the sport. (my Pens are down 2 games to 1 to Detroit)
I really have no idea, I personally, like watching soccer and recognize some of the world names. It's a game and it's on.
So. it's much like being from Chicago and being a Cubs fan. You have to get used to being long suffering.
I think Evil-E pretty much covered everything. I would like to see the US foster young talent. Unfortunately, practically being forced to listen to sports talk radio (national program) during the day, soccer seems to become the redheaded stepchild of the sports world. "It's too European." "We're Americans and like hard-hitting, high scoring sports."
Until the US recognizes soccer as a "real" sport we will never be able to compete. There just isn't any comparison between the MLS and the leagues from other countries. Sure we have Olympic Development teams for the young, but they are not at the same caliber as the training in europe. Our good soccer players leave MLS and go play for other countries and we get players from ohter countries coming here to retire. But, I'll keep watching and supporting soccer. It's a great game!
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