Soccer in America

I'm going to gingerly set this down in the middle of the room, careful not to make any sudden moves, and then slowly back away from it so that I can get as close to the door as possible before anyone realizes what I've done. By the time someone notices it sitting there, and wanders over curiously to sniff it and poke it with a paw, I'll have a thick door between us and will have already bolted 3 of the four padlocks.

The Not-so-beautiful game.

You may also enjoy Wonkette's take on this.

Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want

After Saturday night's game-deciding PK call in the match against the Revs and then last night's drubbing of the USMNT, my insides have gotten a bit queasy today whenever I have thought about soccer.

I certainly don't want to encourage anyone to look past RBNY, but since we lit them up to the tune of 5 goals two weeks ago in that USOC play-in game, the prospect certainly exists of settling my stomach. I'd like to see Moreno, Pontius and Tino all strike tonight.

Thoughts? We are just about an hour out from game time, so let's hear what you have to say!

On the Olympics, and Speech, and Tibet

I don't want to get into whether the United States should or should not boycott the Olympics in China. If my country decides to boycott the Olympics, then that's fine. If not, that's fine too. Just don't try and split the baby by only boycotting the opening ceremony. That's weak sauce.

No, the purpose of this post is to muse on the protests that are taking place around the torch relay. And furthermore, how the Chinese government is sending out signals that any athlete that says something about China, or Tibet, or whatever, is going to face repercussions.

This is not surprising. Only a year ago, when RSL played the Chinese National Team, there were some pretty cravenly actions taken by both the stadium staff and others to kick out Tibetan protesters. You can probably read about it in the archives of this blog. And once again, with our team qualifying for the Olympics, the situation may rise again.

Here's what I want to say. Let's say there's no boycott (and there really doesn't seem to be the spine for one right now). Then I hope the US Olympic team goes to China, and plays well. I hope they medal. But even if they don't, I hope one of them scores a goal, and has the courage to unveil a Free Tibet T-Shirt under his kit. I know that US Soccer may not like it. I know that even some US citizens may not like it, or feel that the United States and its citizens have little grounds to criticize any other country. I have a nuanced response to those people, but I'll just summarize it as "Whatever - hypocrisy is not the worst vice." The situation is the one the US U23 team is faced with, and an act of free speech in a land not known for one would make me prouder than a gold. I don't think it will happen. I'm sure the players will be lectured to no end about being "good guests." Screw it. I want it to happen. And if a player, or the US fans who make it to China manage to say something, it will be a small victory in a world that seems very dark most days.

Complacency

Is anyone else at least somewhat relieved that there was a 2-2 draw in the USA-Mexico match last night? I get the sense that occasionally US fans believe their own hype when it comes to "owning" Mexico on U.S. Soil, and so a gentle reminder that to our fans now is a useful thing, especially in a friendly. They can't all be 2-0. Better now than later. This is a quick thought, I'm working on a bit more later.

Tuesday's Tryptophan Fighting Coffee

So The DCenters is awakening from our turkey slumber and we are realizing that we missed some news bits the past couple of days. If you joined your friends and family in giving thanks and skipped out on your DC United fix for some good home cooking this is the post to get you (and us) caught back up.

Carroll No Longer with DCU: Yeah, we saw this one and probably should have said a few words. San Jose taking Brian was expected, what was not expected was that he would be traded to Columbus for Kai Kamara. Either way we would just like to echo Dave Kaspar's comments,

"Brian has been a model professional on and off the field for D.C United, and we thank him for his five terrific years at the club."

Carroll was never a fan favorite at United but when he was on he made every other players job easier and made it possible for them to wow the crowd and please the fans. Clyde has basically been the starting D-Mid since the 2007 All-Star break, and Carroll was never as good in 2007 as he was in years past, but his service to DC United has been crucial to the success they have had since 2004. Only Moreno, Etcheverry, Olsen, Williams, Pope, Agoos, Namoff and Prideaux have played more minutes for United than Carroll.

Veron Rumors Pick Up Steam: Goff is hearing reports that a decision might be coming by December 15th. This would be an interesting move for United. I don't know how it will play out, but it could have interesting ripple effects in player moves, locker room cohesion and goals for next season.

CONCACAF Champions Cup: Six of the eight teams in the 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup are set. CD Montagua, Deportivo Saprissa, Harbour View, Pachuca, DC United and the Houston Dynamo are already in the competition. CSD Municipal and LD Alajuelense are fighting for the third Central American spot which will be decided on December 4th, while the second Mexican spot will go to the winner of the Apertura. The Apertura season is down to four teams as Santos will play Pumas and Chivas will meet Atlante in the semifinals. So DC United could face Chivas yet again, though betting money has to go to Santos at this point. Goff is reporting that the dates for the first leg of the CCC are March 11-13 (first leg) and 18-20 (second leg). So that is when the off season ends.

DC United 2007 Player Grades: UnitedMania has given out player grades for the 2007 season. For the most part I agree with these grades. The grades seem to be given out based on expectations, making Burch one of the two people with an A, but overall it is a solid analysis.

Joe Machnik Interview: Kenn.com has a great interview with MLS’ Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner for On-Field Competition (wow, thats a long title) Joe Machnik. Basically Dr. Machnik is the guy in the MLS' organization that deals with the referees. The interview covers the entire officiating gamut and every MLS fan should read it.

MLS Blows Decision by Blowing the Galaxy: Ives reports on the decision by the honchos at MLS HQ to grandfather the contracts of Landon Donovan, Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz so that their teams would not need to make them Designated Players to keep them. Basically they changed the rules halfway through the game...again. Frankly I thought MLS was beyond this, but I guess not. More than anything else in US Soccer, tampering like this is the thing that pisses me off the most.

2010 World Cup Qualifying: The draw was held on the 25th. The US will play the winner of Dominica and Barbados. Assuming they win that game they will be drawn into a group that will probably consist of themselves, Cuba, Trinidad & Tobago and Guatemala. Assuming no upsets the Group B will be Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica and Canada while Group C will consist of Haiti, Panama, Guyana and Costa Rica.

REMINDER: USA vs. SOUTH AFRICA - TOMORROW

That's right, come out at 9AM tomorrow to Summers for a showing of USA vs. South Africa. We know some bloggers will be there, including Bruce from Du Nord, Brian from "An American's View..." and perhaps some more. There will be a breakfast. It will be hot. It will be indoors, and it will not be chilly. And there will be soccer. This is how your MLS Cup Weekend should start. I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.

(Yes, focusing on things like this is helping dull the pain of thinking about RFK on Sunday without United).

More details courtesy of Du Nord.

Du Nord in Assocation With The DCenters Presents a US Soccer Production: "USA vs. South Africa"

The weekend of MLS Cup promises to be the social soccer event of the year. The Screaming Eagles have a ton of stuff planned, but if you're not heading down to RFK for the 2007 Supporter's Cup, we hope you'll consider hanging with Bruce from Du Nord and some of us out at Summer's, for breakfast and the USA vs. South Africa game. We're not saying it's going to be anyone other than us there (although if you're a player, or fan, or celebrity, or media person, or anyone who's anyone, and given that you read this blog, well, then, you qualify) but it's going to be a fun time with a hot breakfast in the cold DC air.

More details available at Du Nord, and as we hear of people you might want to meet, we'll let you know. I, for one, am excited. So come on out!

UPDATE: We know this guy's going to be there. Why not you?

Monday Morning Coffee

USA v. Mexico Cancelled: Steven Goff reports that US v. Mexico at Azteca is off. It is to be replaced by US v. Brazil at Chicago's Soldier Field. Quite a replacement match.

Boswell Helps ESPN Out Bobby Boswell decided to give some good advice to ESPN at practice on Friday. Some strong stuff there that many fans, myself included think is 100% correct. ESPN's MLS broadcasts are horrible and something needs to be done to fix the problem. Bobby adds to his comments in a similar but slightly less antagonistic manner on his blog.

Ted Takes SportTalk to Task: Ted Leonsis, owner of the Washington Capitals was at the game on Thursday. As he was driving there he was listening to to SportsTalk 980. Apparently, he didn't like what he was hearing. He slams the Sports Reporters for their narrow minded approach to soccer. I couldn't agree more, but I wouldn't have even known about this if he hadn't blogged about it. Because really, who listens to 980?

Opening Weekend for the EPL: I don't know how many of you out there care but there were some nice matches this weekend. It was a good mix of some big upsets and some expected results. As for the Americans playing, the goalkeepers did well, the field players, not so much.

US v. Brazil U-20 Match

Wow, that was an amazing match. Adu jogado bonita better than the Brazilians and the Altidore showed the US Men what a finisher can do. Seitz proved that Guzan isn't the only goalkeeper in the mix for 2014 and/or 2018. Zizzo and Rogers showed good ball control with their feet on the chalk and Bradley played a good defensive game.

MLS has really helped give this US team bite. Adu creates the first goal by just destroying the Brazilian D-Mid, plus he never once got knocked off the ball. Jozy easily holds the ball up against U-20 players after learning how against MLS vets. Bradley and Szetela did a good job clogging up the middle and forcing Brazil wide. The US players were a lot more physical than their Brazilian counterparts and I think it threw the Brazilians off their game a little. Yes, MLS players will pull a Mastroeni every once and a while, making a poor challenge that wouldn't be a card in MLS but is on the international level, but on the whole I liked what I saw.

It was especially effective when they combined it with some stellar possession and creative plays. Goff is incorrect when he says that, "Brazil was technically superior and more comfortable on the ball -- no surprise there -- but the U.S. team hung in there, absorbed pressure and confidently counterattacked." THE WERE EVEN ON POSSESSION WITH BRAZIL. Yes, the young Brazilians were definitely more technically superior but the US players were much more organized and linked their passes better when they took the time to build up an attack. It was a fairly even game all around, and a great one to watch.

For those of you who missed it here are some highlights.


Now the real question for DC United is when do we want Adu to transfer to Europe? According to Goff:

The future considerations acquired in the trade also are vital to United's plans. If Adu was to leave Real Salt Lake for Europe, it would receive compensation from MLS to acquire a new player. Under the conditions of yesterday's trade, United would receive a portion of Salt Lake's payout. In addition, if Adu stays with Salt Lake through the end of the 2007 season, United would receive a draft pick. The better Adu plays, the better the draft pick would be.

So the way I see it, without any further information, we are hoping that he goes to Europe before the end of the season. A large payout is not out of the question anymore (thanks to MLS changing the rules) and DC United could get a significant chunk of that. I will leave Goff with the task of finding out exactly what percent of the transfer fee United might obtain, and what type of draft pick United might get if the move isn't completed until after the season.

Los Gringos

Over at Off Wing Opinion, Eric McErlain had an interesting, and perhaps telling, post Gold-Cup screen capture. While he draws a parallel to the Houston 1836-Houston Dynamo situation when wondering about whether to take offense, I find the notion that he advances of reclaiming the word "Gringo" quite appealing. Putting aside the potential pejorative connotations (and, before I get people saying "there's never any negative connotation" to the word, just listen to how it is pronounced occasionally. Some people can make the word "respect" a racial epithet), the word on a simply interpretive level is reserved for foreigners, not even necessarily Yanks. It's not that the word is offensive, it's that even in the most benign usage, the word is being incorrectly used given that the USA was playing on home soil. Or is it?

There is a somewhat romantic notion to the idea of the USA Team always being the Gringos, of being foreigners even in our own country. While we trumpet how far soccer has come in the United States, the Gold Cup final saw US fans easily outnumbered. I do not put the blame for this on CONCACAF, USSF, the organizing committee, or the people of Chicago. It is simply a fact that the US supporters may have the individual pound-for-pound passion, there are simply more fans of Mexico in most urban areas than the United States. What's more, don't expect the USA to have majority US fans in any of the top 10 population centers in the next decade. It's not happening.

For years we've always hoped that we'll have majority US crowds at international matches, and sometimes we come pretty close. Still, I can't remember a match in a major city with our southern neighbors where the USA had about 80% support. And we should accept that, and move on. The US team, and the US fans, are los gringos no matter where we play. We are modern gypsies, traveling from town to town, never totally accepted. It's a romantic notion. I've never like the "Stars-and-stripes" for the US team nickname. In soccer, stars are earned for championships and we don't have a World Cup under our belt that I've noticed. But embracing Los Gringos? Yes, I can get behind that. If we are not at home when we are home, then the rest of the world should be our home as well. It's still an unreached ideal, but one I find intriguing.

In All Probability, the USA will Get Murdered in Copa America. Good.

By now, we've seen the Copa America rosters, and comparing the USA with, say Argentina is certainly a humbling experience. Hell, Columbia and Paraguay's squads both boast several names that even my impaired knowledge recognizes. If we finish third and manage to get out of the group stage, it will be an accomplishment.

So why am I strangely pleased with this outcome. Partially because I'm immature, and it gives me a chance to put the USA back into a familiar context. But also, given that we're going to play our kids, this is the perfect way to get their heads right in four years. The World Cup Finals are a difficult endeavor, played in a different country at an elite level. It is not easy. And perhaps the most recent memories of international competition among the 2006 World Cup players were of qualification (fairly easy in comparison), a Gold Cup win, and a successful 2002 campaign. Compare that to the 2002 squad, who all too easily might recall the debacle of 1998.

Look, I don't want the US humiliated, and I don't want to have the confidence of these young players destroyed, but there is something to be said for the teachable moment. Some of these players are going to be on the World Cup squad in three years. And when that time comes, there will be the memory of the 2007 Copa America to remind them just how big a challenge it is they're facing. And then they can tell themselves "Hey, I don't want to feel outclassed again. I need to take this very seriously, I can't be complacent. But I'm better, wiser, savvier than I was three years ago. And I have some motivation for revenge." That seems like a good thing indeed, and perhaps something we wouldn't have if we took our "A" squad from today down there. Doesn't seem like a bad thing to me at all.

First Impressions - USA 2 : 1 Mexico

In a way, this is how it should be.

I've never really come to terms with the idea as the US as a soccer power, even in the limited landscape of CONCACAF. The team I grew up rooting for was always the underdog, odd and scrappy, never quite the team to match up with Costa Rica, let alone Mexico. And so the idea that the United States should be favorites to win the Copa Oro, even on "our" soil, never really felt like a comfortable concept. If it wasn't comfortable to me, why should it for players and coaches?

And so the United States grits out a win in the Gold Cup final. Did they look like the superior team for the entire game? Hardly. But they did enough that the result was not unfair, and had DMB iced his final shot then the final minutes would have been less tense.

The US was always the young, immature program that had to struggle though when I grew up. They are not yet the giants we might think they are. However, there is a term for a coming of age, for a difficult transition from stage to another. Adolescence. And that is what this seemed to be to me: The first recognitions of perhaps a new maturity that faces the US National Team, at least in CONCACAF. We are no longer precocious, we are not yet giants. We are growing. That's good enough. And adolescence is an awkward, sometimes fumbling stage in life. Would I have started the team Bradley did? Nope, I was screaming when I saw the line-up, seeing Dempsey up top and Benny F. on the left. But they came through it okay. That's enough for me. And, in a strange way, just as satisfying.

Pulled Me Up Up Up Up Up: Boswell/Olsen to US National Team

I saw what purported to be a complete list of the Copa America roster (although it only listed two keepers) but it jibes with Steve Goff's reports that Ben Olsen and Bobby Boswell have been called to the National team. So Bolivia takes a forward, and the USA take a midfielder and a center back. Okay, that's all within the tolerances of a team with depth. Multiple losses in one third would have hurt, this we can struggle through. We keep Perkins, but it might not surprise me to learn that he's the emergency third keeper in case of injury (the role Guzan is serving right now.) Once US Soccer posts the roster, we'll get a link up.

The Thursday Night Soccer Reviews

Last night was a night I had anticipated heavily, but by the time it was over I felt annoyed that I ever cared about this game. Why? Well...

USA 2 : 1 CAN: Setting aside Canada's disallowed goal (which I don't understand, and if I were a Canadian fan I would feel completely embittered about the entire thing) the US has some glaring problems. In the opening 20 minutes they showed good skill in carving through the Canadian midfield, but never manufactured a great chance off of it. The half chances were all weakly taken shots whose energy had pretty much expired by the time Pat Onstad took them into his arms. If I had to say one thing, it is that the US misses, and has not replaced, Brian McBride. Eddie Pope was pretty much done in 2006 for international play, Claudio Reyna (Ghana game aside) will be replaced by someone, I have no doubt, but Taylor Twellman and Brian Ching do not seem to provide the same ability to take advantage of small chances that McBride did. For all the other International retirements you can see that in four years we could be okay, but not McBride. That's worrisome.

Oh, and Frankie, um... DID YOU SEE LAST YEAR'S WORLD CUP? When the opposing team's talented midfielder head-butts you, YOU FALL DOWN WITH A COLLAPSED LUNG! You don't slap him in the face. Goodness, have we learned nothing?

Let me be honest. Had Canada's goal (and it was a goal) been allowed to stand, they would have found a way to win that game. The USA does not inspire confidence. But... (see part 3).

HOU 4 : 0 CHV: This is usually a focus on ESPN covering the game, so let's start there. It was a decent job from the crew, whose energy was slightly higher than last week. The down moment came when a "30 at 30" update split the screen for a crucial red card decision (one that looks a bit light, but I can't fault the center ref for making it.) Chivas looked out of sorts, and Houston looked dangerous on set pieces but still didn't overwhelm me, despite the score line. Acceptable match, and perhaps the audience enjoyed all the goals. I dunno.

MEX 1 : 0 GDP: The difference between Mexico and the United States right now is that while both teams have been unconvincing, Mexico at least look to be getting better. Not sure I can say that about the US. That being said, Guadeloupe seemed to play them well. There was a concerted effort to not allow Mexico easy chances, and to play defensively in the opening half. I wonder if Guadeloupe actually feared getting a goal before half time, on the theory that it just might wake El Tri up. Probably not, but it felt that way. Still, once they went down a goal, they managed to actually try and press to equalize the game. And the last half hour was fairly enjoyable considering what I had been seeing most of the night. Yet here we are, with the US and Mexico in the final, and neither team really looking like a powerhouse at any point. There should be insecurity on both sides.

Around the Tubes

DOMESTIC DOUBLES: Commenter John gave us the word yesterday night, and it is confirmed by the DCU media office this morning: Ben Olsen gets his personal domestic double of player of the week and goal of the week. With great accomplishment comes many text messages, and John Haydon in the Times catches up with Benny.

Both Haydon and Goff are noting that Olsen, with Namoff and Boswell, are possibilities for Copa America duty. This is, of course, in addition to Moreno who we know was recalled. Losing two more players would hurt, losing all three could be traumatic. But that's the price we pay.

MAX J'S SILVER HAMMER CAME DOWN ON THE OFFSIDE: The Offside's DC United coverage got a new addition with an additional blogger as Max J. joins Nando over yonder. What I love about this team is the way we may have 11 years of history, but new people feel quite okay about joining in:

As far as a little background goes: I started with DC United last year when I (briefly) lived in town and have quickly become a die-hard.

I bring this up as someone who appreciated this fact. As many of you know, I wasn't in town for the glory years, but tried to follow from afar (which is to say, Pittsburgh) until getting back to DC in 2001. Sometimes there is a strange tension between older, hardcore fans from back in the day and the newer fans from only a few years ago. I hope that United can continue to integrate both sets well, so head on over and read the perspectives of someone who may be newer than most, but is as hardcore as any.

SPEAKING OF FANDOM: The frisson between fan and analyst strikes again, this time in Atlanta. This is something we (and Aaron Stollar) were dealing with earlier in the year. Anyway, the Cupcakes are dealing with the same issue.

WHY IS DC STILL IN THE FREEZER?: Normally, I respond to things in comments, but I wanted to elevate this to a post. Some people are upset about United remaining in the most recent version of the Freezer. My fellow blogger Oscar even suggested that I was "being too cautious in not Moving DC out of the freezer, if only to protect your own feelings if they happen to stumble again." As much as I'd like to laugh that off as silly, he may have a bit of a point there. However, there are two larger reasons why DC remains in the Freezer: First, the draw against LA is still part of my memory. It was a bad draw, one that could conceivable have ended worse. One game does not erase that from my memory. Second, the Freezer also works as a function of expectations. That's why RSL is #3 above LA and Columbus. And why I may not expect United to run away with the East, I expect them to be in the top three. They are not right now, and therefore are still running cold a bit. In fact, United's resume includes 2 good wins (Houston, New York), 2 acceptable wins (Toronto and Chivas), a good draw (New England), an atrocious draw (LA), and one godawful loss (Columbus). I just need that little more to take them out. Yes, they win in Chicago, and I take them out, and they don't even go back in again if they drop points to RSL the week after.

International Incidents

CHINA: There is a debrief coming, but I wanted to touch on two things before I turn my attention to that project. First, the serious one regarding the situation with China playing the United States. Both RSLFM (who was way ahead on this topic) and Dan Loney have weighed in on this, and I think they're correct in the larger picture. Whether or not it is wise or unwise to engage China diplomatically or economically, the idea that people are being ejected for unfurling flags of Taiwan is repugnant. Does the stadium and the ownership have the right to do such a thing? Well, if it is private property, then they probably do. Yet it's a pretty cowardly thing to do. Loney writes:

Someday, China will be free. And when that day comes, they will remember who was on their side, and who wasn’t. Right now, MLS is making sure they have a very prominent role in a very dark page. Hopefully, when that page in history is written, it will be MLS fans who are remembered, and not MLS suits.

I have no problems with US Soccer and MLS scheduling games against teams with autocrats as rulers. Hell, we're playing Copa America in Venezuela, and if the fates should smile on the USA and we get a lead in a game, I wouldn't be surprised if the media feed to the game was shut down. Just saying. But in the United States, to have US suits order people out of the stadium for daring to bring in another flag... it's sickening. The other writers have this covered much better than I do, but I am in full agreement with them. Politics over, now to fun.

MEXICO: Bob Bradley and the US Team were taking flack for not winning convincingly enough. Sure, they haven't conceded a goal, but 1-0 and 2-0 wins over CONCACAF minnows on US Soil wasn't good enough. Bradley himself even voiced his discontent with the results, and I was wondering if there was something wrong with me for not being upset with the US performance to date. Then Mexico has to rally against Cuba before actually dropping a game to Honduras. Kids, I'd much rather have two clean sheets (in situations where the US kept the other team's attack in check for most of the game) then be where Mexico is right now. Sure, Mexico's going to get out of the group stage, and a 4-1 thrashing of Panama wouldn't surprise me, but man, it was fun to watch them lose. Especially to Honduras, the country of the epically long national anthem. Good on them. And good on Bradley for being willing to say something other than "Results are all that matter." I wouldn't agree with him, but it's not what I expect to hear. And wouldn't it be sweet if somehow Mexico got knocked out? Not going to happen, but still...

Thursday Night Soccer Reviews I : Copa Oro

Wow, two games on last night, and a ton of other things to write about. So let's get onto it. Managed to somehow, thanks to the staggered start (one of the few blessings ESPN bestowed upon us last night), catch most of both the Colorado-Houston and the Copa Oro* match against Guatemala, although I must admit my priority was watching the second match. So let's start there.

For most of this game, I had the queasy feeling that the USA could drop points thanks to a goal against the run of play. Carlos Ruiz managed to get inside of Gooch's head, aided and abetted by center official Jose Pineda. Pineda has a textbook case of how not to manage a game as an official, letting several hard tackles by Guatemala go early in the match, and booking the US later. If ever a game called for an early yellow to get things under control, this match did. Ruiz is a diver, but a damn good one, and honestly it helps his team so I can't imagine that he should stop diving from a competitive standpoint. Gooch's red was coming, you could feel it. He should have known it as well, and gone out of his way to avoid fouls unless it was to save a goal. Donovan was annoyingly inconsistent on his free kicks (if you haven't figured out you need to beat the first defender by now...), but decent on his corners. Eddie Johnson didn't get much of a chance to show his form given that he was the lone striker for most of the half hour he spent on the field.

Still, this was some of the better defensive organization I've seen from Bradley this year for most of the game, and they (obviously) deserved the victory. Guatemala is the toughest team the US will face in their group, so getting them out of the way before T&T and El Salvador was a blessing.

*Referring to Gold Cup as Copa Oro because, as Kinney point out to me, don't you feel a little silly saying "Gold Cup?" Sounds like something you search for in a World of Warcraft type game.

Misc. Appropriations

I'm working on the Freezer right now, but a few things of note.

COACH:

First, yes, we read the Mike Wise article on Tom Soehn. It's interesting, and pleasant, but I'm not sure how important it is in the long run. Wise had pretty much declared himself in the "Anybody but Nowak" camp midway through 2006. Still, a nice read.

COUNTRY: Let me throw a theory out there that I bounced off Kinney last Saturday. Under Bob Bradley, the United States seems more creative but less organized than under Bruce Arena. True? False? It was an idle thought, and one that I think can go either way, but I thought I would throw it out there.

OTHER COUNTRY: Oscar's apparently too modest to mention this himself, but it looks like he's writing a Bolivian Futbol blog in addition to his duties here. Of course, it helps if you speak the language. Hello Llama!

Just Quickly...

Did anyone else feel incredibly frustrated by the USA-Ecuador match? I mean, isn't this exactly the kind of result we want to see in a match under different circumstances, but exactly the result that means nothing given what the circumstances we had? Landon putting up 3 on Ecuador is frustrating because you know he can be a good player, but you want to see him demonstrate it under conditions other than the ones we saw yesterday. When he puts up three on foreign soil against a South American team, then I might be truly invigorated. Right now it just feels so... so... I dunno, like I've been here before. Yes, I know Ecuador had a higher FIFA ranking. Doesn't matter (check the Elo ratings instead). At home on a gawdawful pitch we should win that one anyways. That's all. I just can't feel all good about this yet.

Two Fundamental Questions, Part II

I want to step away from the traditional focus of this blog to talk about the US National Team coaching situation. I didn't write much about the US-Mexico match before or after the event simply because I didn't think it mattered. A win or a loss said nothing about the biggest challenge facing the United States: The World Cup. Bruce Arena's legacy should be that he has turned us into a continental power, and it was nice to see that 2-0 win maintain that impression, but the true test will be the World Cup finals. Unless we want to turn into the equivalent of Rangers supporters or boosters at certain NCAA football programs, we should not be evaluating this team, or this coach, on results against one rival, no matter how much they are despised.

Yet the victory over Mexico turned ESPN commentators, pundits, and bloggers into the Bob Bradley Appreciation Society. The evaluation of Bradley has been made on his performance in two friendlies, and I can understand the adulation. If that was all that mattered, then I agree that Bob Bradley should have that a shorter job title right now, and he should toss that word "Interim" into the stands like Bobby Convey's clothes. But all that proves to me is that Bradley has the program at the level where Bruce Arena left it. The USA is a monster in CONCACAF, but what about the 2010 World Cup and beyond? This series is two fundamental questions, and the fundamental question that people should be asking is "Which coach can take the United States from Continental power to world power?"

The answer may well be Bradley. It's possible. But when one is considering a four year campaign for the next World Cup finals, and the establishment of a structure to ensure competitive soccer in 2014, 2018, and beyond, two games is hardly a sufficient sample size.

To be fair, some Bradley advocates acknowledge this. Kent McDill writes in the Daily Herald :

He also is coaching the U-23 team that is the feeder system for the men’s national squad, giving him a great opportunity to work with the next generation of American soccer talent. Bradley will give this task his all, and he will do so without antagonizing either the U.S. Soccer Federation or Major League Soccer. He will do a solid job melding what different interests exist in the sport, including the players based in Europe with the players from the United States.

This at least gives us some sense of the sort of context that we should be viewing the head coach position. I want you to take a look at this organizational chart. Now, I have no first-hand experience, but I've read a great deal that makes it should like US Soccer is beset with competing factions and agendas. The Youth Organizations have well documented differences in agendas and approach. The professional leagues, the US Soccer Player unions, the youth organizations, the National Team, the Olympic committee, the US Soccer Board, the NCAA, Sunil Gulati... That's a lot of ducks to have in a row. Soccer United Marketing isn't even on the Org Chart, yet one should probably consider them a factor as well. What I've been convinced of is that fundamental structures in this country need to be reformed to make us a world soccer power. The Youth and lower Club systems are frequently mentioned as not ideal. However, given the apparent power of the various factions, reform is a difficult process. In order for reform to take place, it would take a concerted effort from the two most visible figures in US Soccer: the US Soccer President and the National Team Coach.

Quite simply, if Gulati and Bradley have a common vision, and a passion for that vision, of the future of the US Soccer Program as a whole, then perhaps something can be achieved. However, while Bradley enjoys working with young players and has success with them, I see little to indicate that he is interested in structural or organizational challenges, just coaching ones. That's fine and admirable, but not ideal when one is trying to change a system. Gulati probably does have a passion for those very issues, but finding someone that shares that passion with him, and adds stature to any reform movement, could be a tall order. Reports say that Klinsmann wanted greater organizational control of US Soccer. I have no problem with that impulse, but if his desires were not aligned with Gulati's than Sunil was right not to hire him. Additionally, we have no evidence that Klinsmann has the capacity to reform an organization instead of just a team, as opposed to someone like Jose Peckerman who has a demonstrated track record. Peckerman, in that respect, would have been a less risky choice.

Now, all of this being said, Bradley has done well so far. He works and plays well with others. And it is possible that perhaps his success has accrued him some political capital. If he does understand the need for organizational reform, and he shares a vision with Gulati for that reform, then by all means, let's hire the man. But if not, I have no problem with Gulati looking for someone who fits well, and who will hopefully work to take the United States beyond where it is now. We are a power in CONCACAF, but we require some work, change, and reform, from the grassroots levels upward, to become a world power. And that's the fundamental challenge.