Failure to Launch

What does it mean for US Soccer that they were not able to qualify for the 2012 Olympics in London this summer? I am not quite sure yet, but it did not leave a good feeling in my gut. The United States plays in the CONCACAF region, which includes North and Central American countries, as well as the island countries in the Caribbean. If you think this is an area chock-full of soccer powers, you are quite mistaken. Mexico is obviously the most formidable foe for the United States, and outside of that there are only a couple Central American countries that are somewhat respectable (Panama is the only other team in the top 50 in the world). So, it should be a given that both the U.S. and Mexico qualify for every major world tournament, right? Before this failure, I would have thought the answer was yes, but let’s take a look at what went wrong and if it matters at all.

It must be noted that the United States U-23 team was playing in these qualifying games. While it is easy to use this as an excuse, it would have been nice to see the future of American soccer show that they were ready for the big stage. Just because some of the main cogs of the national team did not participate, rising stars such as Freddy Adu, Juan Agudelo, and Brek Shea still played. One of the main reasons that they did not qualify is that, in my opinion, they may have thought the task too easy and simply failed to muster up the motivation to play 100%.

The national team is coming off of a huge road win against Italy, as noted here by an expert soccer journalist. Even though it was in a friendly competition, coach Klinsmann was able to quiet his doubters as the U.S. earned their first significant victory in a couple years. This should not have taken the focus away from Olympic qualifying. Even more, World Cup qualifying begins this summer, so the staff may have lacked in the effort and strategy categories.

The main reason I am disappointed in this result is that it is a huge buzz kill for the high that American soccer fans were feeling after the Italy match. The Olympics could have been a chance to show off the young talent that Klinsmann has at his disposal over the next couple of World Cups. Instead, the U.S. will focus on qualifying for the World Cup and hope to beat the soccer powerhouses of the Caribbean and Central America to reach the World Cup…in 2014. London could have given the Americans a chance to measure up to high caliber competition before Rio de Janeiro. It will not match up to the level of play that we see at the World Cup or near what we will see in Poland and Ukraine at the Euro Cup this summer. However, it will be a good measuring stick for the future of soccer all over the world.

American soccer still has a ways to go to reach a consistent level of success. No matter how frustrating this is, I am used to my sports teams letting me down, so I will keep the faith. Plus, the hiring of Klinsmann and the subsequent events still give me hope that the future is bright. I would just love to get to this future a little quicker.

One Large Leap for US Soccer

So the last day of February rolled around this past Wednesday, the twenty-ninth day of this odd month, and the United States Men’s National Team found itself in Italy facing a side that it had never defeated. Never! Unfortunately, I found myself in class, and since you can’t skip grad school classes, I was forced to find a way to watch and participate in higher learning (borrow a classmate’s laptop and sit in a strategic part of the classroom!).

I originally thought about writing this article about how this team, under the still-new leadership of Jürgen Klinsmann, was not progressing at the rate it needed for several reasons. The full ‘A’ squad has not played together yet, including stars Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan, and constantly injured Stu Holden. Furthermore, they have had a couple good performances littered amongst some mediocre showings. I was also going to comment on a couple players who I thought had received a fair audition but were not national team-worthy just yet.

But here we were, in Italy on a day that only comes once every four years. I tuned in about 20 minutes into the game to see the Americans donning their new away jerseys (which I didn’t hate). The first half wasn’t perfect, but Italy was held in check. The U.S. came back in the second half and it seemed as though they were not the same timid team that we saw at the end of 2011.

The pitch was very slow. Italy was spending too much time on the offensive, and Jozy Altidore was spending too much on the ground. But after some good ball movement, Fabian Johnson got a good cross in to Jozy, who instead of trying to draw a penalty kick, dropped it off to Dempsey who slotted it home for the winner. I must admit, I almost cheered out loud in the middle of class, but somehow kept my composure.

The last 35 minutes of the match were not easy. Italy pushed the ball repeatedly and we witnessed the best defense the US has displayed in a long time. Captain Carlos Bocanegra led his defenders into battle; players were diving and sacrificing their bodies to block shots and break up passes in a manner you only see during power plays in the NHL. It was hard for me to contain my emotions because the only thing I enjoy more than goals is stellar defense. The line held and the US walked out of Italy with their first victory ever against this world soccer power.

While Italy wasn’t at full power, the Americans were also short a couple key players. Playing on the road, they never backed down and though they didn’t play at their best, they played well enough to complete a much-needed signature win. Now, Klinsmann has a game that he can point to in meetings as the “see, you can beat the big boys” game.

Even more than these typical motivating points, the Americans can feel good about a win while still realizing that they didn’t play their best. It’s much easier to self-criticize and improve after a victory and now they can stay positive while still perfecting their craft.

This game may also provide Klinsmann the break he needs to get out of the media spotlight and work on building his team in time for World Cup qualifying. For the short term at least, he can concentrate on assembling his ideal squad. Up next for Klinsmann and co. is Scotland and then a home test against 2014 World Cup hosts Brazil. These matches won’t happen until May, so the Americans can ride this feel-good wave until then. However, these international friendlies will be quickly followed by World Cup qualifying. At that time, we hope to finally see a team ready to take the leap.

Top Soccer Moments of 2011

As we close out another year and chapter in our lives, I am taking a few moments to reflect back on the most significant memories of 2011 in the world of soccer—both at the club and international levels. It has been quite an interesting year on and off the field and though this year is ending, we have much to look forward to in 2012.

7. Fernando Torres to Chelsea There were many significant transfers this year, including Samir Nasri to Manchester City and Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona, but the one that got the most press was the star Spanish striker moving to Stamford Bridge for a fee of £50 million (yes, that is pounds), only to disappoint by not scoring his first goal for over 900 minutes of action.

6. Barcelona Dominance This seems to be a common trend the last few years, but again, we cannot ignore the greatness of Lionel Messi and his crew of Spanish stars. They once again dominated the Champions League when they dismantled a very good Manchester United squad in the final. They also won La Liga and even though Real Madrid won the coveted Copa del Rey, Barca still managed to win that battle.

5. FIFA Scandals 2011 started off with a scandal for FIFA in both the presidential election process and the picking of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup sights. There were accusations that choosing Qatar for 2022 was not clean. In the past few months, FIFA President Sepp Blatter attracted criticism when he denied the presence of racism in soccer. This was followed up by serious allegations against prominent EPL players Luis Suarez and John Terry that they used racial abuse during matches. Hopefully, 2012 will be a better year for FIFA with World Cup qualifying and the Euro Cup.

4. Manchester City’s Rise to Prominence City flirted with the top of the table during last season’s campaign, only falling when United smacked them down with the goal of a lifetime (see below) and recaptured the title. City was not deterred and acquired Samir Nasri over the summer and came out on fire this season, culminating in a 6-2 shellacking of hated cross-town rivals Manchester United. Both teams are currently tied atop the table, so 2012 should bring much drama in the EPL. City’s talent, however, is not to be doubted any longer.

3. Hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann At the end of July, after much speculation, the US Soccer Federation fired embattled coach Bob Bradley and hired fan-favorite Klinsmann. This was a move that many thought was going to happen a few years ago, but finally came to fruition in 2011. Klinsmann’s start to the US era has been slightly disappointing, but with a few months to go until World Cup qualifying, he still has time to measure the talent available and create a side that will be somewhat respected on the international scene.

2. Wayne Rooney Bicycle Kick If you have not seen this play yet, please do so now. This was one of the best goals I have ever seen and came near the end of the crucial aforementioned match against a surging Manchester City squad. It is also synonymous with the growth in Rooney’s career as a professional soccer player and will be replayed on top ten lists for centuries to come.

1. Women’s World Cup In any other year, Rooney’s goal would have taken the top spot. However, for anyone who watched the WWC this summer, you will agree that this was the soccer event of the year. Women’s soccer has never been considered on the same level as the men’s game, but the women proved they are no joke. The feel-good story was the US Women’s team, which was the favorite going in, but did not win their group, then had some amazing matches against Brazil and Japan in the knockout round. In the end, even though the US, Brazilian, and German teams got all the coverage, an underdog Japanese team took the title by showing that heart can win out over talent. The sportsmanship displayed during the tournament left a good taste in everyone’s mouths, a refreshing turn from the embarrassing antics by some of the men’s national teams in the recent World Cup.

As you can see, this has been a fantastic year of soccer at all levels. This year was also big for me personally, as I joined the ranks of soccer journalism with MyBriefs.com, and it has been a wonderful ride. I hope you stick with us into the New Year, as we get ready for the great goals, moments, and competitions of 2012!

What I’m Thankful for in Soccer

 It’s a few days before my favorite holiday of the year, Thanksgiving! Many of us have memories of going around the dinner table and saying what we are thankful for. While I am thankful for a lot of people and things in my life, I would like to take a few moments to talk about what I loved about the last year in soccer.

I am thankful for… Sunil Gulati, president of US Soccer, coming to his senses and hiring Jügen Klinsmann as head coach of the US Men’s National Team. This was a hiring that had been looming for years. While it was unfair to put former coach Bob Bradley in a tough spot, this is the change the US needed. Though they won’t be a top 10 or 15 team right away, this move will pay off in the long run. This hiring (hopefully) will be looked as the starting point in a paradigm shift to a new American approach to the beautiful game.

I am thankful for… the MLS Cup on Sunday evening, which promises to be an exciting game. David Beckham is in his last year of a ballyhooed contract with the LA Galaxy. The Houston Dynamo have some awesome orange jerseys and a team that is on fire. The Galaxy’s Landon Donovan missed the last two US international friendlies so he could rest up for the game, showing how important the MLS has become in the eyes of both national and international players. Another interesting note is that Beckham has won a championship in his final season with his last two clubs. Let’s see what happens!

I am thankful for… what is shaping up to be an interesting winter in the English Premier League. While both Manchester squads have jumped out to a big lead, a couple new teams are fighting for top spots in Newcastle and Tottenham. Even Arsenal has rebounded after a dismal start and Liverpool look a threat again. Another surprising note is that all three teams new to the top level are in the middle of the table. The January transfer window will prove to be a key factor in the title run.

I am thankful for… the high amount of goals that have been scored so far in the EPL. As we head for winter, where goals go down and games are won on brute defense and strong team play, we should appreciate that the fall has given us 43 matches with 4+ goals scored! If teams shore up weaknesses in the transfer windows, then the spring will again show a plethora of goals and great soccer action.

I am thankful for… an upcoming year in which we should see a fierce battle for the Champions League crown, the European Championship, and World Cup Qualifying. World Cup Qualifying won’t really get underway until the summer, but the Champions League will get hot and heavy in early 2012. It may end up being a clash between Spanish and English clubs, but German and Italian clubs will definitely have something to say before all is decided. We have to wait until August for Euro 2012 in Poland/Ukraine, but the build-up will be great as we experts (just run with it) debate over whether a favorite or upstart will take the crown.

I hope you are as thankful for this beautiful sport and for all the family and friends in your life. We have a great year ahead of us and the excitement is just beginning! I wish you safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!

At a Crossroads: The Story of US Soccer (October 2011)

As we head into another international break from club soccer, I wanted to discuss a few players who are bound to excite and raise hopes for American soccer fans. Sam’s Army already received a jolt with the hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann earlier this year, but some young players will certainly get our hearts racing. If the Americans are to be taken seriously in Brazil in three years, several things must happen. Klinsmann must develop a cohesive system of play that emphasizes passing, unity, and smart decisions. Furthermore, the following players will have to play at their top level to help the Americans move deep into the tournament.

Juan Agudelo, F: Agudelo is not new on the scene, but he is the possibly dominant forward that Americans have been waiting for (and dreaming about). He has excellent finishing abilities and instincts, while his ball skills are rather impressive. Only 18 years old, he could develop into the face of US Soccer for the next decade or so.

Jozy Altidore, F: Jozy’s success may go hand-in-hand with how Agudelo performs on the international stage. Altidore has been the lone ranger at the top of the formation and has been inconsistent. He has shown the ability to finish, but can disappear in games and will not win a lot of 50-50 balls. With Agudelo alongside at the top, he may start to show his true ability and become one of the better strikers in recent memory.

Clint Dempsey, M: Dempsey has been probably the most fun and frustrating to watch for American soccer fans. He has had the most success of all US players on the club scene, as he is a star player for Fulham in England. However, on the international stage, Dempsey has left something to be desired. He has the talent to be a star, but tends to fall into the European mindset of diving to draw a foul and will spend too much time complaining to the referee. For the Americans to save face on the international scene, Dempsey needs to become the much-needed leader of this team and start creating opportunities for the goal-scorers around him.

Brek Shea, M: While out with some friends for Klinsmann’s debut against Mexico, we were very impressed by Shea’s ability to create scoring opportunities. Given his tall stature and bright hair, we nicknamed him, “Big Bird”. He has been just as helpful to this team as the actual Big Bird was to me when I was learning the alphabet as a child. If he can continue to develop and take some pressure off Dempsey, the Yanks can start building a strong, respectable midfield.

Gale Agbossoumonde, D: Though he may not play as large a part in the next World Cup as the other players I mentioned, he has by the far the best name. His development has been slowed not by injuries, but by a stupid contract signed with a greedy sports agency. Thus, he has had rare opportunities to play and hone his skills, but his potential is very promising. If he can impress Klinsmann, he could provide some support to Oguchi Onyewu and Carlos Bocanegra to, at the very least, form the best-named back line in soccer history. Oh, and by the way, that’s Gah-lay Og-BOSS-ooh-mon-day.

There are obviously a lot of other factors that come into play besides the players mentioned above. Others must step up, and Klinsmann must unite this team to mimic the best in the world: Spain, Netherlands, Germany, etc. The 2014 World Cup will most likely be the last for legends Tim Howard and Landon Donovan. Moreover, it could set the program back or could put the Americans on the international scene for a long time. There is a plethora of developable young talent and US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati finally has his head coach in Klinsmann. The pieces are finally falling into place and I can say, on behalf of other American soccer fans, let’s hope this is it.

The Klinsmann Reaction (August 2011)

If you haven’t already read the Gab 4’s discussion on the hiring of Jürgen Klinsmann as the new head coach of the US Men’s National Team, you should go ahead and do that. As a US Soccer fan, I was very excited when US Soccer Federation head Sunil Gulati announced that Bob Bradley’s replacement would be the German soccer legend. A few years back, Bradley was put into a tough spot when it was announced that Klinsmann was close to becoming coach before he turned down the offer, making Bradley a dead man walking. However, Coach Bradley performed admirably, though failed to make the US into an international power so many hoped to see. Losing a 2-0 lead to rival Mexico in the Gold Cup Final seemed to be the last straw and led to the much-anticipated hire of the Klinsmann-ator.

Personally, I think this is a great hire for several reasons. I thought one of Bradley’s biggest weaknesses was sticking with players who seemed to underperform. Furthermore, second half collapses due to a failure to adjust became commonplace under the Bradley regime. Coach Klinsmann will not only bring a fresh perspective to a program that has seemingly hit a wall, but will ignite a fan base who has longed for a European influence on the American team.

I do not expect Jürgen Klinsmann to bring a World Cup title to America (at least not in 2014); while that would be awesome, I know that it is a tall order when one looks at the talent in Europe and South America. However, if Klinsmann is able to successfully change the mindset of this country’s attitude toward soccer by having teams that attack, defend and play consistently, he will have done his job well. Furthermore, if he fortifies the youth soccer system, US Soccer will be well off for a long time. Ideally, if Jürgen Klinsmann is successful in these areas and the worldview of US Soccer improves, then players will benefit and the success will be sustainable. For me, the biggest benefit of this hire is that more European clubs will give American players a chance to play in the top leagues, and players will be ready for top competition by playing against it every week.

As you may tell by the tone of this article, I am slightly stoked about this hire. It is a pleasure watching Spain, Netherlands, Brazil and the like play beautiful soccer, and I hope to see it for a long time going forward here in America. (Not to set the bar too high or anything). Get your popcorn ready; this should be a great ride!