GO TEAM USA (U.S. National Football Team)

Member Name: C_Padd

Product:	U.S. National Football Team
Date:	23/05/02 (73 review reads)
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USA USA USA US

America have actually got a pretty good record in World Cup, it may surprise people that the USA were involved in some of the very first World Cups in the 1930s, some twenty years before England or any other home nation did so themselves. They cannot kid themselves that they invented the game though, and the truth now is they are really not very good.

A spectacularly bad performance in France ’98 where they lost all their games and worse still losing to Iran is hopefully for them not on the cards again. I would not bet against it though. Some bright person decided that it would be a good idea to host the 1994 World Cup, a festival for the very best teams in the world in America. It would be a kick start to give the game a new popularity. Sadly it never happened, they would rather play some stupid rounders that they copied off us, rugby with padding on the poofs and netball.

Football, sorry soccer has never caught on in America. There is a huge market potentially for fans, players and commercialism to arrive. Other sports such as basketball, baseball and American football are all more popular, even ice hockey and others are ahead of the beautiful game. Maybe the game is not deemed interesting enough, as some people say over there. More likely is the fact periods last three quarters of an hour, three times the level or concentration span of some people, and more importantly the fact that they are not very good. If America cannot be king then they are not interested in playing. Who else would play a world series with one country? Basically it was hoped that people would get more into soccer as a result of hosting the World Cup. Despite some failures and interesting moments, it was a huge success at the time with games well-attended and good atmosphere. However since them the momentum has not continued and soccer is back to the same old status.

One of the major reasons for a failure to improve is the state of
the domestic leagues in America. The new season is underway now in USA, and two teams have already dropped out since last season due to financial reasons. The league is spilt into two conferences, travel between games is often across the country several thousands of miles. The MLS is only a few years old and has no tradition or roots. Several attempts to get a league going have failed in the past, and many players now are washed up old pros from Europe playing out a few years and earning more money. John Spenser is a star there, Gazza was linked with a move and until recently Lothar Matthaus was playing still. Money runs the game, and it is run like a business or franchise. A few very rich people are starting to buy all the clubs, ruining the game and the future is not looking too bright. Most of the US squad play in the MLS league, few have ventured out into Europe and even fewer have been successful. Some players such as DaMarcus Beasley and Landon Donovan are starting to come as bright young players, but the foundations are weak.

USA finished third in a very disappointing performance for qualifying for the World Cup. Costa Rica and Mexico finished above them, but third was still enough to get through, a generous allowance for a weak area. They will have to perform better when the group stages start. USA have been drawn in Group D alongside Portugal, Poland and South Korea the joint hosts. Portugal have a lot of talent and many people tip them to go far with players like Rui Costa, Nuno Gomes, Conceicao and Luis Figo they have the talent and should top the group. The hosts South Korea should get good support as home teams often fair well and good results 4-1 against Scotland and holding England show they are not here to make up numbers. Poland are more likely to progress having talent at either end with Liverpool’s Jerzy Dudek and Olisadebe banging in goals for fun. It is a tough group and should prove too much for America to get out of. Trying to
avoid coming bottom should be a hard enough task, and they cannot repeat 1994s achievement of the second round.

The boss of team USA is Bruce Arena. He is a former international himself, having won just a single cap. He took over after 1994 and led USA to play in the Copa America and France ’98. In France USA lost all their games, including an embarrassing loss to Iran. Having said that America have now qualified for the last four tournaments, making a total of six appearances. In the very first World Cup in 1930 they did their best ever performance reaching the semi-finals. Arena is sometimes criticised for a negative style, preferring to play a conservative and defensive style to reasonable success. Time will tell if it works this summer.

Players to watch include some that can be found playing in the UK. Greg Berhalter plays for Crystal Palace in defence Joe-Max Moore, both keepers Kasy Keller and Brad Friedel are in the Premiership as is Claudio Reyna with Sunderland and Mike Lewis for Fulham as a squad player.

Brad Friedel – There is tough competition for the keepers jersey for USA, Brad should be the number one this time and is one of the more experienced players this will be his third world cup. Having moved from Liverpool to Blackburn he has shown how good a shot stopper and big man he is.

Claudio Reyna – The Sunderland midfield may not have shown his best stuff for the black cats since moving south from Glasgow Rangers but is one of the stars for the US team. A very talented player he can create chances, works hard and tackles well.

DaMarcus Beasley – He has a great name, but also represents a new wave of young American football stars. Only 20 years old he with Donovan, Wolff and Pope are the future and not bad players today. A midfielder who can run with the ball and very confident.

Landon Donovan – Also just 20 years old he is one of the biggest and most exciting p
layer to come from America. The striker is not guaranteed to start in the World Cup he has already appeared for America and scored some goals.

America’s big strength is a strong back line and an especially good keeper. They can keep the scores low and can often rely on some striker or more likely a midfielder popping up with some vital goals. Overall though the squad is weak. They do not get big match experience for their clubs and play in a weak qualifying stage. Having to rely on friendly games and the odd World Cup is not a good way to go. Having too few star players does not help and they do not have the great team sprit of others.

Overall America will not set anything alight this summer. They are in a tough group and lack the talents of individuals like Reyna or Moore as a whole unit. The mess for the domestic league does not help, though some players like Beasley and Donovan are starting to emerge. Still ‘soccer’ has a long way to go before it has wide popularity in America.

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