Soccer Done for Four Years?

After pulling off an amazing win on Wednesday night to win their group, the US Men's Soccer team looked pretty bad against Ghana in the first match of the elimination round. They managed to send the game to extra time, but an early goal by Ghana's Asamoah Gyan sent the Stars & Stripes home. It was a proud day for Ghana, who is the last African team left in the competition.

It was quite apparent that Ghana was the better team on the field. Their passes were quick and accurate; their ball control was better than their opponents; and their keeper had a better day. I can't take anything away from the US, though. The Stars & Stripes, though looking outclassed on the field, created more shots on goal than Ghana and more legitimate scoring chances. The difference was that Ghana's keeper, Richard Kingson, was an impenetrable wall that stopped at least three would-be goals. The only goal the US scored was from the penalty spot. That was not enough to win.

So now that the US has had it's World Cup bubble burst, what now? Is soccer over in the US for another four years? I've heard a few Americans make such a comment. I wanted to criticize, but I would be a hypocrite. I haven't watched US soccer since the last World Cup in 2006 (we had a much better show from our team this year). The MLS is still playing, but the level of competition isn't up to what I've seen on this side of the pond. In fact, the good US players are likely not even playing in the MLS.

I think that the sad truth is that the US just doesn't care about soccer unless it's the World Cup. Even then, I don't think the US cares too much. Admittedly, I love my (American) football. I find the sport much more entertaining. So what would make soccer more entertaining? My thought is to get rid of the offside penalty or to alter it in such a way that more goals would scored. I favor a rule more like hockey's where once the you are onside in the attacking zone, anything goes. How would you make soccer more entertaining?

Another Gift from England

Today, the USA Men's Soccer team almost blew their World Cup run. The got down two goals early in their match against Slovenia. After halftime, however, the Stars & Stripes rallied to tie the match. This was a little bit of a let down . . .

In the same way that English fans were let down with a tie to the USA last Saturday, we were let down today. We should have beaten Slovenia. However, hats off to the Slovenian club. They played a hell of a game. Luckily, USA was resilient and managed to draw after scoring two second half goals. The coach's son, Michael Bradley scored an 82nd minute equalizer to force the draw. The boys almost won 3 minutes later, but Maurice Edu's goal was disallowed.

The stage was set for England to take control of Group C with a win against Algeria. England did not manage to score a goal and drew against Algeria, keeping the US in a good position to make it through to the elimination round. This was a gift. I don't think anybody expected Algeria to do so well against England.

So now, with one game to go, Slovenia tops the group with 4 points, USA is in second with 2 points, England has third with 2 points and Algeria sits at the bottom with 1 point. Next Wednesday, USA plays Algeria and England plays Slovenia at the exact same time.

USA makes it through to the next round if they win. If they draw against Algeria, they will need a Slovenia win (or low-scoring draw). USA can still win the group if they win with a larger goal differential than England winning over Slovenia.

Good luck, boys!

It's Just a Game

The USA Men's soccer team drew 1-1 against England yesterday, much to the chagrin of England fans across the globe. The Three Lions came out strong against the Stars & Stripes, putting the Americans down 1-0 in the fourth minute. However, Steven Garrard's goal would not be the focus for discussion when the match was over.

Later in the half, USA's Clint Dempsey put a shot on goal that slipped through the England keeper's hands and rolled slowly over the line. The equalizer was the focus of sports writer's and analysts as that was the end of the scoring in the game. Robert Green, keeper for the English side, stood up and took responsibility for his mistake, yet he still suffers the wrath of the whole of England.

I understand that the harassment and verbal abuse of players on the field is part of the game - it's part of home field advantage. But when that harassment follows the players off the field, that's when it becomes a problem. How far will it go? Let's not forget Andrés Escobar, a Columbian soccer player, who was murdered after the 1994 World Cup where he accidentally scored an own-goal (scored against his own team). The gunman shouted "Goal!" each of the twelve times he pulled the trigger. I don't propose that Green's life is endanger, however, he'll be heckled by English football fans for the rest of his life.

If you think that we Americans are any better, look at how Cubs fans treated Steve Bartman after his attempted catch of a foul ball got in the way of Moises Alou trying to catch it during the 2003 National League Championship Series . They drove him out of town. In fact, it was Cubs fans treatment of Bartman that led me to abandon my loyalties to the Cubs and become a White Sox fan.

As my wife reminded me when the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup, "It's just a game." That's the truth. I know that most people aren't as fanatical Escobar's shooter and not all Cubs fans crucified Steve Bartman, but its sad that these things still happen. I hope for Robert Green's sake that English supporters can remember that it's just a game. Lord knows that it's enough of a burden to bear that he screwed up, he doesn't need his country piling on.

One Cup Down, One To Go!

The Chicago Blackhawks finished off the Philadelphia Flyers last night to win the 2010 Stanley Cup Finals. Go Blackhawks! It was a hell of an effort, although a climactic/anticlimactic overtime goal to win it in overtime. Credit to the Flyers. They are a hell of a team. I won't soon forget names like Hartnell, Richards, Pronger or Briere. More credit to the Blackhawks for pulling through. Names like Toews, Kane, Niemi, Keith, and Bfyuglien will live in my memories even longer.

Now, however, it's time to refocus on the next big sporting event, The World Cup. The US soccer team kicks off their World Cup aspirations against England Saturday evening in South Africa. A win over England would start the tournament off with a bang.

This year the USA side sports names like Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Freddy Adu, Clint Dempsey, and Chicagoland local (Arlington Heights) Jonathan Spector - all of which have English Premier League experience.

Good luck boys! See if you can steal some points from the Three Lions!

Pelé, I'm not

Since last October, I've been playing off and on in the project team's Monday/Tuesday night soccer league. Actually it's more like a pick-up game than a real league. I've probably played in ten games out of the fifty available to play since last October. Last night I finally scored my first goal.

Actually I scored two. I haven't played competitive soccer since I was 6/7 years old. I've been vowing to score a goal since the second game I played (last October). I have noticed that as an American, I really don't have much to go on for foot skills. Our sports tend to be more hand-eye coordination sports (football, basketball, baseball and even hockey), so I'm not accustomed to all this foot control. So at soccer, I've sucked. I don't like to suck. I don't need to be great, I just don't want to suck. Last night, I felt like I was a level above sucking, so it made me feel a little better.

Since last October, however, I have taken solace in my ability to play goalkeeper in a not-so-bad fashion (more of a hand-eye coordination job). It appears that the Europeans think it a shit job and rarely know how to play effective in front of the net. In fact, it's the place people go to "take a break." Thus, I'll often volunteered to play keeper anytime I can. Otherwise, I mostly play defense and throw my full-figured, American body around to get people off the ball.

Also, with the World Cup around the corner, I thought I'd also throw out a heads up for everybody to throw their support behind the American team. We've drawn into a group that we should be able to advance out of. England is the favorite to win our group, but the top two teams can advance out. So, we just need to beat Slovenia and Algeria to make it to the elimination round. Should be a doable task. Heck, we might just win our group.

We kickoff against England on June 12th. Good luck guys!