Greg Lalas has a new column up about the USMNT’s recent performance against Denmark and how the future of the team looks bright because of the infusion of youth:
there was the United States’ stylish 3-1 win over Denmark on Saturday. In fact, that win was so impressive and got me so jazzed about the U.S. national team again, that I truly believe that the likes of Justin Mapp, Jonathan Bornstein and Ricardo Clark can take this team to unprecedented levels. They’re going to seriously challenge for the World Cup in 2014.
Go ahead. Send me your e-mails calling me a buffoon. Send me your rants about how this was only Denmark, not Italy or Germany or Brazil, and how it was Denmark’s B-team. Send me your vaguely threatening notes about how Americans always over reach with their predictions and how we don’t know anything about soccer.
I don’t care. Because these kids — the average age of 18-man roster was about 25 — have confidence in their abilities, their first touch, their gumption, that has never existed in so many American players at the same time. Mark my words, the United States is going to cause all kinds of havoc at the 2010 World Cup and is going to challenge for the World Cup trophy in 2014.
That’s pretty bold. I can’t say I disagree for the most part. While I didn’t think the Denmark match showed the USMNT playing that well together, it was refreshing to see younger players stepping up. It’s only been one match, however if Bradley does keep infusing new blood into the team I agree it will help things along, so when 2010 comes around, we really have exposed as many prospects as possible to international play, giving the USMNT a better idea of who really should travel to South Africa. Honestly, it is impossible to read much of anything into ONE performance. Lets have this debate in June!
That said, Greg makes an excellent point later in his column:
with three and a half years until the next World Cup, the entire U.S. soccer system is about development.
It better be given the shambles things were in after 2006!
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:40 pm
I am not sure 2006 was a shambles. Expectations were high and when the draw was made and I saw the U.S. group – I knew it was going to be tough. With a little luck in December 2005 – the U.S. could have been drawn in Group H with Tunisia and Saudi Arabia or Group G with Togo and Switzerland. Advancing would not have been such an obstacle. That’s the way the cookie crumbles in the World Cup draw, though. Anyway, I liked Bruce and would have been happy to see him continue with the USMNT – but I realize I am a minority when I state that. But so be it – that’s my opinion and U.S. Men’s Soccer will (hopefully) move forward.
I am looking forward to seeing our European based players back – then I can better judge (or give my view) about the future.
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
I probably should have expanded on that comment. My take was not just the play in the World Cup – but with so many veterans retiring, plus the coaching situation, plus the World Cup smackdown – things weren’t cohesive by any stretch. This can be somewhat normal after a World Cup for certain teams – if not shambles, definitely in disarray 🙂
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I just hope that the USMNT keys on “developmentâ€. This summer the Copa and Gold Cup will be important – but not the end all. So I also hope we do well – but if not – make the necessary adjustments (players and coaching?) to move ahead to World Cup qualifying (that being in 2008). That’s the most vital thing on my feeble mind WC qualification.
January 23rd, 2007 at 12:54 pm
Yup – that’s what the Copa is all about – more intense international experience for the players that most agree don’t get enough. About time we took them up on their offer! Should be fun to watch!