USA Soccer

After the disappointing loss to Italy to start off the USA's campaign in South Africa for the Confederations Cup, I was excited for this morning's game vs Brazil. This was a chance for a motivated USA team to come out and take it to the greatest soccer country in history. Brazil had been tested by the African champions and if there was ever a chance for the USA to pull off the upset it was today. Much to my dismay the USA came out flat gave up 2 goals in the first 20 minutes and never really tested Brazil.

I love soccer and have been drinking the Kool-Aid that the US Soccer Federation has been serving since the teams incredible run to the Final 8 in the 2002 World Cup. When the team looked flat after the 2002 World Cup they said "We may be struggling because a new generation of players are coming up" and I believed that this generation would be the generation to take the USA to the next level. After the below par performance at the 2006 World Cup they said " We know we underachieved but we were in a brutal group and we tied the World Cup Champions in a great match". Although I was upset at the result, I believed them. When they went out on their tour of friendlies last summer with close loses to England, Spain, and a tie with Argentina. They said "Look how much better we are getting, we hung in with some of the best teams in the world". I was not overwhelmed by their performances against teams that were not at full strength, but still a believed them. As the team rolled through World Cup Qualifying, they said "Look we are the dominant team in CONCACF" and even though that was not saying much I believed them.

Then came this past month of qualifiers. An absolute beat down in Costa Rica, where they never looked into the game, and a win at home against Honduras, where they conceded an early goal and needed to rally late to win. Those last two performances had me doubting the actual ability of this USA team. So I was anxiously looking forward to the Confederations Cup knowing that they would face 3 very good teams in Italy, Brazil, and Egypt and there performance would serve as a barometer to see how much progress the team has really made.

Well after the last two performances against Italy and Brazil, I can safely say the USA has regressed under Bob Bradley and will be in for a very very disappointing World Cup in 2010 unless some things are changed quickly.

1. Fire Bob Bradley- I never like asking for a coach to be fired because I rarely think I can do better, but in this case I think it has to happen. The team is not responding to Bradley's coaching and the lack of effort on the field shows. They need to hire someone who will command respect in the locker room and will motivate both the young and old players to play with intensity.

2. Create a style identity- Look at the 3 premier teams in the Confederations Cup Brazil, Spain, and Italy. Spain is known for its dominance in the midfield and its ability to take over the possession of a game. Brazil is know for its wide open attacking style that puts pressure on every player in the midfield and back line. Italy is know for its lock down defense and the ability to strike quickly on the counter attack. What is the USA team identity? They are not know for their back line, their midfield play, or their scoring ability. The team seems to go into the game just hoping they catch some breaks maybe score a goal and hope Tim Howard can make it stand. It may take years to establish but the USA needs to create some sort of strategic game plan that they can excel playing.

3. Decide youth or experience- Currently the USA is a combination of either 7-8 year veterans or 1-2 year players. I realize you will never have all one or all the other but there seems to be no rhyme or reason to the call-ups and team selections. If the USA wants to go with experience that is great but make the majority of the team veterans who have serious international experience. If they want to make this a youth movement, I love that idea too but lets really open the doors for young players to start and develop. There is no point in naming a lot of young players if they will only get minimal minutes or just training seasons.

4. Demand excellence on the national team level- When I watch the national team I get the feeling that some players are playing because they have to play not because they want to play. I feel that many of the players feel so secure in their spots on the team they do not bring their best effort for every game. Whoever the new coach is needs to be someone who demands excellence and pride in every game and if a player is failing to do that they sit the next game or do not get the call for the next international tournament. Playing for the national team is a privilege and I would much rather have a roster of 23 players who understand that than a team with more talented players who do not.

The US Soccer Federation has been trying to tell us for years that the Men's National Team is among the world's elite teams. Well I am not drinking the Kool-Aid anymore and I think majority of fans are coming around as well. Changes need to be made or else the USA is set up for disaster in 2010, which would be a huge blow to the efforts to grow the game in the USA.