In 1998, the United States Soccer Federation announced Project 2010, an imitative to recruit and develop a U.S. national team capable of winning the 2010 World Cup. You know, the one that’s going on this summer in South Africa. Can they do it?
“We’re not going to be the odds-on favorite to win the World Cup [this year],” admitted U.S. soccer president Sunil Gulati, in a follow up interview with ESPN. “We know that. But we showed last summer that anything’s possible,” finishing second to Brazil in the pre-World Cup.
For Americas who tune in to this summer’s World Cup on ESPN and ABC, they’ll be greeted with foreign accents. Four of them. British to be exact. And that’s not a good thing, says NY Time’s columnist Jack Bell.
Will it be soccer or football? Pitch or field? Will players wear kits and boots or uniforms and cleats? Stop me before I have an aneurysm.
As for me, I like a good British accent, especially one that’s more informed than an American soccer commenter that tries too hard. But I really think ESPN/ABC should have used one Martin Tyler (pictured) for play-by-play, with a fresh American voice for color commentary. Then have Dan Fowler, who does awesome work for ESPN Tennis, host a half-time show with Andy Gray and another American commenter to fill in the gaps. Done and done.
Can the United States win the World Cup this summer? No, say the majority of ESPN.com readers in an online poll, but they’ll finish better than they did in 2006.
After nearly 200,000 votes, 35 percent think the team will finish in the round of 16, about where the squad is ranked by FIFA. A fourth think the U.S. will go as far as the quarterfinals—as they did in 2002—and 13 percent think the team leave in the first round, like they did last time in Germany.
As for truly optimistic pollsters, 8 percent think the team will repeat their 1950 semi-final finish, while 17% believe hope the team will go all the way.
In an effort to tame possible disappointment, USA Soccer Stud voted “quarterfinals,” but deep down is rooting for a final finish. After all, why play if you don’t think you can win?
Where do you think the U.S. will finish this summer?
The USA lost to Holland yesterday in preparation for the World Cup. But at least they looked stylish while doing it. And by stylish, I mean their new uniforms, which are a throwback to the kits worn by the 1950 national team that upset England. What’s more, the white shorts the team opted to wear look much better than the modeled dark blue ones. You know, graceful in defeat.
Although it could have been worse, U.S. fans had their World Cup aspirations dashed on Wednesday, as the Americans were dominated for most of their friendly against the third-ranked Netherlands. The yanks put up a fight in the final minutes of play, but early sloppiness, poor passing, and a disjointed defense were too much to overcome in the end. Continue reading…
Most American athletes choose football, basketball, baseball, and hockey over soccer. It’s just the way it is. But surely a few Americans might be named as one of ESPN’s best 50 players of the 2010 World Cup.
Try one. Landon Donovan.
“Donovan is comfortably the best player ever produced by the United States,” writes the sports conglomerate, “But has yet to elevate the U.S. national team to the next level.” They describe him as a “pacy, creative player who flourishes in space,” adding, “he uses the ball intelligently and excels on the counter attack,” while he “lacks the one-on-one moves to beat a defender consistently.”
Although I believe Donovan’s inclusion is warranted, I’m not sure if ESPN solely included him to throw U.S. fans a bone. Star keeper Tim Howard is probably deserving to be on the list as well.
The U.S. national team has a problem. Specifically, they have a gap in the forward position, primarily due to Charlie Davies injury and subsequently due to lack of replacement talent.
That being the case, ESPN columnist Leander Schaerlaeckens thinks the U.S. should play a 4-5-1 formation at the World Cup, and not the popular but “impractical” 4-4-2 configuration. His argument: Unlike forwards, we have a “surplus” or reliable midfielders, so let’s play to that strength with a tough Jozy Altidore as the lone striker.
The U.S. has played a 4-5-1 at the World Cup before, most recently in 2006 and 1998. But they got knocked out in the first round of both those tournaments, and some blame the formation.
Still, this is a different team, and the idea is convincing enough for coach Bradley to at least consider it. But is it a better option than moving Dempsey to forward alongside Altidore and sticking with four midfielders? That’s something Bradley will hopefully compare in upcoming friendlies, but I’d say both of those options are better than settling for an inferior second-string striker like Ching or Casey.
When the United States play The Netherlands/Holland/”Whatever they go by” on Wednesday, the Stars and Stripes will be the obvious underdogs.
To whit, Holland won all eight of its games in qualifying and only conceded a mere two goals. You read that right: they allowed two goals in eight hard-fought games.
Wowzas.
By comparison, the U.S. won six of its 10 qualifying games; lost two and tied two. Respectable, but they conceded about two dozen goals. Okay, maybe not that many, but it was a lot more than two. And we have a better keeper!
In fairness, maybe the Netherlands would have dropped one or two games had they played in 10 qualifiers like the U.S. did instead of eight. But keep in mind, the Dutch qualified in a more competitive European region. Plus, they’re ranked 11 spots higher at no. 3 in the world.
To call this game a “tough match” for the U.S. is an understatement, despite playing with their European-based stars. And while technically a “friendly,” both sides will rough each other up faster than Wayne Rooney stomping Portuguese genitalia.
Okay, I exaggerated again. But both teams have a ton to show for leading up to South Africa. And I couldn’t be more excited to see what happens.
After leaking onto the internet, Nike today unveiled the new U.S. soccer kits to be worn at the World Cup. The polyester, made from recycled plastic bottles found in rotting Japanese and Taiwanese landfills, are said to be 15 percent lighter and 100 percent more “green.”
The reused materials won’t save you any money though when the jersey’s go on sale tomorrow; they cost just as much as they always have ($70). Other teams wearing the new national team jerseys in South Africa include Brazil, The Netherlands, Portugal, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, and Slovenia.
As for the U.S. kit, I like the throw back stripe in honor of the 1950 team. But the socks are fugly. Maybe they’ll look better with the alternate white and red jerseys. Maybe not.
U.S. coach Bob Bradley named his 20-man roster today for next week’s exhibition match at The Netherlands. As expected, the team includes sixteen European-based players, three MLS ones, and one Mexico-based:
Keepers (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Tim Howard (Everton)
Defenders (7): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Carlos Bocanegra (Rennes), Jay DeMerit (Watford), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Frank Simek (Sheffield Wednesday), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
Midfielders (7): DaMarcus Beasley (Rangers), Alejandro Bedoya (Orebro), Michael Bradley (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Landon Donovan (Everton), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Stuart Holden (Bolton Wanderers), José Torres (Pachuca)
Forwards (3): Jozy Altidore (Hull City), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Eddie Johnson (Aris Thessaloniki)
“This is a great opportunity for us to bring many of our European-based players together as we continue to finalize our plans for the World Cup roster,” Bradley said. “This is the final match before we bring the team together for the World Cup, so to have a match against one of the top teams in the world like the Netherlands is a big benefit and a good challenge for our group.”
In addition to determining which European-based Americans will make the World Cup roster, Wednesday’s game will debut the new away jerseys that the team will wear in South Africa.
For Americas who tune in to this summer’s World Cup on ESPN and ABC, they’ll be greeted with foreign accents. Four of them. British to be exact. And that’s not a good thing, 
Most American athletes choose football, basketball, baseball, and hockey over soccer. It’s just the way it is. But surely a few Americans might be named as one of ESPN’s 
The U.S. national team has a problem. Specifically, they have a gap in the forward position, primarily due to 
When the United States play The Netherlands/Holland/”Whatever they go by” 
