This was NOT a colossal failure: A World Cup Reflection
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by user Thecrookedcap
The failure of the United States team to qualify for the knockout rounds of the World Cup is not the colossal failure that every is calling it, nor is it the collapse of American soccer. There, I said it. As someone who has followed this team through many rough patches, it really does bother me to hear this. A good number of these opinions (be it from sports writers or internet people) come from people who may not watch this sport more than the four weeks of the World Cup every four years (see also: gymnastics, figure skating, skiing, swimming...).
I have been through it. I've followed every match through the convoluted CONCACAF qualifying ritual (Why exactly do we need to play a two-leg series vs. St. Vincents & Grenadines?). I follow my countrymen in their journeys abroad, I watch MLS, and I would even go to a game or two if they scheduled them in NY-Philly area (too many away supporters and no soccer stadium yet), and not while I'm on vacation like with the Gold Cup last year.
The truth is, this team didn't suck. It didn't blow expectations. US Soccer went into the World Cup placed in the hardest group in the tournament. US Teams have been pitiful on European soil, and the Czech game was no different. The Italy game was much better moment. In fact, it was America's first point on European soil during the World Cup! And against Italy of all teams, whom the U.S. has never beaten (very few teams can we say this about; we've even beaten Brazil in the last ten years). Few people gave Ghana any credit whatsoever, despite the fact they are an elite African side despite the debutante status. We weren't even the "best" team not to make the round of 16, since "second ranked" Czech Republic, in our own group, finished third.
The expectations to recapture the magic of 2002 were short-sighted. The magic was the realization that we actually had a good men's national soccer team. But we had unknowns, and a much better draw then (even if we DID win today, it would have meant playing Brazil; I'll take Mexico anyday). A repeat performance was a longshot.
So, what will this mean for U.S. Soccer? Well, it may be hard to regain hype for the men's team during the next 4 years. But here's some food for thought: there's a Women's World Cup next year. Our pattern has been to win the whole thing then to finish third next go round. It's our turn to win again.
Date
Thu 06/22/06, 6:23 pm EST
