With the USA exiting the World Cup it's time for us to use our combined Yoder power to reflect on the 2010 World Cup and its impact on American soccer. There were some great moments and some great disappointments, but in the big picture, what does the South African experience mean for the future of US Soccer and the sport's popularity here at home?
How Successful Was This World Cup For The USA?
Mr. Yoder I: I'd say it was a 5 out of 10. On one hand, winning the group for the first time since the first World Cup in 1930 is quite an achievement (especially considering that France, Italy, England, and Portugal didn't this year). Getting a draw against England is quite an achievement. The thrill of Landon Donovan's goal against Algeria is an unmatched moment in US Soccer history. But, the USA never put together a great 90 minute game. We'll also look back on 2010 as the biggest missed opportunity at a World Cup. Ghana and Uruguay are good teams, but we might never have a better opportunity to reach a World Cup semifinal. Maybe it's good that the USA is disappointed, but there's too much of a sense that there was a lot left behind in South Africa.
Mr. Yoder II: I agree with the sentiment that the exit in the round of 16 leaves an empty feeling in the pit of your stomach. But, I don't think it is either an abject success or failure. Think of all this team has been through in the last year. A shock run to the final of the Confederations Cup, the loss of Charlie Davies, being drawn in an easy group, meeting those expectations by winning the group, then the disappointment of missing a golden chance at the semis. At best, you'd have to say it was a mixed bag for Team USA.
Should Bob Bradley Stay As Head Coach?
Y2: I say he should go. He's put in a good stint as national team coach, taking the team to heights they haven't seen before. But, there were still too many lineup mistakes (playing Ricardo Clark against Ghana, not starting Benny Feilhaber once) and you have to place some of the blame for the continuallly sluggish starts on the coach. It's time for Team USA to go get a high-profile manager to take us to the next level.
Y1: I think you've won me over. Very rarely these days does a head coach stay on for two World Cup cycles. Bradley pulled a lot of the right strings, but at the World Cup level you can't afford any "my bads" like the Clark start over Maurice Edu against Ghana. Bradley had a great run after the Bruce Arena failure, but it is time for US Soccer to write Jurgen Klinsmann a blank check or go after another world class coach to go to that next level.
Who Was the Standout Performer?
Y1: As much credit as Landon Donovan gets for his goals, the standout performer for me was the coach's son Michael Bradley. Bradley was the most consistent player throughout the 4 games and played very well in the center of midfield. He got that tying goal against Slovenia and his 2 way capabilities mean he should be a fixture in the lineup come 2014. Playing every game with Borussia Monchengladbach in Germany also means he should get a lot of seasoning in the Bundesliga and keep improving his already stout game.
Y2: I totally agree. Bradley is the type of player who is still young enough (22 years old) to be a fixture on the USMNT for years to come. While players like Donovan and Dempsey are more fancied, they disappeared too often and didn't have a consistent impact throughout any of the 4 games. GK Tim Howard also picked a bad time to have his worst performance of the tourney against Ghana. Bradley meanwhile, should get looks from more prestigous European clubs for his two-way midfield play. By the time 2014 rolls around, expect Bradley to be the focal point of the team.
Where Do We Need The Most Improvement?
Y2: Obviously the biggest room for improvement is at our weakest positions, striker and defender. Each of the goals given up by the U.S. in the WC could have been snuffed out by better defense, expecially in the center of the pitch. And, we're going on almost a decade without a goal at the WC from a striker. Maybe Charlie Davies could have helped, but we'll never know. Until a consistent threat in front of goal develops (paging Jozy Altidore) the U.S. will be held back.
Y1: I think those are clearly our weakest positions on the field, but I think the underlying problem is our lack of technical ability as footballers. As hopeful future coach Jurgen Klinsmann pointed out after the Ghana game on ABC - the first touch is the most valuable in soccer and it was consistently poor from the USA. Maybe it takes more experience from our top players in better leagues, maybe it takes decades to hone the craft from youngsters playing the game, who knows. But, in the end, it's a lack of footballing skill that holds us back.
What's The Current Outlook for 2014?
Y1: The outlook is partly cloudy. 2009 and 2010 should provide hope for the USA that we can compete and beat some of the world's best nations (W v Spain, Egypt, draw v England, up 2-0 against Brazil). However, as you said, the USA had their easiest group at this year's World Cup and only made it to the last 16 losing to Ghana. What if we're drawn with Spain, Ghana, and Chile in 2014? There's no guarantee players like Donovan and Dempsey will be at top level in 4 years and it will take some of our young players reaching their ceilings as players and a lot of pieces falling into place to surpass the results from the past 2 years in Brazil 2014.
Y2: Unfortunately I think the US still has a long way to go to reach the ultimate goal, winning a world cup. The decline of some of our more influential players makes this the most important transition in our team's history if we're going to a new coach because there are young players ready to contribute, but they need more sophisticated coaching and need to play in the best leagues in the world. I think the short-term success should open some doors for some of our players, but guys like Bradley, Altidore, Donovan, and Dempsey have to continue being trailblazers for success abroad at the highest level to take the national team as a whole to the next level.
Has Soccer Made It?
Y2: As i said, for soccer to truly "make it" we have to win a World Cup and MLS has to break into the top 10 of leagues worldwide. But, after the gripping drama of the last two summers, I think soccer is in a better place now in this country than ever before. You should see ratings for the WC continue at record levels even with the U.S. being KO'd. But, it all depends on how U.S. soccer and MLS take advantage of new soccer fans. Can we convince our young athletes to go for soccer instead of football/basketball? Can MLS draw more fans and better talent than they have been? Can our best players break in with clubs like Manchester United or Real Madrid? The answers to those questions hold the key to soccer's long-term viability in the U.S.
Y1: I think soccer had made it even before this World Cup started. Think about it, more soccer matches are shown on TV than almost any other sport. At the flick of a button we can check out the local MLS game, EPL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Champions League, or international games around the world. But, this World Cup has brought the sport what it really needed - the full backing of ESPN and a landmark, exciting moment (Donovan vs Algeria). With the American sports media juggernaut pumping out soccer around the clock and replaying highlights of that goal, the sport is reaching across the country like never before. You're right that MLS needs to seize on the World Cup bounce... but would you believe it if I told you average attendance this year is over 16,000 per game? With the success of the 2010 World Cup, we'll pay more attention to our players overseas, World Cup Qualifying, the EPL, the Champions League, Euro 2012, and everything in between. Soccer has certainly made it in the USA and it will continue growing in anticipation of 2014.
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