USA Soccer still SUCKS!

[Wee67]

I'll tell you why I root outside of the USA.

It's because the VAST MAJORITY of Americans don't care...and if they don't care...why should I...plus the media here...especially baseball crazy ESPN...always mock soccer...it's really irritating.

Plus...USA has many other different sports where they are the best...come on...let some other countries excel at something...take Mexico for example...all they have is soccer, boxing, bullfighting, and minor league baseball...oh yeah...I forgot...lucha libre...lol.

Mexicans are passionate about their futbol...their national team sucks right now...but they still fill up 100,000 seat stadiums...they deserve kudos for their support of their national team.

I only wish USA did.

That's why I root outside of the USA.

But I'm still proud of the American players themselves...they should receive all the praises...but aside from hardcores soccer fans...not the rest of the average American sport enthusiasts.

I'm just teasin' you. You owe no explanation for your allegience. I'm just saying it can get lonley as a U.S. follower.

[jwyblejr]

PTI ,Jim Rome and around the horn don't give a crap about soccer...

Actually,only Jim Rome doesn't. Around the Horn and PTI do show more support.

[Hector]

Adam, I always enjoy your posts about U.S. I know there are other U.S. soccer fans out there, but they seem so far apart. Even the friends that I have that are big fans of the sport tend to support other countries (I'm looking at you Hector )

I'll tell you why I root outside of the USA.

It's because the VAST MAJORITY of Americans don't care...and if they don't care...why should I...plus the media here...especially baseball crazy ESPN...always mock soccer...it's really irritating.

Plus...USA has many other different sports where they are the best...come on...let some other countries excel at something...take Mexico for example...all they have is soccer, boxing, bullfighting, and minor league baseball...oh yeah...I forgot...lucha libre...lol.

Mexicans are passionate about their futbol...their national team sucks right now...but they still fill up 100,000 seat stadiums...they deserve kudos for their support of their national team.

I only wish USA did.

That's why I root outside of the USA.

But I'm still proud of the American players themselves...they should receive all the praises...but aside from hardcores soccer fans...not the rest of the average American sport enthusiasts.

[Wee67]

Although the U.S. did do well (and I have set up a shrine to Tim Howard), I still see that inconsistency that makes me nervous about next year's Cup. I guess I'll have to get both my jersey and my Kleenex ready.

[Wee67]

Adam, I always enjoy your posts about U.S. I know there are other U.S. soccer fans out there, but they seem so far apart. Even the friends that I have that are big fans of the sport tend to support other countries (I'm looking at you Hector )

As soon as Brazil scored their first goal 45 seconds into the 2nd half; I knew it was over.

This might have been the hardest part of the match for me to accept. Even though the U.S. still had the lead, I really felt this would be a test of their character as a team. There are some die-hard players out there, but I worry their inconsistency comes from a a lack of confidence (again, as a team).

They also seem to lose their game plan. In the first half, they looked like they were crowding their own third to take away space from the Brazilians. They even gave them the outside wings. It seemed to frustrate Brazil and allowed for some successful counters. In the second they seemed to spread out and allow the one-on-one skills of Brazil make them pay.

BTW, is Frankie Hejduk hurt? I know he's older, but he brings a lot of fire and energy the team could have used.

It is difficult to explain the differences but teams like the USA generally score off of singular fantastic efforts while teams like Spain and Brazil come at you like a swarm of bees

I really think this this is coaching combined with the above mentioned confidence. When things don't go a team's way, some of the players seem to withdraw into "here we go again" attitude. There are still plays who drive forward and try, but even they sometimes try and do too much. Team play suffers.

I was happy to see the USA really upset after losing the game.

That actually was very good to see. They should expect to win and they should especially expect to win in games where they have a 2-0 lead at half.

Does anyone know what is up with Jozy Altidore?

I don't know, but I felt he came across as a bit immature (I realize he IS very young). He seemed to give up on a lot of plays a bit too early. He did run out steam pretty early on, also. I thought subbing him out was a good move.

[Hector]

Michael Wibon is an idiot...the last sport he should be talking about is soccer.

[Hector]

Well said guys.

[wolfie]

The USA did great in this tournament and well done to them.

I can't believe the person who said that nobody really cared who won, Spain have been clobbered in the Spanish press and Brasil would have been too had they lost that final. No pro sportsman goes out on the field and does not care if he wins.

Kaka winning player of the tournament, now that was a joke.

[Adam West]

They aren't in for sure but they should qualify if they keep playing like they are.

They are currently sitting in 2nd place in the CONCACAF region which is probably the weakest region in World Cup play (top 3 teams make it with 4th playing the 4th place team from South America for the last spot).

It was an exciting match and yes, it was an incredibly important game to the USA since this was the 1st serious FIFA championship that they have ever played in.

As soon as Brazil scored their first goal 45 seconds into the 2nd half; I knew it was over. That's what seperates teams like USA, England (yes I'll throw England in there), Russia, Mexico, etc. from the elite world teams like Spain, Italy, Brazil, Netherlands.

These teams know how to come back from being down...Spain was losing to South Africa well into the game and never lost its composure. It is difficult to explain the differences but teams like the USA generally score off of singular fantastic efforts while teams like Spain and Brazil come at you like a swarm of bees and beat you with crisp short 1-2 passes, superb individual and team skills.

Either way, it was a great opportunity for the USA to show that they are making great strides in soccer. I know it's difficult to say but I was happy to see the USA really upset after losing the game. In past games, they seem to act like they expect to lose and not really care. This time; they knew they were playing world quality futball and just couldn't finish Brazil off. The look on Dempsey's face was priceless. He had an outstanding tournament and someone with that type of heart deserves to be playing on the National team.

Does anyone know what is up with Jozy Altidore? He is an incredibly gifted player but it really irritates me that he appears to show no pride for the USA. I notice every single game when they are playing the National Anthem; he is the ONLY player on our national team that doesn't place his hand over his heart and keeps his hands behind his back.

[Hector]

The USA will easily qualify in the CONCACAF and go to the WC.

[clemso]

Didn't watch the game, but any team that can beat Spain in the semi's and lead 2-0 against Brazil in a cup final deserves a pat on the back at the very least. Well done USA, good luck in the World Cup (have you qualified?) and lets hope for a USA-England final!

Clem

[Hector]

...and the rest of the world doesn't know who the hell is Jim Rome...

[toys2cool]

What the hell does Michael Wilbon knows about soccer?

Absolutely nothing.

The Conf Cup is still a tournament...teams still want to win badly...it's bragging rights for both players and countries.

Plus it counts for international point ranking system.

Look at the faces of the American players after the game...I think they would all disagree with Wibon's comments.

Had the USA won...believe me...Michael Wibon would be saying this tourney counts...and in spades.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

PTI ,Jim Rome and around the horn don't give a crap about soccer...

[Hector]

I think Michael Wilbon summed it up best Friday. Even if the US had won,it wouldn't have mattered because it really didn't mean anything. Now if this had been the World Cup,then you might have something.

What the hell does Michael Wilbon knows about soccer?

Absolutely nothing.

The Conf Cup is still a tournament...teams still want to win badly...it's bragging rights for both players and countries.

Plus it counts for international point ranking system.

Look at the faces of the American players after the game...I think they would all disagree with Wibon's comments.

Had the USA won...believe me...Michael Wibon would be saying this tourney counts...and in spades.

Sounds like sour grapes to me.

[jwyblejr]

I think Michael Wilbon summed it up best Friday. Even if the US had won,it wouldn't have mattered because it really didn't mean anything. Now if this had been the World Cup,then you might have something.