A costly error in the final moments of injury overtime in a match against El Salvador has caused the men's USA soccer team to be eliminated from the CONCACAF qualifying tournament for this summer's 2012 Olympics. The suddenness of it all and the abrupt and shocking end to a journey that was meant to last several more moments all the way till London was too much for team members, coaches, and fans to handle. The hurt goes even deeper as this was the last chance for many players on the team (who represent a 23 and under squad) to be in the Olympics.
Substitute goalkeeper Sean Johnson will bear most of the blame by many for a mistimed dive that he normally could've made in his sleep. Though both fellow players and coaches are standing by him, many have said he is beside himself for making such a costly mistake at such a crucial moment. However, there are some who claim that the trouble with the USA soccer team began long before this gaffe. They claim that the match should've have been wrapped up long before and that poor defending and lack of execution were as much a reason to blame as Johnson's mistake.
The bigger implications of this comes down to the fact that the sport of soccer has precious few opportunities to make an impact on national audiences. Though the World Cup every four years is a huge draw, so is the Olympics. And high hopes were put on this current squad since the very beginning of being put together. With big names such as Freddy Adu and Brek Shea, this was the squad that was mean to go to the Olympics and have a great shot at going all the way. Many of the players felt that this was supposed to be their time to shine, and though they will undoubtedly have bright careers in the senior men's team, they still are very emotional about this bitter loss and all its implications.
Though soccer is very much prevalent amongst the youth, especially in elementary school, its popularity wanes as kids grow older. What do you think should be done to change the status of soccer in the US?
Substitute goalkeeper Sean Johnson will bear most of the blame by many for a mistimed dive that he normally could've made in his sleep. Though both fellow players and coaches are standing by him, many have said he is beside himself for making such a costly mistake at such a crucial moment. However, there are some who claim that the trouble with the USA soccer team began long before this gaffe. They claim that the match should've have been wrapped up long before and that poor defending and lack of execution were as much a reason to blame as Johnson's mistake.The bigger implications of this comes down to the fact that the sport of soccer has precious few opportunities to make an impact on national audiences. Though the World Cup every four years is a huge draw, so is the Olympics. And high hopes were put on this current squad since the very beginning of being put together. With big names such as Freddy Adu and Brek Shea, this was the squad that was mean to go to the Olympics and have a great shot at going all the way. Many of the players felt that this was supposed to be their time to shine, and though they will undoubtedly have bright careers in the senior men's team, they still are very emotional about this bitter loss and all its implications.
Though soccer is very much prevalent amongst the youth, especially in elementary school, its popularity wanes as kids grow older. What do you think should be done to change the status of soccer in the US?
Great post, I'm a product of the system. I played soccer from age 4 until I came to Michigan for the fall semester, having to study hard, I have no time to play any longer. That's the case with most other varsity players unless they are exceptional and play for their college. The programs have even developed to the point where they have highly competitive soccer academies, club teams (almost the minor league versions of the MLS teams) and many other intensive training opportunities, but Americans still face the real question, why do we play second fiddle to Europe and most of South America? It's been like that forever when it comes to soccer. My opinion is that there are too many other sports prevalent in American culture such as (American) football, baseball, basketball, lacrosse, hockey, tennis, and golf among a slew of others. And out of the kids who play, how many spend hours watching competitive games of soccer, lets be honest, domestic soccer on a global scale is nothing like any of the sports I mentioned above. America has a dominant basketball culture, other countries aspire to be more like the NBA. Baseball has it's center in America, sure there is a lot of player development in Cuba, Dominican Republic, other South American counties, and Asia (most recently is becoming bigger). The same is with these other sports besides tennis now. For America to improve as a soccer team, they must vamp up the attention at home, they must encourage children to indulge themselves fully into the play and practice of soccer, for the MLS fan base is smaller and less well known than most other sports. Soccer must become a more integral part of American culture if America is ever going to participate competitively with Spain, England, Germany, and all the other soccer powerhouse counties of the world. This was a bad loss for the Americans, but they need to prevent themselves from being in a position of vulnerability so late in the game!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I too am a product of the soccer system. But unlike Matza I play on the women's side. I played competitively for NH ODP along with club teams, region teams and I currently play for the varsity team at Michigan. I am lucky enough to play for the women's side where the USA women are currently ranked as the #1 team in the world.
ReplyDeleteThere are indeed some issues on their side of the game,
but I feel as though they have adapted to all the new ways in which soccer is changing. Where the men are not staying up to date with the rest of the world when it comes to soccer.
I feel as though there are alot more politics involved on the mens side, and they need to be looking at the youth in a bigger pool. Growing up around soccer I've noticed that the same kids are in and out of the national pools their entire life, it's time to find fresher kids. The ones that have been in and out of the pool are not going to continue to help improve the program if they were they would have been on the full team first tryout.
Along with that the USA needs to change their style of play. Europeans are multi directional the USA is one direction; forward. Europeans move the ball all over the pitch before finding goal the USA has learned from a young age to get the ball and go right to goal. Although this sounds like a brilliant idea sometimes the easiest route is not the easiest way to score.
I found this to be a very interesting post Arthi. A common explanation for why soccer has failed to grow in the United States is the lack of action or scoring in the game. Being an avid soccer player and fan, I know that there are plenty of moments of action and tension in the game. Every corner kick, free kick, offensive transition, and scoring opportunity are moments that make you hold your breath. The lack of scoring is what makes soccer so exciting because when the ball does finally reach the back of the net, it is pure joy.
ReplyDeleteBefore I address your question, I have a question and concern of my own. Why does our Olympic team have to be an Under 23 squad. I thought the days of the 1980 U.S.A hockey team and amateur athletes were over. I know there were many quality players on this team, but that was nowhere near our best squad. We were missing many of our top players including Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and a majority of the team that glued Americans eyes to the television in the last World Cup. I find it hard to believe that these players would have let this game slip away against El Salvador.
Finally to your question. You are right that soccer does play a major role in youth leagues. I remember when I played in my youth soccer league in elementary school when most of my friends participated. Now only a handful remain that still follow the sport. I think it goes back to some of the essential qualities we look for in a sport. Soccer is a game based on endurance, and many people as they age start to lose that endurance. Very few people past the age of 25 have the endurance to run up and down a soccer field for 90 minutes whether the game is competitive or recreational. What I believe soccer needs to do is continue to do what it is doing: find cities that will embrace the game. The most recent MLS example is the Seattle Sounders. Seattle is always known for its passionate fans. The Seattle Seahawks stadium is arguably the loudest in the NFL. As long as the MLS continues to grow by finding cities that will embrace its product, soccer will increase its popularity. It may never reach the popularity of the Big Three (NFL, NBA, MLB), but it can develop into a regional sport loved by cities that love the game.
Good post, especially considering that a lot of people are probably unaware that the USA did get knocked out of being able to compete in this upcoming olympics. The problem with soccer in America is it just is not inbeded in our culture like baseball, football and basketball. The reason why it is so popular elsewhere is because it is apart of their culture and lifestyle in other countries, much like hockey for Canada. I really don't think there is much anyone can do to change this unfortunately. I enjoy soccer and played a little myself through about 7th grade, but it just isn't the identity America has chosen to take.
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