Thats pretty much all you can say to describe the US squad from this 2006 World Cup. They only heart, desire and passion they showed during this tournament was fighting for their lives against Italy. While I only got to see the 2nd half of todays game while having lunch, and missed the first half, what I saw in the 2nd half was disappointing to say the least. So who's to blame.
5. Landon Donovan
Can we please slow down the Donovan hype machine? Everybody Donovan is a good player but an elite player in the world, forget about it. He is not big and strong therefore he is not an elite tackler, in addition the speed that he flaunts during MLS play is nullified by other international superstars. If Landon Donovan was as good as America burdens him with, then he would be playing for a European Powerhouse. He doesn't nor does any other US player.
4. Claudio Reyna
I really didn't see anything from Reyna that made me think he was a leader or a world class player. In the late minutes against Italy he looked out of shape and could barely move. Today apparently he was at complete fault for the US giving up their first goal. This was probably your last World Cup and you really left no indelible image in the mind of the US fan. Adios.
3. FIFA Rankings
How the hell do these Rankings work? How were we ever ranked 5th? How? Last I checked we haven't beaten a Brazil or Germany or England lately. How in the hell do those rankings work? Piss poor, hope followed by failure is much worse than just failure.
2. The US Media
I blame the media for excess expectations. If you turned on ESPN for the past few weeks the nail that has been hammered in your head was inscribed "Best US Team Ever". Well, if this is the best US team ever then why the pitiful performance. Best US Team ever and all you can muster is one goal against Ghana. Next World Cup, please shut up don't place high expectations on the team, don't make me disappointed when the team goes out and gets mauled let me be surprised if they have even minimal success. But Guaranteed in 4 years it will be the best US Team Ever.
1. Bruce Arena
I am in 100% agreement with Eric Wynalda, soccer analyst for ESPN. Bruce Arena is highly to blame for the United States loss versus Ghana today. The slogan defense wins championships to me is a complete misnomer but Bruce seemingly took it as the 11th commandment. Defense does not win championships, defense keeps you from losing championships. Offense wins games, every sport requires offense, without offense you can't win anything. Yet, Bruce again went with his conservative 4-5-1 formation, for those who are uninformed that means 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 1 striker/attacker. Anyone other then me see the scale tipped in one sole direction. Bruce you needed to score goals today, every American would have taken a high scoring loss as more of a success then only scoring one goal throughout the tourny. Very disappointing.
And the Casual American fans interest in soccer resumes in 1450 days...
5. Landon Donovan
Can we please slow down the Donovan hype machine? Everybody Donovan is a good player but an elite player in the world, forget about it. He is not big and strong therefore he is not an elite tackler, in addition the speed that he flaunts during MLS play is nullified by other international superstars. If Landon Donovan was as good as America burdens him with, then he would be playing for a European Powerhouse. He doesn't nor does any other US player.
4. Claudio Reyna
I really didn't see anything from Reyna that made me think he was a leader or a world class player. In the late minutes against Italy he looked out of shape and could barely move. Today apparently he was at complete fault for the US giving up their first goal. This was probably your last World Cup and you really left no indelible image in the mind of the US fan. Adios.
3. FIFA Rankings
How the hell do these Rankings work? How were we ever ranked 5th? How? Last I checked we haven't beaten a Brazil or Germany or England lately. How in the hell do those rankings work? Piss poor, hope followed by failure is much worse than just failure.
2. The US Media
I blame the media for excess expectations. If you turned on ESPN for the past few weeks the nail that has been hammered in your head was inscribed "Best US Team Ever". Well, if this is the best US team ever then why the pitiful performance. Best US Team ever and all you can muster is one goal against Ghana. Next World Cup, please shut up don't place high expectations on the team, don't make me disappointed when the team goes out and gets mauled let me be surprised if they have even minimal success. But Guaranteed in 4 years it will be the best US Team Ever.
1. Bruce Arena
I am in 100% agreement with Eric Wynalda, soccer analyst for ESPN. Bruce Arena is highly to blame for the United States loss versus Ghana today. The slogan defense wins championships to me is a complete misnomer but Bruce seemingly took it as the 11th commandment. Defense does not win championships, defense keeps you from losing championships. Offense wins games, every sport requires offense, without offense you can't win anything. Yet, Bruce again went with his conservative 4-5-1 formation, for those who are uninformed that means 4 defenders, 4 midfielders and 1 striker/attacker. Anyone other then me see the scale tipped in one sole direction. Bruce you needed to score goals today, every American would have taken a high scoring loss as more of a success then only scoring one goal throughout the tourny. Very disappointing.
And the Casual American fans interest in soccer resumes in 1450 days...
Comments
Also Chad Johnson must be on the team b/c he is hilarious and might make a soccer potentially worth watching.