Auf Wiederhesen Boys

At an event that was supposed to launch the United States "football" team into the national spotlight, our countrymen in Nuremberg fell into obscurity once again. A record of 0-2-1 and only 1 goal scored by our team, not to mention an own goal by Italy, in the group stage of the World Cup can have that kind of effect. Is it because we were over confident? Were we overpowered? Or were we outcoached? Yes, yes, and most definitely YES. Our charitable FIFA ranking of number 5 in the world was more of a marketing ploy than actual evaluation.
"A whole new ballgame." Gatorade launched their famed commercial before the World Cup started to stimulate interest and - for lack of a better word - sympathy for the US soccer team before they headed to Germany. After two weeks of high hopes and egos shattered they came back to the states with disappointment rather than pride.
The Czechs were too strong. The Italians were too rough. The Ghanians? (how do you spell it?) were far too athletic. It seemed that at every critical point in each game our men stood there thinking "what do we do to get out of this?". I have no doubt Bruce Arena asked himself the same question more than once. The United States fluke of a run in the 2002 World Cup gave us a cloud of hot air to sit on for four years. As we eventually came down to earth during this journey, we realized something. We are still second tier when it comes to soccer.
Bruce Arena was the longest tenured coach in the World Cup. WAS. With such a young team, what's wrong with having a young coach that has played in those situations and has prior experience? Alexi Lalas anyone? That's a matter for another day.
One thing that our men can be commended for: Passion. Never once was I led to believe that the US team didn't want to win; they just don't know how to yet. Good try guys, maybe next time.

Clint