In my posts about the U.S.-Mexico game I made some comments about the country of Mexico itself which I regret. I apologize for them.
But people have said that the Mexican players didn't shake hands because they felt disrespected... that's all the American team wants, too!
You see, the truth is, the American soccer program isn't bad at all... certainly nowhere near the top, like Italy/Germany/Brazil/England/Argentina, etc... but they're not BAD! The U.S. team is probably in the middle of the pack in terms of talent. Yet most soccer fans outside America try to paint this picture of the American team being THE WORST in the world! American players just want respect, just as the Mexican players did.
2 points soccer fans outside of America must consider:
1.) The American soccer program HAS gotten better over time, especially recently.
2.) With such a large talent pool (300 million people here) America will get better and better, and in 10 or so years will have a VERY good team!
Answer on Why can't the U.S. soccer team get some respect?
They are not respected yet. To gain respect in a sport you have to beat quality teams multiple times. Even after their tie with italy (italy scored both goals), italy said it did not play it's best game. That right there is a sign that they do not respect the Americans.
We have made strong moves in soccer. Part of my belief of our inability to move forward is the way we coach and play at this level. The talent is there, but the coaching has been just poor.
Our last world cup 70% of the roster were 33-36 year old players. Leaving off key players that made no sense. All the hopes riding on a small sometimes good player? We have such a strong talent pool. We have players that are young, but we need to play them.
Did we actually think we could have placed in the 2006 cup? Why not bring along your top young players and get them experience so in 4 years they can be better.
look at brazil, probably the best country the last 20 years. 16-18 year olds play. There is too much of a power struggle in American soccer. Someone is itching to put us on the map.
Well we are just a spec, we have to win and win somemore. Mexico is not the answer. Yes, we can beat them, but who else have we beaten?
When America comes to play a good country that country expects to win. Until they show that they can win consitantly we will be at the bottom of the barrel, no matter what our ranking.
