Tuesday Morning StruggleBack Reloaded...

I Did entirely too well gambling this weekend too elaborate on my exploits.

This week I decided to take a different direction-European Football. As we approach the FIFA World Cup this summer, we should all take some time to gear ourselves up for the best sporting event in the world. Every four years, 32 national teams have the honor of representing their countries on a global stage. This years World Cup will be hosted in South Africa, which is the first World Cup to be hosted on the African Continent. This December 4th, the group stage for South Africa 2010 will be selected. With 32 teams qualifying for tournament play, four teams will be selected for groups A-H.

As a US fan, I pray for a good draw. The United States National team has not tightened the gap between them and the world's elite soccer countries since the last world cup in Germany. Drawn into a group with a superior European side and a tough South American team could spell early doom for the US and prevent them from entering the knock out stages. If you recall (or care), in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the US drew Italy, the Czech Republic, and Ghana in the first round. The US finished 0-2-1 and seemed outmatched in every game they played.

This US team is not any better than the team fielded in 2006. A world class player has not emerged from the fragmented, and poorly coach US youth system. Though the team is littered with players playing through out European leagues, none of them play for an Elite power (i.e. Man United, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, etc..). The sole exception is Oguchi Onyewu of AC Mlian, who gets zero playing time. The teams only true stars are Tim Howard, the hyper-intense goalie and Landon Donovan, the balding, semi-bust who regained form playing in the MLS after rotting on the bench with German side Bayern Leverkusen. Other than these two players, no American has gained much notoriety on the international scene.

The team has lacked an identity since their heroic run in South Korea/Japan '02, when they shocked Portugal and fought off a seemingly possessed home South Korean squad to a draw in the group stages. With a victory over much maligned border rival Mexico in the Round of 16, the US found themselves facing Germany in the Quarter Finals. A 1-0 defeat via Germany, a game in which the US dominated, showed US the exit door from the tournament. Despite a disappointing loss, the US came out of that World Cup as a formidable team at the international stage.

Since '02, the US has stagnated. Though the US has managed to wrestle away regional dominance from Mexico, they have yet to assert themselves in international play save the aberration that was the '09 Confederations Cup. The tournament started out dismally for the US, a 3-1 loss to defending World Cup Champions Italy accompanied by a 3-0 trouncing by Samba Kings Brazil left the US with two losses and a -5 goal differential. The tournament for the US was all but over at this point as they needed to beat Egypt by three goals or more and have the Italians lose by 3 plus goals. The impossible happened, a 3-0 win over the North Africans and a 3-0 Italian defeat at the hands of Brazil propelled the US team improbably into the semi-final against Spain. Spain at this point in time had gone undefeated in 35 straight international matches. Yes, you're eyes are not deceiving you, 35. That's one better than previous world record Brazil - who set the record thirteen years prior. Spain was the undisputed number one team in the World; holding the ranking and the European Cup to reinforce FIFA's praise. However, the US on that night managed to weather a Spanish onslaught and beat them 2-0. However, as such stories go for the American boys, the fairy tale turned into a nightmare when the Americans ran into Brazil in the final, losing 3-2, in a score not indicative of the play on the field.

Despite a gritty and inspired showing in the latter stages on the Confederations Cup, the Americans have lazily coasted into qualifying into the World Cup this summer. CONCACAF, America's qualifying group comprised of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean, is undoubtedly amongst the world's least skilled and competitive. Though the Americans took first place in qualifying, their play has none the less raised some very interesting questions that will be answered. Can the Americans win in an overtly hostile environment? A 2-1 loss in Mexico City to an inspired Mexican side keeps me doubtful. Can they show up and play big in every game? Well 2-2 draw against an inferior Costa Rican team provided more questions than answers.

Now that I've given you the last eight years of up and down US soccer...what are we to expect this summer? Unfortunately, I believe this US team is at the mercy of their group selection. A tough draw will keep the US from advancing-I have no doubts. A draw against say New Zealand, North Korea, and Algeria would be an act of god. So let us all hope for a favorable draw, a few miracles, and a solid US showing this summer.

P.S. For those not interested in soccer, watch one world cup game with a team of Brazil, Spain, Italy, or Germany's caliber, and you'll change your religious beliefs. Get cultured, accept that watching the Royals play the Rangers in July is not the only sports on the television this summer. Get your DVR game way up and give in to the World's game...hollar