The United States have finally been halted in their World
Cup 2014 run with a 2-1 loss over Belgium. I was going to give it a little
longer to digest, but there is so much ignorance floating around all of media,
it’s disgusting. Let me just start off by saying, for all of those who are
upset by our 1-2-1 (W-L-D) record showing, claiming that we have taken a step
back since 2002 where we made the quarter-finals, you know nothing about the game
of soccer. The 2002 World Cup first and foremost is considered one of the most
corrupt and controversial WC of all-time. Secondly, both the 02’ and 14’ squad
were 1-1-1 going into the quarter-final. Thirdly, we got to play Mexico in the
quarter-final, a team we have played 1000 times, a team that we know their
style, players, etc…and not to discredit this year’s squad from not doing their
research, but the comfort level is there, the tactics have been played out in a
real game several times, and not to mention, even a young Belgium team is would
be considered favorites over any Mexican side (no offense, they just have more
qualities players playing in higher level leagues, and to be honest that could
be a whole different blog). Lastly, we had 2 kids (what up Donovan and Beasley)
leading our team with the help of Claudio Reyna and Brian McBride, the chances
or replicating something like that is equivalent to the Chicago Cubs winning
the World Series, the run that the US went on is considered one of the greatest
runs of all time because it was so unexpected. So please stop comparing apples
to oranges, it makes no sense, it is a whole different squad with a different
scenario.
As for the players performances there was a lot of
interesting things. Turns out I was both very right and very wrong on some of
my earlier predictions. I also want to touch on the Michael Bradley bashing
people, and let me start by saying, just shut the hell up. Michael Bradley did
have a rough tournament, but only because he was inconsistent. It seemed when
he made a mistake it was very visible, but he was also responsible for building
a lot of our goals up in which I don’t think he received enough credit for.
There is no one else on the team that you can play there, prior to this he was
Captain America for our team, but typical American fans, just bury him the
first chance when things didn’t go his way. Also, please people stop comparing
him to all the other great midfielders that were here. Yes, he is not Xavi,
Pirlo, Gerrard, or any of those guys, but even at his best no one compared him
to that. The guy didn’t crumble or step up to the spot light in which he was
under, which is unfortunate but I wouldn’t have ever second guessed my decision
to start him every game.
Some things I’m proud of:
DeAndre Yedlin: I liked this guy when he was a Akron, I wrote
before that I wanted to see this guy on the WC roster because of the qualities
he brings as an outside back/outside mid and I think he proved himself. I expect
DeAndre Yedlin as a major contributor on the national for possibly the next
decade pending he doesn’t get injured.
Fabian Johnson and Mix Diskerud: Another guy I loved, who
for me, was top 3 performers on the team this WC, it’s a shame he got injured
so early on in the Belgium game. As for Mix it’s too bad he didn’t see the
field but he is still young and I think he has a lot to offer.
Chris Wondolowski: I’m not actually proud of this, but it’s
the case of “I hate to say I told you so”. Guy gets subbed on, a forward who is
known for one thing, finishing. He’s never been recognized for his speed,
skill, passing, or defending. No, this guy was known for lurking around in the
box and putting opportunities away when they matter most. Not only did he have
a chance to send the US through to the next round (the most important one), not
only did he have an opportunity to silence his critics (me being a huge one),
and not only did he almost make Klinsmann look like a god damn genius, but he
an opportunity to stake his name in World Cup history with the most dramatic of
finishes in a WC game. Instead, Wondo probably would have felt better getting
shot in the knee caps at that moment. So as much as I feel for the guy, you got
put on the team to do one fucking job and you blew it. Never again…
Where I was completely wrong:
Jermaine Jones: This one is tough for me because truthfully
JJ was awful for a lot of games going into this WC which made me awfully
concerned about whether or not he should start or not. But my god did he prove
me wrong, and I happily admit I was wrong on that. He was an animal out there.
A true definition of a box-to-box midfielder he was incredible despite a broken
nose. So apologies to you sir, because you have drastically changed my mind, in
only 4 games, of what you’re capable of.
Kyle Beckerman: Again this one is tough because I have
always admitted that I love this guy, but the last time I wrote about the team
I stated I thought Beckerman was just outside the bubble of making the team,
but he was also brilliant in his own way. Beckerman is the equivalent of a
Claude Makalele’ or Roy Keane (not saying he is on their level by any means,
but same style of play). Guy gets stuck in everywhere, couldn’t give less of a
shit about going into the attack, and just holds down the midfield in order to
be the bridge between the forwards and defenders. JK’s biggest mistake, in my
opinion, had to be sitting him again Belgium.
Last couple of things, it is clear to me that the US is
heading in the right direction. We are a couple guys short of being dangerous.
We have some young guys that have not fully developed but are showing
potential, and we have a coach that seems more determined than ever to not only
grow the team, but to grow the sport in general. Oh, and did I mention that Tim
Howard is God and the US should consider building a gold statue of him right
next to the statue of liberty.
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