An entire cult of fan has dedicated itself to one simple thing: masochism. In Biblical terms, some individuals latch onto David despite the looming shadow of Goliath. They root for the underdog because as human beings, mammals with live birth and breastfeeding and what have ye, we share one common characteristic – empathy. At some level, we all disdain suffering in others.
I have a newsflash for the US team – I do not belong to this cult of the masochist. And I am tired of excuses. The US Gold Cup loss to Mexico, the recent 3-1 loss to Honduras, how can US soccer seriously speak of hosting a World Cup and realistically trying to win the darn thing?
Would home field advantage really be an advantage to the US? Or is this some moneymaking ploy?
Just like the Mexico game, excuses abound. “This is preseason.” Oh, and the Honduras players are 100 percent match fit? “None of our European players were available.” Wilson Palacios, Honduras’ best player, is a stud at Spurs in England. Who on the US roster compares? “Bradley is evaluating players.” Can’t you evaluate and try to win simultaneously? In fact, isn’t playing to win the end goal, and thus a good lab setting to test the fresh meat?
The US has made great strides in the last two decades to develop and nurture a solid core of soccer followers, for example, Uncle Sam’s army. But fielding a half-fit team in a hostile environment is going to lead to a TV backlash. The casual fan will see the US losing 3-1, at home, and think – wow. This is a joke.
I understand the USSF with its very large presidential salary to Sunil Gulati has to make ends meet. I know the gate receipts are profitable for home matches vs. Central American foes. But at some point, you embarrass yourself to the point even your best friends leave you behind.
This game should have been played behind closed doors. Period.
No related posts.
oh, I don’t know Elliot.
I think you are little harsh.
I’m not saying we looked good out there, but really, what does this game mean in the grand scheme of things.
nothing.
in all honesty, who cares what casual fans think? I guess it’s nice to have regular ESPN and other stations singing the USMNT praises ala after the Spain game, but really, knee jerk reactions that say that we will go 3 and out, never scoring a goal, and giving up 10 goals a match at the world cup are just that: knee jerk, over reactions.
Should we have won this game? sure.
but losing it isn’t the end of the world.
i think people expect too much out of this team.
We have a pretty solid 10 or 11 guys, (maybe) but after that, the talent drops off immensely.
you may be tired of excuses, but at the same time, making winning all the time the only option sets the team up to fail.
Teams win and lose. The really good ones make it a habit of doing the former more than the latter.
The US isn’t there yet, and I don’t know really see why anyone is shocked by that revelation. I think they are decent, and with the right run of games, and the right luck, anything is possible. They are in between what most teams are. They aren’t showstoppers (Spain or Germany or etc), but they also aren’t the local pub team (Montenegro, Barbados etc.)
I am one of those masochists though, so i might be a little too sunshine and rainbows.
Charlie-
this piece was definitely of the “jerk knee” variety, so I get what you’re saying.
I love the USMNT and will watch any match I can get my pirated stream around (or tickets in person), but these kind of “fitness exhibitions” to turn a buck really deceive casual fans – at some point the US needs to turn a corner. Before the 2006 World Cup, the US played a closed door friendly in similar circumstances. Why wasn’t that game broadcasted? No Central American gate revenue.
I guess my problem is more with the USSF than the USMNT – the guys clawed a goal back and played well aside from the two quick yellows for Conrad.
Good points thought Charlie – every cloud needs a ray of sunshine.