Fantastic column by John Nicholson

[Fordprefect]

I think he's saying that the tournament itself wasn't important in it's own right, and it wasn't. It might have been vitally important to the USA, but that doesn't make it a major competition.

Bingo, our performances in the Egypt, Spain, and second Brazil game was very important to the team, and to the sport in general within the US because of all the exposure it received. However, my comment was more in response that we think this was the 'big one'. Besides the World Cup, its the biggest tournament we get to play in, but still '09 Confed Cup means nothing unless we play well in the '10 World Cup.

 

[AdamTheGreatOneB]

Bingo, our performances in the Egypt, Spain, and second Brazil game was very important to the team, and to the sport in general within the US because of all the exposure it received. However, my comment was more in response that we think this was the 'big one'. Besides the World Cup, its the biggest tournament we get to play in, but still '09 Confed Cup means nothing unless we play well in the '10 World Cup.

I agree. And while it was important for the USA to perform well, it probably wasn't all that important to a team like Spain and Brazil who have bigger fish to fry so to speak. A true test of the USA's progression will take place at the World Cup.

 

[Screech]

I've gotta say I wouldn't stop laughing if the USA knocked England out in the World Cup

 

[Nebbiolo]

To be fair to the US, us Europeans really do knock their attitude to football. And I do think the US national team is a good footballing unit, and probably deserving of more respect. The team is as good as many European teams, and probably better than quite a few too.

In saying that, football over there is a minority sport, and clearly doesn't attract people that could take the US to the next level.

I can't see that changing anytime soon. It will surely never compete with American football, baseball or basketball. All those sports seem to attract very serious athletes, that probably dedicate most of their lives to the sport. Maybe I'm wrong, but I've a feeling that often in the US, football is just something that people fall into.

 

[SuitsBlueX2]

Like most things, it is a money thing. Start paying out the wage that other sports see and overnight a generation will consider football as a proper career. When that happens the emergance of a footballing power will be unstoppable. (Cannot help getting the feeling that football in the US is waiting for some footballing prodigy to turn up and become the 'poster boy' that will 'inspire' others).

 

[Dixie Dean]

One of my friends coaches youth soccer, and he says that is finally changing. Kids are being taylored now specifically for football, and more and more of them are sticking to it as they get older, rather than switching to other sports. So there is hope, but I agree with the "decades away" comment. I'll probably not live long enough to see us get to a WC semi.