Copa United States of America
If you haven't noticed, Bob Bradley is quite the popular dude around the Vein of Form offices this week. We're ignoring all the cry babies proclaiming that the US should never be invited back to the Copa America because they have brought a "B Squad" and have hurt the integrity of the competition. Why should the 2-time defending Gold Cup champs care what these Copa folks think?
Bradley is handling this summer's double header exactly the way he should. Yes, the Copa is without question a competition with tougher teams, on foreign soil and would be a better measure of where the US full team national squad fits right now. However, the Gold Cup qualified the US for the '09 Confederations Cup in South Africa and has allowed Bradley some freedom to toy with the lineup. There are plenty of US prospects in the pipeline that could be great assets come World Cup qualifying. Now is the chance to give them a shot.
Players such as Heath Pearce, Justin Mapp, Lee Nguyen, Charlie Davies and Eddie Johnson are talents that are playing in fringe European leagues or are standouts in MLS waiting for a top club to give them an opportunity. With teams like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico competing in Copa, there will be plenty of talent scouts in the stands. This is a great showcase for young US talent. The opportunity to compete in a European league for American players will only increase the value they bring to the national squad.
Whether the Americans finish first or last in the group doesn't really matter. If they advance to the knockout round, it is a testament to the depth of the program and proof that bright days are ahead. If they fail to advance it is because Bradley's intent was to blood a young squad in the face of tremendous opposition and see what options he has at his disposal.
Kasey Keller and Jimmy Conrad will offer leadership and keep the youngsters calm. Benny Feilhaber, Mapp, Herculez Gomez, Johnson and Taylor Twellman could play with a nothing to lose attitude that just gets the goals needed to advance to the knockout rounds. Bradley doesn't really lose either way. The American press won't pay attention unless it becomes a Cinderalla Story and the world's media is focused on watching the talent of Argentina and Brazil - a majority of which is in transfer rumors.
Early indications are that the Copa America could be one of the most exciting football competitions in years. Goals have come in bunches during the first two days and they have been of extraordinary class. The Chile v. Ecuador match was phenomenal. And the Brazil v. Mexico match was breathtaking football as the Mexicans scored 2 world class goals and fought off everything the Brazilians had the rest of the way.
Some have accused Vein of Form of over reacting after the US Gold Cup win. Maybe so, but we were proud of our team and we wanted to let the world know that football will move forward and be great in this country. Hats off to Mexico tonight for their showing. Hopefully, the Americans can pull an equally impressive upset for CONCACAF tomorrow night against the favorites - Argentina.
If the US expects beating the Argentines is the only way to advance, then this was a doomed effort from the start. I expect an open match with lots of goals. Hopefully, not so many the US walks off embarrassed.
Bradley is handling this summer's double header exactly the way he should. Yes, the Copa is without question a competition with tougher teams, on foreign soil and would be a better measure of where the US full team national squad fits right now. However, the Gold Cup qualified the US for the '09 Confederations Cup in South Africa and has allowed Bradley some freedom to toy with the lineup. There are plenty of US prospects in the pipeline that could be great assets come World Cup qualifying. Now is the chance to give them a shot.
Players such as Heath Pearce, Justin Mapp, Lee Nguyen, Charlie Davies and Eddie Johnson are talents that are playing in fringe European leagues or are standouts in MLS waiting for a top club to give them an opportunity. With teams like Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico competing in Copa, there will be plenty of talent scouts in the stands. This is a great showcase for young US talent. The opportunity to compete in a European league for American players will only increase the value they bring to the national squad.
Whether the Americans finish first or last in the group doesn't really matter. If they advance to the knockout round, it is a testament to the depth of the program and proof that bright days are ahead. If they fail to advance it is because Bradley's intent was to blood a young squad in the face of tremendous opposition and see what options he has at his disposal.
Kasey Keller and Jimmy Conrad will offer leadership and keep the youngsters calm. Benny Feilhaber, Mapp, Herculez Gomez, Johnson and Taylor Twellman could play with a nothing to lose attitude that just gets the goals needed to advance to the knockout rounds. Bradley doesn't really lose either way. The American press won't pay attention unless it becomes a Cinderalla Story and the world's media is focused on watching the talent of Argentina and Brazil - a majority of which is in transfer rumors.
Early indications are that the Copa America could be one of the most exciting football competitions in years. Goals have come in bunches during the first two days and they have been of extraordinary class. The Chile v. Ecuador match was phenomenal. And the Brazil v. Mexico match was breathtaking football as the Mexicans scored 2 world class goals and fought off everything the Brazilians had the rest of the way.
Some have accused Vein of Form of over reacting after the US Gold Cup win. Maybe so, but we were proud of our team and we wanted to let the world know that football will move forward and be great in this country. Hats off to Mexico tonight for their showing. Hopefully, the Americans can pull an equally impressive upset for CONCACAF tomorrow night against the favorites - Argentina.
If the US expects beating the Argentines is the only way to advance, then this was a doomed effort from the start. I expect an open match with lots of goals. Hopefully, not so many the US walks off embarrassed.
posted by Anonymous at 9:56 PM
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