U.S. needs respect more than Gold
By: SIMON SAMANO - Staff Writer | ∞
Respect, especially when it comes to international soccer, doesn't get handed out like candy. It's something that needs to be earned on the field by proving your worth against the best the world has to offer.
For the U.S. men's national team, a squad that feels it is owed much more respect than it receives from the international community, this summer's Copa America in Venezuela surely will provide a golden opportunity to grab some of that respect.
The U.S. can sing the song of respect all it wants. But the bottom line is that continuing to dominate Mexico, as it did with a 2-0 victory earlier this month in an international friendly, just doesn't cut it. And while it was a proud moment for American soccer, neither does beating the Mexicans in the second round of the 2002 World Cup. If it did, this topic wouldn't be up for discussion again. You've got to be able to win big games against somebody other than Mexico.
And that is where the Copa America comes into play. The U.S was drawn into Group C for this summer's South American championship tournament, along with Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia, three teams that are sure to provide the Americans with fierce competition.
But here's the major bummer: It doesn't look like the U.S. will seize this opportunity to improve its credibility. Chances are the U.S.will send its B-team, which would be a big shame.
The reason is that the U.S. Soccer Federation and interim coach Bob Bradley are facing a logistical nightmare when it comes to the team's summer schedule.
The CONCACAF Gold Cup is June 6-24 in 12 cities across the United States, while the Americans' first match in Copa America is June 28 against mighty Argentina in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
The dilemma facing the USSF is that coaches in both Major League Soccer and in Europe will be reluctant to release their players for the duration of both tournaments (almost two months). That means the rosters are likely to be different, with a few exceptions, for each tournament. Acknowledging that very real possibility in a conference call, Bradley was clear about which tournament takes precedence.
"The Gold Cup is still the most important event for us," Bradley said. "Obviously, it's our confederation championship, but the main reason that I think it's extra important is because winning the Gold Cup will earn us three very good games in South Africa in 2009 (at the Confederations Cup).
"Moving forward, the opportunity to try to play in order to get those kinds of games is very important."
Bradley said the timing of the tournaments will make it easier for the U.S. to have its European-based players for the Gold Cup rather than Copa America, meaning Gold Cup will get the U.S. A-team. Those European-based players will have just completed their club seasons, and competing in Gold Cup will still allow them some time off before reporting to preseason training with their clubs some time in July.
While Bradley's logic makes the most sense, a part of me still can't help but think that everything is all backward. Why enter Copa America if you're going to send a "B" team? The whole point was that it provides the Americans top-shelf competition in a much more hostile environment.
And that translates to a chance to prove their worth on the field.
If there is one thing last summer's World Cup debacle taught us, it's that even most seasoned American players would benefit greatly from the kind of experience they'd get from Copa America. In fact, they need it, and not just for the experience. But for the opportunity to gain some of that respect they've been longing for.
Let's hope USSF can come up with something to give them that chance.
-- Contact staff writer Simon Samano at simon_samano@yahoo.com.
Mexico well stocked
Contrary to original worries, Mexico coach Hugo Sanchez will have a pretty solid roster when his team faces Venezuela in an international friendly on Wednesday night at Qualcomm Stadium.
Sanchez, who lost his debut match 2-0 against the U.S. earlier this month, managed to grab several players from Mexican teams that have conflicts with international tournaments this week. He received three players from America and two each from Chivas, Necaxa, Pachuca, and Toluca, all of which have midweek games in either the Copa Libertadores or the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Mexico will be without its European-based players, because Wednesday is not an official FIFA international date when clubs are obligated to release players for national team duty.
Among the veterans coming are Francisco Palencia of Pumas, Ramon Morales of Chivas, and Francisco Fonseca of Tigres. Unfortunately for Sanchez and fans, goalkeeper Oswaldo Sanchez and popular forward Jared Borgetti will be held out with injuries.
Still, minus the big names, ticket sales had already topped 40,000 by Friday. The record for a Mexico match in San Diego is 56,222, which was set in 1994 for a friendly against Bulgaria at Qualcomm Stadium. Ticket prices range from $30-$50.
---- Simon Samano
Cup to Chelsea
Chelsea won the League Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday at Cardiff, Wales, getting two goals from Didier Drogba and overcoming a frightening head injury to captain John Terry.
Terry, also the captain of the English national team, was taken off the field on a stretcher after Arsenal defender Abou Diaby accidentally kicked him in the head in the 58th minute.
Drogba headed in the winning goal at Millennium Stadium in the 84th minute from a cross from Arjen Robben. He also scored in the 20th, eight minutes after Theo Walcott had given the Gunners a 1-0 lead.
Terry was attempting to head a corner from Robben when Diaby went for the ball with his foot. Terry then fell and appeared unconscious. Players from both teams immediately called for medical assistance.
Serbian fight
Soccer fans and riot police fought after a game between Belgrade rivals, leaving at least 13 people injured and 27 arrested.
Red Star fans were angered by their team's 4-2 loss to Partizan on Saturday. They built barricades with garbage bins downtown as police on horseback charged them, witnesses said.
The arrests came at Red Star stadium and at later fighting that left at least 12 fans and one police officer injured, police said Sunday. Criminal charges will be filed against five fans for triggering the violence.
---- Associated Press
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Matt wrote on Feb 26, 2007 1:30 PM:I understand the point (and agree with most of it), but where would we be without dominating Mexico and beating them in the 2002 World Cup to advance to the quarterfinals for the first time since 1930? Yes, we need more, but beating Mexico (and in important games) is essential to getting respect, as well.
Ron wrote on Feb 26, 2007 1:37 PM: Look on the bright side - Copa America will give us a chance to prove our depth and give players who don't normally see a lot of playing time critical experience.
Chris wrote on Feb 27, 2007 5:51 AM:Just want to thank you for writing a thoughtful article. Keep up the good work.
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