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World Cup
Update: US Find Their Mettle, by Andrew Rogers, European Correspondent
Monday,
June 19, 2006 -- After a deluge of overreaction and misguided criticism, the US
national team took the opportunity on Saturday to prove their credentials at the
Fritz Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern. The
result is not surprising given the nature of the two sides, however, the manner
in which they achieved the 1-1 draw was unique in the history of the World Cup.
Referee Larrionda, who works as a clerk proved that pushing paper work is clearly
poor preparation for do or die World Cup games between a powerhouse and emerging
heavyweight. There
can be no complaints over Di Rossi's wayward elbow or Mastroeni's reckless challenge
but Pablo why, why, why!!!!! From experience on the field it is likely that Pirlo,
the victim of the "ankle breaker," muttered something along the lines of their
comparative Italian-ness...boom take that Andrea.
However, Larrionda made the wrong call on the Pope sending off. On another day
both challenges could have been dealt with little more than a talking to. To administer
two yellow cards for such tackles, suggests maybe the referee was looking to grab
some of the headlines that where going to be splashed on a great game. Note:
Retired Italian referee Pierluigi Collina fronts the advertising campaign for
a company similar in size to motor giant Ford.
It was impressive to see the US take the game to Italy. Totti quickly lost his
fuse once he realised he was in a proper game, getting himself booked after 5
minutes. Another
notable aspect of the US team was their gamesmanship. Unsurprisingly every time
the stars and stripes, gained any sort of momentum through breaking up the play,
invariably an Italian could be found lying on the floor in agony. The
US admirably concentrated on the task at hand and when they needed to rolled around
themselves and questioned the referee. I fully appreciate in many respects this
is adverse to the national sporting culture, but the reality of international
soccer is righteousness and moral buoyancy at times can hinder a World Cup campaign.
Technically
and tactically, the US were good value for their talent and as expected proved
they can compete with anyone. Goals are not likely to cascade from this side,
so giving up goals from appallingly set offside traps and bad communication must
be eradicated.
Looking forward, the US have done very well to put their destiny back in their
own hands. The added bonus for the side is that Ghana have their goal scorers
from the Czech game suspended, Gyan and Muntari. Donavon
is likely to come into his own given the space Ghana afford the opposition, and
McBride like Toni will be a lot for them to handle. Athletically they will compete
with the Ghanaians and are unlikely to falter like the Czech did in the last 20
mins. Over
the longer term, I understand from sources of considerable national and international
experience, that there is concern over the preference given the European based
players, on the assumption that it relates to international performance. Johnson
and Dempsey are case in point that the MLS can stand up to international competition.
One
only needs to look to Greece in the 2004 European Championship and France again
misfiring to realise the European domestic game, does into necessarily translate
to international soccer. The opportunity of playing in a World Cup can also be
perceived differently depending on your ambitions and economic situation. Elsewhere,
Argentina exudes class, but such performances carry little significance unless
they can produce in the knock out stages. However, the luxury of bringing Messi,
Tevez and Cambiasso off the bench sends out a strong message to the rest to the
competition.
England are winning but do not look like world beaters. It will be interesting
to see the performance the team produces against Sweden given England have not
defeated them in 38 yrs. Will the team give Erikkson the reasoning he requires
to keep Gerrard on the bench for the second round bringing some much needed balance
to the side? Brazil
are moving through the gears. Australia put in a great performance but still lost.
If this is Brazil playing badly, I am concerned for the team that has to deal
with them in full flow. Whether Brazil, find that top gear is another question
in itself. Football
Fever: the readers of this prestigious and distinguished publication deserve the
most authentic and creditable soccer journalism. Reports in the London Times from
Bulgaria have made me question my commitment to the cause. I don't have World
Cup fever merely a mild cough/ cold of some sort. Two
life sentence prisoners in Pazardzhik Penitentiary in Bulgaria have sewn their
mouths up and refused to eat until their demands to watch the World Cup are met.
They have left a small part of their mouths unstitched in order to smoke but a
fundamental point has been made. I know in my heart of hearts that anything Europe
can do over time the US will do a whole lot better. | 
