Reviews

As World Cup Approaches, Players’ Stock Rises and Falls

6/2/2014

Tim Chandler, left, not ready for prime time. DaMarcus Beasley, above, who helped win the battle of Denver last winter. Is about to play in his fourth World Cup, first Yank ever to do that. I say, go with him at left back.

Every four years, American soccer fans are getting better at agonizing over the World Cup. As I write in my new book, eight years ago in Germany I noticed the social media raging over the lineups of Bruce Arena. This was progress as a soccer nation.

Four years ago in South Africa I was aware of how fans exulted – electronically -- over the 91st-minute goal produced by the law firm of Howard, Donovan, Altidore, Dempsey and Donovan.

Now the greatest angst is over the exclusion of Donovan – that is not going away easily -- but there is also the growing sophistication on the fan sites about the fine-tuning being performed by Jurgen Klinsmann in three domestic friendlies. On Sunday, fans had the Wall Street buzz of watching the players' stock go up and down, virtually by the touch.

I was not immune as I watched Tim Chandler playing catchup at left back, getting a look in place of DaMarcus Beasley, who is a decade older. Chandler, who is right-footed, is more comfortable at right back but Klinsmann thinks he needs to upgrade at left back.

At one point Chandler darted forward, followed the play, caught up with a nice pass toward the left corner and centered it admirably, as the USA scored on a flubbed poke by Clint Dempsey.

That will raise Chandler’s stock, I thought.

But Chandler faded back to insecurity. In the 90th minute he made a mistake that led to a penalty goal for Turkey in a 2-1 victory for the USA.

Oops, a late-afternoon slide, as they say on the market channels.

I’m still a Beasley supporter. He plays the whole field and gives everything.

The USA will play one more friendly before heading to Brazil. The fans will be watching the market fluctuations.

In other countries, there is gnashing of teeth over exclusions and inclusions. Giuseppe Rossi, from New Jersey, did not make the Italian squad for the second straight World Cup. The kid tossed and lost in choosing his Italian passport over his American passport. There is still time for injuries to ruin four years, as Mexican and Italian players discovered this weekend.

To get into this growing American fascination with the rhythms of the World Cup, consult your favorite fan site, as well as:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/02/sports/soccer/player-ratings-us-2-turkey-1.html?ref=soccer&_r=0

http://www.goal.com/en-ca/news/4176/united-states/2014/06/02/4855058/ives-galarcep-altidore-shines-chandler-struggles-and-other

http://www.socceramerica.com/article/58450/usa-adjusts-enough-to-hold-off-turks.html?edition=11905

John McDermott

6/2/2014 08:18:39 am

Jürgen tinkers on. The one player whose stock has dropped the most of late has to be Omar Gonzalez. It's looking more and more like the starting central defensive pair will be Besler and Cameron. And German-American John Brooks looks quite solid coming on as a sub against Turkey. Will Gonzalez get another look against Nigeria? I agree with you about Beasley. Chandler did not do enough to win the position, and in fact was too often caught out of position. The other player who should be worried is Altidore. I'm thinking he'll get a half against Nigeria and both Wondolowski and Johansson will also get time up front. I thought Altidore was awful against Azerbaijan and not good enough against Turkey. Whether his confidence is shot or he just isn't as good, especially when he actually has the ball, as JK thinks he is, it's beginning to look like he may not be the best option anymore up front with Dempsey.

Alan Rubin link

6/3/2014 09:36:46 am

“At some point, you have to go with what you’ve got” is good advice that I received from a woodworking friend. We have a working arrangement where I can use his 18” jointer and wide sander in exchange for help when he needs finishing a job.

A woodworker’s secret is that only they know where the mistakes are. I was surprised one day when John could not quite get it the way he wanted and he uttered those words of wisdom.

The USMNT is at the point where they have to go with what they got. Whether we agree or not, Klinsmann has his team and he knows what he wants. He will probably not reveal his final lineup until the Ghana game.

Besides the fact that I’m not qualified to evaluate team personal, my speculation would be pure guess work. Contrary to the many popular theories as to why Donovan was dropped, the German takeover and preparing for 2018, I believe that Klinsmann is extremely competitive and is focusing on 2014.

My only comment on the Turkey game is that I thought the defense allowed too much space as attackers approached outside the 18’, particularly on the wings. The keepers may have directed them to do so, but my anxiety level rose whenever the attacker loosly maked in close.

George Vecsey

6/3/2014 11:20:55 am

Guys, thanks. I agree that Klinsmann knows himself and the sport. These friendlies are to try stuff with the squad...but seeing Chandler and a bit of Green, I would say, they are not ready. Most good teams do not have many questions at this point. Having said all that, I maintain the US will be happy to be close to Ghana late in the first match -- and the absence of Donovan will be an issue. If it's 2-0 or worse, it won't matter. GV

Alan Rubin link

6/4/2014 11:37:42 pm

George and John,

I thought you would enjoy the following interview with Brad Friedel. It is a sensible perspective to the US's World Cup prosective.

There is something about starting a new phase that brings surprises. Maybe it ia a new mental outlook. It often happens in World Series when bit players become stars and stars become bit players.

Brad Friedel: It's easier to play as the underdog

Interview by Mike Woitalla

The standard for how the USA performs at this summer’s World Cup remains the 2002 World Cup, when the Bruce Arena-coached Americans reached quarterfinals. In goal for the USA was Brad Friedel, whose highlights included two penalty-kick saves. Friedel was also on the 1994 and 1998 World Cup squads.

After a national championship with UCLA, Friedel's pro career has spanned Denmark, Turkey, MLS and England, where he set the record for most English Premier League starts.

The Tottenham Hotspur keeper came home this summer before what will be his 21st year of pro soccer. We caught up with him in Northern California where Friedel held training sessions for goalkeepers and coaches of El Cerrito FC, with which Tottenham has forged a partnership.

SOCCER AMERICA: What do you expect from the USA at this World Cup?

BRAD FRIEDEL. I expect the U.S. to be very competitive in all three games. I would not consider not getting to the second round a failure because of the teams they’re playing against and this being a very difficult group.

Ghana is going to be every bit as difficult as Portugal and Germany, for different reasons.

I do expect if they don’t qualify for the second round -- to at least have been on the verge of going through.

SOCCER AMERICA: What’s the key to success?

BRAD FRIEDEL: We did something very special in 2002 by beating Portugal (3-2) in the first game. It was imperative that we got off to the start that we did. And I do think getting off to good start against Ghana, whether that be a draw or a win, is imperative to build on the confidence.

SOCCER AMERICA: In 2002, the draw was also considered a “group of death” for the USA, because it included pre-tournament favorite Portugal (with Luis Figo), host South Korea (no host up till then had failed to reach the second round), and Poland, which was undefeated in qualifying …

BRAD FRIEDEL: I think we should look forward to it, embrace it, and go as underdog. It’s easier to play as the underdog.

I’ve always seen in my career when you play against the bigger teams, it’s not daunting, it’s not nerve-racking. It’s exciting. It’s a chance to put yourself on the world path. If you get a result against Germany, if you get a result against the world’s best player, Cristiano Ronaldo, that’s world class.

When the draw was made and up till today, do I think it’s a foregone conclusion that we won’t make it? Absolutely not. We’ve got a chance. The old cliche, take it game-by-game.

SOCCER AMERICA: What was your reaction to Jurgen Klinsmann cutting Landon Donovan [your 2002 World Cup teammate]?

BRAD FRIEDEL: I was surprised. Really surprised. I think he is definitely one of the best 23 players in the United States. I think that when you get to big tournament events, whether he would have been a starter or not, I think you need experienced players.

In my experience with Landon, he’s not a player who would be a bad influence off the field. So it’s one of those big decisions that could work really well for Jurgen or could backfire in a bad way for Jurgen.

Being surprised is the best way to describe it.

SOCCER AMERICA: Klinsmann picked as a third goalkeeper, behind Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, the 34-year-old Nick Rimando. Wouldn’t this be a good opportunity to give a young keeper a World Cup experience?

BRAD FRIEDEL: I don’t think on the third goalkeeper there’s a right or wrong way to choose it.

SOCCER AMERICA: What will you be doing during the World Cup?

BRAD FRIEDEL: I’ll do co-commentary for the BBC for six games, then I’ll go back to England and to work in Dublin with RTE for five of the games.

SOCCER AMERICA: Who do you favor at the World Cup?

BRAD FRIEDEL: Can someone beat Brazil in Brazil? That is a difficult thing to do. They also have a special squad. It’s not going out on a limb to say Brazil will win. It will take an awful good team or an awful bad performance by a referee to beat Brazil in Brazil.

SOCCER AMERICA: Otherwise?

BRAD FRIEDEL: Because of the conditions and the elements, I do think a ball-possession team will win it.

I think it’s going to be a very difficult tournament for defensive teams that are always chasing.

I think the travel, the heat, the humidity over a six-game period to the final is a factor. So I think South American teams are going to do very well.

SOCCER AMERICA: Besides the usual favorites from Europe, which

George Vecsey

6/5/2014 03:13:34 am

Alan, thanks. Friedel is a highly successful athlete, and like most great athletes, he is extremely positive. They have to believe in themselves and their team., Things can happen. He is citing real history. 3-2 over Portugal really happened. They crushed Mexico in the R16., Best US game I ever saw.
His muscle memory says, you outwork and outplay the other guys for 90 minutes...and you win.
Not that I think the US will...but I admire athletes who think that way.
He's right about third keepers, too. You want an older guy who knows the deal. Arena brought Meola to Seoul in 2002...because he knew Tony was at the stage where he would set an example for 22 other players and the entourage, which he did. An old pro, like Rima ndo. Also, we saw Rimando with the MNT last year -- not much dropoff from 1 to 2 to 3. (if any) Be prepared.GV

Alan Rubin link

6/6/2014 11:17:07 am

George

Nice piece of history. It will be a valued addition to the history page of http://www.understandingsoccer.com/history-of-soccer.html .

Many of my senior citizen friends are surprised when they learn that soccer in the United States did not begin with the Cosmos and that it dates back over 100 years.

I had never seen a soccer ball until I moved from Washington Heights to Teaneck, NJ in 1947. I played six years at Teaneck Jr. and Sr. and four years at Lehigh in Bethlehem, PA.

In addition to varsity soccer, I played three seasons with Bethlehem’s Mexican Aztec Club, which played in Philadelphia’s German-American Soccer League.

Although soccer was barely on anyone’s radar at the time, it became my lifelong passion. I had no concept of soccer’s United States roots and my only focus was playing and enjoying the game.

Fast forward about sixty years; I’ve again become committed to soccer in my retirement. This includes coaching high school goalkeepers, developing an online educational soccer site and keeping George on his toes. Although I’m developing a good network of soccer professionals that I can learn from, researching material for my web site made me realized that the soccer of my youth was played in a vacuum.

Teaneck, NJ is located in Bergen County and we played in the NNJIL(now defunct), which included Englewood, Hackensack, Tenafly, Ridgewood, and Rutherford. Teaneck always began their season against the West Point Plebes, but coach always wanted strong non-league games early in the season.

Kearney and Weehawken were always tough, but I knew nothing of their ethnic backgrounds and that most of them played soccer as soon as they could walk. The parents were emigrants who grew up playing in Europe, particularly Scotland and Ireland. It was rare if a parent of a Teaneck player knew anything about soccer.

Since coach only told us that they were very good teams, we did not know enough to be in awe. We went in expecting to win against these powerhouse teams and usually won or lost by a goal or tied. (George—this goes to what Brad Friedel said about being prepared to win).

What I did not know was that Northern NJ, including Essex and Bergen County was considered a hotbed of soccer starting in the early 1900’s. The same was true for the Philadelphia area. The Philadelphia German-American League, a strong league, was a feeder for higher professional leagues.

The Mexican Aztecs often played a team that was moving up to a professional league the next season. We once played a man short against a Portuguese team loaded with professional quality players as one car got lost. Our team was fairly good and I still expected to win, mainly because I had no concept of the caliber of a team ready to move up. We lost 3-1. I don’t know how we managed a goal as the entire game was played in our half, or should I say third.

I hope with all this chatter, to make a strong case that the United States has a long and rich soccer tradition that is finally getting its due. Soccer will continue to grow as a mainstream sport. Although it is still remains behind football, basketball and baseball for the present, soccer’s fan awareness and youth participation is rapidly out pacing them.

Four years ago, my friends referred to me as a “soccer nut”. Now I’m considered an “expert”, but the only thing that has changed is them.

The many knowledgeable former soccer players who frequent George’s blog are also an important part of our long soccer culture and contribute to its future. Even the worst fullback in the history of Jamaica HS contributed to the mosaic.

There are varying statistics that attest to our soccer growth and maturity, but one of my barometers is my satellite DVR. Four years ago, it was easy to screen the few recorded games each week. Now, there are so many, it pushes the DVR’s recording capacity and threatens my marriage. I’ve stopped most of the auto recording in favor of searching the weekly schedule and making the selections myself.

Although it is a pain, I hope that the problem continues to grow.

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As World Cup Approaches, Players’ Stock Rises and Falls

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