The CONCACAF Gold Cup is to soccer as the NFC West division is to the NFL. Putting some perspective on the magnitude of Saturday’s contest between the USA and Mexico helps us realize that regardless of outcome, we have a ways to go before possibly making any noise in Brazil, as the summer of 2014 tests our nation’s worth. The American soccer team can be an absolute mystery. Beating Spain in the 2009 Confederation’s Cup and giving Brazil a run for their money in the following game suggest that we are finally among the world’s best. Losing to Panama a couple of weeks ago, or being knocked out by Ghana in consecutive World Cups, suggest the exact opposite. Tomorrow’s championship is definitely an opportunity, but to what degree? While we are not the most significant country in the world rankings, I would argue that nowhere else in the world has the fate of one sport relied so heavily on one team.
The United States and Mexico have shared domination of CONCACAF (Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football). While the world’s superpowers clearly reside in both Europe and South America, any team that dominates its respective region has its time to shine. Our confidence, chemistry, and overall prestige would benefit greatly from defeating the favored Mexican squad. Mexico is in pursuit of what would be their ninth CONCACAF championship, and their sixth capture of the Gold Cup, making them the best of the best when looking at the USA’s local competition.
While Mexico has been favored to win the 2011 championship, their five suspensions have somewhat leveled the playing field, including their starting goalie Guillermo Ochoa. The most intriguing United States storyline off the field might be head coach Bob Bradley. I would argue the best thing he brings to the team is his son, Michael, who compliments our imperfect but hustle-filled style of play. Until we work out our technical flaws, we will have to simply play with more heart than any opposing team, using what we have to our greatest ability. If that mindset won us the war that gave us our independance, it can definitely win us a World Cup in the near future. Coach Bradley has been coaching for his life, and every recent game has been at the possible cost of his job. He has been able to survive thus far, but I personally am waiting for the people in charge to find someone more worthy of what could be an incredibly successful position. My personal choice would be Germany’s Jurgen Klinsmann, who actually turned down the job in 2006. Despite this, a country’s increased love of the game has its way of making things look much more appealing. I believe the success of our team will be directly proportional to the passion for the game shown by the American fans.
But what does USA soccer have to offer right now? We have a number of promising young players who will continue to improve, such as strikers Josie Altidore and Juan Agudelo. Even Freddy Adu seems to be on pace for a re-emergence; the last time he was relevant was when I was in middle school…and when he was in middle school. Lead by proven veterans Landon Donovan and Tim Howard, the USA has the proper balance of talent. What we lack is the chemistry and experience as a unit. The decisive one-touch passes used by Barcelona to decimate a stifling Manchester United defense in the UEFA Champions League final was also put on display as the Spanish national team played keep-away with the rest of the world, winning the World Cup in dramatic fashion. This cohesiveness has become necessary to any team seeking the greatest and most widely recognized prize in professional sports. Football is my favorite sport, and Superbowl champions are heroes, but World Cup champions are Gods.
Little does this team know, their level of success could either doom the sport of soccer in this country forever or send it to the Promised Land. The American fans are passionate, but the casual fan, as of right now, is fickle. Team USA led all headlines with their win over Algeria, then dropped off the face of the earth after Ghana. In Brazil, even a winless team would be the most prized possession. Condemned, yes, but still essential to their society. Landon Donovan and company have to hold the fragile attention and passion of the American fan until it is there to stay. When that will come is uncertain, my guess would be as soon as 2014 if they step up. American soccer is on the rise; we are relevant in the grand scheme of the world. Putting your children through soccer at a young age, just to at least try it out, seems to now be a parental obligation. These are good signs, but a few more are needed to reach the next level, a place with which we are currently unfamiliar. I am fortunate enough to be heading out to the west coast in a few hours; Pasadena’s Coliseum is a fitting place for what could be the turning point in the lives of the men involved. Please watch this game, enjoy my attempts to get on camera somehow and, most importantly, support a struggling sport with an incredibly bright future in this country. Together we will watch team USA’s attempt to make history for themselves, and for the future of soccer in America.
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