USA Soccer Question

[NYC Pirate]

Last night USA lost to Mexico in a crazy match out
on the coast. Although I did not get a chance to see
this contest I know it was important for the USA team moving
forward. My question is how does the loss affect America's
chances to participate in the next World Cup? If so is there
time to right the ship? Will they make a coaching change?

 

[shupat08]

I am not sure to the whole process of qualifying. If we won last night we would have been the 5th team to qualify. It's still very early. We should still qualify, but if we don't do it in the next qualifying round we go into the one game system I believe. Then it's dicey.

Our defense was atrocious last night, we had no possession, and passing was very off. It seems like these 3 things have been killing us for YEARS. I have no idea how to fix it.

I know there are those more knowledgable on the subject here.

 

[cernjSHU]

It does not have any real large effect on USA's ability to get into the World Cup. But the weakness with the US is that the midfield play is just not very good. You have to keep possession of the ball. I have always said that if I was in charge of the US soccer, I would hire Xavi or Pirlo and have them design a youth training for midfielders.

Why a country like Spain will always be a threat to win the World Cup is that they have 8 midfielders who would probably start for any other team in the world. When you dominate the middle of the field, there is a good chance to win the game. The US has great speed but not great skill possession type players.

 

[shupat08]

We have great speed, strength, athleticism. But below average skill.

Cameron has improved. Beslar was terrible yesterday.

Beckerman played poorly. And Bradley? For the captain and man with the most international caps in USMNT history. He really makes/takes many many bad decisions, passes, shots and possessions during games... He is very solid on set pieces though.

 

[bd98]

Last night's game has absolutely nothing to do with the World Cup. World Cup qualifying starts next month. Last night was a 1-game playoff for a spot in the Confederations Cup which in and of itself is not that big a deal. What is a big deal is our coach is completely incompetent. And no, he's not getting fired because the US Soccer president is a gushing Klinsmann fanboy.

 

[hallsoccer03]

You are 100% correct, the USA doesn't have the skill the other countries have. What we do have that is better than those countries are speed athleticism and size. Also we have an incredible will to win. That's why we usually do beat Mexico at home. They are superbly skilled but we are faster than them, stronger than them and more physical and stronger. We use that to our advantage. We have gotten more skilled as the years have went on while still keeping those other attributes. Now Klinnsman has integrated done foreign talent with the American players which is making a bad mix. Our back line is horrible and with the American size and athleticism should not be the case. Klinnsman is trying to bring more talent in but at the expense of the other things. There are some very talented young players coming up which is good but our speed and athleticism with the size is what let's us compete

 

[SHUBK]

I was at the game. It was by far the craziest sporting atmosphere I have ever been in. It was a great time despite the loss. If you ever get a chance to sit with them American Outlaws supporters section I highly suggest it. It is an absolute blast. The better team won though, as the USA got outplayed pretty badly, we were fortunate to even get into OT.

As mentioned above this was for a spot in the confederations cup. This is important as it takes place 1 year prior to the WC in the country where the the WC is being played. In this case it would be 2017 in Russia. This allows the team to get comfortable with the surroundings they will see in the actual World Cup in 2018, This is also the tournament where the USA beat spain and hung very tough with brazil in 2009. It basicaly gives the team another competitive tournament against top notch competition. So far the following teams have qualified for the 2017 version:

-Russia(Host Nation)
-Germany
- Australia
- Chile
-Mexico

With 3 other nations still to qualify

I will be at red bull arena on tuesday to see them take on Costa Rica. Hopefully they can pull it back together as WC qualifying is right around corner