USMNT to Copa America (possibly)

http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6024476

This puts the USSF in a bit of a bind, with the two competitions being only days apart. As much as I think it would benefit the MNT to play in Copa America (which provides tougher, better competition), they also have the Gold Cup to defend. It would probably serve them best to find a way to participate in both cups, if only because they're actually playing matches with something at stake.

Btw, is Gulati and co. ever going to find a manager? I figured that they would at least settle on two or three candidates by now, but this is turning into a repeat of the "next England manager" episode, except on the other side of the Pond.

 

Mooch has the cred and experience to handle the interim duties and the longer it takes, the more likely it's Klinnsman.

Imagine that, Heather! I had no idea it was that bad in Venezuela. [insert Bush/Rove conspiracy comment here]

Heather, I'm PRETTY sure it would be safer than if it were being held in Detroit, Glorious Peoples' Republics have a way of making things safe for high profile events.

Just need to find a group, like Sam's Army, to travel with.

 

The Gold Cup might be the stupidest competition ever created. The US needs to be in Copa America, I don't care where it is being played. The team needs the experience for future World Cups. If they pass on this invite, I will be thoroughly disappointed, but not surprised.

 

I dunno about that at the time it was created, Tom... but it has certainly turned out to be. Might not be 'stupidest'.. but certainly meaningless..

 

Meaningless is definitely a better word to describe the Gold Cup. Thanks Petty!

 

Re: RE: USMNT to Copa America (possibly)

Agreed. The Gold Cup is a waste of time. If you are going to participate in the Gold Cup, then put together a group of U-23's or something like that to participate there...younger players that get a chance to play at the international level. Copa America is an opportunity to play against good competition in a competitive atmosphere. Our better players should be sent to that competition as it will provide a more realistic World Cup atmosphere then the Gold Cup.

 

RE: Re: RE: USMNT to Copa America (possibly)

Copa America all the way! It's not like the US MNT is going to be kidnapped. There will be bodyguards there and it's not like they'll be going throuhg the slums of Caracas. Screw the Gold Cup.

 

I actually side with the US Soccer Federation on the selection of this manager. From the get go they have said that new manager would not be named until November. It is now October 6th and just as the USSF said, there is still no manager.

This is not a sign of bad planning or lack of candidates, but this is a massive decision for US Soccer and I think the USSF wants to make sure they are picking the right guy for the job.

The Gold Cup and Copa America do not start until June. That being said, the new manager will have plenty of time to implement his philosophies and tactics....at least to the US-based players. No matter who the manager is, the US is always going to have a hard time getting everyone together with players playing in Europe and in the United States.

Would it have been nice to see the US play some friendlies here in the fall, yeah probably. But I think we as fans are really the only ones who want to see them play such meaningless matches.

USSF probably owes MLS to NOT play friendlies for taking players for the better part of six weeks for the World Cup. With the MLS season winding down and coming to a close, I think it is important for players to play for their clubs and when a new manager is named in November work can begin for preparations for either the Gold Cup or Cope America...or maybe both.

 

Whoever they pick, no kissy-kissy with Landycakes or any other players. Which is perhaps why a foreign coach may be better. If I hear that the new coach met recently with PrimaDonovan and they hit it off, I am going to pitch a minor fit.

 

Boy.. do I agree with THAT, PCB!

I was a Donovan apologist when he came back from Leverkeusen, but it didnt take long for him to prove I was wrong. While he cant be blamed much for not liking the atmosphere in germany, if he were serious he would have found a contender for the Prem in England and honed some skills there.
Instead, he opted for Surf City, where he could be the big fish... but he didnt go the extra mile to work with and better his team.

What's worse this rubs off on others, including the former promising young midfielder Kyle Martino whose progress in his rookie season with John Harkes mentoring him on the pitch made everyone think that Martino was the lock to succeed Claudio Reyna on the Nats. Harkes left and Martino floundered and pouted.

Finally Sigi got smart and traded Martino to Galaxy.. where he can finish his development in Donovan-style attitude. And the MLS table tells the story.

And that is why I dont have any real serious hopes for the Nats unless Klinnsman comes in and clears out the trash... or at least changes their attitudes. Because there is no one else I know of that can do it.

 

I want to see our new coach force Landycakes to go to Europe by not calling him up until he does so. If you think about it isnt that why Sven didn't select Andy Johnson because he wasnt playing in the Premier League? It may be harsh but Donovan is wasting his talent playing in MLS.

 

Ummm... no. the problem is NOT that Donovan is playing in MLS, the problem is that Donovan is playing where he's 'comfortable'.
And, if he were wasting his talent in LA, it would be clear to us that he is still head and shoulders above the rest of the team. And it's not.

Watching Donovan, it's clear that he's not 'leading' his team. He's just showing up and if things click on the day, he looks good. If they dont, he just sits around.

The same was said about McBride at Columbus and to some extent it was true... but McBride was a target forward and because of coaching and talent deficiencies in the midfield attack, the opponent defense figured out they no longer had to double-mark him.. just make sure there werent any passing lanes to him.. and they that could move quickly to challenge the long ball to Brian. This is why very few of us Crew fans that were sorry to see him go, he just didnt get the ball and needed to be on a team where he did. {The upshot of that is his current workrate: On Crew he had to get it himself!}

But Donovan isnt just a target, he's a midfield playmaker. The opportunities are really in his own hands. Whatever his age, he should be boss in the attack and show it. Sideline coaching cant do that... HE has to do that.

Sure, moving Landon to a prem team would challenge him to put out 100%.. but would it fix his head? If he cant motivate his team to play better around him, NOW, when despite his presence the Galaxy might end up on the bottom of MLS, will there really be any difference when he shows up at Nats camp and has to deal with lesser lights?

The jury is out... we can guess that the German ambience was not the ONLY reason he came back to LA, it was the talent he was up against and how his self-esteem was affected. If that's the case, then he doesnt have the confidence to succeed anywhere in Europe.

 

Petty, the Crew looked great on Saturday night against the Fire. 4-1!! The young Brazilian Virtuoso looked very promising. You might have yourself a team next season.

 

Yes.. they have looked very good and coherent, the last several games, and seem to gell more with each good performance. Like any other good 'expansion team'!

Virtuoso is brilliant. We only hope he can give us one more season, before he moves up and on.
{Rest of you... from Brazil, signed with MLS to get some different playing atmosphere and get noticed in Europe. Think on it.. you MLS slaggers!}

 

As it should be, and as it really is. In a post way back when, I suggested the MSL fits just this description (and there is nothing wrong with that). The MSL may have put lipstick on this pig and fooled some, but I just smell bacon. Mmmmmmm, baaacon.