United States’ World Cup Elimination

          The United States has been knocked out the 2010 World Cup by the same team that eliminated them 4 years ago and by the same score, Ghana 2-1. Last World Cup the U.S. was eliminated in the Group Stage, this year they managed to put up a fight in the Round of 16.

Optimism

          Looking at the tournament as ‘the glass is half full,’ the U.S. won their group over powerful England. They went down early against England, Slovenia, and Ghana but managed to fight back in all three, tying England 1-1 and Slovenia 2-2 (after going down 2-0), and losing to Ghana after tying the game. They didn’t lose to Ghana without battling back, having the game sent into extra time before they were put away. Their ‘never say die’ attitude was inspiring as they continued to
fight throughout the game. Although they were knocked out, they never dropped their heads or gave up, and that is something that everyone can learn from.

          Additionally, the game against Algeria had probably the greatest moment in U.S. soccer history. Pretty much a win or go home game for the U.S., it took them 91 minutes but the ball finally went into the back of the net after Landon Donovan finished a follow up rebound, subsequently sending the team into the knockout round. It may not have been an upset, but it was more than memorable.

          On two occasions, a U.S. goal that would have given them the lead was disallowed. The first was on a free kick against Slovenia that would have given them a 3-2 lead very late in the game. However, head referee Koman Coulibay from Mali made possibly the worst call in World Cup history as he called back the U.S. goal for absolutely no reason what so ever. After watching replay after replay, the only fouls anyone could find were Slovenia fouling the U.S. Not only could nobody find a reason to disallow the goal, but the ref refused to give a reason for it. Then in the Algeria game, a Clint Dempsey goal in the front of the net was called offsides and after replay, it was shown that Dempsey was in fact in line with the defender and therefore, onsides. It seemed like everyone was against the U.S., but they stood tall, maintained their composure, and was able to finished the Group Stage on top.

          As for the next World Cup in 4 years in Brazil, the team may be losing a few players, but their younger players who will more than likely be on the team in 4 years got some valuable experience. Forwards Jozy Altidore (20) and Robbie Findley (24), central midfielders Michael Bradley (22), Maurice Edu (24), Benny Feilhaber (25), and Jose Torres (22) and defenders Jonathan Bornstein (25) and Jonathan Spector (24) are all in the driver’s seat to make the team next World Cup and now know what to expect when the time comes.

Pessimism

          Now let’s take a look at ‘the glass is half empty.’ Yes, they fought back in every one of their games, but they continued to go down very early in each game which is why they had to fight so hard throughout the match. Against England, Steven Gerrard scored in the 4th minute. Against Slovenia, Valter Birsa scored in the 13th minute. Against Algeria, Rafik Djebbour hit the crossbar on his shot in the 6th minute. And against Ghana, Kevin-Prince Boateng scored in the 5th minute of regulation and Asamoah Gyan scored 3 minutes into extra time. ARE YOU KIDDING ME???? 3 times in 4 games the U.S. went down 1 goal before they even played 15 minutes. For all 4 games, as well as the 3 exhibition games prior to the World Cup, the U.S. looked absolutely horrid in the 1st half of each game. Not only did they continue to give up early 1st half goals, but the entire half they looked flat, playing like they didn’t belong on the field. Then came the 2nd half and with it, the flip of a switch. Their play in the 2nd half of every game is how soccer is supposed to be played and with play like that, they can keep up with any soccer team in the world. If the U.S. is going to be an elite team, they are going to have to learn how to play both halves with the same intensity as they do the 2nd. In addition, every game the U.S. should have won; Slovenia, Algeria, and Ghana; the team had plenty of great opportunities to put the ball in the back of the net, but failed to do so time after time. Their inability to score goals must change and change soon for them to be considered a top team in the world.

          They may have made it to the Round of 16, but they sure weren’t expected to get such an easy draw after the Group Stage. Winning their group, they were assumed to get Serbia in the Round of 16 and 2006 runner-up France in the quarterfinals. However, Ghana was able to surprise Serbia and France’s team imploded, losing all 3 games in the Group Stage as well as going through a players’ rebellion against the coaching staff after forward Nicolas Anelka was kicked off the team for a cursing tirade directed at his coach. As it turns out, their corner of the bracket contained the U.S., Ghana, Uruguay, and South Korea. So even though the U.S. was not expected to make the quarterfinals, not much was stopping them from making the semifinals. But even as the favorites in their game against Ghana, the U.S. still couldn’t pull out the win and now they are going home. It’s heart wrenching to admit it, but it is very tough to say that the U.S. deserved to move on after their continuous poor play in the 1st half of games.

Sum Up

          Overall, the U.S. team helped make huge strides to put soccer on the map in America. They did a great job making the games exciting and it seemed like everyone in the U.S. was behind them, yelling and screaming for the team that represented the country to win and move on. Whether or not the team met expectations is a argument for another day, but they certainly helped push soccer that much further in becoming a worldwide sport, as opposed to a worldwide minus the U.S. sport.