Tuesday’s Column: U.S. World Cup Qualifying

Posted on March 31, 2009 by Nick Green

AP Photo

Joy for El Salvador and Eliseo Quintanilla, left, bemusement for the U.S. and defender Heath Pearce, who unwittingly seemed to sum up his Saturday night in this shot as the Americans go a goal down after just 15 minutes.

The U.S. plays Trinidad & Tobago at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday live on ESPN2 and Galavision, just four days after narrowly averting defeat in El Salvador.

I attempted to put the draw that Galaxy defender Tony Sanneh described as a “wake up call” in perspective in today’s column.

Meanwhile, there are no prizes for guessing who the world’s highest-paid footballer is.

Studs Up

The U.S. game will not improve until technically gifted players emerge at all positions. We still can’t do the fundementals well under pressure which is why we give the ball away cheaply and cannot change the course of a game thru individual brilliance (read passing and dribbling and shooting). I can’t name ONE U.S. player who excels at any of the fundementals, including LD.

Moderate success thru organization, physical determination and hussle in a weak region does not spell good soccer. So, sit back, relax and enjoy the roller-coaster ride. I’ve given it 40 years to come around, the next 20 are yours.

PS – send your kids and coaches to Argentina and Brasil for some soccer transfusion to accelerate the process.
Inigo Montoya

Tony Sanneh hasn’t yet proven himself as a defender for the Galaxy, but he’s a pretty good analyst of the US Men’s National Team.
Evan

But if I recall correctly, simply in terms of a contract with a club, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has the biggest contract in world football.

100 Percent Soccer

Soccer in and around Los Angeles

Tuesday’s Column: U.S. World Cup Qualifying