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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
W.C. ready?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A 1-1 draw with Jamaica isn’t about the result, but did Tuesday night’s friendly near Raleigh give anyone the belief that this team is gaining sharpness exactly two months before the U.S. opener in Germany?
From this corner, it’s hard to tell. Yes, these were mostly MLS-based players, with Tony Meola getting his 100th cap in the nets, and Jerry Trecker thinks it’s a perfectly appropriate gesture.
But while trips down Memory Lane are fine — and who can forget the electricity of USA ‘94 that made many of us footy converts for life? — the near future seems a bit unsettling. This time four years ago, Arena subjected the Yanks to a diet of Uruguay, Jamaica and Holland before heading over to Korea, the final tuneups this time around may not provide the same vigor.
The U.S. has a bit of a break before Arena picks his final squad, then has it meeting non-qualifier Morocco May 23 in Nashville, Venezuela (the only South American nation never to reach the World Cup) on May 26 in Cleveland, with the finale May 28 in Hartford against Latvia.
Or am I just being a nervous nelly? For the moment, I don’t see this team being better than 2002, and given the Group of Death hand dealt in the draw, I wonder if that’s going to cut it.
As for the long-term future, here’s a familiar, but forthcoming take on the Olympic Development Program and its ability to churn out enough quality players to keep the U.S. in its current exalted place on the world stage.
Actually, this may help explain why the Yanks have made up so much ground in a short time. The global game has gone all glandular, but don’t be surprised to see footy powerhouses consult American sports trainers to improve ways to keep players healthy. Especially with the impossible whirlwind schedules that take place even in non-World Cup years.
But here’s another factor to consider: Is MLS good enough to continue producing high-quality, U.S.-based players? It’s been good for the last cycle or two, in getting an ample pool to work with. But can the quality of play in the league improve enough for the American-bred player to keep pace with those in world-class environments? And will Arena’s successor be able to continue the growth?
Like the U.S. chances in the upcoming World Cup, I wonder.
