The USMNT lost an opportunity to put a strangle hold on the hexagonal round of world cup qualifying. In what most pundits have referred to as a sub-par outing, the Nats were forced to claw their way to a tie with undoubtedly the worst team remaining in the CONCACAF region. With no Tim Howard in goal or Oguchi Onyewa in the central defense the team allowed two goals before finally realizing they were in a World Cup qualifier. Two goals in the final 13 minutes saved what could have been and still may be the biggest embarrassment of the Bob Bradley era as National team manager. The team looked completely unprepared as the Salvadorian wingers exploited the clearly out of form U.S. midfield. Bradley’s choice to start Brian Ching, Demarcus Beasly and Sacha Kjlestian smells of old club and country team loyalties as opposed to proper coaching decisions. It was not until the insertion of J.F. Torres and Jozy Altidore that the offense took off and scored twice as the match came to a close. It makes one wonder what would happen if Bradley would field a team based on who was playing well at the time of the match.
Maybe it is time to look at how National teams are selected in other sports. With the exception of soccer most teams are run with the same model as a professional franchise, meaning there is a coach who coaches (novel concept) and a management team that decides who will be on the team. This has worked well for other sports in international competitions such as ice hockey and the Olympics. Seven years ago Wayne Gretzky was charged with putting together a team that was coached by Pat Quin that led Canada back to the top of the ice hockey world. It has also worked for Basketball as we have recently seen similar results with team USA following the model to win the gold in Beijing. Perhaps if we made coaches coach and left player selection up to a national team GM we could eliminate or at the very least cut down on foolish loyalties that weaken the team. And perhaps that would not only bring out the best in the player knowing that they must impress more than one man to remain on the team, but also bring out the best in the head coach knowing that he must produce because he has the best his nation has to offer.
On Saturday the Galaxy host Colorado in the first of three meetings between the two sides in April, and the first of two matches in four days as they also play in Open Cup competition on Tuesday the 7th. The Rapids are led out of the back with a strong combo at central defense of Corey Gibbs and former Galaxy stud who was traded by the idiot Lalas, Ugo Ihemelu. The midfield is solid with former National team player Pablo Mastroeni and free kick specialist Terry Cooke. Omar Cummings leads the strike force with two goals, one in each match this season. The Galaxy are still without left back Todd Dunivant, and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is questionable as are Eddie Lewis and Edson Buddle. Basically the entire left side of the field for the Galaxy will once again be a huge question mark. And once again as goes Landon Donovan so will go the fate of the Galaxy, should he be able to out pace the defense and put a few quality shots on Matt Pickens the home side will celebrate it’s first victory of the new campaign. But remember he will be coming off two tough World Cup qualifiers. My take is that I just hope Gordon doesn’t suck!!!!!
Maybe it is time to look at how National teams are selected in other sports. With the exception of soccer most teams are run with the same model as a professional franchise, meaning there is a coach who coaches (novel concept) and a management team that decides who will be on the team. This has worked well for other sports in international competitions such as ice hockey and the Olympics. Seven years ago Wayne Gretzky was charged with putting together a team that was coached by Pat Quin that led Canada back to the top of the ice hockey world. It has also worked for Basketball as we have recently seen similar results with team USA following the model to win the gold in Beijing. Perhaps if we made coaches coach and left player selection up to a national team GM we could eliminate or at the very least cut down on foolish loyalties that weaken the team. And perhaps that would not only bring out the best in the player knowing that they must impress more than one man to remain on the team, but also bring out the best in the head coach knowing that he must produce because he has the best his nation has to offer.
On Saturday the Galaxy host Colorado in the first of three meetings between the two sides in April, and the first of two matches in four days as they also play in Open Cup competition on Tuesday the 7th. The Rapids are led out of the back with a strong combo at central defense of Corey Gibbs and former Galaxy stud who was traded by the idiot Lalas, Ugo Ihemelu. The midfield is solid with former National team player Pablo Mastroeni and free kick specialist Terry Cooke. Omar Cummings leads the strike force with two goals, one in each match this season. The Galaxy are still without left back Todd Dunivant, and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is questionable as are Eddie Lewis and Edson Buddle. Basically the entire left side of the field for the Galaxy will once again be a huge question mark. And once again as goes Landon Donovan so will go the fate of the Galaxy, should he be able to out pace the defense and put a few quality shots on Matt Pickens the home side will celebrate it’s first victory of the new campaign. But remember he will be coming off two tough World Cup qualifiers. My take is that I just hope Gordon doesn’t suck!!!!!
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