Men's USA Soccer doesn't qualify for World Cup

[Bowling4Bikes]

it's hard to get excited about sports right now, due to the men's national soccer team losing their chance to represent the country in next year's world cup with a loss to the worst team in their group. Huge embarrassment.

Yes there is blame to go around. But at some point the players have to be held up to the fire. Despite the last coach's (Klinsmann's) efforts to revamp the whole structure of US soccer, they are simply not as skilled as most other countries. This is in stark contrast to the women's national team, who have clear superiority in player talent.

so, why do you think they are so shitty? what needs to be done to get back to at least a viable starting squad?

gah

 

[Hyperborea]

It's all down to money. In the US there is no real money to be made in soccer. Good male athletes will play other sports because they potentially can make a lot of money. In many other countries of the world a soccer player (footballer) can make a lot of money. It draws more and better talented athletes.

For women there is almost nothing in sports that has real money except for maybe tennis. That means that talented women athletes are more evenly spread over the various sports.

 

[rsrider]

The last time I gave a shit about any sport, I was in my early 30's. And even then I was a marginal fan at best. I really don't understand why people continue to place any type of thought into something that has almost zero real meaning or consequence in their lives. The only reason that sports matters is because people choose to think about it. Nothing of consequence is going to happen, unlike politics, if a team wins or loses, nothing. Whether they win or lose, the teams take a shower, and go home, that's about it.

 

[Johndicezx9]

Arena resigned this morning:

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-...ce-arena-steps-down-as-u-s-men-s-soccer-coach

The last time I gave a shit about any sport, I was in my early 30's. And even then I was a marginal fan at best. I really don't understand why people continue to place any type of thought into something that has almost zero real meaning or consequence in their lives. The only reason that sports matters is because people choose to think about it. Nothing of consequence is going to happen, unlike politics, if a team wins or loses, nothing. Whether they win or lose, the teams take a shower, and go home, that's about it.

I think the FF/sports sites that pay out money (Fan Duel, Draft Kings, etc.) have changed the sports fan dynamic to some fans actually being invested, if not in teams, in players and their performance. As for myself, I don't gamble.

 

[mikev]

Yes there is blame to go around. But at some point the players have to be held up to the fire. Despite the last coach's (Klinsmann's) efforts to revamp the whole structure of US soccer, they are simply not as skilled as most other countries. This is in stark contrast to the women's national team, who have clear superiority in player talent.

so, why do you think they are so shitty? what needs to be done to get back to at least a viable starting squad?

gah

It takes time. The U17 team is currently playing in the youth world cup, the U20 team is very good, and those are really the first 2 teams that see an effect from the changes that were made.

Now we'll see 3-4 people post about how they don't care about soccer etc etc.

 

[augustiron]

The last time I gave a shit about any sport, I was in my early 30's. And even then I was a marginal fan at best. I really don't understand why people continue to place any type of thought into something that has almost zero real meaning or consequence in their lives. The only reason that sports matters is because people choose to think about it. Nothing of consequence is going to happen, unlike politics, if a team wins or loses, nothing. Whether they win or lose, the teams take a shower, and go home, that's about it.

Don't assume what has/should have meaning in other people's lives.

 

[scootergmc]

I really don't understand why people continue to place any type of thought into something that has almost zero real meaning or consequence in their lives. The only reason that sports matters is because people choose to think about it. Nothing of consequence is going to happen, unlike politics, if a team wins or loses, nothing. Whether they win or lose, the teams take a shower, and go home, that's about it.

Because it's entertainment, that's all you need to understand. I'm sure you have your forms of entertainment.

 

[Bowling4Bikes]

It takes time. The U17 team is currently playing in the youth world cup, the U20 team is very good, and those are really the first 2 teams that see an effect from the changes that were made.

Now we'll see 3-4 people post about how they don't care about soccer etc etc.

good point. I hope the youth success translates into future USMNT success.

haters will hate. I'm choosing to ignore the noise.

 

[Johndicezx9]

I'm not bothered that a large American contingency and their money will not be going to Russia as well, but I'm sure they'll survive.

Though I am little bummed the Teddy Roosevelt guy won't be there....

 

[fraz]

The last time I gave a shit about any sport, I was in my early 30's. And even then I was a marginal fan at best. I really don't understand why people continue to place any type of thought into something that has almost zero real meaning or consequence in their lives. The only reason that sports matters is because people choose to think about it. Nothing of consequence is going to happen, unlike politics, if a team wins or loses, nothing. Whether they win or lose, the teams take a shower, and go home, that's about it.

Same could be said about all forms of motorsport as well (including motorcycle racing). Or one could say movies, TV, etc. also are equally as unimportant.
Kind of a dismal outlook if ya ask me. It's all entertainment anyways.

 

[rodr]

Blame Obama Trump.

 

[afm199]

Soccer has never been popular in the US, not like it is in the rest of the world.Major Euro and South American soccer stars can make large fortunes.

In the US, there are no major stars.

 

[Snaggy]

For women there is almost nothing in sports that has real money except for maybe tennis. That means that talented women athletes are more evenly spread over the various sports.

The pyramid is shaped differently for women's sports. Compared to men's sports, there's a pretty good chance of college money for women, but not much after. Forty years ago, Title IX required schools to show some parity in spending for male and female athletes. Sports like softball and soccer put female athletes on the field at reasonable cost. Title IX still drives the demand and rewards the players more than pro sports. My little town with two high schools sends several women to D1 and D2 teams every year, including my step daughter who is on a full ride.

 

[Kurosaki]

Friend of mine played pro futbol for whatever team is based out of California. Saw him at the local watering hole recently and asked if he was still playing. Said he quit. It wasn't bad money but not enough for him to justify injuries and other athletic wear and tear.

I forgot to ask what he does now but the message was pretty much that he's still living the lifestyle he was before more or less without putting all those miles on his body.

 

[psychocandy]

I enjoy watching the World Cup & rooting for the good ol' USA until they get knocked out. It's nice to see them make it to the World Cup, but I don't think anyone ever really thinks they're gonna do anything but get knocked out. Them getting to the round of 16 is a major accomplishment. There's just not enough interest. I think it's growing, but it'll be a while before we can rally compete on the world stage.

Fuck, even North Korea gets to the World Cup sometimes.

 

[jdhu]

I'm a casual MNT fan at best, and kind of echoing a few things I agree with...

1. Still lacking in technical talent. Whatever reason (no academies, weak college competition, whatever), it's just not there. We usually don't have midfielders that can really control possession.

2. Weird "dead" generation. Good potential in young players and on youth national teams, and then everyone is old and way beyond prime.

3. Out with the old. Enough of Howard, Dempsey, Altidore, etc. They occasionally have good games against junk competition, but they've had their time.

Main thing to me is technical skill. Yes, some of the best athletes go to other sports, but we should have enough of them to field good teams.

 

[asdfghwy]

There's so much global money in soccer I'm surprised nobody stateside has been able to capture some of that..

neymars transfer fee alone is worth more than the entire cavs/warriors salary spend combined.

The money is there...

 

[bruceflinch]

Blame Obama Trump.

:laughing

Not a fan, but I like the fact that soccer has become popular in school & gets the young kids good exercise.

 

[mikev]

I'm a casual MNT fan at best, and kind of echoing a few things I agree with...

1. Still lacking in technical talent. Whatever reason (no academies, weak college competition, whatever), it's just not there. We usually don't have midfielders that can really control possession.

It's coming. Every MLS team now has an academy system in place. It's not nearly enough yet, but it's a start.

2. Weird "dead" generation. Good potential in young players and on youth national teams, and then everyone is old and way beyond prime.

That was the killer, and the big reason is referenced above. 10 years ago there was nothing like MLS development academies. The closest was the Bradenton, FL U17 residency program ran by US Soccer. At its max though it only housed 40 kids per year. The players that we're seeing now doing well at the U17 and U20 world cups are products of MLS academies as well as academies around Europe.

3. Out with the old. Enough of Howard, Dempsey, Altidore, etc. They occasionally have good games against junk competition, but they've had their time.

Main thing to me is technical skill. Yes, some of the best athletes go to other sports, but we should have enough of them to field good teams.

Agreed. The more Academy systems that get set up, the better it's going to get -- and more importantly, youth clubs beginning to get solidarity payments for players that they develop who end up being sold to bigger clubs. Right now that doesn't happen so the incentive to develop talent isn't nearly what it should be. Solidarity payments are one way to start killing the pay to play model that's prevalent in the US -- it should not cost THOUSANDS of dollars per year to play soccer, and that is absolutely the biggest hurdle for a huge number of very talented kids.

 

[HappyHighwayman]

The world won't be any better or worse because of a lack of men's soccer