US Soccer: After 2010 And Beyond

The year 2011 begins for US Soccer with the MLS (Major League Soccer) Draft underway at the present time. The US Soccer Team (Men's) are preparing for their upcoming game against Chile on Jan. 22, 2011.

While the USA has advanced in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it has been denied a chance to host the 2022 World Cup by FIFA in favor of Qatar. I have decided to initiate another round table discussion to talk about US Soccer 2010 and beyond.

I have invited Jo-Ryan Salazar, Tim Fontenault, Adi-Oula Sebastian, and Cesar Diaz to participate.

The following questions were posted.:

1. Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup was awarded to Qatar, is there a possibility that the USA may be the host in a distant or not so distant future?

2. What can US Soccer do to continue its growth beyond 2010?

3. What changes should occur?

4. Should the MLS move their schedule to reflect those of the Premier League or Bundesliga (August to May) or should it stay as it is?

5.. What is your opinion of Omar Salgado being the first choice of the Vancouver Whitecaps?

USA To Host A World Cup In The Future?

US Soccer Scarf: Roberto Alvarez-Galloso:Photographer

1. Since the 2022 FIFA World Cup was awarded to Qatar, is there a possibility that the USA may be the host in a distant or not so distant future?

Jo-Ryan Salazar:

Because of the continental rotation policy set by FIFA, it will be along the lines of the distant future for the USA. But the Executive Committee likes giving this to countries that are new to the scene and bring something different, so we’ll just wait and see.

Tim Fontenault

I think the fact that Qatar “won” the 2022 World Cup bid, it makes it virtually a lock that the United States would receive 2026. However, I will not say that with defiance, as we have seen FIFA overlook the best and most likely candidates. In fact, they did it twice in one day which affects eight years worth of football.
North America is due for a World Cup now and the United States, Mexico, and Canada will be fighting for the bid. The United States bid, which I have reviewed, was praised highly by committee members. Why it lost to a lower-rated bid was merely Blatter exerting his power. USA 2026 seems extremely likely now.

Adi-Oula Sebastian

Personally, I don’t believe that the United States will host the FIFA World Cup within the next decade or two. Although it’s been roughly 17 years since the US hosted football’s most important event, a considerable amount of time, it’s only been four tournaments between now and then. Therefore I think it is more than unlikely the United States, not the Americas, will be awarded the World Cup anytime soon.

Africa as a whole just hosted the FIFA World Cup once, last year’s tournament. From a personal point of view I’d prefer each World Cup to be held in a different continent.

Cesar Diaz

Distant… Without a shadow of a doubt, with China planning for a 2026 World Cup bid along with other Southeast Asian countries, Argentina, Uruguay, China, India and Australia making a run for the 2030 (100th year anniversary), the United States best chance may be the 2034 World Cup. One thing FIFA demonstrated this past December is that they’re awarding the World Cup bids to where they can get the most money while being able to influence their vision of how the World Cup should be promoted.

For all criticism Qatar has received through the American media, it was our arrogance which cost us the 2022 Bid. While the world is learning about us, we as Americans make a point not too learn about the World.

Sunil Gulati was handed millions of dollars to produce a bid and he failed miserably. Sure we had the corporate sponosorship but where was Bora Milutinovic, the ’94 USMNT coach? He was supporting Qatar. How about Paul Caligiuri and Alan Rothenberg, or even the kids who are now adults influenced by the ’94 World Cup?

As much as I like Bill Clinton and Morgan Freeman, those two figures don’t come to mind when I think about American Soccer. If the United States want to win a World Cup bid, then the National Team has to begin playing like a team that deserves it. If that’s not good enough, then Americans have to accept the fact that World Cup belongs to the World… not the United States.

What Can The US Do?

Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - AUGUST 10: Alexandre Paro #9 of Brazil and Carlos Bocanegra #3 of the U.S. fight for the ball in the first half of a friendly match at the New Meadowlands on August 10, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky

2. What can US Soccer do to continue its growth beyond 2010?

Jo-Ryan Salazar

The development of local players, the national teams scheduling friendlies with the best sides in the world and improving the talent in Major League Soccer will be key.

Tim Fontenault

It is simple. More young people are playing the game than ever. Continue to let these numbers grow. Offer more opportunities for high-level youth play. I’m talking about more premier clubs such as Oakwood SC in Glastonbury, CT. They pull from all over Connecticut and have the best possible resources for their players, including new state-of-the-art facilities in my hometown, Portland, CT. They also have fields in Glastonbury, including an excellent indoor facility, Simsbury, and Manchester. They produce professional talent, such as New England’s Pat Phalen.

That is the player aspect. We need players receiving the best training and coaching possible to develop excellent players for the future. It cannot start in the high school/collegiate level. By the time most European or South American players are 16, they’re preparing for their professional debut. We need to start early.

Anyways, in terms of a fanbase aspect, it is crucial for the media to provide more coverage on the game. The only time ESPN shows highlights is on Top 10 plays, the World Cup, or if something cool happens. The first time I saw a legit highlight since MLS Cup on Sportscenter was Messi’s hat trick in the Copa Del Rey recently. Really? Its the early rounds of the Spanish Cup against weak opponents! What about games recently like Roma beating Milan, the Merseyside Derby, Chelsea losing to everybody, Manchester United vs. Arsenal? I like the one game every two or three weeks I see on ESPN, always featuring at least one member of the Big Four plus City.

Fox Soccer Channel and GolTV do what they can, but since you have to order sports packages to get them, not everyone sees the game.

To give ESPN some credit, they show a lot of games, on ESPN3.com! I want to see Milan vs. Inter on the big HDTV on ESPN! I enjoy that you show the USA games, that’s important, but club matches need to be showcased and analyzed live, not just online!

Adi-Oula Sebastian

To be quite frank, I’m not the most qualified person to answer this question. My knowledge of American “soccer” is limited but perhaps this makes me the go-to-guy since I’m as clueless as the average US citizen when it comes to soccer. No offense, but when other “sports” which I shall not mention, are more popular than “soccer” than something is way off. If I’m not mistaken, soccer is more popular with girls than boys over there.

From an economic point of view it should be possible to recruit young and promising talent in the Americas, but somehow the MLS rather caters to (star) players from Europe who are nearing the end of their respective careers. A big name may raise awareness but if the player isn’t spectacular on the pitch the interest will vanish just as fast. Thierry Henry for example has been a massive flop and so is David Beckham.

Cesar Diaz

It starts with the Youth and knowing that Youth Soccer is a 2.2 billion dollar industry, the potential is limitless. The only we really need to focus more on is hiring better coaches who understand the importance of allowing their players to develop their game awareness. If the coaching doesn’t improve, the United States is going to continue to lose talented players like Giuseppe Rossi.

Jurgen Klinsmann flat out stressed the importance of recruiting in the inner city and disenfranchised neighborhoods because the rules of soccer are more aggressive and these players view soccer as an opportunity to provide for their families. This being a country of immigrants, there has to be American-born Italians, Argentinians, German, Brazilians and many others who were raised to love soccer before any other sport.

Focusing on our current National Team, if you’re not going to be the best… then at least be one of the most entertaining! I can’t fault the players but with Bob Bradley as our coach, I don’t see it happening.

What Changes Should Occur For US Soccer?

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: (L-R) Former New York Cosmos Owner Peppe Pinton, President of the United States Soccer Federation Sunil Gulati and Chairman of The New York Cosmos Paul Kemsley pose for a photograph before the announcement of the return of the World

3. What changes should occur?

Jo-Ryan Salazar:

 I do not trust Sunil Gulati as president, so changes in management should start with a new man in charge. Also, our current head coach, Bob Bradley, is someone I am still skeptical about.

Tim Fontenault:

We need more programs like the USSF Developmental Academy. This will provide players with the chance to enhance their game and prepare them for the competition of international opponents. More clubs should make trips to other countries, as Oakwood did two years ago when they went to Argentina. Let the kids gain experience. Youth has to be a big focus, not just finding diamonds in the rough and putting them in the US Residency Program, which is successful, but not enough.

Focus needs to be given to inner-cities as well. The best players can be found on the blacktops or dirt fields. Obviously this was a movie, but look at Santiago Munez in Goal! The Dream Begins. He played on the dirt fields in Mexico before moving to LA as a kid and grew up to play in an adult rec league on the playground pitch before being noticed and given an opportunity to play with Newcastle, which turned into a spot in the Real Madrid XI. If a focus is given to soccer in the inner-city, more talent can be found.

Also, ESPN, FOX, and the other big sports networks need to start covering more soccer! This is an absolute must to keep fans attention all the time!

Adi-Oula Sebastian

Instead of courting washed-up and expensive players from Europe, MLS teams should enquire about the availability of youngsters who either feature in the reserves or rot on the bench on a loan basis. In Italy for instance there’s a host of young and exciting talent since Italians, for better or worse, prefer experienced veterans. Of course, no one could guarantee if the youngsters would be willing to join a MLS team but it’s worth a shot.

But as far as I’m concerned it’s a win-win situation. The MLS gets a boost in quality, the on-loan players gain valuable experience (even in a “lesser” league) and the European clubs could raise their profile within the United States.

Cesar Diaz

With Bob Bradley remaining, there’s nothing to change unless he quits or he’s fired. The passion is there and the fans willing to spend money but I believe they’ll spend more money if the quality of play was better.

MLS Should Change Or Stay The Same?

Ned Dishman/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - JANUARY 13: Eleventh selection Will Bruin of the Houston Dynamo speaks to the audience during the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)

4. Should the MLS move their schedule to reflect those of the Premier League or Bundesliga (August to May) or should it stay as it is?

Jo-Ryan Salazar

Switch to the international August to May calendar.

Tim Fontenault

Its a difficult spot. On one hand, I say I agree with Arsene Wegner about playing the MLS-style calendar because then you avoid the snow, but that means snow during tournament times. So for that reason, as we want to be able to let most every region host the World Cup apparently, we need MLS to conform to the European calendar.

Adi-Oula Sebastian

No, even though it is not exactly ideal the MLS break gives US-based players the chance to join a European club on loan. In the past players like Landon Donovan convinced during their (short) loan-spell.

Cesar Diaz

The MLS schedule should remain the same because while Americans are accustomed to watching the NFL is in the cold, it’s not going to work in the United States. Make the switch and MLS would be competing against College Basketball, the NBA, Hockey, and cold weather.

I don’t see the point of MLS being compared to the other European Leagues because does MLS compare itself to the Japanese or Mexican league? Does the NBA compare itself to the Italian or Chinese basketball leagues? No and MLS shouldn’t either. Even if the switch was made, there’s no evidence that the teams will have fluid offenses and goal scoring will increase.

Omar Salgado and Vancouver

Ned Dishman/Getty Images

BALTIMORE - JANUARY 13: First selection Omar Salgado of the Vancouver Whitecaps speaks to the audience during the 2011 MLS SuperDraft on January 13, 2011 at the Baltimore Convention Center in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images)

5.. What is your opinion of Omar Salgado being the first choice of the Vancouver Whitecaps?

Jo-Ryan Salazar

Vancouver should have selected Perry Kitchen, so this is a massive gamble by the club.

Tim Fontenault:

Strange choice. There were better players available. My big problem with every club was that they missed out on two gems. I am a member of UConn’s Goal Patrol, the top ranked student section in college soccer. I saw nearly half the games this year and virtually every home match. Josh Ford is the best goalie in the country! Spider’s play was crucial to UConn’s success. His monstrous presence in the goal is similar to that of a Tim Howard or Donovan Ricketts. Also, UConn defender Greg King was part of the best defense in the nation. The Aussie as a standout at the Combine, yet no one gave him a second look. He is a great wide back with the talent to get up the pitch, like a Luca Antonini-style player.

Just to give you an idea about how good Connecticut’s defense/goalkeeping was this year. In 20 games, UConn went 12-2-6, outscored its opponents 40-7, meaning an average score of 2-0.35! They outshot their opponents 314-199 and only 71 of opponent’s 199 shots were on target, a percentage of 35.7%. UConn’s defense dominated and Ford and King were vital to its success. MLS teams missed out big time here.

Cesar Diaz

He’s young (17 yrs) and and to expect him to produce like Andy Najar did in his first year with D.C. United would be unfair. He’s going to be with a new team and living in a different country while adjusting to the style of play in the MLS.

For his sake, I hope Omar is with a team where the players and coaches are understanding of his age and who has an excellent Human Resource Department who will help him with these transitions. If he’s good enough to be the number one pick, the Whitecaps have to nurture and prepare their number 1 pick so he can produce for them.

Thanks

US Soccer Sash. Roberto Alvarez-Galloso:Photographer

I would like to thank Tim Fontenault, Cesar Diaz, Adi-Oula Sebastian, and Jo Ryan Salazar for their participation in this round table discussion.

I personally think that US Soccer has a future with or without the World Cup. The people who are adopting soccer is growing in schools, and universities.

The stadiums also have families playing soccer. There are changes necessary for the sport to progress in the future. US Soccer is in its adolescence and the future is being written at the present time.