USMNT: 6 Reasons Missing the Olympics Doesn't Matter

The U.S. Men's National Team's 3-3 tie against El Salvador forced the USMNT to miss out on advancing to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying tournament. Thus, eliminating them from participating in the London Olympics.

In a back and forth match, the heartbreak did not occur until the 95th minute in second half stoppage time. The draw marked only the second time the USMNT have missed the Olympic Games since 1976. The other missed Games were the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Social media outlets saw backlash from fans who were shocked by the news. But in the grand scheme of things, the result does not matter for U.S. Soccer. An Olympic bid to London would have been nice. That is all.

Here are six reasons why missing out on London does not matter.

U-23

It is an U-23 tournament. Mostly.

While fans who follow the sport know this, the general American public mostly does not. When they read the headlines it came as a surprise due to the recent successes of the senior squad.

And even though three overage players are allowed to compete with the team, it is not until the actual Olympics that they are allowed to.

Those who do know what the Olympic tournament entails know that in soccer it is just not that important.

If you are a casual soccer fan reading this, please know that international tournaments such as the U-17 World Cup are more important to the growth of talent than the Olympic Games.

Sure, the colored rings give a sense of clout at first glance, but do not be fooled by the torch.

Clubs Don't Release Players for Qualifying

In important international tournaments, clubs have to release their players to go play for their national teams. That is not the case with the Olympics. I could end the slide right here.

When the USA went to play El Salvador in this “important” match they did so without key players like Jozy Altidore. The reluctance to allow the players to play in qualifying tournaments is a statement in itself of how the world views the Olympic tournament.

Curious about Altidore's role? He was substituted in to the RKC Waalwijk vs. AZ match at half. Altidore plays for AZ.

The clubs know what kind of assets these players are. Sending them away and hurting themselves for a second-rate tournament is not smart on any level.

Qualifying Doesn't Equate to a Bright Future

We need not look any further than our own USMNT for proof of this.

The U.S. did not qualify in 2004 and, yet, somehow these players have found a way to contribute in a major way. Don't believe me? How about Taylor Twellman tweeting this:

"

Love people saying Biggest setback in 25yrs #clueless Didn't qualify in 2004 and those players have been HUGE for #USMNT@ussoccer #2014

— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) March 27, 2012"

Experience on the international stage is a nice bonus of the Olympic Games. But these same players can instead focus on being with their clubs full-time.

Is it the best way to develop the U-23 roster by giving them three-to-five matches at the Olympics? Or is it better served for those players to be with their clubs, battling it out on the pitch more frequently and fighting for their roster position?

In this situation, the latter may be the better option.

Let the club coaches work with them. There is no need to put an emphasis on the Olympics and try to make it out as some invaluable opportunity that it is not. Success, or failure, does not dictate what the future holds for the senior squads.

Focus Elsewhere

Initial fan outrage. Silence.

The silence speaks volumes about the Olympic soccer tournament.

The attendance for the qualifying game against El Salvador was under 10,000. The attendance for the USMNT as they play friendlies and begin World Cup qualifying? 15, 20, 40 and over 60,000 in the stands.

As the soccer culture continues to grow in the States, fans are beginning to get behind the men's team and learn what matters. 

The focus of the players can be shifted to their clubs or towards World Cup qualifying if they are on that roster as well. There is no need to keep these kids away from their clubs and duties as they continue their growth as an athlete.

As I mentioned before, qualifying would have been nice. However, allowing the roster to focus elsewhere may actually pay off for the USMNT more in the long run.

Other Top Teams Are Missing

Argentina? Absent. France? Nope. Germany? Nein. Italy? Not present. The Netherlands? Cannot say they'll be in London either.

There you have some of the premier countries of international soccer, all failed to qualify. Because they're becoming worse? Not hardly.

If you need any indication of how much the Olympics do not matter it is spelled out for you by the nations that did not qualify. Upon realizing which nations will not participate you will begin to see where this tournament ranks amongst the others.

Sure, without them there the U.S. has better odds, but who wants that? It does nothing for the future success of our national team.

Without so many of the world's best countries on the pitch it takes a lot away from this tournament.

Olympic Games Aren't Important

Remember when you would write a paper in high school and finish with an “in conclusion” paragraph? Consider this my “in conclusion.”

I've already mentioned that the Olympics are not important. But let me re-emphasize it. They are not important.

The fans do not care. The international stage does not care. The Olympic tournament for the men is a sham. That is why they allow three overaged players on the rosters. So that squads like England will bring in David Beckham and give a popular name to throw on the marquee.

There are more important things up ahead for these players, whether it be for their club team or for the USMNT in World Cup qualifying. The Olympics are a mere speed bump in what everyone from fans to the players should be focusing on.

Remove the rose colored glasses you peer at the Olympics through and realize that men's soccer just does not matter there. Take the time to sit back and enjoy the plethora of other world class athletes in London this summer.