U.S. Soccer: Turning Fans Away Since 1885

Oh U.S. Soccer.

You tease, you.

Man, do I feel silly.

I was so excited after that Confederations Cup run. I already had Aug. 12 circled on my calender, but after that run, I highlighted it.

I even talked myself into believing the Gold Cup final was some sort of fluke event, like say, my Seattle Seahawks losing the Super Bowl.

The average American sports fan even tuned in.

Cable and satellite providers were nice enough to help solve the television debacle and offered free one-day previews of MUN2.

It was all there for you to take and just like every other time you let it slip away.

Unfortunately for myself and other die-hard U.S. soccer fans, we'll be back. We don't know any better.

Where do you place the blame?

First, blame Mexico, since they outplayed the United States.

What about coaching? Sure, why not. Why wasn't Torres in the game, and why on earth wasn't Jozy Altidore in the starting 11?

At one point yesterday, Landon Donovan appeared on my TV. I forgot he was playing.

Where were our big-time players? They just seemed to disappear.

Where was the midfield? Mexico was able to pass the ball around like it was a casual Sunday in the park. The U.S., on the other hand, couldn't make three straight passes unless one of those passes was a back pass.

Turnovers.

"Here you go Mexico, kick the ball around some more...No, no, not there, down here, in our half."

Clearances to no one.

It was all bad, outside of course, of the Charlie Davies goal. That was a nice pass from Landon and a great finish, but after that Mexico just really dominated.

At the end of the day it was just another blown opportunity for U.S. soccer. Once again the chance to make a statement just fades away.

I'll be back. I'll will cheer this team on with that silly hope we all seem to have unlimited amounts of.

But what about the casual fan?

No sir. You've lost them.

Maybe, just maybe, if you are lucky, there will be another chance to make a statement next year in South Africa.

One can only hope.