Pride. Bad luck. Hope. Disappointment. Those are all descriptions of the past decade in U.S. Soccer. All those emotions are best captured in "Dying Bravely," an awesome chronicle of the United States' in the past three World Cups dating back to 2002.
For recent followers of the national team, the montage provides a brilliant prologue to South Africa. For long-time supporters, the video does an excellent job of recapturing the peaks and the valleys of the United States' journey.
The video also portrays recurring themes, notably the poor officiating the U.S. has suffered, in a truly fascinating way. It is lengthy in the sense that surpasses 11 minutes, but how else could one do justice to U.S. Soccer's pursuit? As Brian Strauss of AOL Fanhouse said, "It's well worth your time, and pays appropriate homage to a team well worth remembering."
The video has been posted on numerous soccer sites and even garnered a reaction from the national team's very own Stuart Holden, who commented on a soccer forum saying, "Cool video!! Thanks!"
I was so impressed with the video, I decided that to get in touch with the filmmaker. It turns out that the montage was produced by Nick Butler, a senior at Satusma High School - which is all the more impressive. Although he took breaks in between, Butler shared that he spent a month of his summer working on the montage. Personally, I wondered what motivated him to do so.
"One reason I was making videos was because I’m actually on a forum right now," Butler said. Every six or so months they do a video competition. I did one a previous year and I decided to do another one. I figured I’d do one about the USA getting in the World Cup."
After about two days, the video started attracting a plethora of views and promotion through Facebook and Twitter. Butler admits that he didn't expect his video to attract so much attention so rapidly, but he's quite pleased. Among those who noticed his video was the brother of a national team player, who has asked Butler to make a montage of his sibling. At this time, I can't disclose the specific player, but the video should be up in the next week.
Overall, the video is an amazing recollection of the United States successes and pitfalls, with a particular emphasis on the emotional aspect. Take the time to watch the montage - it's worth it.
The United States so-called "B-Team" won the FIBA World Basketball Championship in a 81-64 over Turkey in Istanbul on Sunday. The win gave the U.S. a berth in the 2012 London Olympics. With instant offense from the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant, as well as the veteran leadership of the Denver Nuggets' Chauncey Billups and the Los Angeles Lakers' Lamar Odom, the United States won its first World Basketball Championship in 16 years.
Without intimidating height and any star-studded members of the 2008 Olympics Gold Medal team, many were skeptic of the United States' potential, hence the term "B-Team." In fact, only three players on the U.S. team had previously played for the national team.
The young faces, however, proved to be a nice breath of fresh air. The United States went undefeated, with only one game that came down to the wire, a 70-68 victory over Brazil. After that narrow win, Durant would go on to say, "We need this game. The atmosphere was great, Brazil did a great job, they put pressure on us. It's a learning experience for us. It's the game we needed."
From that point on, it was mostly easy sailing for the U.S. The championship game was no different. After trailing 17-14, Team USA gained control of the game. Nevertheless, Turkey is to be commended for going so far as to earn its first FIBA World Championship medal. During the past few weeks, fans rallied around the host country and the team impressed many.
USA Head Coach Mike Kryzewski praised Turkey's run, saying "I want to congratulate the Turkish team for a truly perfect tournament. They epitomized what a team should be and we had to be at our very best to beat them. It was a terrific tournament and [Istanbul was] a truly wonderful city. I’ve never seen a country celebrate a team better than Turkey. It created a great atmosphere for the tournament."
Despite being only 21 years old, Durant was undoubtedly the United States' leader. Durant, who led the NBA in scoring last season, averaged 22.8 points throughout the tournament. Additionally, he set the record for most points in a FIBA World Championship game by an American by scoring 38 points in the United States' 89-74 victory over Lithuania in the semifinal.
Odom, one of the elder statesmen on Team USA, now has extra bragging rights since he has earned a NBA and FIBA championship - in the same year. In a telephone interview with the Los Angeles Times' Broderick Turner, Odom shared his thoughts on such an honor: "The thought of being a world champion twice in one year is cool, you know? I could brag to Kobe [Bryant] and tell him this is something he doesn't got."
After winning the gold medal, the "B-Team" nickname is no longer symbolic of inferiority, but is representative of "best team."
In the first game since the World Cup for both teams, the United States men's national team suffered a 2-0 loss to Brazil at New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Despite an experienced United States cast and a youthful Brazilian lineup, the Americans could not find a way to score or protect their own goal.
The United States opened the game with good defensive pressure on Brazil and, literally, hit the ground running. Three minutes into the game, Edson Buddle threaded a no-look pass to Landon Donovan, who rushed into the box. Donovan received pressure from both sides and a shove as his shot deflected off Brazilian goalkeeper Victor. The shove could have resulted in a penalty kick, but the referee allowed play to resume.
Asked to reflect on the missed opportunity, Donovan said, "It was unfortunate because the guy fouled me. I think Silvio realized it was a foul. I tried to stay up. They always encourage us not to dive and you try to do the right thing but you have to rely on the referee to make the call, so maybe next time I'll go down and get the sure penalty."
The United States would eventually cave, though. In the 28th minute, Neymar successfully headed Andre Santos' cross for the first goal of the game. Neymar was able to distance himself from U.S. defender Jonathan Bornstein and guide the ball into the lower left corner from 10 yards out.
When asked about the first goal, Bornstein would go on to say, "They got down our right side and the guy swung a good ball in. I was running back toward the goal and all of a sudden I saw the ball curling in. I tried to jump to it but it was curling away from my head and went straight to their player."
Only a few minutes later, Brazil began celebrating again when Pato kicked the ball through the net in the 32nd minute. However, while in the process of scoring, Pato collided with U.S. goalkeeper, Tim Howard, and the referee waved the goal off.
In the stoppage time of the first half, the United States would take another hit. Ramires got the ball to Alexandre Pato, who was scored in a one-on-one opportunity against Howard. The United States found itself familiar position, trailing heading into halftime.
The United States had its share of chances, but simply was not able to convert. One one occasion the United States actually scored. After receiving a short corner kick from Donovan, Sacha Kljestan lobbed the ball to Michael Bradley, who headed a shot into the net. The goal was waived, though, because Bradley was in offside position.
On another play, Victor had to use his arsenal of reflexes to catch Kljestan's free kick just outside of the penalty area. Toward the end of the game, a goal seemed inevitable when Jonathan Spector bent in a cross to substitute Herculez Gomez in the 85th minute. This time, Victor stopped yet another play by steering the ball clear of danger.
The recurring theme for the United States since the World Cup has been conceding goals early and playing catch-up for the majority of the game. It's true, giving up a goal in the 28th minute is better than conceding one in the fourth minute, as the U.S. did against England in the Group Stage of the World Cup. Nevertheless, in order to improve, it is imperative that the United States tighten up its back line and capitalize on its chances.
Before the game, the 2010 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored on the field. Bruce Arena, Thomas Dooley, Predag “Preki” Radosavljevic and Kyle Rote Jr. were this year's inductees.
Many were likely pleased with U.S. coach Bob Bradley's roster, as well as his starting lineup. Bradley, who was under scrutiny for his opening lineup in the World Cup loss to Ghana, gave the LA Galaxy's forward Edson Buddle the start over "all-speed, no finish" striker Robbie Findley. Buddle has led the MLS in scoring for most of the season, currently in the lead with 11 games in 18 games.
American midfielder Benny Feilhaber started the game, too. Feilhaber was very efficient as a substitute for the United States in the World Cup. However, he had a relatively quiet night against Brazil and was substituted for Kljestan in the second half.
Another U.S. starter, the LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez, received his first cap for the national team against Brazil. His teammate, Donovan, thought Gonzalez, the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year and a MLS All-Star this season, had a satisfactory performance.
"He did okay," Donovan said. "All things considered, he did alright. I think he realizes that to play at this level, it takes everything. And that means, all the proper preparation, every play has to be right, especially when you’re playing a team like that. All in all, though, I think he did pretty well and it was a pretty good experience for him.”
There was plenty of influence from Los Angeles on yesterday's U.S. roster. In the starting lineup, there were three LA Galaxy players: Buddle, Donovan, and Gonzalez. Additionally, Captain Carlos Bocanegra, Bornstein, and Feilhaber are all former UCLA Bruins.
At the end of the day, Brazil got off to a good start, while the United States may have experienced a poor ending. Brazilian manager Mano Menezes won in his debut, while Bradley lost in perhaps his last game as coach of the U.S. national team.
"My contract is through [to] the end of the year so it's no problem for me," Bradley said. "I'll be thinking later tonight about those games and like I have said there will be discussions."
Only a month after an inspiring run in the World Cup, the United States men's national team may recall what could have been when the team plays host to Brazil Tuesday at New Meadowlands Stadium, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Tomorrow's game, the first match since the World Cup for both teams, is set to begin at 5 PM Pacific Time and will be televised by ESPN2 and Univision.
Unlike other friendly matches, tomorrow's exhibition serves as a good gauge for U.S. Soccer. Brazil has traditionally been a soccer superpower and if the past is any indication, history is not on America's side. The United States has a 1-14-0 all-time record against Brazil dating back to 1930, and a 0-3-0 record since Bob Bradley became coach of the national team in 2007.
Speaking of Bradley, his future with the national team may partially hinge on the outcome of the friendly. There have been rumors of Bradley possibly leaving the national team to manage a club overseas, another national team, or even an MLS club. However, The Washington Post's headline captured it best: "Bradley's Long-Term Coaching Plans Remain Hazy."
For tomorrow's match, Bradley has opted to go with an experienced cast. In fact, fifteen of the players on tomorrow's roster were members of the United States' World Cup squad. Since FC Shalke's Jermaine Jones and Columbus Crew's Chad Marshall were both unavailable for tomorrow's game, their positions on the roster were given to Villareal's Jozy Altidore and the LA Galaxy's Omar Gonzalez.
The United States has proven it could play with the best. Last year in the Confederations Cup semifinals, the U.S. shut out Spain, who were ranked #1 in the world at the time and went on to win the World Cup, in a 2-0 victory. In the finals, the team nearly beat Brazil, holding a 2-0 lead at halftime, only to see the Brazilians rally for a 3-2 defeat.
For Brazil, the game will mark the debut of their new coach, Mano Menezes. Tomorrow will be Menezes' first step toward building a championship-caliber roster for the 2014 World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. Menezes addressed his concerns when he said, "I have three main objectives to work on: the 2011 Copa America, the Olympics, and the 2014 World Cup, which is obviously the big one as far as we're concerned."
Prior to the World Cup, the United States' Landon Donovan told FIFA, "We feel that we are good enough to play any team in the world if we play our best." In that case, tomorrow will be a matter of whether the U.S. can play its best.
Will the United States leave the World Cup with their heads held high? Not necessarily, but there are numerous reasons why they should. When the United States initially arrived in South Africa, the experts predicted the Americans to reach the Round of 16, but not surpass it. When they stepped off the pitch after their game versus Algeria, the pundits were scrambling to revise their predictions. However, with a 2-1 loss to Ghana's "Black Stars," the Stars and Stripes will have to wait another four years to defend the legitimacy of U.S. Soccer.
When asked if the tournament was a success, U.S. Coach Bob Bradley said, “I think the first thoughts for all of us are simple. We felt that in the first round we showed a lot of good qualities, you get through the first round and give yourself a chance now to go far. We felt that we had that ability and we’re disappointed that we didn’t get past this game and continue to test ourselves.”
Immediately after the game, there were plenty of "what if'" scenarios. What if Bob Bradley had chosen the same starting lineup that he used against Algeria? You know, the only one that didn't concede an early goal in the World Cup. What if U.S. striker, Charlie Davies, who was injured in a devastating car accident last year, was healthy and available for the World Cup? He has certainly been a savvy goal-scorer for U.S.A..
What if Robbie Findley had sent the ball through the net instead of shooting right at the keeper during his dangerous one-on-one sequence? Simply put, the U.S. advances. What if Oguchi Onyewu, who suffered a patellar tendon rupture after a World Cup qualifier last year, was 100% and able to play in the game versus Ghana? His height and big frame are always an asset. What if Jozy Altidore was not substituted after 90 minutes? After all, he had created some dangerous plays.
What if the United States had won? Then it would have made the quarterfinals and played Uruguay, probably the most favorable quarterfinal match-up one could ask for. Soccer fever in the U.S. would have been even higher than it already was during the group stages. The United States could have gone farther than England!
After awhile though, one realizes that the "what ifs" are an exercise in futility. The team's journey leaves as much disappointment behind as it does excitement. Some said this was the best U.S. team ever. However, in the next four years, new players may emerge for U.S.A. and the squad's young players will gain more experience and confidence.
At the end of the day, one has to thank U.S.A. for the memories. Fans won't forget Day 1, when the United States showed it's ready to play with a 1-1 draw against the country who created the sport, England. Nor will they forget the sheer joy of rallying down from 2-0 at halftime to finish with a tie, an incredibly historic feat. Nothing will replace Landon Donovan's "magic moment," which likely added millions to the U.S. bandwagon. The words of commentator Ian Darke will always ring in fans' ears: "Donovan has scored! Can you believe this?!...You could not write a script like this!" The reactions to Donovan's goal in the 91st minute were truly memorable.
Whether Bob Bradley will be involved in the United States' future is questionable, but it seems like he grasps the reality of it all. “We always understand the responsibility we have as a national team to show how far the game has come in the United States, to fight for respect. We certainly felt that we moved things along with our performance in the Confederations Cup. As we went through the first round, we felt that we were continuing to go in that direction. But it comes down to every match now that gets tested over again, for tonight all we can do is look hard at ourselves and continue to try to move the game forward.”
Although the U.S. concluded its run in the Round of 16, the team's lasting impact is as though the Americans finished first. Whereas the Yanks had been the butt of jokes when it came to soccer, they proved to be more than mediocre. Additionally, millions of Americans have recently come to enjoy the game of soccer and support the United States, notably Bill Clinton. If people had disregarded the United States' bid for a World Cup in 2018 or 2022 before, now it is at least a reasonable possibility. U.S. Soccer still has a long way to go before it becomes a powerhouse, but it is definitely a team to be reckoned with. Thank you, United States.
The United States is, perhaps, the most interesting team in the World Cup. At the moment, cultural history and recent success are at odds. For the first time in 80 years, the United States finished first in its group. In fact, one soccer fan held up a sign that read "U.S. Soccer is UnStoppAble" during the United States' victory over Algeria. Around the world, casual fans may wonder when the Americans - the people who refer to the sport as "soccer," instead of the practically universal "football" - became so good. However, for those who have been living under a rock, U.S.A. has evolved into a "team to be reckoned with." 
According to information released by U.S. Soccer, the USA won its group at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1930 (that's 80 years ago), and for the first time ever in a four-team group. The win against Algeria marked the first point and win for the U.S. in the third group game at the World Cup in eight tries. Secondly, the 1-0-2 record also represents the first time the United States has gone unbeaten in group play during a World Cup."
What's more, the United States finished first in the group, a feat which the Americans had not accomplished since 1930. At first glance, it may not seem like a big deal. Most pundits and fans alike predicted that the U.S. would at least make it to the Round of 16. Interestingly enough, it appears that the winner of Group C, the United States, and the second-place finisher, England, will have very different schedules because of their standings.
Sure, the United States may not have the most talented players in the tournament. It's true, their defense allowed early goals in two out of their three games. On the other hand, the United States may also be the most mentally tough team in the World Cup.
After his "magic moment" against Algeria, Donovan spoke of just how confident his team is."We believe we can beat any team in this tournament. Given our experiences from last year [at the Confederations Cup] we think we can do really big things, we're going to go for it."
What a great time to be a sports fan. The NBA Finals, now tied at 2-2, feature the greatest rivalry in the league. Simultaneously, the FIFA World Cup, arguably the largest sports stage in the world, is underway in historically significant South Africa. Among the more hyped match-ups is Team USA vs. England. From one perspective, there are plenty of differences between the Lakers facing off against the Celtics and the Yanks vs. the Brits. However, from another point of view, there are certain similarities.
First of all, there is a historical significance to each rivalry. With the United States and England, obviously you have the colonial period and the revolt from British rule. In that sense, USA vs. England is a clash between enemies. On the other hand, in modern times, the United States and England have been allies. Look no further than World War II, when Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Winston Churchill united to defeat the Nazis. In a way, it's kind of like competing against your best friend; it's a great feeling to hold the upper hand against a buddy, not to mention bragging rights.
With Boston and Los Angeles, the history lies in the actual competition between the teams. Jerry West once said that the Celtics-Lakers rivalry really wasn't a rivalry until the 80's, because the Lakers lost the first 7 match-ups between the two teams. Ironically, the Finals match-up in 2008 is what makes 2010 better; the rivalry now has a modern touch. In '08, fans and the media had to rewind two decades to justify the hype. Now, you just have to scroll back a couple years. In the words of Eminem, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers "chewed up and spit out and booed off stage"; the Lake Show had some ugly episodes.
In my opinion, Landon Donovan of Team USA also identifies with the Celtics' Rajon Rondo. Both are rising stars that have recently earned a lot of attention. Ever since Landon Donovan went on loan to Everton in the past year, he has caught the eyes of soccer pundits around the world. Similarly, in the last season and throughout the playoffs, Rondo has proven to be Boston's best player, when only a couple of years ago he was arguably the worst player in the starting lineup. In terms of skill, both are also exceptionally skilled at creating scoring opportunities for their teammates, as well as for themselves.
By the same token, I would compare England's Wayne Rooney to the Lakers' Kobe Bryant. Both are leaders and arguably the best players on their respective teams. If their teams aren't successful, as in they don't meet expectations, they will suffer the most. They are also both talented scorers, and though they have a vast repertoire, scoring is what they're renowned for.
Overall, England vs. USA and the Celtics vs. the Lakers are two very unique and historic match-ups that share some - not many, but some - similarities. Oh, and Game 5 of the NBA Finals and England vs. USA are both in the same weekend! What a great time to be a sports fan.
