In the midst of massive change, in not only the country but the organization of US soccer, maybe its time to move the focus away from whats wrong with football and take a look at whats Wrong with Futball in america.
With the Firing of Head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, the end near for two all-time USA soccer stars, a road to Russia uncertain, a league that could gain its biggest superstar since David Beckham, and seemingly only one young star from fifty states, maybe its time to stop worrying about football ratings and start worrying about the state of Futbol in the united states.
State of the union
Jurgen Klinsmann’s firing was certainly not a surprise. There had been whispers after a 2-1 loss to Mexico and loud chants after the US was pummeled by Costa Rica 4-0. With the departure of Steven Gerard and Frank Lampard from MLS leaves the league somewhat nameless yet again. While the Gerrard move isn’t shocking, Frank Lampard was the DP for NYCFC I’m shocked he left the club especially after the success they had this season. With the national team losing in the Copa America it certainly hasn’t been a great year for soccer in the United States.
The next big thing
The one bright spot for United States soccer is Christian Pulisic the 18 year old Bundesliga star from Hershey Pennsylvania. The Pulisic story is fascinating, raised in a town predominated by football in the summer and fall and Hockey in the winter, Pulisic rose through the ranks of United States soccer and became the first player in Bundesliga history to score a goal at the age of 18. Bruce Arenas new formation and tactics should center around the young star. The problem however is that the United States has nothing else going for them when it comes to developing talent. Deandre Yedlins stint in Tottenham across the pond hasn’t paid the dividends some thought it would. Matt Miazga is playing at Chelsea on the reserve team but is not the kind of talent the team is looking for. While Pulisic is hitting his stride the rest of this team seems to be fading away, which brings us to this countries next problem on the pitch.
In with Pulisic out with….The rest of this team
The saying goes, out with the old in with the new. There’s a problem with that when it comes to United States soccer however, the old is the core of the team and the new is one promising star (Pulisic). Clint Dempsey(33), Tim Howard(37), Michael Bradley(29), Jermaine Jones(35), and Kyle Beckerman(34) are generational players, that steered this team out of the group of death in Rio, at the twilight of their careers. There replacements don’t raise any eyebrows, Jozy Altidore and Gyasi Zardes are the names that pop out as players hitting their prime. This team is in a weird place a generation of futballers on their way out while the US waits for the next wave of talent. It’s going to be rough, this team might not even make the world cup, if they do I wouldn’t expect them to advance past the group stage. The Nation is in a dark place right now in general and that extends to soccer. We’re all just waiting to see what happens next?
Nicely written statement.
As a German I am kind of sorry that Klinsmann left the US team. But I can understand that it was about time for him to leave because results were no longer the way they should be.
Now, with Pulisic who really have an upcoming star on board. I watched him recently play against Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and against Warshau in the Champions league. This young man has a lot of potential and may become a great leader of a successful US team in the future.
So congratulation to your interesting blog.