I have to admit to be taken aback by some of the reactions to Claudio Reyna’s retirement announcement. Many of the comments have focused on him being “past it” and others to him being overrated.

Certainly the injuries problems he has suffered since signing for the New York Red Bulls have generated more headlines over the last two seasons than his on-field performances but retirement should be a time for a more balanced assessment of a career.

In terms of injuries Reyna is not unlike many other athletes before him. As the body begins to break down and a playing career begins to slip away the desire to eke out just one more season or even one more game can become all encompassing. To criticize a player for such human frailties is mean spirited and shows a particular lack of compassion – particularly given Reyna’s achievements.

We hear constantly that U.S. college soccer cannot produce top calibre players but Reyna proved that supposition to be faulty. An outstanding college player he opted to take his chances in Europe after missing the 1994 World Cup through injury. It might have only been a decade and a half ago but back then North American soccer players were about as highly rated in Europe as Welsh baseball players were in the USA.

American players were regarded as having big hearts and little technique and players like that were, and still are, a dime a dozen in Europe. Nevertheless Reyna was the player who broke that stereotype and he managed to establish himself as a sought after commodity in the cut throat world of European professional football.

First it was in Germany (Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg) before heading for Scotland to play for Rangers. From Rangers it was to the Premiership with Sunderland and then onto Manchester City. Throughout his career Reyna improved as he constantly added to his repertoire. As he matured the creative midfielder became a player who improved the defensive side his game to the point where he at times turned in excellent performances at right back.

His pinnacle came at the 2002 World Cup when all facets of his game came together and he helped take USA to the last eight of the competition. Reyna never enjoying blistering speed but his anticipation and reading of the game meant he was rarely caught out of position and he had an unerring ability to anticipate an opportunity or problem before it became obvious to others. He had the courage to make himself available for others in trouble and at his best he could dictate the rhythm and pace of a match.

Overrated? Only by those with hamster-like attention spans or with no understanding of what it takes to be a top class player for so many years. Three appearances at World Cups, two Olympic Games and successful stints in three different European leagues makes Reyna’s accomplishments unparalleled in US soccer history. Any other assessment at this time is simply  churlish.  

Canada vs. Chile

Canada huffed and puffed but they could make no impression on a vastly superior Chile side. Chile was fleeter-of-foot, quicker-of-mind and dominated Canada in every area of the field.

With flicks, one-two’s, nutmegs, faints and dribbles Chile put on an exhibition for a full house at BMO Field (or the National Soccer Stadium as it is referred to during this tournament). 

There was never a point in the game when Canada was able to hold the ball for any extended period of time – as Chile showed poise and patience on the ball, Canada treated it as if it was part of a pass-the-parcel game with punishment forthcoming if they held on to it for more than a second.

It took 66 minutes for Canada to get their first attempt on goal and as the game progressed the Canadian got more frustrated with their inability to mount attacks of any consequence. If there were any positives to take out of this game for Canada it would be Begovic in the goal who could not faulted with any of the three Chile goals and at least the Canadians kept working throughout the ninety minutes.

Numerous Chilean players impressed with Arturo Vidal (Bayer Leverkusen) and Mathias Vidangossy (Villarreal) the best of the bunch.

Day 2 Wrap
Five games and fourteen goals today made for a better day’s football. Although I only caught thirty minutes of the Spain – Uruguay game it looked to be an outstanding match with Diego Capel (Sevilla) scoring a great injury time equalizer that capped a two goal comeback for Spain.

Player of the day was a tougher pick to make than on day 1. Yosuke Kashiwagi was outstanding against Scotland but my player of the day is Mathias Vidangossy of Chile.

Day 3
Three games tomorrow, Austria vs. Congo, Portugal vs. New Zealand and Gambia vs. Mexico. 

Update from the Canadian West Coast

Kevin called me from the two games held in Burnaby today – say it quick and it sounds a bit like the home of Real Madrid. The stadium which looked good on TV looked just as good in real-life. The overall organization in and around the stadium was also very good and the spectators were having a good time. The Spain - Uruguay game was particularly well received by the crowd.

You can send any information (fsr@mts.net) that you think might be of interest about the twenty-four countries and I will post a regular selection. If you have a FIFA Under-20 blog go ahead and post your link under comments.

You can also check out the National Post blog.