American soccer will never make the splash on the international face the way we were predicted to do this world cup until a few things occur.

My wife and I were in Columbus for the US/Mex game where we clinched our spot in the WC.  That victory was sweet but I left the stadium very concerned about the state of our chances.  About midway through the game I caught a glimpse of a very troubling event... I was certain that I saw Landon Donovan backing away from a Mexican player during a Keller goal kick.  So, I started to pay attention to LD off the ball and what I saw made me realize why he didn't get a real shot in Germany, not once but twice... The Germans saw in LD what I was witnessing in Columbus and, since then, at all the Galaxy games that I own season seats to, and finally, at the World Cup.   Landon Donovan is a pussy.  He is afraid of physical play and disappears when it happens.  I watched him back away from EVERY goal kick taken if there was a Mexican player within ten yards of him.  I told my wife in Columbus that if the world pays attention, we don't have a chance.  In the bar afterwards (in Columbus), when I caught up with the team, I asked Santino Quaranta if he saw this too and he screamed, "I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who thinks LD is a sissy" 

So, here is what I feel is the problem with American Soccer and why we won't compete until this changes...

1.  We don't have hungry athletes anymore.  We are complacent and it starts in the youth programs.  AYSO, for example, kids can not do ANYTHING to earn a spot on the field yet they are guarenteed playing time.  Don't go to practice, still play... don't work hard, still play... be a lousy player, still play.  Do you doubt me?  The athletes at the high school where I teach don't want to do ANYTHING extra nor are they committed to their craft.  Why are there so many Domincans and Asians in the Major Leagues?  Why do most NBA teams have so many foreign players?  Why are Eastern Europeans dominating the Heavyweight class in boxing?  American athletes aren't hungry.  Their mommies have sissified us.  In my day, I would have eaten a sissy like Donavan's lunch and dated his girlfriend and he wouldn't have done anything about it unless he toughed up.

2.  The referees don't allow the players to play hard, especially the MLS and the way they protect the Golden Boy, Donovan.  Our players are coddled while players around the world are kicking the hell out of each other.  When we got to the pitch against the Czech's, LD, Beasley, and all the others except McBride, Gooch, Keller, and Convey disappeared.  I don't care what the Media or Arena says about the Italy game, they disappeared there too.  The only warriors we have on this squad were McBride, Dempsey, Keller, Convey, Gooch, and Albright.  The rest disappeared.  AYSO, club, high school, college, etc., referees MUST let them play and the strong to survive.  Weed the pussies like Donovan out of the system so we can compete against the world.

3.  We have to eliminate the philosophy of teaching the natural Ballhogs to share the ball with the other kids so their egos don't get bruised... Can't you hear some dumb mom telling the stud of the team, "my boy wants to score too, why don't you pass the ball to him?"  I'll bet huge money that Ronaldo or Rooney were never told to share the ball with some weaker player to promote his lame ego... Our natural ballhogs have to be pushed to score more.  For God's sake, we had 4 FOUR, shots on goal in three games.  THAT IS PATHETIC.  You have to shot the ball to score...

4.  MLS must be more agressive keeping our players here and to bring back the veterans like Reyna, Keller, Friedal, etc., to finish their careers here so they can teach our young studs how to play like professionals.  MLS should also try to get some better foreign players here... Not guys like Saragoza or Tyrone Marshall, but top guys like Beckham and Ronaldo.  The US has more money than god, bring them here so our youth can see what it means to dedicate oneself to the sport.  Oh, and the MLS has to change it's calendar to a more international style calendar.  To hell with the NFL, do what it takes to compete with the world.

5.  More MLS stuff.  Schedule more games against teams outside of MLS.  Our teams need to be playing against Central and South American teams more often.  The US team has to play other teams from around the world.  Settling with victories over Mexico isn't enough.  Our region of the world is WEAK.  We have to strive to beat the Brazil's, Argentina's, and Euro squads, then Mexico will take care of itself.  Start a new annual tournament that brings the national teams from CONCACAP and the South American teams...We have the money to do this so let's get it done.

6.  My last thought is that Arena should stay if he wants to.  He is a good coach, too much in love with LD for my liking but overall, he is a good coach.  (Unless Klinsman wants the job!)

I love soccer and will follow the US no matter what, but we better start to put a stronger, tougher, more hungry product on the pitch or we will forever be three and out except for the occasional 2002 team.

Later,

DTB