US Men's National Team Soccer Thread! (lower division thread)

[sunny_cat]

They're not mutually exclusive imo. Academies can develop "elite athletes." Also, would you consider Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, etc "elite athletes"? How many LeBron-caliber athletes are playing in the EPL?

[sunny_cat]

You saying we have to have the elite athletes BEFORE we can pump enough money in makes it sound like you don't think we will ever be an elite team because soccer will never be more popular than basketball or baseball. Who knows what the future of football is with concussions, etc. For now though (and awhile into the future), it's the clear #1. Long way to go before soccer catches hockey also.

[scottwildcat]

You saying we have to have the elite athletes BEFORE we can pump enough money in makes it sound like you don't think we will ever be an elite team because soccer will never be more popular than basketball or baseball. Who knows what the future of football is with concussions, etc. For now though (and awhile into the future), it's the clear #1. Long way to go before soccer catches hockey also.

and i saying we have to? no i'm saying people aren't going to spend money on something they don't think they will get a return on. I am not saying we need all of the elite athletes, and I'm not saying LeBron is ever going to pick soccer in America, but until soccer starts picking off an elite kid here or there the people who develop the academies, and the atmosphere around academies won't be there.

Also I would hardly say soccer is a "long" way off from catching hockey. I would venture to say soccer ranks higher in than hockey in more states than hockey ranks higher than soccer. What you don't have is States that have soccer as the number one or two like you do in the Dakotas and Minnesota. 

[scottwildcat]

Also American Academies will never be anywhere close to what they are in Europe or even South America.

[scottwildcat]

you are never going to have academies that make 8 year olds move away and practice every day with professional trainers here.

[AbeFroman]

It's pretty silly to assume Odell Beckham would have turned out an equally great soccer player as he is a football player if he'd have focused on soccer growing up. He probably still would have been good just with the athletic genes he has, but he could easily have ended up another non-UCL playing MLS player.

Elite athlete doesn't automatically mean elite soccer player. Did Usain Bolt ever get that contract with Man United? You have to start kicking a soccer ball the minute you begin to walk if you want to eventually be elite with the ball at your feet IMO. That's what happens in other countries.

[sunny_cat]

[scottwildcat]

Came here to post the same thing. We get the last group A game which is the USMNT's group.

[scottwildcat]

I love the gold cup, I'm excited for it. Win this one we don't have to have a playoff to go to the confederations cup in '17

[Spaces]

When will we know when the games are?

[scottwildcat]

When will we know when the games are?

Game in KC is on July 13

[scottwildcat]

I'm buzzing, I really do love the Gold Cup, even more than people who follow the USMNT and CONCACAF more than me.

[sunny_cat]

Should only be every 4 years

[Spaces]

When will we know when the games are?

Game in KC is on July 13

Sorry, I mean like when will we know who that game is? Or do we know already?

[sunny_cat]

We don't know yet. Idk when we will.

[scottwildcat]

Should only be every 4 years

Don't be a rough ridin' loser, every federation does one every 2 years.

[scottwildcat]

When will we know when the games are?

Game in KC is on July 13

Sorry, I mean like when will we know who that game is? Or do we know already?

The draw is in late March.

[sunny_cat]

Should only be every 4 years

Don't be a rough ridin' loser, every federation does one every 2 years.

UEFA doesn't. Also that doesn't affect my opinion.

Every other time, it's a tournament full of B teams.

[scottwildcat]

Should only be every 4 years

Don't be a rough ridin' loser, every federation does one every 2 years.

UEFA doesn't. Also that doesn't affect my opinion.

Every other time, it's a tournament full of B teams.

if by full of B teams you mean the US and Mexico threw B teams out there. That won't happen moving forward now that the winner of the two go to a one game playoff for the Confederations Cup.

[sunny_cat]

Should only be every 4 years

Don't be a rough ridin' loser, every federation does one every 2 years.

UEFA doesn't. Also that doesn't affect my opinion.

Every other time, it's a tournament full of B teams.

if by full of B teams you mean the US and Mexico threw B teams out there. That won't happen moving forward now that the winner of the two go to a one game playoff for the Confederations Cup.

Mexico and the US were not the only teams playing B teams. Also true. I do enjoy the Gold Cups.

[Tobias]

i too enjoy the gold cup, scott

[AbeFroman]

I enjoy all competitive international games in the summertime. It's the silly friendlies in September and October that interrupt the Euro leagues that I hate.

[Spaces]

Big Gold Cup fan here myself. Remember when we were up 2-0 on Mexico that one time 

[sunny_cat]

Big Gold Cup fan here myself. Remember when we were up 2-0 on Mexico that one time 

 

[scottwildcat]

Oh man I was going NUTS when LD did the chicken dance thingy when we went up 2-0