These oft repeated criticisms are the bane of the U.S. fan's existence; clear suggestions that despite a good amount of on-field success (especially against Mexico), the United States simply doesn't know how to play the game "properly".
“They were a little opportunistic and stayed in their own end for the majority of the match, but they did beat us. Considering the tactics that they utilized, I think that is the credit I would give them considering the fact that on the field, they were not superior to us.”
— Rafael Marquez, after the 2002 World Cup match
The excuse has been used so often that the needle has worn through the record; Mexico's players and fans, the most common abusers of the "ugly football" diatribe, feel the need to justify every loss to their northern rivals with a scathing indictment of American soccer abilities. "Style" is the most frequently mentioned problem with the way the game is played by the U.S. Men's National Team; a subjective measure of soccer aesthetics that seems to be the exclusive province of the Latin footballing nations.
As a nation still developing a soccer identity, the United States finds itself stuck between the rock of needing to win and the hard place of wanting to play beautiful soccer. Without a significant history of producing world class players, American soccer has been forced to rely on tactics and athleticism rather than panache and flair. Athleticism is the one area of the game that requires no innate soccer ability or skills developed through successful youth training; it's no surprise then, that the Americans most often rely on their athleticism to produce results. Counterattacking and set-pieces, two aspects of the game in which a team can use strong athletes to their advantage, have been crucial to success for the entire period of America's soccer revival.
"There's too much noise for a team that's not true. They might be favorites in the game due to playing at home, but for me, Mexico is better as a team."
— Antonio "Sinha" Naelson on the United States
Results seem to go out of the window when the "style" question rears its ugly head; for Americans, it's a matter of much consternation. Should they admit to the deficiencies of their team, somewhat invalidating their victories over "true" footballing nations? Or should they defend their team to the hilt, pointing out (to quote Herm Edwards*) "You play to win the game"?
The American brand of soccer is certainly not the prettiest girl in the room. Call it the diamond-in-the-rough, the uptight nerdy chick in the corner, desperate to break out of her shell. The tactics used by American managers are often an nod to the superior skill of their opponents, and games won with goals scored though deadball situations and counterattacking breakaways may frustrate soccer purists; but the with a burgeoning interest in the sport, and more resources being poured into player development every year, perhaps American soccer is on its way to a glorious makeover.
This ended up shorter than I intended, but it sort of just ended itself before I quite knew what was happening. I desperately wanted to work a movie quote into the last paragraph, but that would only serve to a) highlight my status as a child of the '80's and b) make some of you question my manhood.
There's a lot of potential in the subject for a snippy fan-boy response to the haters, so if any of you feel like tackling it, be my guest. I might (I stress MIGHT) get to something like that at some point, especially if the Mexicans start making excuses again if they lose on Wednesday (don't want to jinx it).
*For all of the non-Americans who might stop by and wonder who the hell Herm Edwards might be, here is your primer.
— Rafael Marquez, after the 2002 World Cup match
The excuse has been used so often that the needle has worn through the record; Mexico's players and fans, the most common abusers of the "ugly football" diatribe, feel the need to justify every loss to their northern rivals with a scathing indictment of American soccer abilities. "Style" is the most frequently mentioned problem with the way the game is played by the U.S. Men's National Team; a subjective measure of soccer aesthetics that seems to be the exclusive province of the Latin footballing nations.
As a nation still developing a soccer identity, the United States finds itself stuck between the rock of needing to win and the hard place of wanting to play beautiful soccer. Without a significant history of producing world class players, American soccer has been forced to rely on tactics and athleticism rather than panache and flair. Athleticism is the one area of the game that requires no innate soccer ability or skills developed through successful youth training; it's no surprise then, that the Americans most often rely on their athleticism to produce results. Counterattacking and set-pieces, two aspects of the game in which a team can use strong athletes to their advantage, have been crucial to success for the entire period of America's soccer revival.
"There's too much noise for a team that's not true. They might be favorites in the game due to playing at home, but for me, Mexico is better as a team."
— Antonio "Sinha" Naelson on the United States
Results seem to go out of the window when the "style" question rears its ugly head; for Americans, it's a matter of much consternation. Should they admit to the deficiencies of their team, somewhat invalidating their victories over "true" footballing nations? Or should they defend their team to the hilt, pointing out (to quote Herm Edwards*) "You play to win the game"?
The American brand of soccer is certainly not the prettiest girl in the room. Call it the diamond-in-the-rough, the uptight nerdy chick in the corner, desperate to break out of her shell. The tactics used by American managers are often an nod to the superior skill of their opponents, and games won with goals scored though deadball situations and counterattacking breakaways may frustrate soccer purists; but the with a burgeoning interest in the sport, and more resources being poured into player development every year, perhaps American soccer is on its way to a glorious makeover.
This ended up shorter than I intended, but it sort of just ended itself before I quite knew what was happening. I desperately wanted to work a movie quote into the last paragraph, but that would only serve to a) highlight my status as a child of the '80's and b) make some of you question my manhood.
There's a lot of potential in the subject for a snippy fan-boy response to the haters, so if any of you feel like tackling it, be my guest. I might (I stress MIGHT) get to something like that at some point, especially if the Mexicans start making excuses again if they lose on Wednesday (don't want to jinx it).
*For all of the non-Americans who might stop by and wonder who the hell Herm Edwards might be, here is your primer.
