As Americans, we're all still basking in the afterglow of the USMNT Confederations Cup performance; we're analyzing our players, talking about our coach, and considering public opinion on our beloved sport on the greater national stage. As we are understandably inwardly focused these days, I thought it might be interesting to get some sense of how the Americans' efforts in South Africa are being viewed on the other side of the Atlantic.
To that end, I've asked Chris Nee of twofootedtackle to answer a few questions I had on the English perception of our boys and our success in South Africa.
MFUSA: Have you seen or do you believe there will be any appreciable change in the way the English press views the US National Team in light of their run to the Confederations Cup final?
Chris Nee: I think we were given the usual platitudes after the win over Spain. By its very nature the press likes to latch onto the big stories and hype them up, but at the core was a self-serving desire to portray the USA as a brilliant side - at least for that one game - because how else could they beat a team England couldn't touch? Of course losing to Brazil now means the USMNT is back to its plucky underdog status, but I hope a little of the residual appreciation of what they actually achieved will remain.
MFUSA: Do you believe there has been any change in the way American players are viewed?
Chris Nee: Yes and no. Seeing how Jozy and Gooch played (good at it though they were) probably reinforces the perception of American players as amazing athletes and not a lot else. Maybe Jozy's goal against Spain showed some of us the other side of his game. For many English viewers it was a first proper look at the US (the tournament was much more accessible than previous Confederations Cup games), and I think more people now appreciate that while there are a lot of big guys in the current US team, there's plenty of skill too. US players certainly seem to now be considered as full of character and determination, and deservedly so.
MFUSA: Which American increased his standing most in the minds of English observers?
Chris Nee: We're now much more aware of Charlie Davies and Michael Bradley, both of whom I thought were excellent in the USA's great run to the final. Bradley in particular is now a popular name to throw around in speculation about a Premier League move because he showed himself to be the type of midfielder we love here, a dynamic box-to-box player with stacks of energy and no problem getting stuck in. We know Jay Demerit well enough, but I think even those of us who like him at Watford were surprised at just how good he was.
But ultimately the biggest gains were made by the man every English fan is talking about today thanks to Grant Wahl: Landon Donovan. We knew he was good, and I've seen some great things from him in a Galaxy shirt, but he surprised everyone with his effort, pace and ability. His goal in the final was incredible.
MFUSA: What was the English perception of the US victory over Spain?
Chris Nee: Everybody was just surprised, but I think that's more to do with our fear of Spain. We've put them on a pedestal and didn't think the US had a hope in hell of knocking them off it. Most of us were pleased, and the fact that it was done in such an attacking, confident way really did you guys a favour. Had it been a case of smothering the game the US would've got slated in the press, but Bob Bradley set his team up to go at Spain and got the rewards. Overall it was pretty impressive stuff.
MFUSA: In your opinion, how much of any negative perception on the part of the English (both media and public) towards the US National Team and soccer here on the whole is based on fact and how much is simple dismissive arrogance?
Chris Nee: It's a bit of both. You know as well as anyone that US soccer has its obstacles, and the English media and footy public are well aware of some of them - though not all. Generally, the US is written off because of competition with NFL, MLB, NBA and MLB. Of course, nothing gets noted about Major League Soccer's internal dilemmas (parity, capping, expansion etc) and that's largely because MLS - much more than the national team - is totally ignored. The growth of MLS is completely unknown.
There is a definite arrogance about it, but it's just a magnified version of the attitude we have towards every country except Brazil, Argentina and Germany. The fact that football isn't America's biggest sport means the English simply don't see the USMNT as even the slightest threat. That has changed in the sense that we sure as hell don't want to draw you in South Africa, but the press would still just assume an English win.
Check out Chris' blog and podcast on all soccer topics at twofootedtackle, as well as his views on MLS at Soccerlens and Some People Are On the Pitch.
