World Cup winners ??

[Jamdiver]

!Brasil, Brasil, Pentacampeones!

I'm predicting a victory and display of footballing prowess for the ages today........

The Japanese are going down

 

[BSea]

No disrespect anywhere in this thread Perrone.
US Soccer has made massive strides in the past 12 years or so since they hosted the world cup.

They were once the laughing stock of the International footballing world, now they've got a professionall football league, youth leagues churning out players each year and a media that while may not embrace football as much as I'd like, does give it some airtime.

The most positive part of all this really is the attention that will be shined on US Soccer and interest those who previously might not have given it a second look.

Rome wasn't built in a day you know .

They may have made massive strides, but Perrone is right. Kids with real ability see the million$ in US Football, Basketball, then look at soccer & say Hmmmmm.

Could you imagine Reggie Bush playing Soccer, Or Jerry Rice in his prime?

 

[PerroneFord]

Jordan in goal... Vince Carter at striker... Jason Kidd at center mid...

 

[MoonWrasse]

Living in the USA watching the World Cup is like living in Kansas City watching baseball.

Goal for next WC for the USA: to be able to beat a third world nation.

 

[Jamdiver]

If more american kids saw the compensation that players at the highest level in soccer receive.
Mainly the club level in Europe and South America, they might think more criticially as soccer as a means to fame & fortune.

Soccer is huge worldwide, I don't think living in the states one can really appreciate the global reach and draw of this sport.

They're players in England earning 20 million Pounds a year or so(about 30 million US$) in wages and other compensation for playing football.

 

[PerroneFord]

The problem with soccer in the US is not the money and fame. It's exposure and access. There are plenty of athletic kids in the US who would LOVE to be playing at the highest levels. But they are excluded from the system. I'm IN the system, and I try to push these kids through, but many never get the shot they deserve.

Until we start making a way for these kids, we're gonna suck at the international level.

 

[MoonWrasse]

Lol, and as long as the US team sucks, you won't get the eyeballs nor the $$.

 

[ScubaTexan]

The problem with soccer in the US is not the money and fame. It's exposure and access. There are plenty of athletic kids in the US who would LOVE to be playing at the highest levels. But they are excluded from the system. I'm IN the system, and I try to push these kids through, but many never get the shot they deserve.

Until we start making a way for these kids, we're gonna suck at the international level.

I'm not at all sure it would make any difference, even if we had a way for the kids to get there -- it's a matter of respect, and we don't get it from ANYONE....not other teams, other countries or the officials. Yes, we got screwed by the officials, but it's not the first time that has happened and it won't be the last time. I've seen it at every level of football -- from the U-17s to the U-20s to the U-23s....we get screwed every tournament. I'm sorry if that sounds like sour grapes, but the truth hurts. Until we get equal respect from everyone (which we have to earn most of), football will never take off in this country. We're back to Square One once again... :116:

 

[PerroneFord]

Respect is very easy to get in soccer. Beat good teams. And do it consistently. Look at Ghana, and the Trini's. Tiny countries compared to us. But they play hard, they play with skill, and they bring athletes. They EARNED respect. The US has earned nothing, but ran around shooting off their mouths all over the TV.

When I coach my teams we do ZERO talking. We let our game talk for us. I find that works very well for us. The US team got a heaping helping of humility, so yes, it's back to the grindstone for them. At little less time at the beach, a little less time obsessing over the model girlfriends, and a bit more time cleaning up that first touch (Beasley) or working on getting free near goal (Donovan). I've watched Reyna play for years. Still don't see what the hype is.

 

[Jamdiver]

!Brasil, Brasil, Pentacampeones!

I'm predicting a victory and display of footballing prowess for the ages today........

The Japanese are going down

Yup, .

Brasil 4 -Japan 1.!!

Ronaldo has now equalled the record of most goals scored in the World Cup.

The Selecao have done it again