"I don't agree with that in the workplace." -- David Brent
"I like to wake up to the smell of crispy bacon" -- Michael Scott
Two quotes. Two paper merchants. Two countries. Two laughs.
Either you watch 'The Office' or you don't. If so, skip ahead because the next couple graphs will be over your dead. Sorry.
Whether you punch the clock at Wernham-Hogg or Dundler Mifflin, it's been proven the laughs are there. Naturally, the British version starring Ricky Gervias beget the American production with Steve Carrell behind the wheel of the Seabring.
When American version popped up people like myself were pissed. Over time, though, it was impossible to deny the laughs as the stateside version found its own ethos and thusly became quality. It broke away from the Slough template and made Scranton come alive.
Now, if you're ignorant to 'The Office' you can start reading again. The English invented the game of soccer, or association football technically, as we currently now it. It's spread all over the world and mutated into its own indigenous forms.
For whatever the reason, here in America there's a large segment of the soccer population that are borderline obsessed with the English game. When it comes to the U.S. senior national team, comparisons are always drawn to the Three Lions, as if they are the standard bearer across the globe.
In some ways, this isn't a bad thing. The Premier League is just that, the premier league in the world right now. Since there's no language barrier, it's very easy to Yanks to keep up with all the wheelings and dealings in Jolly Old England.
Wednesday (2:30 ESPN Classic) the UMSNT plays England at the new Wembley Stadium, which is probably as noteworthy a friendly match that the Stars and Stripes can play. For some, this is the ultimate challenge for the Americans. A win vs. the Limeys would be amazing, right?
Not to say no, but it's nothing to work yourself into a tizzy over either.
Let me explain some.
Probably because of the language crossover, England seems to be the model for the US Soccer Federation and that trickles down to almost all levels of the game. Sometimes all a guy needs is a splash of a British accent and he can be hired to coach American youth soccer. People always want to many inane and insane comparisons with MLS to any league in England. The USSF definitely has taken a cue from England, releasing new uniforms for every new game.
It's about time people (myself included) divorce things like the Premier League from the England team. Let's not forget England failed to qualify for next month's Euro 2008 and above all, hasn't won a major tournament since 1966. It's best accomplishment since winning the Jules Rimet trophy was a semifinals loss at Italia 1990.
Look at the conundrum facing England, yes it has many wonderful individual players that star for clubs in the Premier League, but when cobbled together into an international XI, many play the same position or the same style. There is no flexibility. Egos are massaged. Favoritism seeps in.
Oh, there's a lot of drama and fun watching the hopes of a football-mad national ride on this well-paid young men.
For America, we don't need to copy this broken-down English model if the pie-in-the-sky dream of winning the FIFA World Cup (tm) is ever to be achieved.
What the USMNT truly needs is to develop a system, a mentality as it were. Winning on the international level isn't like the club level. There aren't a lot of chances. You've got to put up or shut up. It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's more about the number.
It's not always about putting the best eleven players onto the field, it's about fielding the best team. Period.
This is a problem I see developing with Bob Bradley's squad. In the American pool there's a lot of smallish, attacking midfield types, a solid about of dependable central defenders and a growing amount of holding/defensive midfields. And, of course, goalkeepers. Outside players and quality, consistent forwards are sorely lacking.
With this mishmash of talent, Bradley's done a fairly solid job in a year and half in charge. He's definitely gotten a good look at a lot of players.
Still, when you think of the USMNT, what do you think? You know it's guys that are athletic and will run hard and is pretty good on the counter attack. That's not really a style, is it?
Maybe this all gets charted up to playing in CONCACAF where aside for Mexico (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HIRE SVEN) there's no one else with the resources and players as America. Over the last two decades we haven't had to develop cultured left backs and savvy forwards because the U.S. can simply overwhelm the Honduras's of the world 90 percent of the time. (Well, on homesoil anyway.)
This might be some good ol' fashioned ranting. Watching the team, it's definitely a great thing that it's not 1997 anymore and we have to pray that David Regis is naturalized in time for the 1998 World Cup in France and the player pool was essentially stagnant.
It's hard to believe that Americans playing in the Premier League isn't even a big deal anymore. (The fact that almost all the Americans were nearly relegated, is another story. Or the dearth of Yanks in the Champions League.)
Still, there's a lingering feeling of dread. Our American brothers might be making inroads on the continent, but the sense of team, the sense of one-for-all, all-for-one might be getting a little lost in the process. You can have all the star players in the world, or in Landon Donovan's case poster boys, but results don't come because you're rated highly in "FIFA 09". Case in point, England. 1967-2008...
Club and international football are just simply such different animals.
Take notice of Italy winning the 2006 World Cup, as they were branded together as brothers because of the Calico scandal that embroiled the country concurrently. Or look at Greece at the 2004 Euro, not the most talented 11 individuals, but together very tough to beat.
Look at Germany. No matter what, they qualify out of UEFA for every tournament without fail and you pretty much know what to expect the cruel Bavarian overlords to dole out for 90 minutes. There's probably a German version of 'The Office.'
Either way, like the show, America has to grow up on its own.
To cut this thing off, there are still things worth noting and copying from England:
* Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright comedies
* Radiohead
* Keely Hazell's immense rack
* Jon Champion
Not worth copying from the Redcoats:
* Dental hygiene
* Tabloid journalism
* National soccer team
Running items dept.:
* What position does Clint Dempsey play best?
* Why is Eddie Lewis still around?
* Will Freddy Adu make more than a cameo?
* Does Eddie Johnson know what the back of the net looks like?
* Will 2008 be as kind to Michael Bradley as 2007?
* Can DaMarcus Beasley make it through the match unscathed?
* Does Bob Bradley's hatred of Heath Pearce continue?
* Is Frank Simek a leper?
Starting XI guess
90 percent certain it'll be a 4-4-2, with two defensive midfielders and two flaking attackers
GK -- Howard (split 45 with Guzan makes the most sense)
Def -- (from left) Pearce -- Bocanegra -- Onyewu -- Cherundolo
Mid -- Beasley (only 45) -- Bradley -- Clark (replaced with Edu) -- Donovan
For -- Johnson -- Dempsey
In this set up, as in the past, Donovan and Dempsey could interchange. A better option going ahead would be more of a 4-5-1 with either Donovan/Dempsey or Adu (preferably) in the "hole." That said, Eddie Johnson as a lone forward is a nice way to try not to score.
Unless Bradley recalls a couple MLS guys or tries out some young guys from the U-23 pool, the roster for the England game seems pretty close to that for the next couple friendlies (Spain, Argentina) and the first CONCACAF qualifier against Barbados in June. It's not the most exciting lineup and what we've come to expect so that's why it's imperative that a locked-in style of play develops now.
Crystal ball
One thing become a final score guess. Whatever happens, don't overreact from this game. It's a dangerous trap. If the Americans are routed, it will make headlines and make people worried. That might actually be better than getting a win, as weird as that sounds. If the USMNT were to defeat England at Wembley is would set expectations to the moon. If the boys come out and put on a blinder, we as fans, are going to expect that every game against the Guatemala's of the world and that's simply not reasonable.
Pretty much all I ask as a fan are two things from this match: 1. Keiran Richardson doesn't notch a brace. 2. David Beckham doesn't score from 70 yards.
So with that all said, this ought to be a slugfest in the middle of the field. The US will probably have to endure a blistering charge from England in the first 15 minutes. Composure (I'm looking at you Gooch) is paramount. If the Nats can withstand the initial onslaught they could be poised for a strike in the 25-35 minute range of the game. The longer its 0-0 the more the England fans jeer their own team and as we all know there are probably high school girls teams with better nerves than the Three Lions in pressure situations.
Gazing over the England roster, one thing you can expect out of Fabio Capello's team is speed. Rooney, Walcott, Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are burners. Capello might have even taken notes from watching Fergie at Manchester United, throwing his 4-5 best attackers out there, interchanging roles and having Owen Hargeaves and Gareth Barry shield the middle of the field. Or he could just do a simple 4-4-2.
Whatever he choses, Yank keeper Tim Howard ought to be familiar with his opponents, which is a good thing.
Bottom line, as much as I maligned the Three Lions, they have talent in spades everywhere on the field. Maybe the only way the US breaks through is if Capello decides to give guys like David Wheater or Phil Jagielka their first cap, and even then, those two would instantly become the first choice center backs for Bob Bradley is they were born in Redbank, N.J. and Manchester, NH instead of Redcar, England and Manchester, England.
No matter what I've said, this is an interesting test for the USMNT. It's not a be-all, end-all game and the upcoming games with Spain and Argentina might actually show us a little bit more about them since those two nations are so stylistically different than the familiarity of England.
In short, channel your inner Daniel Plainview, there will be goals.
England 2, USA 0
"I like to wake up to the smell of crispy bacon" -- Michael Scott
Two quotes. Two paper merchants. Two countries. Two laughs.
Either you watch 'The Office' or you don't. If so, skip ahead because the next couple graphs will be over your dead. Sorry.
Whether you punch the clock at Wernham-Hogg or Dundler Mifflin, it's been proven the laughs are there. Naturally, the British version starring Ricky Gervias beget the American production with Steve Carrell behind the wheel of the Seabring.
When American version popped up people like myself were pissed. Over time, though, it was impossible to deny the laughs as the stateside version found its own ethos and thusly became quality. It broke away from the Slough template and made Scranton come alive.
Now, if you're ignorant to 'The Office' you can start reading again. The English invented the game of soccer, or association football technically, as we currently now it. It's spread all over the world and mutated into its own indigenous forms.
For whatever the reason, here in America there's a large segment of the soccer population that are borderline obsessed with the English game. When it comes to the U.S. senior national team, comparisons are always drawn to the Three Lions, as if they are the standard bearer across the globe.
In some ways, this isn't a bad thing. The Premier League is just that, the premier league in the world right now. Since there's no language barrier, it's very easy to Yanks to keep up with all the wheelings and dealings in Jolly Old England.
Wednesday (2:30 ESPN Classic) the UMSNT plays England at the new Wembley Stadium, which is probably as noteworthy a friendly match that the Stars and Stripes can play. For some, this is the ultimate challenge for the Americans. A win vs. the Limeys would be amazing, right?
Not to say no, but it's nothing to work yourself into a tizzy over either.
Let me explain some.
Probably because of the language crossover, England seems to be the model for the US Soccer Federation and that trickles down to almost all levels of the game. Sometimes all a guy needs is a splash of a British accent and he can be hired to coach American youth soccer. People always want to many inane and insane comparisons with MLS to any league in England. The USSF definitely has taken a cue from England, releasing new uniforms for every new game.
It's about time people (myself included) divorce things like the Premier League from the England team. Let's not forget England failed to qualify for next month's Euro 2008 and above all, hasn't won a major tournament since 1966. It's best accomplishment since winning the Jules Rimet trophy was a semifinals loss at Italia 1990.
Look at the conundrum facing England, yes it has many wonderful individual players that star for clubs in the Premier League, but when cobbled together into an international XI, many play the same position or the same style. There is no flexibility. Egos are massaged. Favoritism seeps in.
Oh, there's a lot of drama and fun watching the hopes of a football-mad national ride on this well-paid young men.
For America, we don't need to copy this broken-down English model if the pie-in-the-sky dream of winning the FIFA World Cup (tm) is ever to be achieved.
What the USMNT truly needs is to develop a system, a mentality as it were. Winning on the international level isn't like the club level. There aren't a lot of chances. You've got to put up or shut up. It's not about the name on the back of the jersey, it's more about the number.
It's not always about putting the best eleven players onto the field, it's about fielding the best team. Period.
This is a problem I see developing with Bob Bradley's squad. In the American pool there's a lot of smallish, attacking midfield types, a solid about of dependable central defenders and a growing amount of holding/defensive midfields. And, of course, goalkeepers. Outside players and quality, consistent forwards are sorely lacking.
With this mishmash of talent, Bradley's done a fairly solid job in a year and half in charge. He's definitely gotten a good look at a lot of players.
Still, when you think of the USMNT, what do you think? You know it's guys that are athletic and will run hard and is pretty good on the counter attack. That's not really a style, is it?
Maybe this all gets charted up to playing in CONCACAF where aside for Mexico (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD HIRE SVEN) there's no one else with the resources and players as America. Over the last two decades we haven't had to develop cultured left backs and savvy forwards because the U.S. can simply overwhelm the Honduras's of the world 90 percent of the time. (Well, on homesoil anyway.)
This might be some good ol' fashioned ranting. Watching the team, it's definitely a great thing that it's not 1997 anymore and we have to pray that David Regis is naturalized in time for the 1998 World Cup in France and the player pool was essentially stagnant.
It's hard to believe that Americans playing in the Premier League isn't even a big deal anymore. (The fact that almost all the Americans were nearly relegated, is another story. Or the dearth of Yanks in the Champions League.)
Still, there's a lingering feeling of dread. Our American brothers might be making inroads on the continent, but the sense of team, the sense of one-for-all, all-for-one might be getting a little lost in the process. You can have all the star players in the world, or in Landon Donovan's case poster boys, but results don't come because you're rated highly in "FIFA 09". Case in point, England. 1967-2008...
Club and international football are just simply such different animals.
Take notice of Italy winning the 2006 World Cup, as they were branded together as brothers because of the Calico scandal that embroiled the country concurrently. Or look at Greece at the 2004 Euro, not the most talented 11 individuals, but together very tough to beat.
Look at Germany. No matter what, they qualify out of UEFA for every tournament without fail and you pretty much know what to expect the cruel Bavarian overlords to dole out for 90 minutes. There's probably a German version of 'The Office.'
Either way, like the show, America has to grow up on its own.
To cut this thing off, there are still things worth noting and copying from England:
* Simon Pegg/Edgar Wright comedies
* Radiohead
* Keely Hazell's immense rack
* Jon Champion
Not worth copying from the Redcoats:
* Dental hygiene
* Tabloid journalism
* National soccer team
Running items dept.:
* What position does Clint Dempsey play best?
* Why is Eddie Lewis still around?
* Will Freddy Adu make more than a cameo?
* Does Eddie Johnson know what the back of the net looks like?
* Will 2008 be as kind to Michael Bradley as 2007?
* Can DaMarcus Beasley make it through the match unscathed?
* Does Bob Bradley's hatred of Heath Pearce continue?
* Is Frank Simek a leper?
Starting XI guess
90 percent certain it'll be a 4-4-2, with two defensive midfielders and two flaking attackers
GK -- Howard (split 45 with Guzan makes the most sense)
Def -- (from left) Pearce -- Bocanegra -- Onyewu -- Cherundolo
Mid -- Beasley (only 45) -- Bradley -- Clark (replaced with Edu) -- Donovan
For -- Johnson -- Dempsey
In this set up, as in the past, Donovan and Dempsey could interchange. A better option going ahead would be more of a 4-5-1 with either Donovan/Dempsey or Adu (preferably) in the "hole." That said, Eddie Johnson as a lone forward is a nice way to try not to score.
Unless Bradley recalls a couple MLS guys or tries out some young guys from the U-23 pool, the roster for the England game seems pretty close to that for the next couple friendlies (Spain, Argentina) and the first CONCACAF qualifier against Barbados in June. It's not the most exciting lineup and what we've come to expect so that's why it's imperative that a locked-in style of play develops now.
Crystal ball
One thing become a final score guess. Whatever happens, don't overreact from this game. It's a dangerous trap. If the Americans are routed, it will make headlines and make people worried. That might actually be better than getting a win, as weird as that sounds. If the USMNT were to defeat England at Wembley is would set expectations to the moon. If the boys come out and put on a blinder, we as fans, are going to expect that every game against the Guatemala's of the world and that's simply not reasonable.
Pretty much all I ask as a fan are two things from this match: 1. Keiran Richardson doesn't notch a brace. 2. David Beckham doesn't score from 70 yards.
So with that all said, this ought to be a slugfest in the middle of the field. The US will probably have to endure a blistering charge from England in the first 15 minutes. Composure (I'm looking at you Gooch) is paramount. If the Nats can withstand the initial onslaught they could be poised for a strike in the 25-35 minute range of the game. The longer its 0-0 the more the England fans jeer their own team and as we all know there are probably high school girls teams with better nerves than the Three Lions in pressure situations.
Gazing over the England roster, one thing you can expect out of Fabio Capello's team is speed. Rooney, Walcott, Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are burners. Capello might have even taken notes from watching Fergie at Manchester United, throwing his 4-5 best attackers out there, interchanging roles and having Owen Hargeaves and Gareth Barry shield the middle of the field. Or he could just do a simple 4-4-2.
Whatever he choses, Yank keeper Tim Howard ought to be familiar with his opponents, which is a good thing.
Bottom line, as much as I maligned the Three Lions, they have talent in spades everywhere on the field. Maybe the only way the US breaks through is if Capello decides to give guys like David Wheater or Phil Jagielka their first cap, and even then, those two would instantly become the first choice center backs for Bob Bradley is they were born in Redbank, N.J. and Manchester, NH instead of Redcar, England and Manchester, England.
No matter what I've said, this is an interesting test for the USMNT. It's not a be-all, end-all game and the upcoming games with Spain and Argentina might actually show us a little bit more about them since those two nations are so stylistically different than the familiarity of England.
In short, channel your inner Daniel Plainview, there will be goals.
England 2, USA 0
Labels: bob bradley, England, Friendlies, Soccer, USMNT
I think pretty much every country has their own version of The Office, pretty sure France and Germany do anyway.
I agree on the England fixation, it's funny how you comment on it and then have English turns of phrase show up in your vernacular. I have to keep reminding myself, speed, not pace. Pace still just sounds too much like the salsa.
Hope to be able to watch the game on the Spanish channel tomorrow. Friendlies are always a bit of a let-down though.
Unfortunately I think Dempsey's best position on the field is the same as Donovan's (and also Adu's), They're all attacking mids or withdrawn strikers. They need to be playing in a 4-4-1-1 or a 4-3-1-2 where they can play slightly behind the forwards and not have to worry about tracking back on defense so much. To bad our forwards all blow goats, and we only have one winger (beasley), and he gets knocked down if you breath on him to hard.
You're right we're becoming the poor man's english national team, a team full of attacking mids, and solid defnse in the middle. No one really distributes the ball from the back half that well, and no one makes runs up the sides helping to create some space for the forwards.
Oh well could be worse, we could be turning into the poor mans italy (skipping showers, falling down a lot).
Cardillo,
I realize i'm probably the ignorant baboon right now who hasn't paid attention to the MNT in months, but my main question is..
WHERE IS JOZY?! I don't care if he is playing in the MLS... is that the only reason he's not included on this trip?
i'd guess Alitdore is off the roster 1) because of MLS 2) because he'll be primarily with the U-23 team this summer. Just a guess.
1) We're taking other MLS players to Wembley right?
2) Why should he play U-23 if we need him for the biggest stretch of friendlies we've ever had? The experience would be amazing.
While interested in the 3 upcoming friendlies (by the way, how is the US/Spain match not on TV? Who gets espn360 anyway?) - I am most looking forward to the U-23's in Beijing. Hopefully Jozy, Freddy, Seitz and the boys get out of China before falling victim to the sweet air quality over there.
I see Rooney scoring a couple of goals and the Yanks netting one from a midfielder late.
In your assertion that it would be better for them to get blown out, I disagree because I think it will hurt their confidence going into the other two friendlies. Like you mentioned, stylistically, much different games are expected and if they get walloped by a struggling England team, it may mess up some psyche going into tougher matches. I say go in swinging, beat these wankers, and come home with higher heads. To hell with the expectations generated by a media that couldn't care less.
Great post. Loved the shout-out to David Regis.
Is Feilhaber gonna get a look in this game? He may have a nice chip on his shoulder after getting shelved on the worst Prem team ever.
I can't imagine the Yanks being a factor in WC2010 until they get that quality forward. To me, Altidore shows hope of being that guy but he needs way more seasoning. Looks like Bradley thinks he'll get better experience in Beijing than with the big boys.
Today, we lose 3-0. Inglaterra has too much speed up front, and I think they'll strike lucky.