Stars and Stripes FC: FanPosts

Who should have earned USMNT captaincy?

2013-03-21T00:56:47Z

Jurgen Klinsmann came out publicly today and said that Clint Dempsey will be the new captain for the US Mens National Team, following Carlos Bocanegra. Many people thought that Michael Bradley should of got the roll due to his leadership skills and experience. Jurgen's reason was simple. Dempsey is a natural goal scorer who can lead and he scores when the team needs him most. I guess that will be put to the test Friday in Colorado vs Costa Rica. Tim Howard should also be considered as a choice for captain as he is very experienced and plays at a very high level. So, who do you think deserves to be USMNT's captain?

Poll

Who should earn the USMNT captaincy in the long run?

Michael Bradley

18 votes

Clint Dempsey

6 votes

Tim Howard

4 votes

Other

0 votes

28 votes | Poll has closed

SN exposes cracks in USMNT towards Klinsi

2013-03-19T18:52:58Z

I found this article from the Sporting News very interesting and well-written regarding Klinsi's management style and how the USMNT players are reacting to him.

The net of it, in my opinion, is that there's nothing here that we haven't heard before from German and Munich players (especially Philip Lahm) about how Klinsmann operates. It's just now being translated to the U.S. game and our players. To steal from a contemporary movie reference, we're used to a Don Revie-type tactics-based strategy, and what we've now got is a Brian Clough-type coach who's more worried about motivation and style. The problem is that a "motivator" like Klinsmann needs an assistant who's good with tactics, like Peter Taylor was with Clough and like Joachim Low was with Klinsi in Germany. The article certainly makes it sound like Martin Vasquez isn't up to that task for the USMNT.

It doesn't surprise me at all to learn that some of the older players aren't buying into the new style, because that's not what they've been playing with pretty much their whole career. It might even be considered "not the American way," at least historically. I don't think it will keep us from qualifying for the World Cup in a weak region like CONCACAF (though that's not out of the question if we keep spiraling downhill), but this provides an interesting insight into what's going on beyond the reach of the TV cameras.

I found this article from the Sporting News very interesting and well-written regarding Klinsi's management style and how the USMNT players are reacting to him.

Juan Agudelo to Celtic?

2013-01-11T21:26:14Z

I'd be happy to see Juan get to a better team with better exposure. First read about this on TSG.

Agudelo to Celtic

I can't think of much to say, but I'm excited for the guy I saw play for the USMNT in a friendly vs Paraguay that should've been tied or won (Cameron pushed down on their goal). Agudelo had some nice movement, combination, and awareness during the game. When I started chanting "uh huh you know what is AGUDELO AGUDELO AGUDELO" to the tune of black and yellow it actually spread and was used during the game.

Here's hoping he gets playing time, tutelage, and skills for the USMNT.

I'd be happy to see Juan get to a better team with better exposure. First read about this on TSG.

Agudelo to Celtic

Here's hoping he gets playing time, tutelage, and skills for the USMNT.

Poll

Will Agudelo be successful at Celtic?

yes

1 votes

no

0 votes

maybe

0 votes

depends on playing time

1 votes

uh huh, you know what it is AGUDELO AGUDELO AGUDELO

0 votes

2 votes | Poll has closed

2014 World Cup Futures Odds and Betting Predictions

2012-10-26T20:00:43Z

The next World Cup doesn’t start in Brazil until June 12, 2014, but thanks to Bovada we don’t have to wait nearly that long to bet on the tournament. In fact, we can bet on World Cup futures odds right now. Here’s a look at some of the highlights of the very early numbers along with some betting predictions:

Brazil (7/2)

Brazil is the first team qualified for the tournament as the host, so it doesn’t have to endure the stress of qualifying. The downside is that that means that it won’t be as tested as others, and we won’t have as much of a sense of its strength as others. Still, the Brazilians are obviously a very talented team that is going to be a real threat. They are also the most public of teams, and will be particularly heavily bet because they are at home. Therefore, value is going to be in short supply. I am not very fond of this price, but I’m really going to hate it when the public unleashes on it and it falls closer to the tournament, so I guess there is value now relative to the future.

Argentina (9/2)

The Argentinians weren’t sharp early in qualifying, and they lost a game against Venezuela that never should have been close. They have gotten their act together recently, though, and are looking as strong as they can. Three guys in CONMEBOL qualifying have scored seven goals in nine games, and two of them are from Argentina. Therefore, this team is obviously explosive. I really like this team, and playing close to home should be an advantage. However, they have made a bad habit of underperforming in the last five World Cups, so I don’t see any value in this price.

Spain (9/2)

After winning the last three major tournaments they have played in, the Spaniards are obviously a major threat. They have been solid in qualifying play to date, though they are clearly playing like they aren’t worried about it and will only do what they need. Their group allows them that luxury - France is the only legitimate test. The first Euro win was in back 2008, so there are some concerns about age and depth. What is so remarkable about this team right now, though, is that the next generation that is coming along is potentially even better than the current one. Compared to Argentina this is an attractive price.

Germany (8/1)

Compared to what we have seen, I love this price. The Germans were semifinalists at the last World Cup and Euro 2012, and they seem to be built to peak for 2014. They are consistently solid at the World Cup, and they will again be a factor here.

Netherlands (16/1)

The Dutch burned mountains of bettors’ money at Euro 2012 with their horrific play. That makes them hard to trust, and I believe their issues there were systemic and not a fluke. No chance I’d bet on them at this or any price.

England (18/1)

I like England right now. The problem, though, is that the English are a very public team that is always overbet because people can’t be honest about what they really are. At 25/1 or 30/1 I’d be interested, but this price is too low.

Mexico (28/1)

If you’re looking for a longshot, I’d end the search at the Mexicans. Though it’s a different team, their Olympic gold medal is a good sign of where the program is going. They are deep and talented, and they have looked almost flawless in qualifying. They have been knocking on the door of an international breakthrough for years, and this could be their time. The price is right — especially compared to lower prices.

All the odds

Beware of what you are betting on here because some teams just aren’t going to win. Canada, for example, is actively listed at 1500/1 despite the fact that they are already eliminated from contention.

Brazil - 7/2

Argentina - 9/2

Spain - 9/2

Germany - 8/1

Holland - 16/1

Italy - 16/1

England - 18/1

Uruguay - 22/1

France - 25/1

Mexico - 28/1

Portugal - 28/1

Chile - 40/1

USA - 40/1

Belgium - 40/1

Paraguay - 66/1

Russia - 66/1

Colombia - 100/1

Croatia - 100/1

Ghana - 100/1

Ivory Coast - 100/1

Serbia - 100/1

Denmark - 125/1

Turkey - 125/1

Cameroon - 150/1

Czech Republic - 150/1

Ecuador - 150/1

Japan - 150/1

Nigeria - 150/1

Norway - 150/1

South Korea - 150/1

Sweden - 150/1

Australia -200/1

Bulgaria - 200/1

Poland - 200/1

Slovenia - 200/1

Switzerland - 200/1

Ukraine - 200/1

Egypt - 250/1

Hungary - 250/1

Peru - 250/1

Republic of Ireland - 250/1

Scotland - 250/1

Slovakia - 250/1

Venezuela - 250/1

Algeria - 300/1

Austria - 300/1

Israel - 300/1

Montenegro - 300/1

Morocco - 300/1

Tunisia - 300/1

Greece - 500/1

Honduras - 500/1

Romania - 500/1

China - 1000/1

Jamaica - 1000/1

New Zealand - 1000/1

Northern Ireland - 1000/1

Wales - 1000/1

Canada - 1500/1

North Korea - 1500/1

T.O. Whenham of Doc’s Sports

Brazil (7/2)

Argentina (9/2)

Spain (9/2)

Germany (8/1)

Netherlands (16/1)

England (18/1)

Mexico (28/1)

All the odds

Brazil - 7/2

Argentina - 9/2

Spain - 9/2

Germany - 8/1

Holland - 16/1

Italy - 16/1

England - 18/1

Uruguay - 22/1

France - 25/1

Mexico - 28/1

Portugal - 28/1

Chile - 40/1

USA - 40/1

Belgium - 40/1

Paraguay - 66/1

Russia - 66/1

Colombia - 100/1

Croatia - 100/1

Ghana - 100/1

Ivory Coast - 100/1

Serbia - 100/1

Denmark - 125/1

Turkey - 125/1

Cameroon - 150/1

Czech Republic - 150/1

Ecuador - 150/1

Japan - 150/1

Nigeria - 150/1

Norway - 150/1

South Korea - 150/1

Sweden - 150/1

Australia -200/1

Bulgaria - 200/1

Poland - 200/1

Slovenia - 200/1

Switzerland - 200/1

Ukraine - 200/1

Egypt - 250/1

Hungary - 250/1

Peru - 250/1

Republic of Ireland - 250/1

Scotland - 250/1

Slovakia - 250/1

Venezuela - 250/1

Algeria - 300/1

Austria - 300/1

Israel - 300/1

Montenegro - 300/1

Morocco - 300/1

Tunisia - 300/1

Greece - 500/1

Honduras - 500/1

Romania - 500/1

China - 1000/1

Jamaica - 1000/1

New Zealand - 1000/1

Northern Ireland - 1000/1

Wales - 1000/1

Canada - 1500/1

North Korea - 1500/1

T.O. Whenham of Doc’s Sports

Not directly USMNT related, but a cool look at international athletics

2012-10-17T01:09:01Z

Click below for a map of the where the players in the 14 richest sports leagues (plus the golf and tennis tours) originally come from.

Our Sports Globe

I figure people here have a bit of an international view of the game and can enjoy this. The 14 richest leagues were identified by Sporting Intelligence and are in order of highest average player salary:

1. NBA

2. Indian Premier League (cricket)

3. MLB

4. English Premier League

5. Bundesliga

6. NHL

7. NFL

8. La Liga

9. Serie A

10. Nippon Baseball League (Japan)

11. Scottish Premier League

12. Aussie Rules Football

13. MLS

14. Canadian Football League

really reminds you how global sports really are, there are 128 different countries represented overall. The EPL has 75 different nationalities in their league, MLS has 64, and Bundesliga has 61.

If you picked two random players from any of the leagues or tours the one where you had the greatest odds of picking players who were born from different nations would be the World Tennis Tour at 95.3%! There are 43 countries represented in the top 200 of the Tennis tour and no country has more than 20 players on the list (Spain). There is a 79% chance of getting two different nationalities in the EPL, in Serie A you'd have a 74.1% chance, and in the MLS at 71.4% The NFL=7%.

hope this isn't too far off the USMNT path and the map is enjoyable

Click below for a map of the where the players in the 14 richest sports leagues (plus the golf and tennis tours) originally come from.

Our Sports Globe

1. NBA

2. Indian Premier League (cricket)

3. MLB

4. English Premier League

5. Bundesliga

6. NHL

7. NFL

8. La Liga

9. Serie A

10. Nippon Baseball League (Japan)

11. Scottish Premier League

12. Aussie Rules Football

13. MLS

14. Canadian Football League

really reminds you how global sports really are, there are 128 different countries represented overall. The EPL has 75 different nationalities in their league, MLS has 64, and Bundesliga has 61.

hope this isn't too far off the USMNT path and the map is enjoyable

Your Starting XI for Tuesday

2012-10-14T08:54:54Z

Thought it would be interesting to see what lineups and formations people want Klinsy to go with.

I realize that formations change throughout the match but I would like to see Deuce start out on the left with EJ pushed up higher. Obviously he is best in the box and not outside of it. Gomez played poorly but his work rate up top still earns him a start I think with Gordon coming off the bench again. Zusi clearly earns another start in MF and I would like to see Williams stay back in the Beckerman kind of role, popping around the top of the 18 for a shot if it is there. On D assuming FJ is healthy then the backline is pretty set I think. Goodson did nothing to claim a starting CB spot over Boca or Cameron.

Howard

Stevie C Cameron Boca Johnson

Williams

Zusi Bradley Dempsey

Gomez Johnson

Thought it would be interesting to see what lineups and formations people want Klinsy to go with.

Howard

Stevie C Cameron Boca Johnson

Williams

Zusi Bradley Dempsey

Gomez Johnson

Top 100 American soccer players, as compiled by AmericanSoccerNow

2012-10-04T15:22:14Z

NY Times soccer writer John Godfrey launched a new website called americansoccernow.com

On the website they got a ASN top 100, a list of the top 100 Americans compiled by several American "experts" (Wahl, Lalas, Twellman, among others).

The ASN Top 100

Top 20
1. Dempsey
2. Bradley
3. Howard
4. Donovan
5. Cherundolo
6. F. Johnson
7. Cameron
8. Altidore
9. Bocanegra
10. D. Williams
11. Friedel
12. Gomez
13. J. Jones
14. Goodson
15. Chandler
16. Boyd
17. Zusi
18. JF. Torres
19. Guzan
20. Shea

The first note is that apart from Bradley, the top 5 looks mighty old. I have a few other gripes (Eddie Johnson is way too high, and I don't think Bocanegra is a top 10 player anymore) but what do you guys think?

NY Times soccer writer John Godfrey launched a new website called americansoccernow.com

On the website they got a ASN top 100, a list of the top 100 Americans compiled by several American "experts" (Wahl, Lalas, Twellman, among others).

The ASN Top 100

Soccer in America’s Great Awakening

2012-09-23T15:52:39Z

Frontpaged. It's nice to look at the ESPN poll and think to yourself, "Self, other people care too. I am not alone. I am only half-insane."

It goes without saying that soccer in America is growing. A poll conducted by prominent social scientist by Rich Luker indicates that it is now the second most popular sport amongst 12-24 year old males, but taking a quick look at the people attending MLS games and playing in parks already proves the point.

Soccer has always been seen as the sport played by kids but never by adults. This was seen by the emergence of the soccer mom and the subculture of minivans and juices that emerged from it in the late 1990s. MLS tried to use this as the springboard for its league and it nearly killed the league as league executives realized that soccer moms only care about the game if their kid is playing in it. And while the success of the USA Women’s National team in 1999 and Men’s National Team in 2002 boosted the sport, it would not be until the latter part of the decade that soccer in America began to awake.

Frontpaged. It's nice to look at the ESPN poll and think to yourself, "Self, other people care too. I am not alone. I am only half-insane."

The awakening started when David Beckham signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy in January 2007. At the time, the league was not really anything special. The quality was subpar and attendances languished around the 15,000 mark. As Beckham and five players, including Mexican legend Cuauhtémoc Blanco and former Aston Villa forward Juan Pablo Ángel, became the first generation of Designated Players, average attendance grew to over 16,000 and the modern era of MLS began.

Beckham’s arrival may have boosted MLS’ reputation but it would be Euro 2008 that would begin to show the potential of soccer in America. It was the first European Championship to be broadcast on the ESPN family of networks, and its coverage was nothing short of a success. John Doyle of the Toronto Globe and Mail was right when he said ESPN’s coverage of the tournament would be a "cultural watershed moment." ESPN’s midday ratings increased 60% during the tournament, causing Doyle to call the coverage "near-revolutionary."

The success showed ESPN that there was a mass desire for international soccer. That desire and success would continue into 2010 as ESPN and ABC expanded on its encompassing tournament coverage. Over 15 million people viewed the World Cup Final on ABC, making it the most watched men’s soccer game in US history. MLS ratings this season are on track to be the highest since the league’s formation in 1996 as well.

While improving television ratings are always an indicator of growing interest, it also shows that there is work to do. Soccer in America is not even close to fully awake.

The interest in soccer in America is enough to generate buzz, but more importantly enough to generate investment. With money being pumped in from television contracts, advertising and wealthy owners, MLS and US Soccer began an ambitious campaign to overhaul youth soccer in America. The rise in academies related to both MLS clubs and US Soccer or unrelated comes to show that the soccer mom culture of youth soccer is dying. Replacing it is now a culture aimed at producing players capable of performing at the highest level. This includes ten-month seasons and an emphasis on developing technical skills amongst all players.

The added investment in the league also has provided the US something it has never had before — a fully stable soccer league. MLS is attracting talent (with Tim Cahill the most recent example) and exporting talent (with Geoff Cameron and Marco Pappa being examples). More importantly, it is providing more proof that its players are more than capable of holding their own on the international stage. Honduran midfielder Roger Espinoza’s performance against Brazil in the Olympics earned him a standing ovation despite losing and being sent off. Of the twelve players used in the US’ World Cup Qualifying win against Jamaica on September 11th; nine were either current or former MLS players. Six of the twelve players used by Jamaica in that game were MLS based as well.

That being said, MLS still has work to do. No MLS team has won the CONCACAF Champions League with Real Salt Lake finishing runners up to Monterrey in 2011. Liga MX teams have dominated the Champions League winning each of the four tournaments. Out of the eight finalists in those tournaments, seven were from Mexico. While the quality in MLS is improving, the CCL remains unconquered territory. MLS’ long-term success will mean little if its teams continue to lose to its neighbors to the South.

While soccer in general now has a foothold in American sports, the question is: how does American soccer grow to a point where it equals the popularity of European and Mexican soccer? The EPL is regularly televised on ESPN and Fox Soccer every weekend morning, La Liga, Ligue 1 and others are televised on the emerging beIN Sports Network, and the Champions League is also shown regularly on Fox Soccer with the final being shown on the Fox network. Meanwhile Liga MX is broadcast on four Spanish language networks weekly. While MLS does have a few games airing on the NBC network, the bulk of its national coverage comes on cable networks such as ESPN and the NBC Sports Network where the ratings are much lower than the aforementioned leagues.

While this may seem disconcerting, it‘s not. The emergence of American soccer is going to take time. There isn’t a deadline for the powers that be in US Soccer and MLS to achieve greatness though it may seem that way to many. The success of US soccer in the past was mainly attributed to the gritty efforts of a few. Now the goal is to develop players who have the same grit as well as the ability to compete amongst the best. That is going to take some time. But the wheels are starting to move and the giant is starting to awaken.

Each success US Soccer or MLS have going forward only continues the momentum. All Luker’s poll does is show that as the growth of American soccer continues so does the growth in supporters. That creates a cycle that only continues to get bigger over time. This is seen in the attention the men received after their wins in Italy and in Mexico this year and the attention the women received in their Olympic Gold Medal run. To put it in prospective, Luker identifies 10 percent of participants as soccer fans, which may seem paltry, but in reality that is 33 million people, around 60% of the population of England and three times the population of Portugal.

It is nice to finally be able to quantify soccer’s popularity in this country, but there is still a ways to go and it remains to be seen just how popular soccer will be in America. It is nice to be able to prove that soccer is the second most popular sport amongst young men. It’s nicer to be able to prove that soccer is the second most popular sport amongst all Americans. Football is untouchable for the time being, but the recent success and growth of soccer make it a safe bet that by Brazil 2014, we will see soccer surpass hockey and seriously challenge basketball and baseball in popularity. When that happens, it would be safe to say that the sleeping giant is now fully awake.

Jurgen Klinsmann Isn't Revolutionizing the USMNT, and That Is OK

2012-09-06T13:47:00Z

Great first FanPost, gladly fronted. Hopefully we start seeing a lot of this kind of stuff from the community, we're happy to promote good FanPosts to the front page frequently. -KM

Jurgen Klinsmann’s arrival into the USMNT camp proclaimed the arrival of a new attacking style of soccer for the national team. After four years of a conservative Bob Bradley, fans were delighted to see a man who led a new-look German side to the World Cup semifinals take charge. Delusions of beautiful attacking soccer danced in USMNT fans’ heads, and all of our problems were assumed to be a thing of the past.

One year into JK’s reign, it is clear that even by Brazil 2014 the USMNT will still be playing the same type of defensive and counterattacking soccer that defined it under Bob Bradley. This is not an indictment on Klinsmann or Bradley, but rather the cold hard reality the USMNT does not have enough of the type of players to play a high-tempo attacking soccer style favored by Klinsmann.

As painful as it is to admit, a national team manager has little control over the development of the players under his command. There is no selling players, sending them out on loans for more playing time, or even multiple practices to work on new techniques and strategies. If the coach is lucky, new players will grow of age and be able to contribute to the national team. Managers are lucky if they get more than 3-4 practices during an international break, hardly enough to cover tactics for the upcoming match let alone improvements to technique.

Great first FanPost, gladly fronted. Hopefully we start seeing a lot of this kind of stuff from the community, we're happy to promote good FanPosts to the front page frequently. -KM

The two biggest wins under JK have looked eerily similar in tactics, though the talent of the players available makes things look slightly different. Against both Italy and Mexico the USMNT bunkered down in their defensive end and stayed compact. The players picked their spots moving forward on the counter, and were able to get several chances. Through a little bit of luck and good fortune, players capitalized on these chances and then the team held out for the victory.

The story sounds pretty familiar, if I removed Italy and Mexico and replaced them with Spain and Brazil, it would sound exactly like the Confederation’s Cup matches against Spain and Brazil when coached by none other than Bob Bradley.

Now I’m not knocking the JK appointment. I don’t think a national team manager should ever stay more than four years, and it was Bradley’s time to go. Klinsmann has also shown an ability to bring out a more attacking personality with the USMNT, but he can’t fix glaring weaknesses with the roster. A great national team manager works with the players he has to maximize their potential. Maybe he brings in some new additions by looking outside the traditional player squad, but he can’t spend a year implementing a style of play like he could at a club.

If you want an even better example of why the USMNT isn’t going to suddenly play attacking soccer ask yourself how radically national teams change their play style. The Dutch still try to play attacking soccer without defense. Spain has always played possession soccer, the only difference is they now have the talent to play that way effectively. England has always been a 4-4-2 hoof it up top style, and the Italians haven’t changed their ways in decades. Even the Germans are still similar to their style before Klinsmann, he just ushered in a youth movement and changes to the backroom workings of the federation.

There is only one way the USMNT is going to change their play style, and that is from a drastic overhaul in how youth players are coached in the US. But that is the subject of another Fanpost for another day.