Comments on: Looking Back at Project 2010: Part I

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 20:37:04 +0000

Denmark is a bad example: they are only one of two European countries to ever win a tournament outside the continent (France is the other) when they won the Confed Cup in the mid 1990s.

Switzerland is one thing: I think the US is superior to Switzerland, but Denmark has a very good record in major competitions and has produced three of the top 100 men’s players over the last 20 years which is three more than we’ve produced.

By: Peter C

Peter C — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 18:30:07 +0000

Australia moved to the Asian Confederation a short while back.
New Zealand of Oceana will be playing Bahrain(5th in Asia) for a WC berth.

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:43:05 +0000

Cavan,
My Sounders got bounced, I only have this and FIFA soccer video games in my life, please do not turn people off of this.

By: Cavan

Cavan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:24:10 +0000

Finally, what good does it do to hypothetically compare our national team to anyone else, like Australia. That’s why they play the games. I guess it sells lots of papers in England though.

By: Cavan

Cavan — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:23:03 +0000

I wouldn’t look at ‘06 as any indicator for how this next World Cup will play out. There is a huge difference in play and results between European World Cups and non-European World Cups. The European teams (outside the big powers) clean up in Europe. They get bounced in the group stages anywhere else. If you look at ‘06, the cynical, defensive posture of the Europeans won out. There were (almost) no equalizers scored. Most of the time, the team that scored first scored again off of a counterattack because the other team had to push it.

Contrast that to ‘02 and in this year’s Confederations Cup. There were plenty of equalizers and see-saw games. Common thread? The games weren’t in Europe. Suddenly the European teams were no longer invincible. The powers were still quite formidable but not invincible.

There’s something about being in Europe that just breeds dull, cynical play in World Cups. You could go back farther and compare 1986, 1990, and 1994. (To be fair, 1994 had some key rule changes that increased scoring.) Usually I attest it to weather but the weather was in the 50s this past June in South Africa.

As far as winning the World Cup, a lot of things have to bounce your way. The Germany game from ‘02 reminded us of that. Can our team contend? Absolutely. Will they play well and get some good bounces? We’ll see. Meanwhile, it’ll be a fun ride for the fans.

By: Kartik Krishnaiyer

Kartik Krishnaiyer — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:44:03 +0000

I have a copy of the report, that I downloaded years ago and the link is gone. Anyone who wants a copy, email me at kkfla737@yahoo.com and I will email it to you. It is a PDF file, and runs about 140 pages.

By: Lars

Lars — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 05:18:02 +0000

You’re joking right?

Australia better than the US?

The US plays in a much more competitive region, against tougher competition and performs admirably (even if they don’t win major competitions) on the world stage against super powers from Europe and South America.

Australia plays in the weakest of the world regions, Oceania’s wonderful Confederation excepted (they don’t really count).

The US is better than most European sides, with the exception of the superpowers, and don’t forget they took down Spain. Granted, no European teams perform well outside of Europe (trouble dealing with alt and distance) but to say that Denmark or Switzerland is superior to the US is a travesty, a shame and a mockery, or as I like to call it, a Traveshamockery.

I would put the US on par with most South American teams in terms of talent (Argentina and Brazil excepted, perhaps Paraguay as well), but is not nearly as well coached as any of those sides (except Argentina).

The US has a solid shot at winning. It’s just a matter of luck of the draw, as well as using the weapons it has effectively.

By: Kartik

Kartik — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:38:42 +0000

I honestly felt if the Confed Cup team could reach the quarters and semis, anything was possible. But the loss of Davies and Onyewu really messes up that chance

By: Chris in Belfast

Chris in Belfast — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:36:59 +0000

Ghana beat the US in 06. Just sayin’.

The African teams are a heck of a lot better than most people give them credit for. Or is Eto’o not better than any player on the nats?

By: Chris in Belfast

Chris in Belfast — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 23:35:33 +0000

Kartik,

Can I ask in this series that you and any MLS Talk writers contributing be very specific when discussing structural deficiencies in the league? I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve read writers on this site say things about the inner-politics of the USSF and the meddling and the ways that player development is hamstrung, but nothing more than saying that it happens and assuming everyone has the inside knowledge. I don’t, so I don’t know what you’re referring to; and it would make it much easier for me to follow your arguments and agree or disagree.

Thanks, and I look forward to reading.