USA Soccer Needs an Enema

Published on 11-Oct-2017 by Alan Adamsson

Soccer    Soccer Daily Update

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USA Soccer Needs an Enema

There's an abundance of reasons, but there is no excuse.

For its doltish tactics to its total lack of urgency, the USA got what it deserved in a desolate little Caribbean stadium in front of a crowd that looked like an RSVP-only list.

As a result of its 2-1 loss to serene Trinidad & Tobago, combined with victories by Honduras and Panama, the Americans will miss their first World Cup in 32 years.

So, in reference to the USA Soccer community at large, it needs to be said:

If any game could serve as the perfect example of Bruce Arena's inadequacy as an international-level manager, this one was it.

Sure, it probably made sense to leave the starting XI intact after they steamrolled Panama in a must-win situation.

If that was the decision, why in the name of former Navy and Raider coach Eddie Erdelatz would anyone order them to pull in their reins against a side whose only hope on the night was getting home in time for dinner?

Where was the 4-4-2 diamond that featured five attackers and served so well to crush Panama? Why set the bar so low that a satisfactory objective is a must-tie situation? Was Arena that unsure of his side's abilities?

It was clear from the opening minutes that this was Arena's agenda, which begs another question:

Why focus your game plan on your side's weakest unit?

All throughout the World Cup qualification sojourn, the only way America's back four could've been up to the task was if they carried weapons.

Arena's thinking set up an own goal by slow-footed Omar Gonzalez that should forever be replayed in black-&-white and passed off as a Keystone Cops comedy:

And if you're gonna pack your own end, then hustle up and mark somebody, for chrissakes:

After that display, would it have been too unreasonable to think Michael Bradley, for one, coulda put his book down for a moment to get involved?

It sure seems there was a lottal Red Shirt Syndrome disguised in white jerseys out there.

 

Intense times call for intense attention. How much is that to ask over the course of a two-hour survival match?

Just a hunch, but it might've occurred to someone in the USA locker room that this tie thing wasn't working. Christian Pulisic, for one, took the hint.

However, by then, it was T&T's turn to pack the back end. The Americans could only manage a couple of threats, like Clint Dempsey's late post-knocker that could've changed the post-game conversation ...

And this Benny Feilhaber header off an excellent cross by Pusilic that was trouble ...

But in the end, USA Soccer finally got what it's so richly deserved for at least the last five years.

Anyone who's had anything to do with decision-making for that outfit's gotta go. That includes anyone in MLS who thinks USA Soccer should be their publicity wing. A pox upon them and their selfishness for resisting the most talented young players moving to Europe and learning from the best.

There will be whiners clinging to the fact that Panama edged into the World Cup on a blown call against Costa Rica:

Setting aside the point that stuff like that is part of the game, the USA should be able to take care of its own business.

For a better shot of that happening, USA Soccer needs to bag its arrogance. The time has long gone for American soccer players to be affected by those who consider the organization to be their own little fiefdom.

After this game, everyone will have additional time do more than think about it.

Damn right.