View from overseas: US find their mettle

Story by Andrew Rogers

Andrew Rogers
Surrey, UK (June 13, 2006) - After a deluge of overreaction and misguided criticism, the US national team took the opportunity on Saturday to prove their credentials at the Fritz Walter Stadium in Kaiserslautern.

The result is not surprising given the nature of the two sides, however, the manner in which they achieved the 1-1 draw was unique in the history of the World Cup.

Referee Larrionda, who works as a clerk proved that pushing paper work is clearly poor preparation for do or die World Cup games between a powerhouse and emerging heavyweight.

There can be no complaints over Di Rossi's wayward elbow or Mastroeni's reckless challenge. However, Larrionda made the wrong call on the Pope sending off. On another day both challenges could have been dealt with little more than a talking to. To administer two yellow cards for such tackles, suggests maybe the referee was looking to grab some of the headlines that were going to be splashed on a great game.

It was impressive to see the US take the game to Italy. Totti quickly lost his fuse once he realised he was in a proper game, getting himself booked after 5 minutes.

Another notable aspect of the US team was their gamesmanship. Unsurprisingly every time the stars and stripes, gained any sort of momentum through breaking up the play, invariably an Italian could be found lying on the floor in agony.

The US admirably concentrated on the task at hand and when they needed to rolled around themselves and questioned the referee. I fully appreciate in many respects this is adverse to the national sporting culture, but the reality of international soccer is righteousness and moral buoyancy at times can hinder a World Cup campaign.

Technically and tactically, the US were good value for their talent and as expected proved they can compete with anyone. Goals are not likely to cascade from this side, so giving up goals from appallingly set offside traps and bad communication must be eradicated.

Looking forward, the US have done very well to put their destiny back in their own hands. The added bonus for the side is that Ghana have their goal scorers from the Czech game suspended, Gyan and Muntari.

Donavon is likely to come into his own given the space Ghana afford the opposition, and McBride like Toni will be a lot for them to handle. Athletically they will compete with the Ghanaians and are unlikely to falter like the Czech did in the last 20 mins.

Over the longer term, I understand from sources of considerable national and international experience, that there is concern over the preference given the European based players, on the assumption that it relates to international performance. Johnson and Dempsey are case in point that the MLS can stand up to international competition.

One only needs to look to Greece in the 2004 European Championship and France again misfiring to realise the European domestic game, does not necessarily translate to international soccer. The opportunity of playing in a World Cup can also be perceived differently depending on your ambitions and economic situation.

Elsewhere, Argentina exudes class, but such performances carry little significance unless they can produce in the knock out stages. However, the luxury of bringing Messi, Tevez and Cambiasso off the bench sends out a strong message to the rest to the competition.

England are winning but do not look like world beaters. It will be interesting to see the performance the team produces against Sweden given England have not defeated them in 38 yrs. Will the team give Erikkson the reasoning he requires to keep Gerrard on the bench for the second round bringing some much needed balance to the side?

Brazil are moving through the gears. Australia put in a great performance but still lost. If this is Brazil playing badly, I am concerned for the team that has to deal with them in full flow. Whether Brazil, find that top gear is another question in itself.

Football Fever: the readers of this prestigious and distinguished publication deserve the most authentic and creditable soccer journalism. Reports in the London Times from Bulgaria have made me question my commitment to the cause. I don't have World Cup fever merely a mild cough/ cold of some sort.

Two life sentence prisoners in Pazardzhik Penitentiary in Bulgaria have sewn their mouths up and refused to eat until their demands to watch the World Cup are met. They have left a small part of their mouths unstitched in order to smoke but a fundamental point has been made. I know in my heart of hearts that anything Europe can do over time the US will do a whole lot better…

Andrew Rogers, contributes to USA Today, Gol TV and Four Four Two. He lives in Sunbury on Thames in England. Formerly the director of communications for the Long Island (N.Y.) Rough Riders, he is a UEFA 'B" license coach and plays semi-professionally with Spelthorne FC.