US National Team Rumblings: Goings-on in Bradleyville

That time of year...

Take a look at the picture to the left.  It's of the annual USMNT January camp.  Every year, head coach Bob Bradley takes a full squad of players (mostly young prospects) to SoCal for a few weeks.  It culminates in an exhibition match against a solid opponent (last year was Sweden, this year it's World Cup participant Chile), and is mostly for evaluations of possible talent for the senior team for the Gold Cup, WC qualifying, etc.  (More pics)

For any true fan, this should give you goosebumps.  National teams only train every so often, especially in the heat of the European season.  This year, hardly different from any other January under the Bradley administration, young (28 combined caps, half the group has never played for the senior team) and exciting talent get a substantial amount of time to play together.  With key exhibitions (Chile, Egypt, and Argentina) coming up and the Gold Cup in less than five months, it's unbearably exciting to watch this go down.  Stay tuned--and keep an eye on individual performances at the Chile match (Jan. 22nd, 9pm ET).

Seattle out of running for match hosting

Although I do admit, no city in the US has shown this kind of passion (yet).

After weeks of being practically assured they were going to host the USA/Argentina friendly in March, Seattle and the record-breaking, raucous crowds at Qwest Field are reportedly completely out of contention, says the Washington Post.  Needless to say, that probably won't go over well in the Pacific Northwest.  One writer is even complaining of issues within the USSF.

I understand the city more than deserves to host such a high-profile match.  Seattle Sounders FC have far and away the highest attendance in MLS, and Qwest Field (which seats almost 40,000 for soccer and up to 67,000 if need be) could easily go standing-room only in a matter of hours for this match.

However, Seattle, you didn't get it.  And don't even think about comparing it to Qatar getting the '22 WC instead of the US.  The USSF doesn't deal in oil.  Just like any other stadium, logistics and contractual situations have to be dealt with, and if they fall through for one game, they fall through.  I highly doubt the USSF backed out because someone else greased their palms more vigorously.  Seattle has not hosted their last US match, and in fact will more than likely be rewarded with a huge match in the future--probably a WC qualifier.  We're all on the same side here.  So relax.  Details for this game, however, are expected to be finalized by next week.

2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Hosts Panama (red, defending champs) and Honduras (only Central American nation in the 2010 World Cup) could easily end up in the title game.

Yup, 150 days left until the next statistically meaningful series of games for the Yanks.  It's still a long way off, so you can't blame me for getting excited for the UNCAF Central American Cup starting next week.  All seven Central American nations (can you name them all?) will compete for a title and bragging rights, as well as the final five slots in the Gold Cup.  I'm a dork, I get it, but the rivalries in this region are outstanding, and there are particular match-ups that could prove to entertain even the snobbiest of Eurosnobs.

2014 World Cup Qualifying

If you're thinking I'm too obsessed and thinking too far ahead--shut up, this is relevant.

One of the planet's best international soccer rivalries has been completely ignored and spit upon not only by CONCACAF, but FIFA as well.

Oguchi Onyewu's "staredown" in 2002 is one of the most memorable moments in this rivalry's history.

The best parts about the USA-Mexico rivalry are the WC qualifying matches--inevitable in the past given the format of the final round (top 6 teams in a single group).  CONCACAF has ratified (and FIFA recently approved) a new WC qualifying format, in which the final round will consist of two separate groups of four teams.  Meaning (if you've ever seen the way the World Cup Draw works, you understand), in the spirit of fair and even distribution of competition, the US and Mexico will definitely not be drawn together in that final round.  Arguably the New World's greatest international rivalry will not happen under the revenue-devouring flag of WC qualifying.

The new format was adopted to give the minnows of the confederation more meaningful and competitive games, whereas the previous format meant certain and sudden death for the likes of the US Virgin Islands and Anguilla.  In this regard, I like the new format, for the sake of CONCACAF's growth.

However, this hurts the US in two main ways.

First, in revenue, popularity, and exposure.  No matter where the game is, USA-Mexico sells out and then some, on account of the Mexican fan base and the heated rivalry itself.  Popularity of the rivalry = exposure of the US national team = growth of the sport on a domestic level.  Simple shit.

Secondly, fewer matches per qualifying round means more difficulty getting through.  Especially in the final round, where the US would have a mere six games (as opposed to ten in the past) to qualify for the Cup.  This could be awesome or disastrous, depending on the Yanks' performances in these games.  We shall see, I guess.  And for those of you weirdos who don't have the widget on your computers, there are 1,253 days left until the opening kick off at Brazil 2014.  Consider yourself informed.