"MY" USMNT is not these guys, haha. But, really, since it's the National team and not a team representing a city in a league, it must always be changing. So, I guess I need to embrace the new and not think about the past!!! And the past teams didn't win much either, so I don't know why I love them so much. I was talking to William today and I think social media took a part in my love for the players back then. And it's funny, because when I really started following the team (around 2006, 7, 8 or so), social media was so minute, like you had to SEARCH to find information. But the year of the World Cup in Africa, somehow I found someone's video production that showed the players at the hotel, the training, the day offs, the bus rides, etc. I really felt like I knew those guys. I really, really enjoyed getting that glimpse. I know that's how Jonny Bornstein became a favorite. I remember he was the guest star of someone's video blog talk show type format there at the team hotel in Africa. He was telling us that his family owned a sandwich shop and there on camera he proceeded to show us how to make one of his famous sandwiches. I also remember Stuart Holden playing ping pong (possibly with Jonny Bornstein, haha). The team went golfing, and on a safari, and played darts. The guys were SO LIKABLE that it made the World Cup watching experience A MILLION times more enjoyable for me. I never found anything like that to follow during the Brazil World Cup, but I did love the studio show with all the commentary and guest stars and even the Men In Blazers.
When I watch the Olympics my favorite features are the "Up close and personals". Where they go to an athlete's home and give us background information and sneak peeks into their lives.
So, there is this group of players now on the USMNT and I dont feel like I like any of them....and that's probably because I dont feel like I know any of them. I follow a few of them on Twitter. I have seen some things and read some things about Dom Dwyer. Guess who my favorite player to root for is now? haha. (He also runs and hustles and doesnt give up.) But the others? Um, there are a few who play for the Galaxy, or have played for the Galaxy, so how can I like them? I cant. There are a few that I've had on my Fantasy team, so I like them a little, if they've earned me points! But, I don't love them yet. YET. I will. It just takes a while. And that love will come quicker if they can start actually WINNING!
Today's game was frustrating for me because it was supposed to be the game where players can earn their ticked to the next World Cup, next year. It was supposed to be a big match because Panama is one of the teams trying to get our spot at the World Cup in qualifying. It is also the first game of a tournament with an actual prize at the end---The Gold Cup.
But, I didn't feel like the team played very hard, or very well. I lost count on how many passes went out of bounds or were picked off. I lost count of how many times the guys dribbled right into Panama's players. I even once had the brief thought that "hey, I bet the Earthquakes could beat these guys" and the Quakes are pretty bad.
Here is my assessment.
Dwyer's goal and Rowe's assist were spectacular.
SO many misses of chances by BOTH teams!
Did not like Mccarty, he could never get anything started on offense (supposed to be his specialty) and his bad pass or bad dribbling is what began the sequence that led to the Panama goal.
Also, Rowe's defending on the goal was terrible, but where was Villafana??? He should have been doing that defending. And all the guys in the middle should have gotten to the ball before the shot.
I dont really like Guzan, but he made a lot of great saves today. Bad rebound on the goal though. Then he pulled a typical goalie move of coming up after the goal yelling and screaming at his guys. Why do they do that???
Accosta was as bad as Mccarty and I dont want to see either of them again,
Zuzi is too small and too old and I dont like him much.
Corona and Bedoya made bad decisions and got beat a lot.
Besler is over rated. Why so many Sporting KC guys, they didnt even win the MLS Championship this past season.
I will keep watching, it's really fun for me. I will always love the USMNT. I just wish they were better and it's baffling to me that they aren't beating these teams....and it's baffling that they are ranked only 35th in the World. That's terrible. Come on guys.
