OT: USA World Cup Qualifier vs. Costa Rica

Submitted by Michiganguy19 on

We really need some points from this match. Quite the weather for the match in Colorado... Go Yanks!

TheGhostofYost

March 23rd, 2013 at 12:01 AM ^

Very true, and my mistake.  If you're talking about 0-14 years, we've got about 60 million.  That would be 10%.  Brazil registers a youth participation of roughly 70% for 2012.

WolvinLA2

March 23rd, 2013 at 1:05 AM ^

80% of kids 0-14 play soccer? I'd like to see where you're getting that statistic. Wanna know why you're trolling now? Making up statistics.

Soccer will never be the number one sport here. But our population is big enough to where a significant minority can still build a strong squad.

mgowake

March 23rd, 2013 at 8:55 AM ^

So I'll make one too :-)

The Dutch, English, Italians, Spanish, Portugese all have amazing soccer teams with a fraction of the population of the USA. If you've got 1/5 the population of the USA and 5x the participation, you've still got the same number of players playing. With the resources in the USA and the fact that soccer is a cheap sport to get into and is percieved as relatively safe, I think the future is bright for USA soccer. Sure, Brazil has amazing talent and a big population, contributors to their success, sure. But saying the USA has no chance is just ludicrous. It's just going to take time. 

mgowake

March 23rd, 2013 at 8:56 AM ^

Heck, even Japan is solid. Basically every country that has a high GDP and decent population can eventually be good. The difference is hundreds of years of passion and development. It'll take time. But the USA loves a winner and when we start winning, the USMNT will be the hottest ticket out there.

TheGhostofYost

March 23rd, 2013 at 12:08 AM ^

I think part of our problem is the morons above who refuse to admit that U.S. soccer needs major changes to be competitive on a world stage.  But honestly, what else can you expect from this blog?  It's basically devolved into one big sunshine-blowing orgy thanks to Brian, Ace, and the 14-year-olds.

This place used to pride itself on objectivity.  What a sad decline.

TheGhostofYost

March 23rd, 2013 at 12:29 AM ^

I know full well why people don't like me.  I point out that Beilein is a poor defensive coach who's never had a defense in the top 25 and only made the top 100 twice: TROLL! I point out that U.S. Soccer has never made the World Cup Semifinal and needs major reform in terms of interest and youth participation:  TROLL!  I illustrate that Funk has a weak record of offensive line development:  TROLL!   I argue that Borges is past his prime based on statistics and has never had serious offers to be a head coach:  TROLL!  I argue that Burke shooting 2-12 and relying too much on 1-v-1 is bad for the team: TROLL!  I point out that director cup standings demonstrate a recent decline in UM sports:  TROLL!

It's a joke. We're about one step away from RCMB, and it really is sad.  The board used to be different, as several mods have pointed out. I hope it comes back.

MinWhisky

March 23rd, 2013 at 9:04 AM ^

One of the reasons I have been a faithful reader of this blog is to get fresh information, new insights, and a diversity of views.  Howver, I too feel like there has been a trend to "homerism" and prejudicial down-voting of bloggers who traditionally offer a different perspective.   Now, I tend to enjoy reading the "flamebait" comments, especially if they're part of a thread, and find that, too often, rather than addressing the blogger's arguments, the board resorts to name calling and dismisses the controversial blogger.

Michael From TC

March 23rd, 2013 at 1:48 AM ^

Another part of the lack of interest in youth soccer is that we also have 4 of the worlds best leagues in other sports in our country to draw interest and we have the financial means as citizens to pursue those other sports. Countries like Argentina and Brazil, the majority of the population doesnt have a pro football or competitive pro basketball league to aspire to play in nor do they have the financial means to play the pay-to-play leagues they do have on the same scale as us.

 

You see this in the inner cities of the US where the money is tight it is just that in the US the poverty strucken youth play basketball instead of soccer. All you need to play basketball or soccer is 1 other person and a ball (or some other round object)  whereas you need many more people and equipment to play other sports.

 

 

just a thought.

snarling wolverine

March 23rd, 2013 at 11:03 AM ^

There are cultural factors at play.  Soccer in the U.S. has the reputation as a suburban, "white" sport, but in Europe, soccer is often perceived as an inner-city sport, much like basketball here.  This is notably the case in France where participation is extremely high among the black and North African minorities while being lower among whites (who are often more into rugby).  

 

MGlobules

March 22nd, 2013 at 10:59 PM ^

just administered to one of our guys? Perhaps they're like people who shout when they first start using phones, they think snow makes everyone blind? 

Tshimanga Cowabunga

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:02 PM ^

I can't believe there are 4 tournament games on right now and I've been watching soccer but this game is too crazy to miss.  Definitely should've had a penalty when Dempsey was taken down in the box. Getting no help from the ref. I just hope he doesn't call it before we can finish

hockeyguy9125

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:11 PM ^

besides the obvious reason to be glad about that, they are much less likely to cancel this game and start all over again (tomorrow?) now that one of the teams has a lead

denardogasm

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:28 PM ^

It blows my mind how often the people in charge of these types of things are the dumbest and most unreasonable people in the room.  Why the hell couldn't they plow the field during halftime instead of pausing now?  And why do they have to pause if the players want to play?

EZ Bud

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:32 PM ^

Of all the sporting events on TV, this soccer game has captivated me. That is saying something, considering hockey and basketball are my preferred sports.

denardogasm

March 22nd, 2013 at 11:34 PM ^

I don't think I would use any subs in this game.  It's just gonna take the sub ten minutes to get used to the conditions.  The guys who have been in are better options.