United States of America : Soccer World Cup 2010
With its millions of immigrants from soccer playing countries and ubiquitous soccer moms, it's always seemed only a matter of time before the USA became a soccer powerhouse. However, at the moment the USA is just one of the crowd - on a par with, say, Sweden or Mexico.
Team 2010
It's been speculated that the USA team at Soccer World Cup 2010 will be the youngest ever.
Soccer World Cup track record
2010 |
|
2006 |
Eliminated in first round. First-round opponents were the Czech Republic, Italy and Ghana. The USA was smoked 0-3 by the Czech Republic, tied 1-1 against Italy (indeed, it is astonishing that their best match was against the eventual victors!) and lost a must-win game to Ghana 1-2, in Nuremberg (the referee whistled 32 fouls against Ghana and 16 against the USA, but the match turned on a disputed penalty kick in first-half injury time). |
2002 |
Made a quarterfinal finish, their best finish in the Cup since 1930. |
1998 |
Knocked out in first round. The US lost to Iran in Lyons - the most embarrassing moment in U.S. soccer history? |
1990 |
The USA made its first Soccer World Cup final in 40 years. |
1950 |
The USA defeated England. |
1930 |
The USA managed a third-place finish in 1930’s inaugural Soccer World Cup. |
Aftermath of Soccer World Cup 2006
Defeated, the the ranking system was blamed for the USA not moving out of the first round (they were ranked 5th but apparently came up in a tough group).
Project 2010
In 1998, US Soccer released "Project 2010", outlining the US's aspirations for the next 12 years. The main goal of the project is for the USA to reach the Soccer World Cup final in 2010. Carlos Queiroz and Dan Gaspar put "Project 2010" into motion prior to the Soccer World Cup 1998. The project is financially backed by Nike and IMG, and is geared toward developing young talent - it led to the establishment of the under-17 residency program in Bradenton, Florida.
USA Quotes
Jen Iso |
"The only thing the United States took notice of was Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 110th minute, maybe because it resembled the violence of American football." Jen Iso writing for Graphic |
Bruce Arena |
"Why did I say 2018? Because I know that it's not going to happen in 2010, 2014," he said at his introductory news conference. We have a long way to go. To get there, you've got to know where you are. It's the same thing with this team. If I told you, we were going to compete for the MLS Cup right away, if I told you we were going to win a World Cup in 2010 ... who's going to believe that?" Bruce Arena |
John Smallwood |
"Fair or not, one of the problems the sport has in the United States is that it seems to be perfect for the faint of heart. Players are forever falling on the grass writhing in pain after minimal contact. In a country that lives for NFL Sundays, it's difficult to see a man in agony one moment and up on his feet, suddenly recovered, the next. I'm sure Ozzie Guillen would have a word for this." John Smallwood writing for www.mercurynews.com |
John Smallwood |
"The United States is not a nation of losers." John Smallwood writing for www.mercurynews.com |
Major League Soccer
The 12-team domestic league began in 1996. Normally one Major League Soccer game a week will be televised.
Popularity in the United States
Soccer continues to lag behind football, basketball and baseball in the United States.
USA Soccer links
1885 - 1979 results archive |
1980 - results archive |
Fox soccer - USA |
US Soccer |
Wikipedia |
Reference
21 July 2006 |
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18 July 2006 |
We welcome input to help us improve our coverage of the
United States of America's preperations for the
2010 Soccer World Cup
