The Future of USA Soccer

It's tough to classify if the United State's recent World Cup journey was a "success or a failure", in blunt terms. Losing to Ghana in the Round of 16 was absolutely an upgrade to the Yank's 2006 exit in Germany after group play, but you could tell the players (and the fans) wanted more. Under new coach Bob Bradley the US finished first in Group C, ahead of the highly touted English and surprising Slovenians. The figurehead of South Africa 2010 for America was midfielder Landon Donovan, undoubtably the most talented American player of his generation. He had plenty of help though, especially from a skilled veteran core of players infused with much needed youthful talent. Goalie Tim Howard, centerback and team captain Carlos Bocanegra, and attacking middie Clint Dempsey helped Donovan lead the squad to hopefully a new age in United States soccer. This aforementioned new age hopefully will be one where we will see the Stars and Stripes in the Top 10 FIFA World Rankings year in and year out, and able to compete with European and South American powerhouses. There's no reason not to believe US soccer is on the rise, and by the next World Cup in Brazil, 2014, the Yanks should be much more explosive on offense and more well rounded overall.

Four years from now in the place where soccer is religion, Brazil, look for the United Sates to improve on this year's World Cup finish, and possibly have a quarter or semifinals berth. First off, it is seeming more and more likely by the day that Bob Bradley might not be the man at the helm for the Yanks, seeing as only two countries in this year's Cup had the same coach as they did four years earlier, Greece and Italy (and we all saw how that turned out!). Eight years is a very long time for a coach in today's turmoil-filled sporting world to be employed. International coaches have especially a very high turnover rate because of tall expectations of their countries and respective "football federations". Not to say Bradley did not do a great job with this team, but a change could be in order "just for the sake of change".

The United States have two main priorities to address before they officially compete again on the World's biggest stage: the defensive back line and striker positions. First off, defenders Carlos Bocanegra, Jay DeMerit, and the injury-marred Oguchi Onyewu will all be well over the age of 30. Seeing how one of the best backs of all time, Fabio Cannavaro, played this past World Cup at age 36, the Yanks might want to look for youth on the back line and avoid aging defenders. Role players who were included on this year's 23 man roster, Jonathan Bornstein and Jonathon Spector are definite favorites to step up and fill the voids left by the departing vets. Bornstein will be 29 come 2014, and was a steady presence on defense when used this past World Cup. A possible move to play soccer overseas could further enrich his game. Spector, already playing against some of the world's best in the English Premier League, is only 24 right now. He will have plenty of time and opportunities to prove to be good solution in the long run for the US. Obviously, other defenders will get looks to be on the national team as well. The Yanks draw many players from the talent pools they have in the MLS and U-20 national teams. Some huge homegrown talents that could be featuring on the US defense in several years are Omar Gonzalez and Ike Opara. Gonzalez was the 2009 MLS Rookie of the Year, and Opara; the third overall pick in the 2010 MLS draft. Both players were fixtures on the U-20 team, and are physically impressive and fundamentally sound talents.

At striker, the Yanks seem to be on more solid ground because of Jozy Altidore's youth and potential. The Villareal forward was only 20 this past World Cup, and showed flairs of brilliance with his ability to run counterattacks with lightning speed. He did have trouble finishing those chances, and finished the Cup with 0 goals, but with 4 more years of maturing he could turn into a dangerous creator and scorer. Charles Davies missed South Africa because of injuries he sustained in an October car crash. His absence was very untimely for the States, and was fully felt. In 4 years he will be 28, and hopefully in prime condition to help the United State's anemic striker core.

The base of the US team will be built around midfield Michael Bradley (left). He had a breakout World Cup, with the tying goal in the Yank's improbable comeback versus Slovenia. He is 22 years old, entering the prime of his career, and perhaps ready to play for a powerful European club. Maurice Edu (right) will be another essential player to the team if the US want to advance deep into the next World Cup. The defensive middie played very well when given the opportunity, and is a physical presence that controls the middle of the pitch. He is dangerous on set pieces because of his height and ability to head the ball goalwards. The 24 year old has a pretty decent offensive game for a defensive player.

In the United States it appears soccer is a sport on the rise. With the talent pool from which the Yanks draw players from growing, and experienced veterans coming back, there is a great chance the States make a deep run in Brazil 2014.

-JS