After watching the U.S. men’s national soccer team this week, I’m at a loss. Something is wrong, that much is clear. But, what is it? And more importantly, how can it be fixed? I missed the first half of the game vs. Italy, where the U.S. was up 1-0 at halftime, albeit down a man due to a red card. Whether they played inspired to get to that tally or not, it’s a good sign to have a lead. The parts of the match that I did see, frustrated the crap out of me. It’s one thing to play to your individual potential, and be surrounded by teammates who are in some way inferior (see LeBron James). It’s another thing to underperform individually, and as a team. Having each player frustrate and bring down his teammates is a sort of social cannibalism, but whereby everyone loses. For me, that points to leadership.
One of the greatest attributes of the game of soccer is the lack of time outs and in game coaching. When that whistle blows, it is time to perform at whatever level you are capable of, acting and reacting to everything that happens without time to draw up a play (other than on a set piece). During the flow of the game, you have to be mental strong enough to believe in your training and your potential. If you have been a part of a victory against a world class opponent (see video below of Brian McBride’s goal to put the U.S. up 3-0 vs. Portugal in the 2002 World Cup), then that is your potential. It should bother us anytime we know we could perform better, and we do not.
After watching the Germans in the 2006 World Cup, I was sure that the reason for their success what their upstart, free-wheeling coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Since he was just fired by Bayern Munich in April, he may be available for international coaching duties. If the U.S. Soccer Federation believes that Bob Bradley is not the answer at the top, then a decision needs to be made soon. We are less than a year away from the first game of the 2010 World Cup, and another poor performance will sully the average American’s interest in soccer even more than 2006′s lousy showing. Our only highlight was getting bloodied by the eventual champs. Brian McBride is my hero.
Everything that I have been learning about cognitive psychology and human potential for success tells me that the U.S. team is simply not thinking correctly. Some sort of thought patterns are contributing to a losing culture and a downward spiral. If it is not the players’ self talk, it must be the leadership. Who is responsible? Can it be fixed in time for next year’s World Cup? I guess we will all know in a year. I will be in South Africa, cheering them on, no matter what. With this program, I am in for life.
