It’s rare for the United States to miss out on global sporting events, but the players of the US national team will be watching the coming World Cup from the comfort of their own homes.
Are they devastated? Yes. After all, the Americans have been World Cup fixtures for the longest time. While they don’t usually make it to the latter stages of the competition, the Stars and Stripes do well enough to attract the attention of even the most casual sporting fan. Their absence from the big dance is noticeable, and neutrals will sorely miss cheering for the American underdogs in Russia.
Now that they have to wait four more years before they can compete again, several questions must be asked. Where did the program go wrong? Will Christian Pulisic become an unbelievable player in four years’ time? How should the country treat its footballers moving forward?
Where did the Stars and Stripes Falter?
The Americans missed out on qualifying for the World Cup by a single point. A draw from any of their four losses could have easily sent them to the intercontinental play-offs and give them a trickier ticket to Russia.
Their hopes for World Cup qualification came down to an all-important match against Trinidad and Tobago after handing Panama an embarrassing defeat a couple of days prior. Many were confident that the Americans would be able to get out of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification stages by making it to the playoff.
However, a terrible clearance from Omar Gonzalez put the Americans in the uncomfortable situation of chasing a team that lost their last six qualifying games. An Alex Jones howitzer from way outside the box seemingly doomed the Americans to watching the World Cup from their couches.
Christian Pulisic brilliantly managed to get one back, but Trinidad and Tobago defended like there was no tomorrow, and Clint Dempsey’s first-time attempt during the second half was swatted by Adrian Foncette.
The loss doomed the Americans to depending on Mexico winning and Panama losing in order to qualify. When the exact opposite happened, everyone in the team was devastated. They could have won their ticket in Trinidad and Tobago, but a lack of energy and clumsy defending cost them dearly.
Is it time for the youth to take over?
Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey have been long-time mainstays in the USMNT, but their subpar outings during the Trinidad game has brought a painful reality to the attention of America’s footballing fans: Dempsey must now step down from international duty, and the Secretary of Defense must also take off his gloves.
Now is the right time for the national team to consider looking into their youth system. Pulisic publicly addressed his frustrations with the way young footballers are developed in the country, saying that the talented youngsters who play in the US system are spoiled. He thinks the USMNT should give 16-year-old Americans opportunities to play in Europe.
“In Europe, on the other hand, the average level of ability around you is just so much higher,” Pulisic said. “It’s a pool of players where everyone has been ‘the best player,’ and everyone is fighting for a spot – truly week in and week out. Which makes the intensity and humility that you need to bring to the field every day – both from a mental and physical perspective – just unlike anything that you can really experience in US developmental soccer.”
It remains to be seen if the bigwigs will listen to their superstar’s words, but they have a lot to gain by following his advice.
Pulisic: The American Dream?
Pulisic is the only bright spot in an otherwise forgettable campaign for the Americans., the Hershey, Pennsylvania native scored seven goals in his 13 CONCACAF qualifier appearances. The 19-year-old already dons the No10 shirt for the Stars and Stripes, and everyone is hoping that he will be the saving grace that will put America on the footballing map?
Pulisic is proof that playing in Europe early would reap great benefits to American players. He established himself as an exciting winger for Borussia Dortmund, recording four goals and five assists in for the 017/18 campaign.
He is already considered to be one of the most exciting young players in European football, and all the big clubs want his mug on their stadium. While he won’t be making an appearance during the World Cup 2018 games, he will surely make his impact felt throughout Europe in the coming years.
However, the Americans better be wary when it comes to putting all of their eggs on Pulisic’s basket. He himself knows that making a deep run in the World Cup is not something he can do alone. That’s the reason why he called for a change in the way the USMNT develops their players.
The ball is now on the USMNT’s court. Can they provide Pulisic, a once-in-a-generation talent, the changes he so badly desires to give the Stars and Stripes a better fighting chance? Or will they let Pulisic’s star fizzle out before they even do anything?
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