Wait, we didn’t win that Cup?
Judging by the media blitz, I could have sworn it was The Big One.
Sure, I’ll admit the Yanks put on a courageous performance against Spain in the Confederation Cup semifinals.
But let’s curb expectations for 2010, OK?
The US’s Lance Armstrong-ian effort tickled our Rocky-loving hearts with a tingly Lee Greenwood moment, but it won’t be enough to take down elite competition on a consistent basis.
And that’s the goal, right?
While the stifling play of goalie Tim Howard and defender Oguchi Onyewu was impossible to ignore, it also highlighted something very concerning: Why/how was Spain able to attack with such ease?
The answer, of course, is simple: world-class skill.
Spain’s roster is filled with it from top-to-bottom. In contrast, the US is almost completely void of such talent, boasting only two comparable technicians in Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey.
The lopsided stats tell the story. They also prove how impressive the Yanks’ defense was.
As we move forward, let’s keep things in perspective.
It hurts to say, but the win over Spain wasn’t the cornerstone piece in a burgeoning soccer empire. After all, the highs are always grounded in the rubble.
So, will the US experience the freefall in Azteca or South Africa?
No matter when it comes, you can expect the Yanks to be there in the wreckage. Once again, they will employ that red white and blue-collar work ethic to pick up the pieces.
But common laborers will only take them so far.
