World Cup 2014

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Spain might bomb out of this Cup, but I will not call it an end of an era. They have won the last two UEFA U-21 Cups and two of the last 3 U-19 ones. They have guys like Carvajal, de Gea, Azpilicueta, Koke, and Costa who will enter their prime or still be in their prime in 2018. They have an incredible league as well.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

England LOL. Don't watch much soccer, but even I know that's funny!!!

 

[STLDomer]

The shift goes back towards Italy being dominant.

Spain might bomb out of this Cup, but I will not call it an end of an era. They have won the last two UEFA U-21 Cups and two of the last 3 U-19 ones. They have guys like Carvajal, de Gea, Azpilicueta, Koke, and Costa who will enter their prime or still be in their prime in 2018. They have an incredible league as well.

Agree with Title. Spain has great youth that we will see over the next four years replace Casillas, Xavi, Xabi etc.

Italy I think has risen this year but will not shift to dominate. They don't have that much young talent compared to Spain, Brazil, Germany etc. Lot of guys in their high 20s/low 30s plus Pirlo and Buffon are definitely done after this World Cup.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Spain had 11 guys on the 2013 U-21 Team of the Tournament. I didn't even mention guys like Isco or Moreno. La Liga is becoming a better league as we saw with the success of teams not named Barcelona and Real Madrid in international play. A better league will most likely make better players (although England sucks and will always suck).

 

[IrishBlood81]

I can say the first World Cup I thoroughly remember watching the majority of the games in was 2002(I am only 20) and this is by far the most enjoyable one. Much more enjoyable than 2010.

Totally agree. This one has really surpassed my expectations so far. I'm surprised, I didn't expect this at all. GO CHILE! I'm so rooting for South America to beat Europe. I have liked Spain n the past but its always wonderful to see the haughty tumble.

 

[ACamp1900]

1994 was amazing... Still the tops for me. But I have really enjoyed every world cup with the exception of maybe Germany 8 or so years back... the way our boys went out left a bitter taste

 

[IrishBlood81]

6 minutes of stoppage time? uh?

 

[nlroma1o]

*ahem*

Germany has been dominant for a decade. They just have a nasty habit of shittin the bed late in tourneys.

 

[nlroma1o]

Agree with Title. Spain has great youth that we will see over the next four years replace Casillas, Xavi, Xabi etc.

Italy I think has risen this year but will not shift to dominate. They don't have that much young talent compared to Spain, Brazil, Germany etc. Lot of guys in their high 20s/low 30s plus Pirlo and Buffon are definitely done after this World Cup.

Regardless that this is Buffon and Pirlos last World cup, this Italy world cup squads avg age is 26 years old. So its actually younger than the 2006 team and the 2010 team... And only 6 of the 23 players are 30 years or older... so I'd say you don't know what you're talking about bro... The whole team is basically youngsters that will lead Italy for the next 8 years. And El Shaaraway isnt even on the squad. He will be one of Italys stars in the future.

Germany always has great talent, but they can never get the job done. And im not impressed with brazil at all this world cup.

 

[Emcee77]

It's hard to forecast who will be dominant in the next World Cup based on the current roster. Pirlo wasn't on the 2002 squad (he was only 23) but obviously he was a critical component of the 2006 squad that won the Cup. I don't think the current roster proves very much about who will be good in future tournaments.

 

[nlroma1o]

It's hard to forecast who will be dominant in the next World Cup based on the current roster. Pirlo wasn't on the 2002 squad (he was only 23) but obviously he was a critical component of the 2006 squad that won the Cup. I don't think the current roster proves very much about who will be good in future tournaments.

I had to fact check STLDomers blanket statement, because he was flat out wrong.

I agree its impossible to forecast. But I personally believe Italy is back on the rise. I think their young talent on this current roster will be back for the next Euros and WC.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

It's hard to forecast who will be dominant in the next World Cup based on the current roster. Pirlo wasn't on the 2002 squad (he was only 23) but obviously he was a critical component of the 2006 squad that won the Cup. I don't think the current roster proves very much about who will be good in future tournaments.

No, but Buffon, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Materazzi, and Totti were on the 2002 team, and those guys were also huge for Italy winning the World Cup. Teams that are good with young players on the team usually have a very good chance of becoming great 4 years later.

 

[STLDomer]

Regardless that this is Buffon and Pirlos last World cup, this Italy world cup squads avg age is 26 years old. So its actually younger than the 2006 team and the 2010 team... And only 6 of the 23 players are 30 years or older... so I'd say you don't know what you're talking about bro... The whole team is basically youngsters that will lead Italy for the next 8 years. And El Shaaraway isnt even on the squad. He will be one of Italys stars in the future.

Germany always has great talent, but they can never get the job done. And im not impressed with brazil at all this world cup.

I had to fact check STLDomers blanket statement, because he was flat out wrong.

I agree its impossible to forecast. But I personally believe Italy is back on the rise. I think their young talent on this current roster will be back for the next Euros and WC.

Alright "bro"

I like Italy and they will be good but they are not going to be "dominant".

Also of Italy's starting XI vs England, 8/11 fall under my "blanket statement" so no I was not "flat out wrong." Their team as a whole is younger than I thought but I was not flat out wrong bro.

 

[Emcee77]

No, but Buffon, Cannavaro, Zambrotta, Materazzi, and Totti were on the 2002 team, and those guys were also huge for Italy winning the World Cup. Teams that are good with young players on the team usually have a very good chance of becoming great 4 years later.

No argument there. My point was that the reverse isn't true.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Shouldn't we be talking about the stunning Chile performance and the fact that the World Cup champs are now eliminated in the first round?

 

[nlroma1o]

Alright "bro"

I like Italy and they will be good but they are not going to be "dominant".

Also of Italy's starting XI vs England, 8/11 fall under my "blanket statement" so no I was not "flat out wrong." Their team as a whole is younger than I thought but I was not flat out wrong bro.

Haha, im not trying to piss you off bro. But this Italy squad has young talent. You made it sound like Italy is getting older when if fact they are getting younger. My point is that Veratti is 21, Balotelli is 23, Immobile is 24, and Darmian is 24 and they all played against England, and they all fall younger than high 20's. And El Shaarawy isnt even on that list bc he was coming back from an injury. Obviously we can debate all day if their "young talent" is better or worse than spain, germany, and brazil's "young talent." But thats another discusison.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Shouldn't we be talking about the stunning Chile performance and the fact that the World Cup champs are now eliminated in the first round?

Honestly, it's a bummer that it played out like that because it makes the last games of that group less interesting to me.

 

[Fbolt]

To the futbol experts here:

I realize there is a disparity between MLS and Euro leagues. How far apart is this gap and how long until this gap becomes relatively small?

My belief is that after every WC, there's a huge surge in American FB. Further, I feel that the area I'm in, WDC area, is a hotbed for youth FB development-and it's not the only area. I think the US youth teams do pretty well in international competition (my belief-not googling to check facts here). Is it crazy to think the gap can be closed (not eliminated) in 10 years?

Croatia score!

 

[Irish YJ]

To the futbol experts here:

I realize there is a disparity between MLS and Euro leagues. How far apart is this gap and how long until this gap becomes relatively small?

My belief is that after every WC, there's a huge surge in American FB. Further, I feel that the area I'm in, WDC area, is a hotbed for youth FB development-and it's not the only area. I think the US youth teams do pretty well in international competition (my belief-not googling to check facts here). Is it crazy to think the gap can be closed (not eliminated) in 10 years?

Croatia score!

I'm not an expert, but I have many friends that are (mostly European and S. Americans).... The gap is huge. One easy barometer is how many Americans actually play in the Euro leagues. And how many US National Team players play in the top Euro leagues. I may be incorrect, but only one of our National Team players (Goalie) has what it takes. One could also argue that goalies are not typical soccer players, so his ability is not a great measuring stick compared to non-goalies.

How long will it take... Every WC seems to bring us a little closer, but still a long ways to go. Soccer is the most popular sports in 90+% of the countries. That will not happen in the US for a long, long, time. While American Football took a hit with the concussion situation, it still is the strongest sport. Add in basketball and baseball and the climb for soccer is pretty steep and will be. Many factors however are helping with popularity. WC and Olympic play is driving up fans. Immigration to the US is driving up fans. How long will it take for soccer to overcome, won't happen in my lifetime (I'm 43). As a huge fan, I hope it continues to makes strides and the US becomes more competitive.

 

[ACamp1900]

The gap between the top Euro leagues (Germany, England, Spain, Italy.) and the MLS was comical about ten years back... it's narrowed substantially in the the last decade but there is still a big gap… in the last decade the MLS has gone from a joke to arguably one of the ten biggest leagues on the planet (soccer wise obviously) and has clearly overtaken many smaller Euro domestic leagues in the process… It’s just on the outside of ‘legit’ now. I don’t know if I ever see it contending with the EPL as THE LEAGUE… but I can definitely see it contending for a top five spot soon enough.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm not an expert, but I have many friends that are (mostly European and S. Americans).... The gap is huge. One easy barometer is how many Americans actually play in the Euro leagues. And how many US National Team players play in the top Euro leagues. I may be incorrect, but only one of our National Team players (Goalie) has what it takes. One could also argue that goalies are not typical soccer players, so his ability is not a great measuring stick compared to non-goalies.

How long will it take... Every WC seems to bring us a little closer, but still a long ways to go. Soccer is the most popular sports in 90+% of the countries. That will not happen in the US for a long, long, time. While American Football took a hit with the concussion situation, it still is the strongest sport. Add in basketball and baseball and the climb for soccer is pretty steep and will be. Many factors however are helping with popularity. WC and Olympic play is driving up fans. Immigration to the US is driving up fans. How long will it take for soccer to overcome, won't happen in my lifetime (I'm 43). As a huge fan, I hope it continues to makes strides and the US becomes more competitive.

Maybe I misunderstood; I thought he was talking directly about the MLS as a League vs. Euro Leagues. Not so much the strength of our National Team and the overall popularity of the sport. There is some common factors there but not all the same. For example, the MLS isn't all American players...

BTW, We have had numerous players play in the top Euro leagues...

 

[Fbolt]

Here's something from Wikipedia:

CONCACAF U-20 Championship Record

1976: Third place. Won preliminary round Group 2. Finished 2nd in 2nd round Group A. Lost to Honduras in semifinal. Beat Guatemala for third place.
1978: Second round. Won 1st round Group B. Finished 4th in 2nd round Group A.
1980: Second place. Won 1st round New Jersey Group. Beat Bermuda in quarterfinal. Beat Honduras on penalties in semifinal. Lost to Mexico in final.
1982: Second place. Won 1st round Group A. Won 2nd round Group A. Beat Guatemala in semifinal. Lost to Honduras in final. Qualified when Honduras was disqualified.
1984: Fourth place. Finished 2nd in 1st round Group 2. Finished 2nd in 2nd round Group A. Lost to Mexico in semifinal. Lost to El Salvador for third place.
1986: Second place. Won Group B. Finished 2nd in final group.
1988: Third place. Finished 2nd in Group 1. Finished third in final group. Qualified when Mexico was disqualified.
1990: Third place. Won Group 3. Finished third in final group.
1992: Second place. Won Group C. Finished second in final group.
1994: First round. Finished second in Group C.
1996: Third place. Won Group 2. Finished third in final round.
1998:† Qualified. Won Group B.
2001:† Qualified. Finished 2nd in Group 1.
2003:† Qualified. Finished 2nd in Group B.
2005:† Qualified. Won Group A.
2007:† Qualified. Won Group A.
2009: Runner-up and qualified to the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Finished first in Group 1, ahead of Honduras, Jamaica, and El Salvador. They defeated Trinidad and Tobago in a penalty shootout, 4–3, after a scoreless, 120-minute, regulation draw in the semifinals. In the finals the US team lost by a score of 3–0 to Costa Rica.
2011: Quarterfinal. Did not qualify for World Cup.
2013: Runner-up and qualified to the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Won Group A. In the finals the US team lost by a score of 3–1 to Mexico in extra time.

 

[STLDomer]

Wow, what was Alex Song thinking? Dumb red card.

 

[ACamp1900]

Now our youth squads definately seem to not get the attention that other nation's do... though I definately do not follow the U stuff as closely as other soccer related items so maybe I am off there.

 

[Fbolt]

Apparently for good reason:

Standings group U20 standings 2013 WC
Team MP GF GA Pts
ESP 3 7 2 9
FRA 3 5 4 4
GHA 3 5 5 3
USA 3 3 9 1

2011-no USA team

 

[ACamp1900]

What i mean is, it seems our National Team does not put time into the youth teams the way other nation's put time into theirs... thus the table you provided.

 

[IrishBlood81]

Honestly, it's a bummer that it played out like that because it makes the last games of that group less interesting to me.

True, it does. But to me, its worth it

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Our coaching in the youth level has been horrible.

 

[notredomer23]

The United State's U20 team in the next tournament is going to be scary good... Sooooo much good talent. That will be the first time we truly see Julian Green shine in a USA jersey and not just garbage minutes....

Other notable players the USA team will see are Kellyn Acosta, who stars for FC Dallas Junior Flores(18 year old who will be playing with the Borussia Dortmund 1st team this coming season), Eric Palmer Brown who already has started a few games at CB for SKC and is getting a transfer to Juventus, Kainoa Bailey of Bayer Levekusen, and Russell Cannouse of Hoffenheim. There are a few other notables I am surely forgetting.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

Yedlin will be too old for the U-20 World Cup. He'll be 21 or 22.

However, Gedion Zelalem is an option if rumors are to be believed.