Trinidad Express: Americans have head start

[Zeppo]

Americans have head start

THE United States national men's team will be first out of the blocks in their preparation for the final round of qualifying for the 2010 South Africa World Cup.

The USA will take a head start on their CONCACAF rivals-including Trinidad and Tobago's Soca Warriors-by beginning their preparations on January 4.

Trinidad and Tobago will kick off two weeks after the Americans, when a still-to-be-named squad go to Argentina for a training camp, after which they travel directly to Central America for the important opening match on February 11 against El Salvador.

(continue)

[Karl]

You never stopped preparing since 1994...and that is good!
...and has made for it being good to you!

Where preparation is concerned - Mexico is the only other country in our region

on even terms with you

.

[HL]

Essentially a MLS line-up!

Great to see Cory Gibbs' back in the squad.

Eddie Gavin is not your 'twinkle-toe' player. Never was. He is just a guy who just works and works...

The hope (and talk) for Jamaica is to WIN the Gold Cup! Reaching the semis is more realistic to me.

Jamaica need to play against good teams. Hopefully Nigeria will see Jamaica as worthy--and be the first of many...

Last Word:

I like John Barnes approach to Jamaicas' new style of play i.e. ball management. The fact that his approaach upset some spectators (and forumites)-- is a testiment that he has the right idea...

[Assasin]

A hope yous see how Arena work. he doesn't wait till the foriegners come in. he starts building his team with local talent and work with them.

That is all we ask of the Jamaican coach. Don't wait until the day before the game.

[HL]

Jamaica does not have the depth (and talent) as Amerkah...

[Don1]

Jamaica does not have the depth (and talent) as Amerkah...

In reality America's advantage is not their so called "talent" as you seem to believe. Their talent is very ordinary.

However the USA has massive organizational capability and massive resources.

That's what puts that country ahead... at least in this minor region.

[Karl]

In reality America's advantage is not their so called "talent" as you seem to believe. Their talent is very ordinary.

However the USA has massive organizational capability and massive resources.

That's what puts that country ahead... at least in this minor region.

...massive organizational capability?

To our football organisations and more so the JFF - Pleeeeeeeeeeeease can we not also embark on "massive organizational capability"...or at the very least maximize on what we have and so work towards levelling the playing field?

[HL]

...whatever it takes 1Dan...

"Jamaica has an abundance of Freddy Adu"

[Don1]

...whatever it takes 1Dan...

"Jamaica has an abundance of Freddy Adu"

Agree... whatever it takes. Every country uses whatever it has at its disposal.

Just don't mistake America and football talent.... that's a contradiction in terms.

[Peter R]

add "resources"... we cannot begin to match Trinidad much less American and Canadian infrastructure. The fact that Canada is out is more because of their underperformance than anything else. The fact that T&T is there also demonstrates that all one requires is a certian minimum of resources...I don't think we have consistently achieved the level...so every year it's start from scratch.

[HL]

maybe we have different views in what constitutes talent.

It's the 'bottom-line' that counts 1 Don.

The US has qualified for every FIFA World Cup..since...since...since...

Thay have played and won against some of World's top countries and clubs.

"...and they don't have talent"....sigh

[Peter R]

So Don, is young Moravek talented? I don't think we should dismiss the ability of our regional rivals...what we have (generally)are footballers who learn their trade by playing; playing every day in the streets, with older youths in often hostile conditions. When they get into organized football, the challenge is to have them "unlearn" certain aspects of their game to recognize that football is in fact a team sport and not a game of "bowl for bat". BIG challenge.

[Karl]

Agree... whatever it takes. Every country uses whatever it has at its disposal.

Just don't mistake America and football talent.... that's a contradiction in terms.

I disagree with you there.
The problem of exposing that talent has to do with the US' 'fren-fren' culture. Those who rise to the top are the connected few. Those connected few are the ones getting the opportunities. The real talent which lies among those of South American, Caribbean and Central American descendants - (first generation, second generation and newly arrived) - do not get a 'look in' as for the most part they are 'not known'/not well connected.

The one area where good talent gets a break is in goalkeeping. The US aggressiveness and inborn love for attempting what we call "cow-dun" throws up the goalkeeper who is always willing to throw self around and "charge down" the ball. Cool(?) - slow burn? - under fire. Once has the ball tends to use it well.

[Karl]

So Don, is young Moravek talented? I don't think we should dismiss the ability of our regional rivals...what we have (generally)are footballers who learn their trade by playing; playing every day in the streets, with older youths in often hostile conditions. When they get into organized football, the challenge is to have them "unlearn" certain aspects of their game to recognize that football is in fact a team sport and not a game of "bowl for bat". BIG challenge.

That with the technical skills acquired in 'the streets' football is, as fact, a head game - TEAM!

[Don1]

I disagree with you there.
The problem of exposing that talent has to do with the US' 'fren-fren' culture. Those who rise to the top are the connected few. Those connected few are the ones getting the opportunities. The real talent which lies among those of South American, Caribbean and Central American descendants - (first generation, second generation and newly arrived) - do not get a 'look in' as for the most part they are 'not known'/not well connected.

The one area where good talent gets a break is in goalkeeping. The US aggressiveness and inborn love for attempting what we call "cow-dun" throws up the goalkeeper who is always willing to throw self around and "charge down" the ball. Cool(?) - slow burn? - under fire. Once has the ball tends to use it well.

Just where do you observe this overwhelming talent?

I have lived in the US many years and have yet to see it on a wide or consistent basis.

It may be that we have different standards when it comes to "talent".