If there’s one truly hidden gem in the sports world in this nation, it is the men’s national soccer team. Eliminated in the round of eight just two and a half years ago in the World Cup in Japan and South Korea, expectations for the American squad have never been higher. Attendance figures for the squad are still fairly paltry, however, as the team struggles to draw well for 2006 World Cup qualifying matches even in America’s most soccer-crazed cities. I ventured to a qualifying game between Panama and the United States in October in Washington’s RFK Stadium. It was a unique and exciting experience, but the attendance for the 6-0 win was just 19,793. The team ordinarily draws well when the road team has some sort of ethnic link to the American locale. Mexico enjoys a bit of home field advantage in games played in Los Angeles, and the U.S.-Mexico match in Dallas in April drew over 45,000 fans. A match with the Polish national team drew nearly 40,000 in Chicago, where there is a high concentration of people of Polish descent.
The Americans begin their ten-match push toward the 2006 World Cup (Germany) this afternoon when they venture abroad to face Trinidad and Tobago. Six teams, playing a double round robin home-and-home format, vie for three automatic spots as the CONCACAF representatives to the World Cup. The favorites to qualify are Mexico and the United States, with Costa Rica looking like the third best team in the group. Panama, Guatemala, and Trinidad & Tobago are the likely outsiders, though just about anything can happen in a relatively short schedule. Jamaica was considered one of the most dangerous teams in the region but they were eliminated in the last round thanks to a number of disappointing performances, including a draw at the United States on the last day of the round. Jamaica needed a win that day to advance, and couldn’t muster it in spite of the fact that the U.S. had already qualified for the final round and had little reason to play.
Today’s game starts at 2:30 PM on ESPN2 and will take place as part of Trinidad’s Carnival, a wild festival that is sure to work the expected capacity crowd of just 12,500 into a frenzy. The United States’ team may be a bit short in their training, as a labor dispute between players and the Federation cost them some practice time. The Major League Soccer players are coming in off just two weeks of practice.
A win over Trinidad and Tobago today would be a huge step toward qualifying, as the next match for the U.S. is at Mexico City’s fabled stadium, The Azteca, where the Americans have never prevailed. If the Americans muster just a draw today and then lose to the Mexican national squad in March, they’ll have dug themselves a deep hole to start the campaign. The Americans’ first home game is March 30th against Guatemala. The game is in Birmingham. Trinidad and Tobago has defeated the U.S. just one time in 14 tries; the U.S. is 6-0-2 against them in World Cup qualifying play.
Hopefully the Americans can put in a good effort throughout qualifying play as a precursor to another great showing at the World Cup. Maybe then American fans will take notice.
Update: Abel’s comment, about proudly waving the stars and stripes, reminded me of something about the game I attended. It was the only time I ever went to a sporting event and felt like I’d really done something good just by buying a ticket. (It was about $50.) Knowing that the U.S. soccer team is under-appreciated and that it tends to need money more than other American athletic endeavors, I felt like my money was going to some sort of patriotic enterprise.
The players also seemed to be aware of our contribution to the squad, as after the game ended they walked around the field and saluted the fans by clapping and pointing at us. It was a neat gesture, and not the type of thing you see too often from athletes. I know that the squad routinely plays games in Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, Columbus, and at various sites in Texas, so if you get the opportunity to catch a game in your area, I highly recommend it.
Update: USA 2, Trinidad and Tobago 1; full Slowplay.com recap
Nathan Novak at 10:42 am
It’s sad to say that the U.S. National Soccer team organization hasn’t realized the reason why they have a bad crowd turnout. Giant Stadium in New Jersey is without any question, the mecca stadium of soccer in the east coast. I have attended many soccer matches and seen easliy 25,000 to 47,000 plus for a friendly game. If the US team where to play at Giant Stadium, I would be proud to wave the stars and stripes.
Comment by Abel Cabrera — February 9, 2005 @ 11:52 am
NY Times has an article today saying Keller is pretty well set as keeper. Good news although Friedel was awesome in 2002.
Be interested to see what another 1 1/2 years of international experience will do for some of the younger guys like Landon Donovan. One things sure; for the first time we’re going to have some strikers who’ll match up with any of the best of Germany or England or even Brazil.
Comment by superhawk — February 9, 2005 @ 12:39 pm
What’s also unfortunate is how poorly the games are covered, marketed and planned in the States. How can it be that all of the home venues haven’t been determined by now (2.9.05). Also how can it be with 4 ESPN channels and countless FOX Sports Channels that and its even questionable if all of the games will be televised. This is a wonderful time for US Soccer to really score big since there is no Hockey to compete against, with the NBA being in the regular season dolddrums, with Football being over and baseball months away. Go USA and I’ll see you Germany !!!!
Comment by Marc Olson — February 9, 2005 @ 12:43 pm
You have to gave me free ticks
Comment by Bob Backer — February 10, 2005 @ 3:22 pm