Yanks Abroad: Looking Across the Pond for the World Cup

The one huge difference for the United States in World Cup 2010 compared to 2006 is where the yanks play. In 2006, 12 players on the roster played outside of the United States with 11 players based in MLS and the reserve roster contained all MLS players. Of the 12 players who played overseas in 2006, 4 would return to play in the MLS. 


After a very disappointing result in the World Cup, Bob Bradley would replace Bruce Arena as coach of the team. Despite many criticisms of coach Bradley, the one thing he insisted was players playing in Europe. 


Assuming these player are not injured by June, (which many are at the moment), including what appears to be a miraculous comeback by Charlie Davies after a deadly car crash, here is a look of the potential roster for the team.

Altidore
Davies
Donovan
Clark
Bradley
Dempsey
Spector
Bocanegra
Onyewu
Cherundolo
Howard

Of the starting 11, all play in Europe (Donovan plays for LA Galaxy but is currently loaned to Everton FC and Clark left MLS after the 2009 season). 


Even potential substitutes such as Jermaine Jones, Jay DeMerit, Edgar Castillo, Clarence Goodson, Stuart Holden*, Jose Francisco Torres, and Benny Feilhaber play outside MLS. Our best goalkeepers currently play for Premier side teams such as Howard, Friedel, Hahnemann, and Brad Guzan is a backup behind Brad Friedel. Expect the Yanks to have a roster filled with players who play outside of the United States.


Because of this, the team should perform much better in this World Cup compared to 2006, even though they were ranked 4th in '06 and will be about 16th by the time the World Cup begins in June. While the MLS is young, stable league, that has potential in the future. We simply cannot rely on it for players in huge international competitions.  


Just to compare, the United States came in second place in the 2009 Confederations Cup with a roster similar to stated above. They beat the #1 team in the world Spain in the semi-final, and dominated Brazil in the first half of the final only to blow it in the second half. 


A few weeks later, the roster would be filled with MLS stars in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a competition of nations in North America. While this team would make the final, their competition was very weak getting there, the only competition coming from Mexico in the Final. The United States would lose 5-0.


MLS players just cant compete on the Worlds Stage, although it is a great league to show the world the potential United States players have, and players can prove their talent to European Clubs. This is why the United States should should continue to look across the pond for their players. If they can compete with the best in club competiton, the Yanks will be able to compete with the best in International competition.


In the next few months, The US team is playing some huge opponents that will provide a great litmus test for the World Cup. Here is their schedule: 

March 3, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Netherlands	2:30 p.m. ET	Amsterdam ArenA Amsterdam, Netherlands	ESPN2 and Galavision
May 25, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Czech Republic	TBD
May 29, 2010	U.S. Men vs. Turkey	2 p.m. ET	Lincoln Financial Field Philadelphia, Pa.	ESPN2 and Galavision

The games in May will probably consist the starting lineup for the World Cup, and since I am from Philadelphia, hopefully I can cheer on the yanks in their final home game before heading off to South Africa.


In order for the United States to improve in international soccer competitions, they need to look towards Europe, not in the MLS, and that is why I predict the Yanks could make it beyond the round of 16 in South Africa.


Christian N.
Christian is a Philadelphia native, and political and sports columnist for several newspapers across North America. He is also a Philadelphia Union Season Ticket Holder and can be followed on Twitter and his Website.


Contact Christian






[*=left MLS after 2009 Season]