Is that really true about Brazil?
Yeah, I believe he played for Vasco da Gama for a few months and served as the ball boy. Still, he is one of very few Americans to play in the Brazilian first division.
Even if he only touched the ball with his hands. ;-)
Lessee, Brazil's national team is ranked #1 in the world, the U.S. is ranked #10 (mens). But what you're saying is that a guy who may be our best homegrown player would never play on a club team in Brazil?
Just for fun, a few team names from our girls:
The Mia Hammsters
Chips & Guacamole (uniforms were yellow & green)
The Shin Kickin' Barbies
cjhsa,
I'm not saying it would happen. I'm saying it did happen. America's strength in Soccer lies in its determination and conservative offense. The American defense is stellar while their offense is not that great.
Through the use of defensive determination and teamwork they overcome the lack of individual brilliance.
Brazil is the nation of strikers, they could field 10 teams that could rank number 1 (at least in the offensive positions).
Donovan has a really bad kick and has little chance of competing with Brazilian midfeilders and attackers.
A player like Lalas is a whole different story. He is actually a good player on worldwide standards. HE's the only American to ever play in the Serie A.
Thing is, being an outstanding attacker in American soccer is not a big deal. Our attackers are pathetic. Being an outstanding defender is better since we actually tend to have good defense.
Got to agree with Craven.
The US soccer team is good. Very good. But because of American's winning mentality, strategy and team work.
Yes, and the only world class footballer from the US was Alexis Lalas. And not Top world class; he barely managed to be a starter with a midranking Serie A team.
At the same time, the MLS is waaaay behind leagues of countries with similar or lesser football strenght in their national teams (Greece, Belgium, etc).
I understand several of the best American players are in England.
Brazil and Argentina are natural player exporters, because their leagues pay relatively little. Brazil can field three very competitive national teams simultaneously. Mexico is 5th in the last FIFA ranking, because it beat Brazil twice, but that was a joke, the verde-amarelha fielded only players who play in their local leagues.
I'm not arguing with you guys. This is more of a cultural lesson for me. My 11-year old has a better kick than I do. Give me some sticks and a little white ball, however, and I'll show you some power.
Ah, Ise not arguing wiv yew either. But I do miss the heated footy debates.
There was(is) an excellent American goalie by the name of Brad Friedel playing for an English Premier League team (Blackburn Rovers). In fact he may still be there. I'm sure there are a couple of other American players in the Premier League as well.
It still makes me smile when you all call it 'soccer' though.
I do it to differentiate from American football (yeah, the game played with the hands).
Fairynuff, Craven. I wasn't aware until recently that the term 'soccer' came from 'Association Football', which was itself coined to differentiate football (soccer) from Rugby Football (which was invented at Rugby School).
I understand Rugby was invented AFTER football, when a boy from Rugby ran with the ball in his hands, instead of kicking it, like reasonable people do. And that they even have a statue of the former student at Rugby University.
I also understand that rugby players bite each other (ocassionally getting away with a piece of ear, à la Tyson), and that since football players only spit, push, elbow and kick each other they are called "fairies" by the real rugby men.
I've heard amateur rugby players say that American football players are "sissies", because their uniforms are "so damn padded".
Graham ------ Brad Friedel isn''t the only American to sign for a Premiership club. Didn't Man Un recently sign an American goalkeeper and Everton recently had an American player on their books, can't remember his name tho.
fbaezer -- your comments do carry some dgree of truth.
para #1 yes
para #2 the biting has happened here and there
para #3 it has been said but i think in general it's known that american football is a tuff game
Rugby doesn't have the same high speed collisions as American football does. At least a whole lot less of it. No knock on Rugby but the real potential for injury is usually when there is one stationary player being slammed by a fast moving tackler. In Rugby there is less of that type of collision.
HAS TO BE UNITED!
And the winner will be United! Hear they have a new Goalie that isn't half bad. Name of Tim Howard - an American . . . East Coast no less! Great debut last Saturday against Bolton . . . a 4-0 shutout!!! As for Reál Madrid, money here is on Barça. Fútbol is the ONLY game - all the rest are just pastimes. :-)
There is a thread in General about the English-speaking world, and I was reminded about our differences it when Charli wrote about Man U's '4-0 shut-out', whereas most Brits would use 'clean-sheet' to indicate no goals conceded. Its all part of life's rich tapestry, so Viva la Difference!
Re: HAS TO BE UNITED!
Charli wrote:As for Reál Madrid, money here is on Barça. :-)
ANYTHING but Real.
Barça is not my team either, but now with Rafa Márquez at the defense, I like them a little better.
Bloody Middlesbrough lost again 4-0 at home to Arsenal. That put them 2nd bottom on goal difference. Still, they always do better before Christmas than afterwards... oh ****!
5 games later and Middlesbrough are still second-from-bottom on goal difference. Drawn 1, lost 4! I'm gonna get a price at the bookies for them being relegated at the end of the season!
