Big Fish, Small Pond

Tonight in Columbus the U.S. and Mexico meet in the first game of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. As a fan of both teams, my main hope is for an entertaining match. But unfortunately, because of Mexico's recent struggles due to injuries, suspensions, and the general incompetence of both Sven Goran Eriksson and the Mexican Federation, that probably won't be the case.

In all likelihood the U.S. will roll to an ugly 1 or 2 nil win in a game marred by fouls, bookings, and probably a red card or two. The U.S. players will pump their fists and wave the flag, U.S. fans will brag and talk trash, and the media will continue to tout the American's supposed dominance of CONCACAF.

And then what?

Well, if history is any indication the U.S. will lose when the two teams play in Azteca in August, both teams will easily qualify for next summers World Cup, and both teams will lose in the first or second round.

So how much does this game and this rivalry in general really mean? There's no denying the bad blood between the players and the fans involved, but does a history of trash talk and a couple of dirty plays really make a rivalry great? And we can't overlook the sociopolitical issues between the two countries, but does that have any relevance to what happens on the field? I mean, England vs. Germany didn't become a great rivalry because of the political history between the two nations, certainly that helped, but it became a great rivalry because they've both had great, world class teams, and have faced each other in some of the most important games ever played. Same deal with Italy vs. France, England vs. Argentina, Argentina vs. Brazil, and some of the other great international rivalries. How many truly important, must win games have the U.S. and Mexico played against each other? One by my count. And if you think they've played other important games besides the 2002 World Cup, well then, you probably place more significance on the Gold Cup than I do.

The fact is that the U.S. media and the U.S.S.F. have made this rivalry out to be much more important than it actually is. They've placed more importance on beating Mexico than on actually trying to make real progress at the international level. Why? Because it's an easy way for them to feel good about themselves. It's easy to show off their recent record against the only other decent team in the region as an example of the supposed progress U.S. soccer has made. But mainly, because it's an easy way to deflect attention away from all the real problems U.S. soccer faces.

The media, the U.S.S.F., and to a certain extent U.S. fans act like if we "own" Mexico than all is well in the world of U.S. soccer. (By the way, we don't really own Mexico, because as much as we like to brag about the fact that we haven't lost to Mexico at home since 2000, we almost never mention the fact that we haven't won in Mexico EVER. That's ever, as in not just the past eight years, but all time. The U.S. did win in their only meaningful game at a neutral site in 2002, so we do have a slight edge, but there's certainly no "owning" involved.) But let's look at the facts about tonight's game alone. This game is being played in Columbus largely because if it were played in most other major cities Mexican fans would likely outnumber U.S. fans. That is a problem. Telemundo's Spanish language broadcast of the game will almost certainly get much higher ratings than ESPN2's broadcast. That is a problem. The seats behind the north goal at Crew Stadium, where Sam's Army were seated during the two teams 2002 qualifier is gone, replaced by a stage because MLS teams have decided that it's easier to make money staging concerts at their stadiums than it is to sell tickets and fill seats. That is a problem. But is anyone discussing these problems or working to find solutions? Not this week. This week the only thing anyone involved in U.S. soccer is discussing is the importance of beating Mexico.

"The popularity of MLS has grown stagnant? (And in fact, with the impending loss of Beckham and the current economy, MLS' popularity is likely to decrease this season.) Well that's fine, because we beat Mexico!" "The mainstream media and the general sporting public in the U.S. spend their time either ignoring soccer or insulting soccer? No big deal, because we haven't lost at home to Mexico in eight years!" "Some of the most talented young American players, such as Giuseppe Rossi and Neven Subotic are choosing to represent their parents home countries rather than play for the U.S.? No problem, we're still the best team in CONCACAF!" And what will be the reaction when the team inevitably disappoints at the World Cup? "Oh, so we only scored two goals and finished last in our group again? Oh well, the Gold Cup is less than a year away and we're gonna beat those Mexican's again!"

Speaking of the Gold Cup, the ultimate example of U.S. soccer placing more importance on their rivalry with Mexico than on actually making progress came in the summer of 2007. The U.S. and Mexico were both invited to participate in the Copa America tournament. Other than the European Championship (which of course the U.S. can't compete in) and the World Cup, the Copa America is the most prestigious and important international tournament in the world. Unfortunately, the tournament was scheduled to begin just a few days after the CONCACAF Gold Cup ended, so both the American and Mexican National Teams would be strained by the time it started. As expected, the U.S. and Mexico met in the final of the Gold Cup, and after falling behind early, the U.S. pulled off an impressive 2-1 victory to assert themselves as the best team in the region. Unfortunately, they were a little too impressed with themselves, and by the time Copa America rolled around they disgracefully sent a B-level squad, played horribly, and finished in last place. Mexico meanwhile actually chose to honor their invitation, sent their full squad, and finished a very respectable third place. The message sent out by the U.S.S.F was abundantly clear; we'd rather beat Mexico and prove that we're the best team in CONCACAF than even compete with the better teams in South America. We'd rather be a big fish in a small pond than even see how we would fare at our best against some of the best teams in the world. The U.S.S.F. tried to justify their actions by explaining that, since the tournaments were taking place during the middle of the MLS season, they felt it would put too much strain on the players and be too unfair to their clubs to have them play in both tournaments. But all that excuse does is prove how ridiculous MLS' summer season is to begin with. And if you were only going to send your best players to one of the tournaments, why wouldn't you send them to the bigger and more important one?

I'm not denying that bragging rights are important. Nor am I dismissing how meaningful it is that the U.S. has finally turned the tables on Mexico after the way they dominated us for decades. I just think we need to keep these games against Mexico in perspective. With the current CONCACAF setup, both of these teams are virtually guaranteed World Cup qualification for the foreseeable future, which is not really a good thing. In order to truly make progress, teams need to struggle and compete against world class competition. Being slightly better than a mediocre team isn't good enough. It's still mediocrity.

So enjoy tonight's game U.S. fans. When we do win, celebrate, wave your flags, and talk a little trash. But don't get too full of yourselves, don't think that this win is all that U.S. soccer should strive for, and don't lose sight of the big picture; that there are more important things than being a big fish in a small pond.

Summer without football

I hate the summers. While every party dude is loving the summer, I'm hating it. No football, stupid rumors, and Domenech staying as coach of the FFF. PSG signed Stephane Sessegnon.... GREAT

At least we're probably going to get Giuly and Makelele, I just wish we were aiming for higher. I guess going after Ricardo Oliveira is pretty alright... Hopefully its not the Oliveira of Milan...

I think this is one of the most boring summers of PSG. I remember the summers where we would drop 21M on some brazilian prodigy. PSG has got to pick up the pace, and Colony Capital has GOT to pay up. I mean come on, they're one of the richest companies/organizations in the world...

Anyways, in this post, complain about the summer...

90's FOOTBALL

hello

if there is one topic i can talk about endlessly, it's 90s football and 90s footballers.
this was a great time for football and a time where i couldnt go a day without avidly researching or following some kind of sport, aswell as Arsenal FC. pre-internet of course, all football gossip was from the back pages of shitty tabloids and occasionally on news broadcasts (i remember hearing about Arsenal signing David Platt on the lunchtime news - which would never happen now). Arsenal had a tendency - along with most other teams - to buy shitty British players in a 50/50 ratio to good foreigners. The advent of the Premier League and all of it's money took a good few years to seep down through the ranks and into the transfer kitty even for bigger clubs, who still relied on grooming what talent they had and transferring between English teams. Although the foreign players in the league were often decent, no major buys took place until later in the decade. Because of this, players who might be overlooked were they around now actually excelled for lesser clubs. Kinkladze for Man City (youtube his goals for insane skill) and of course Junhinho for Middlesbrough were both incredible players, but not major signings in relation to what Torres or Tevez were/are today.

(my time in the library is up now, so I will finish this ASAP)

So, i never post on here...

First post. i really dont know why. Laziness i guess. i spend too much time talking shit and wanting to fight pav in the thread.

Well, im fucking frustrated. Not that i should be or have any right to be. I mean, if you listened to all the papers and pundits before the start of the season Arsenal were doomed, a team in decline. We were resigned to missing out on Champions League football and finishing below sp*rs.

But Arsenal have a knack of suprising you and at the same time spoiling you. So when we dont play perfect football we all(Arsenal fans) get mad or frustrated or think our team is shit. This player is useless, that player cant pass anymore, so and so lost his touch and so on.

And ill admitt it, as an Arsenal fan im spoiled. We play the type of football that when its "on" its probably the best in the world. But when its off its reeeeeally off. And the past few games it seems to have been off. and thats annoying.

Wenger has been talking about how this team has a "hunger". Well, when its mattered....down the stretch, these past few crucially important games where the fuck has it been? we look comatose until the 75th minute or until we go a goal down. Only then do we start to play. And no bad pitch excuses or ref excuses(even though Aliadiere was offsides) its down to us. Our players to want to win these games and we just havent looked like we wanted to until its too late ussually.

Anyways, Sorry for the rant.

I still love this fucking team more than anything and that will never change.

Oh Ville Lumière, sens la chaleur, de notre coeur

PSG, the love of my life. Some friend of ours was telling us how PSG was truly the love of his life. He was 64 at the time and i was 6. He was talking about how for 26 years, PSG grew on him til his heart went blue and red. At the time, i was just starting to watch football, i went to my first football game, and just started to read (almost) decently. And this friend, was speaking of PSG as if it were a woman, an art, a lifestyle... he said it was his life.

Francis Borelli is the man i'm talking about. Emblematic President of Paris Saint-Germain, wonderful man, and excellent father. President Borelli died October the Second of 2007 of a horrible disease.  I miss him, we all miss him. 

The reason i bring up Borelli, is because he represented the true PSG fans. He was a football fan, and a french fan, but before everything he was a PSG fan. He lived for PSG and everything else came after. 

And that's what I am, a PSG fan. And everything else comes after.

Defining moments

There has never been a moment as intense for any british team as was the champions league final for Manchester United. It was the defining moment to mark the luckiest season to any team in the EPL.


so here is a little video, I still get eye watery

Are you watching?

Earlier this week I found something out.

A longtime friend of mine, who I had not talked to in about 2 1/2 months and fellow Arsenal fan, will be at Ashburton Grove on Saturday watching Arsenal take on Boro.

Needless to say, I was floored. My jealousy shot through the roof. How am I supposed to watch a game when a close friend of mine is in the stands... and I'm not?

To be honest, I will probably still watch. Curiosity will get the best of me and I'll want to watch Emmanuel Eboue stab Jeremy Aliadiere in the throat with his studs.

But it's going to hurt more than any match in recent memory.

-C. Tech