report submitted by Duncan Day:
In several days time, the United States will take the pitch against Ghana in their first contest of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and millions of people will direct their attention to America’s 23-man squad, handpicked by manager Jurgen Klinsmann in hopes of flaunting the Stars and Stripes on the global stage.
One American man who’s enjoyed his fair share of international football, at both club and international levels, is Brian McBride.
Arguably the most successful U.S. soccer player that performed abroad, McBride led the national team’s attack for 13 years, totaling 30 goals in 96 appearances to place him at fourth in scoring behind Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Eric Wynalda.
The ex-Premier League striker was a vital part of the renowned 2002 U.S. World Cup crew, which beat Portugal during the group stage and advanced to the round of 16 only to lose to Germany, the eventual finalists.
“Bruce Arena (former U.S. manager) put it in our minds that we weren’t the underdogs, that we could surprise them,” McBride said via a phone interview, as he worked with Allstate in Jacksonville last Friday. “Because Arena said from the very beginning, ‘We can beat this team (Portugal); we’re going to beat this team.’ And that was the overriding theme (of 2002) until the end, and it shows just how right he was, and how commitment and beliefs can help you move forward.”
Many believe this bygone team will provide an example for the 2014 side to emulate or even overshadow with more prominent triumphs.
However, constructing a highly-competitive side originates from many aspects–teammate familiarity a vital piece to the grand scheme.
“Easiest way to put it, in 2002, we pretty much had been together for a long period of time,” McBride said. “We had a great understanding of each other and how to work for each other. And that’s probably been Jurgen’s biggest thing with this camp, making sure that he’s building the right ideas and the guys are in the right spots.”
It’s the final roster that ultimately determines the type of chemistry between teammates. When Klinsmann announced those traveling to Brazil, some were taken aback by the great deal of new faces selected, particularly youthful footballers John Brooks, Julian Green and DeAndre Yedlin.
The real storyline, though, was the startling omission of legend Landon Donovan, a fixture in the American lineup since the 2002.
The 32-year-old, albeit nearing retirement in the impending years, didn’t necessarily deserve this exclusion based on his current skill level.
He made his top-quality talent clear during pre-World Cup training, not displaying any signs of a significant performance drop-off from earlier periods. His unsteady form with the LA Galaxy subsided after he buried two goals against the Philadelphia Union in late May, capturing the all-time Major League Soccer record over Jeff Cunningham.
Having known a younger Donovan and observed his usefulness now, McBride puts stock in the veteran’s value and wonders who will the replace the timely attacking presence of the MLS star.
“The experience would definitely help, and the talent he (Donovan) brings to the field would help as well. But I was really surprised,” McBride said. “He can still change games, and if you’re not going to play him, he’s not going to be a cancer in the locker room or cause problems. He’s somebody who does his talking on the field.
“So now, it brings up the question of who’s going to be the big player for the U.S. You got to think it’s going to be Michael Bradley or Clint (Dempsey). With the way Jozy Altidore’s been working and playing, as soon as he gets that goal it, a burden will lift off him.”
Fortunately, Altidore netted a brace against Nigeria this past Saturday, ending his 179-day goal scoring drought and putting his rickety season at Sunderland to rest before the journey to South America.
“He does a lot of little things that people don’t necessarily see and have a really big effect, a positive one, on the team,” McBride said of Altidore. “But you expect Jozy to score, and his season at Sunderland won’t be the most positive start for the World Cup, but you just have to forget about that.”
The broad-shouldered forward, although likely to make an impact, will have two other talents, Dempsey and Altidore, available to support him and contribute to the United States’ offensive designs.
Dempsey returned to MLS last season and exercised superb production in the month of April, notching seven goals in four games as a Seattle Sounder. Facing Turkey on June 1, the forward cracked the go-head score, presenting his notable expertise around the net.
Bradley executed a move similar to Dempsey, exiting his European side, AS Roma, and signing with the Toronto FC in his home continent.
Although he hasn’t had a massive influence there, spectators have recently witnessed his playmaking ability with the U.S. Bradley planted an excellent assist for Fabian Johnson’s game-opening goal versus Turkey and also guided Altidore into space to facilitate the striker’s second tally of the Nigeria match.
While the offense may prove its importance, McBride views Klinsmann’s back line as the United States’ key point of emphasis in order to advance past the group stage.
“You need goals to advance, but if you’re to get out of this group, you need to be so solid in the back. And that will be the test for them because the back four hasn’t really played together. Besler’s been there, and after that, Beasley’s a possibility. Geoff Cameron has been in-and-out of defense to midfield. But you have to make sure your solid as a whole, and if Jurgen can get that fixed, I think that will tell how we perform at the World Cup.”
But first and foremost, the United States must find a method of paralleling the first-class deftness of opposition Germany and Portugal, boasting the world’s best Cristiano Ronaldo as well as unrelenting midfielders Mesut Ozil, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Mario Gotze.
“You’ve got to adapt,” McBride said, regarding America’s top-tier competition. “As a player, you realize that in certain situations, you have to think on your feet; you know that your next pass has to be quicker, and the understanding you’re teammates, knowing their runs and movements, allows you to reach the next level. It’s certainly something the United States is capable of as a country, but it’s going to be a test.”
Duncan Day is a freelancer based in Boston. Feel free to contact him at duncanday96@gmail.com.