USMNT
This year is big for the USMNT. They have both World Cup qualifying and the Gold Cup to deal with this year. Of course the biggest thing this year is to qualify for the World Cup and that's certainly not going to be a cake walk. They will have to play and visit, Mexico, Honduras, Jamaica, Costa Rica, and Panama. While this will be tough the US doesn't have to finish first, they only have to be in the top three which is something the US shouldn't have a problem doing with the quality players they have.
Those players that were a part of the Olympic U-23 I think will have a chance at redemption in the Gold Cup this summer. This tournament will be the perfect opportunity for a chance at a little redemption for players like Juan Agudelo, Joe Gyau, Freddy Adu, and Brek Shea AND give Jurgen Klinsmann a closer look at players for the next cycle and mix them in with veterans like Brad Guzan, Eric Lichaj, and possible Stuart Holden.
Major League Soccer
With attention mostly on the USMNT, this will also be a big year for MLS. This will be the first time the league will be without David Beckham since 2007, who was without question their most recognizable star. The quality of the league has been improving and derby's are starting to take shape. For US soccer you will now hope a player like Agudelo or Shea really break out this season and become top players.
Now MLS should really focus on the development of young players and the hopes will be that more reserve games will be taking place. It's hard for young players and draft picks to break into squad's when DP's are stepping in front. They need games to further their development. If MLS is willing to invest money into a reserve league they would instantly see the quality rise on the top level.
Women's Soccer
Finally we'll take a look at women's soccer with the new women's league arriving after the success of the USWNT in the Olympics. This (the new league) is something that US Soccer has to seriously get right. We are starting to see other national teams catching up to the USWNT because their women have a league to play in when not on national team duty. We've seen USWNT player Ali Krieger play in Germany and 17 year old stand out Lindsey Horan play in France just to have more opportunities to play.
The fact is that both the USWNT players and other young women need a league to play in to help hone their skills and to continue to perform on the international stage. Lets hope for these players sake that US Soccer finally get the women's league right and finally provide the opportunity these women deserve.
Thanks you for reading and continue to visit the Soccer Nut Blog and you can find me on Back Of The Net!!!!!!!
Vince Sumbry
You can find vince on Twitter @vsumbry and read more of his stuff over at The Back Of The Net!!!!!!!!!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment