DISQUS

This is an outstanding piece of writing and analysis of the US team.

Tactically the US has a clear system and plan entering each match. Sometimes it doesn't work but when people panicked after the losses to England and Spain the reality was the manager was trying to set the tactical structure while Capello and England were playing their best XI. Now comparing the fortunes of both nations you realize the US used that friendly for the right purpose while England was simply wasting the match in order to get a result so the papers could beat up on the "yanks."

It has now proven that the US entered those summer friendlies with the right philosophy knowing they needed at least a point out of Guatemala City. Getting three means the US is virtually qualified to the next round.

If Mexico was so good why did were they down 1-0 at Azteca in the 70th minute?

Honestly, Mexico's recent loses to Guatemala twice and to Honduras have me thinking they are far below the standard they've established.

It's refreshing to see this from an author who previously was so biased towards anything Mexican as recently as two months ago stating the US had maybe one player who could play for Mexico.

Maybe you are just unhappy about Sven's hiring, but if a Mexi-snob like you wrote this, it has to be true!

Many of us root for england because the football is quite frankly better to watch and we know the US will never win anything and likes to play where they are comfortable in CONCACAF. We feel a kinship based on common heritage and language with England.

I am sure Italian-Americans are the same way and Latinos the same way. Honestly, the US National Team is supported by geeks or snobs if you want to call them that. I follow the team but don’t follow them the way I do England, who is playing today by the way.

Also MLS knows it must appeal to a broad base of fans not just USA fans to be successful and they are doing that. I’m glad MLS is playing tonight. It gives me something to watch after the England game.

Convey is garbage.

I would really consider placing Robbie Rogers and his speed on the full national team.

Good post. Will be an outstanding hire if he accepts the job.

Blanco will help Sven solidify his place leading Mexico.

A smart move by Sven.

Beckham's lack of impact with the Galaxy has been striking. The team has now gone something like 45 games without scoring off a corner. He may have been a great marketing tool to the types of people described above but as a footballer, Blanco has had a much bigger impact and thus Chicago is far ahead of LA in the table.

Keller was a longer term good keeper for the national team than Friedel. However both were so good you could not lose either way!

SUM is really a scummy operation.

AEG and MLS HQ essentially runs it and as Football Detective mentioned it is more or less competiting with MLS even though the money goes to MLS.

The operation itself is shady with some people representing themselves as SUM and MLS or as one or the other.

I don't care for this whole thing. Thank you for bringing further light to the situation.

A good read for sure. Some valid points here

While some of this piece is over the top, no doubt exists that MLS is performing well below where it should be against USL sides.

Will that change? Of course it will as MLS essentially merges with USL long term with the admission to MLS of most of the current USL-1 markets.

I've heard 24 MLS teams by 2013. Where do you think those teams are coming from? Thin air?

The situation is not acceptable and MLS better do something. Short of docking the Crew points I am not sure many options are left. The league banned the fans who shouted racist slogans, the team failed to do anything about the bottles on the field and the team looked the other way as streamers and other trash was thrown on the field in open revolt against MLS' ban. Also as you point out the Crew have been quick to point the finger at other clubs and their supporters as the ones causing trouble. No option remains other than to dock the Crew five points the next time this happens.

I agree with the general sentiments here but have one issue with the tournament.

My issue is that the games are compact and many of the sides have used either the middle or last match of the group stage to rest players.

Why cannot they stretch this thing out over two weeks next year?

Any news on Lima going to San Jose?