Introduction
Before continuing with the story, the readers of The Premier League Insider should be informed that I am the photographer of the US Soccer Sash.
The Story
The loss of the US Womens Soccer Team to Japan in the 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup is another string of near misses for US Soccer. While the US Womens Soccer team were able to defend themselves and win second place, the need for drastic change is present.
The calls for the resignation of Suni Gulati as President of the USSF [United States Soccer Federation] and Bob Bradley as Coach of the US Soccer team is increasing. The need for change is being commented in the streets of Miami Florida and elsewhere.
Dennis Justice wrote about the need for change in US Soccer especially the culture. Justice has gone as far as to announce his candidacy for the Presidency of the USSF in his webpage.
Justice bases his candidacy on the following: a winning mentality, promotion/relegation, creation of an American Premier League, emphasis on the schools offering soccer, changing the name to US Football Association, futsal, and real leadership.
I have sent an invitation to Dennis Justice to be interviewed by The Premier League Insider to address the issues affecting US Soccer. While waiting for Justice to accept or reject the invitation, I have my viewpoint.
My Humble Opinion
Sunil Gulati and Bob Bradley are of the elitist old school of defeat and limitations and should leave. Pia Sundhage should remain at least for the time being since the US Womens Soccer Team were able to advance this far.
The Men and Women team should start phasing in younger players and allow older players to have a dignified exit. The era of Landon Donovan and Hope Solo (my idols) were great but younger players need to learn the ropes.
Amy Rodriguez (one of the younger players) should HAVE BEEN allowed to participate in the 2011 FIFA Womens World Cup. Ms. Rodriguez (during the year 2010) played in 17 matches and started 11 of them.
Ms. Rodriguez (during 2010) was instrumental in the US Women Soccer team defeating Italy at the Womens World Cup playoff at Toyota Park in Illinois. I could only imagine what could have transpired if Sundhage would have allowed Rodriguez in the field.
I agree with Dennis Justice on the need to emphasize football/soccer in schools and colleges. Justice also raises interesting proposals such as the establishment of relegation/promotion and an American Premier League.
While I think Dennis Justice could make a great president, the idea of Jurgen Klinsmann is present as a possible candidate for US Soccer.
Klinsmann is a people person with experience who was able to turn the German Football team into a powerhouse. The Klinsmann touch is evident in the German victory over Argentina in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
My next change would be the need for consistency and sealing off any empty spaces. The US Soccer team (Men) left too many gaps in the field which allowed the opponents to take advantage of the situation and score.
While it is expected that the discussion on how to change US Soccer will continue, the changes must be made NOW instead of a few weeks before the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
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