Joga Bonito – Part 2

[Editor's Note: Joga Bonito:The New American Revolution was originally published on February 21. This is the second part in this series.]

The 1998 World Cup was held in France which proved disastrous for the Americans.  Over the course of play, the US hasn’t fared well in FIFA sanctioned games held in Europe, and this tournament was no different.  The US lost all three group stage games and only scored only one goal.  The US finished 32nd in the field of 32.  The only bright spot was Brian McBride, the lone scorer in the tournament for the Americans.

If the 1998 World Cup was the worst showing by an American team to date, the 2002 World Cup in South Korea/Japan is by far their most surprising and best finish to date.

This team was coached by Bruce Arena and was led by the 20-year olds Landon Donovan,the current face of American soccer, and DaMarcus Beasley.  The US started the tournament in shocking fashion by upsetting world cup favorites Portugal 3-2.  They followed that win with a draw against co-host nation South Korea, in which goalkeeper Brad Friedel made save after save; including stopping a penalty for the Americans to hold on to the draw.

In spite of losing their last game to Poland, the US still qualified for the next round match against Mexico.

It was the first time these two CONCACAF powerhouses had ever met during World Cup play.  The Americans came on to the pitch playing the role of underdogs but out shined its opponent.

A goal by Brian McBride in the eighth minute gave the US the early lead; a lead that held on throughout most of the  game as Mexico found it tough to score.

After a failed Mexican goal attempt, the US set out on a counterattack.  A US goal came in the 65^th minute and it proved to be the downfall for the Mexican side as they started to lose their composure.  Mexican captain Rafael Marquez deliberately head butted USA defender Cobi Jones on a 50/50 ball.  The referee awarded Marquez a red card, thus ending any chance the Mexican side had of a comeback.

In the quarter final game against Germany the Americans dominated the first half but were unable to score against German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (who received the Golden Ball as the tournaments best player, and remains the only goalkeeper to have won the Golden Ball in FIFA World Cup history).  Michael Ballack was the only bright spot for the German offensive side as his goal in the 39^th minute proved to be the game winner.

The U.S. left South Korea with the taste of defeat in their mouths knowing they came within a couple missed opportunities from continuing their improbable run.  Many looked to the 2006 World Cup in Germany as a chance for the Americans to further establish themselves in the game.  Optimism was high as most players from the 02 World Cup would be returning.

However, the U.S. were unable to exit the first round and posted a record of 0-2-1.  A case could be made against the American’s group placement  is what is considered to be that “Group of Death”.  It included the Czech Republic, Ghana and World Cup champions Italy, who the Americans tied 1-1 despite playing a man down the entire second half.

The US has taken part in every world cup since 1990 and has had mix results in each one of them.  Either advancing past the group stage into the second round and beyond, or performing horribly and not advancing at all.  Fans and critics alike demand more consistency from this team which would propel it to a soccer powerhouse.

“There are so many teams in America. We have so many sports that … Americans are going to pay attention if you’re winning,” Maria Burns Ortiz ESPN Soccernet writer said.  “If the US is bounced early or if the US goes far, the amount of attention that it is going to attract is going to grow, … show people on a huge stage what is so amazing about the game and why people should care about soccer.”

With the 2010 World Cup in South Africa only months away, the Americans will bring a similar team that performed well in last year’s FIFA Confederations Cup.  A tournament that saw them beat then ranked number one Spain 2-0 to help them advance to their first FIFA sponsor final.  A final against Brazil which the U.S. lost 3-2.

The U.S. opens group stage play on June 12 against England, with games against Algeria, Slovenia to follow.

The USMNT aren’t the only ones getting ready in preparation of next year’s tournament. TV affiliates like Disney owned ESPN/ABC, and Univision are all expecting an increase in ratings for viewership.

In a joint bid Disney owned ESPN/ABC and Univision paid the hefty sum of $425 million for the rights to air the World Cup through 2014.  ESPN/ABC paid $100 million to obtain the English rights and Univision the remaining $325 million for the Spanish rights.  ESPN Senior V.P. Artie Bulgrin sees the move as being a smart choice, “We sense this is a major growth in this sport.  It’s the type of audience we want – young and affluent.”

Jim Moorehouse, director of communications for the U.S. Soccer Federation, said that the deal shows that someone valuable is being recognized.  He went on to tell soccertimes.com, “the fact that there was a bidding war and an increase in rights fee show how committed ABC/ESPN is to this property.”

ESPN will have double the staff at this year’s World Cup compared to the ’06 World Cup in Germany.  It will also broadcast soccer 12 hours a day during the first round.  “I understand it has not traditionally stopped work and stopped the country to watch it in past years. But we’re going to treat it like it should,” John Skipper ESPN’s Executive VP said.  He went to tell the Associated Press that at some point this experience has to be treated like the significant sporting event that it is.  “The level of ambition we have for this project is second to none compared to anything we do at ESPN.”

It remains to be seen if all the work ESPN/ABC are putting in will pay off in the matter of ratings and advertisement dollars.