WORLD CUP - SPORTS NOTES: USA Defies All Odds, Advance To Quarterfinals - Senegal Carry 3rd World Torch

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Thursday June 20, 2002

They say that you should learn from your mistakes and experiences. On its road to the World Cup quarterfinals the USA soccer squad has had bumps along the way but have found a way to ride them out.

The USA was extremely lucky to reach the second round after playing it safe much of the second half in the 1-1 draw with Korea. They lacked aggressiveness and appeared to be playing not to lose rather than trying to win. The US dropped back and tried to prevent the Koreans from scoring rather than being assertive and trying to score goals.

The positive side of the tie was it was the first time the US had played two consecutive games in a World Cup finals without a defeat since the first World Cup in 1930, when they reached the semifinals in Uruguay and suffered a 6-1 loss to Argentina.

The side's laxity carried over when though favored, they gave up two goals in the first five minutes to underdog Poland. The Americans found themselves chasing the ball throughout the match. In a press conference prior to the contest US coach Bruce Arena said he was concerned the Poles hadn't played their best game and might display it against them. The Poles did winning the match 3-1.

The Americans appeared not to be aware that the match is a regulation 90 minutes long and not 85. They also appeared to forget that the contest starts at second one. Fortunately the US they went through to the second round due to Portugal's 0-1 loss to Korea.

In the second round they were impressive and aggressive against Mexico earning a 2-0 result. The Americans played their best match since their opening 3-2 triumph over Portugal. When you compare Portugal's 4-0 smashing of Poland and the Poles 3-1 win over the US it demonstrates how any team can be hot one day and cold the next.

Goalkeeper Brad Friedel is playing superbly making numerous extremely athletic stops and has two penalty saves in the tournament. His save against Korea was the first in the tournament after ten were successful in other WC matches.

For the US to do as well as they have by making it to the quarterfinals is amazing since there is a poor infrastructure for developing soccer players in America as well as there being very little interest in the game from American sports fans.

It's slim to none that the US will make it to the finals. Their test against Germany in the quarterfinals will be against the most seasoned team they will have faced in the tournament. As three time World Cup champions [1954 - 1974 - 1990] the German's been there done that attitude and experience will be the invisible opponent that he US will also have to challenge.

From the beginning of the event the US has had snide remarks directed their way. Prior to the Korea match ESPN/Star sports soccer analysts criticized the Americans for not knowing the game and playing handball and not football. Their criticism continues. Of course... they aren't Americans.

With their achievements thus far the Americans should have gained some modicum of respect from the soccer world community.

They are victorious with what they have accomplished in the game with so few resources to work with. Compared to soccer Goliath's of the world the Americans may be short on skill and knowledge of the game but they are long on toughness, fight and effort to learn.

Trivia Question: How many countries have won the previous 16 World Cups?

SENEGAL CARRY 3rd WORLD TORCH

With soccer powerhouses France, Argentina and Portugal in being eliminated from the World Cup it exemplifies that having high priced supposedly the best players in the world doesn't translate into team victories.

Conversely Senegal remains in the mix making it to the quarterfinals after eliminating Sweden 2-1 on an extra time golden goal. They're presence could represent what soccer means and can do for a third world country.

One of the most poignant messages FIFA and UNICEF sends out with its advertising is showing how the have nots [poor people] of the world can play the game with rags. The message demonstrates how children around the world play the game because they love it while they don't have money enough to buy a soccer ball. Their desire to play the game creates harmony for the children with and some hoping to live a better life with success in the game.

Trivia Answer: Seven - Uruguay [1930 - 1950], Italy [1934 - 1938 - 1982], Germany 1954 - 1974 - 1990], Brazil [1958 - 1962 - 1994], Argentina [1978 - 1986], England [1966], France [1998].

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