Team USA

Watching this interview with Clint Dempsey has not helped tame my excitement for the upcoming World Cup! I can not wait for the games to begin and I expect great things out of the US this year. After watching this video I appreciate Clint that much more and I am so glad he is on our national team. Keep up the good work Clint, the nation will be cheering you on this Summer!

It is the 4th of July tomorrow and I am going to go out today and buy me a USA Soccer Association T-Shirt to wear tomorrow. I love following our national team, and I am sure that if you live outside of the US you love to support your national team as well. I can’t think of a more patriotic thing to wear than a soccer shirt that supports my national team!

I love watching the World Cup Qualifiers, there is a sense of urgency and determination that gets my blood boiling.

Last Saturday the US pulled out a tie against El Salvador. They were down 2 in the 75th minute and they managed to score 2 goals in the final 15 minutes to tie the game. Frankie Hejduk would not be denied, he willed the team to the result they received. Granted they should have won the game going away with the way they dominated the entire game. We were lucky to get out of their with a point, sitting alone on top of the standings.

Tonight is another big game with Trinidad & Tobago. I think the US wins big, especially since we will get Howard and Oyewu back for tonights game. They should be extremely focused and motivated to play well, I don’t expect anyone else to catch them on their heels the way El Salvador did.

I am excited for tonights game! Here is a little video to help you get ready to support Team USA!

I love watching the rivalry games with Mexico. It seems as though there is a level of intensity in those games that is second to only World Cup games. I love the streak the US has and I hope we never lose another game against them. Keep making us proud boys!

Here is a cool video about the latest Rivalry game.

Feb. 11, 2009: USA vs. Mexico – Behind the Scenes from ussoccerdotcom on Vimeo.

The men’s soccer team recently lost to England in the famous Wembley Stadium. I am a die hard US Soccer fan and it is frustrating to see them struggle in big atmospheres. They struggled in the last World Cup and it seemed as if they were shocked to be there the whole time. It seemed that way against England and they lost 2-0. What do they need to do to get back on track and focus for big games? Landon Donovan sat out this game with a sore groin and that could have caused them to struggle up front, but a national team should not rely on one player alone. What do you guy’s think the US Soccer team needs to do to step it up and compete in big games?

The only US game I have been to was a qualifier for the 2006 World Cup in Germany. They came to Utah and played Costa Rica. The US team dominated the game and Landon Donovan had 2 goals en route to an easy victory for the US. It was very exciting to cheer for my country in a match and I look forward to the time I have the opportunity to cheer them on again in person. It doesn’t matter what country you are from it is always exciting to cheer your team on in an athletic event! I recommend you go if you have not had the chance before. It was the greatest sporting event I have ever been to and hopefully someday I will be able to go cheer them on in the World Cup!

I would love to hear your responses on what the US team needs to do to compete in big games. I would also love to hear any stories you may have about cheering on your national team and what it feels like to watch them play in person.