U.S. soccer can't even qualify for Olympics?

[trumad]

The U.S. entered the CONCACAF Olympic qualifying tournament with high expectations. But it's going home empty-handed after Jaime Alas' goal in stoppage time lifted El Salvador to a 3-3 tie in the final game of group play Monday in Nashville, Tenn., ending the Americans' Olympic soccer dreams.

The U.S. was about a minute shy of the victory it needed to advance to the tournament semifinals as the winner of its group when Alas charged up the center of the American defense and uncorked a blast from 25 yards out that bounced once before eluding backup U.S. keeper Sean Johnson, who got a hand on the shot but couldn't stop it.

That not only knocked the U.S. out of the tournament but it changed El Salvador's fortunes, too, with the Central Americans leaping from elimination to the top of the Group A standings ahead of Canada, which tied Cuba 1-1 in Monday's first game and advances as the group runner-up.
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-03-26/sports/ct-spt-0327-concacaf--20120327_1_el-salvador-stoppage-time-keeper

[Elric]

1. A really poor showing

The loss to Canada is unforgivable tbh. I knew then this team was over-rated.

[KamaAina]

4. Yet another EPIC FAIL

This is almost as ugly as Pearl Harbor II at the women's World Cup.

[Upton]

2. This isn't the regular national team coached by Klinsmann

it's some kind of under-23 side or something. In the soccer world, the Olympics aren't that big of a deal...there are bigger fish to fry, like the World Cup.

[Elric]

3. No, it's not the national team

But it was supposed to be a strong team (for Americans at least) but the quality was very lacking. As a national team we're progressing but it's a little disheartening to see the U-23 come up so short

[rocktivity]

5. The US is still a couple of generations away from producing enough world-class soccer players

Last edited Fri Jun 6, 2014, 01:01 PM - Edit history (5)

Most of the ones being produced now are too busy trying to play pro football, baseball, and basketball. But as soccer's popularity continues to increase among America's young, however incrementally, I have no doubt that that will change.


rocktivity

[wilt the stilt]

6. It's the talent pool

Who plays soccer- white suburban kids. How many starting running backs in football are white? how many starting point guards in basketball are white-I can think of only Nash and he is Canadian. White suburban kids are as tough as a wet noodle. Until you get the African Americans involved in soccer we will never compete. Good luck in getting them involved- how much money does the average soccer player make?

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Pray tell... What advantage do African Americans have over anyone else in the context of

playing soccer?

[wilt the stilt]

10. footspeed

flat out

[JonLP24]

8. Tim Howard

GK for USA. USA is a diverse soccer team. I don't know average, you would have to account for soccer leagues in poor countries but if you're one of the best in the world you make very good money. USA has been ranked pretty high for much of this decade, especially in later years but have fallen to 27, they actually moved up from where they were at which was 30 or 31.

I don't know much about this Under-23 team other than the Olympics won't allow older players in their soccer tournaments but USA is pretty solid when stacked against the world. Women's team is awesome.

[Jack Rabbit]

9. ¡Alas!

¡¡!!

[madinmaryland]

11. Is that what an iDouche says when they finally realize that they

way overpaid for an Apple product on the first day it became available!

iAlas!!

[Jack Rabbit]

12. No, that was the name of the player who tied the game with a minute left

Jaime Alas. Read the OP.

[madinmaryland]

13. Alas. Woe is me. iRead your post incorrectly!

[El Supremo]

14. ¡Ay, caramba!