Sunday 13 November 2005
"American's are all about winning"
Interesting comments on the American people's psyche regarding their sports from the USA National team manager Bruce Arena after the friendly game with the Scots yesterday.
“I would think a majority of people in the United States probably think we failed at the last World Cup because we’re all about winning,” Arena said. “That’s all they understand, that’s the way it is in our country."
“We win in all the other sports. We are the world champions at American football because nobody else plays it and our NBA champions are the world champions at basketball. That’s the way it is in the United States, you have to be a world champion."
“Our women’s national team won the World Cup and the Olympics so people think why can’t we do that? So I may just create my own sport, win a game and call myself a world champion! But I don’t think we are legitimate contenders for this World Cup — I think Brazil will win it.”
This is a source of constant conversations that I have with American's about their attitude to sports. Winning is the only thing that matters, they don't do draws, they don't do 2nd, they don't do silver. There is no interest in national teams, and even the far flung franchises struggle for headlines over its star individuals. They are considered of greater consequence than the teams that pay their hugely inflated salaries.
Whilst on soccer, the LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup this afternoon beating New England Revolution, who are managed by ex-Liverpool player Steve Nichol 1-0.
The MLS also announced today that a new Toronto based team will become the 13th league franchise in 2007. San Diego, Philadelphia, Tulsa, Atlanta, Cleveland and Milwaukee may provide a 14th.
Meanwhile Charlton fans will be interested to know that San Jose Earthquake owners AEG, rumoured to be interested in investing in the Addicks, are on the verge of moving the west coast team to Houston (1,890 miles away!) unless a new buyer can be found. Franchise football at its best.
AEG owned Chicago Fire have played their last game at the huge Soldier Field and will begin next season in Bridgeview, which is 12 miles south-west of downtown. The 20,000 seater stadium is a pain in the arse for me to get to (if I ever wanted to go) but will be a better home for the small but noisy band of 2nd generation Poles, Italians and Mexicans that make up most of the support. ¶ 19:29
“I would think a majority of people in the United States probably think we failed at the last World Cup because we’re all about winning,” Arena said. “That’s all they understand, that’s the way it is in our country."
“We win in all the other sports. We are the world champions at American football because nobody else plays it and our NBA champions are the world champions at basketball. That’s the way it is in the United States, you have to be a world champion."
“Our women’s national team won the World Cup and the Olympics so people think why can’t we do that? So I may just create my own sport, win a game and call myself a world champion! But I don’t think we are legitimate contenders for this World Cup — I think Brazil will win it.”
This is a source of constant conversations that I have with American's about their attitude to sports. Winning is the only thing that matters, they don't do draws, they don't do 2nd, they don't do silver. There is no interest in national teams, and even the far flung franchises struggle for headlines over its star individuals. They are considered of greater consequence than the teams that pay their hugely inflated salaries.
Whilst on soccer, the LA Galaxy won the MLS Cup this afternoon beating New England Revolution, who are managed by ex-Liverpool player Steve Nichol 1-0.
The MLS also announced today that a new Toronto based team will become the 13th league franchise in 2007. San Diego, Philadelphia, Tulsa, Atlanta, Cleveland and Milwaukee may provide a 14th.
Meanwhile Charlton fans will be interested to know that San Jose Earthquake owners AEG, rumoured to be interested in investing in the Addicks, are on the verge of moving the west coast team to Houston (1,890 miles away!) unless a new buyer can be found. Franchise football at its best.
AEG owned Chicago Fire have played their last game at the huge Soldier Field and will begin next season in Bridgeview, which is 12 miles south-west of downtown. The 20,000 seater stadium is a pain in the arse for me to get to (if I ever wanted to go) but will be a better home for the small but noisy band of 2nd generation Poles, Italians and Mexicans that make up most of the support. ¶ 19:29
