United States

Page by: Dominic Elzner. Apr 2016.

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“USMNT”

Current FIFA Ranking: 29

Copa America Record: Three appearances, 4^th place (1995)

Manager: Jürgen Klinsmann

Overview

After being ranked as high as 13th in the FIFA world rankings, the United States has dropped off, dropping to as low as 32nd in 2015. However, they have made slight improvements since then, and have slightly increased their ranking to 29th in the World.

The United States is in a “group of death”, with three of the teams ranked in the top 30 of the FIFA World Rankings. The “USMNT” is the third-lowest ranked team in their group, behind fourth place Colombia and Costa Rica at 25th. Despite their low ranking, the team remains confident. Although the team has not yet qualified for the 2018 World Cup, they have advanced to the final round in the qualification process, defeating teams such as Guatemala and Trinidad & Tobago easily. This allows them to have confidence in the fact that they have beaten quality competition going into the tournament.

The United States is hosting the Copa America this summer, and many are excited for it. Forbes contributor Darren Heitner believes that the Copa America could be the biggest sporting event in the United States this summer. This is a bold statement, with the NBA finals and the MLB season underway this summer. However, the “USMNT” plan to use this to their advantage throughout the tournament. They will want to get the large crowd on their side early on, and feed off their energy throughout the match to stay motivated and focused. Being the home nation, it will be tough to count them out of any match.

National narrative

Throughout the United States, if someone asked a stranger on the street what their favorite sport was, they would hear a variety of answers. Football. Basketball. Baseball. Soccer would most likely not be on their list. However, this used to not always be the case. In the 1930s, professional soccer and NFL games were averaging the same amount of attendance by fans at games, with soccer having more fans than football in total. After the depression, football, basketball and baseball quickly gained popularity, while soccer fell behind. After failed soccer leagues, the MLS was founded in 1995, increasing the popularity of soccer in the United States today—but still behind baseball, basketball, and football.

The popularity of soccer has been trending up recently. According to Adobe Digital Index (ADI) data analysis, U.S. social media buzz for events like Europe’s annual UEFA Champions League is doubling year-over-year. Players, coaches, and other soccer officials see this tournament as an opportunity to prove that soccer is increasing since the United States is the home nation. People could go and see some of the best players in the world—Messi, Neymar, and more—right in their own backyard. People can watch competition that matters, not just friendlies (which are usually the only non-MLS matches in the United States). They wouldn’t have to travel to Spain or Brazil to watch great soccer. Officials want the Copa America to help reach the level of its former glory—at the same level as basketball, football, and baseball, and they want to prove that the United States population has found a love of soccer.

Player(s) to Watch

Fabian Johnson

Fabian Johnson celebrating after scoring a goal.

• Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach
• National Caps: 42
• Goals: 2

After struggling in his first year in the Bundesliga, Johnson has come alive this season. In his last 12 matches of 2015, the fullback and midfielder for Borussia Monchengladbach has scored 6 goals. However, manager Jürgen Klinnsman has used the German-American on the defensive line. Although Johnson is the United States’ best fullback, look for Johnson to be in the midfield to provide scoring opportunities and finish near the goal during the Copa America. Johnson has also just recently gotten over a groin injury that kept him out of World Cup Qualifying matches, but he was back in his club’s lineup as of recently.

Michael Bradley

• Club: Toronto FC
• National Caps: 113
• Goals: 15

In 2015, Michael Bradley was named U.S. Soccer’s Male Player of the Year. He was also named Player of the Year for Futbol de Primera. Bradley, who captained the United States at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and had three goals and six assists for the United States in 18 appearances. He also had a huge impact on his club, scoring five goals to lead Toronto FC to the playoffs for the first time in their history. He beat out Fabian Johnson and Clint Dempsey to win the award.

Clint Dempsey

• Club: Seattle Sounders
• National Caps: 122
• Goals: 26

At the end of March, Dempsey—now 33 years old—became the all-time top U.S. scorer in World Cup Qualifying. Last year, Dempsey scored nine goals in 10 U.S. games to go along with 12 goals and 10 assists with the Sounders (including playoffs). With the way Landon Donovan ended his international career with the United States, people have been concerned about his future. However, in January, Klinsmann said that Dempsey “is absolutely a part of or plans”. This is good for the “USMNT”, because the 33-year old is the Americans’ most dangerous attacking player, and will have a huge role to play this summer.

Chants

• “I believe that we will win”

This chant has become a staple for the American team, and you can hear it all around the United States. However, it didn’t start from where you’d expect. Jay Rodriguez started the chant at a Naval Academy Prep School, and taught it to his friends. It was an instant hit—everyone would join in during a football game when Rodriguez led the chant. It spread throughout the Naval Academy, and eventually spread as wide as the United States Men’s National Team. More information can be found here.

Works Cited