The disappointing performance by the United States at this year’s World Cup will have much bigger ramifications than simply the Americans flying home this weekend. After being manhandled and outplayed in the first game, Bruce Arena, the coach of the US team, ripped into his guys, and lit a fire under them to eventually garner a 1-1 tie against powerhouse Italy. All that had to happen was the US beat usual doormat Ghana, and they were in the final 16.

Easier said, or written actually, than done. The team was outplayed, and lost 2-1 to Ghana on a penalty kick that was a very questionable call. And while the referees didn’t give the US team one break in three games, it was clear this US team needs to go back to the drawing board, and get much faster and stronger. If the idea is to show up and be competitive, well then, mission accomplished. But if the idea is to actually win, well then you cant bring a team over like the team we had and actually think they have a shot against the Argentina’s of the world, or Brazil for that matter. And even lesser competition was a tough task for the Americans, whether it was Ghana or the Czechs.

The team having 1 shot on goal in two games, and then only 3 against Ghana speaks to a much larger issue, which is much of the reason our country can’t win the World Cup. Our youth have no interest in this sport. These are kids who are watching commercials of Lebron James dunking all over the place and then driving his Hummer with Jay Z, they are watching Peyton Manning throw touchdowns, and Reggie Bush run for them. And they are watching Barry Bonds hit baseballs out of the universe. They aren’t interested in sitting around a TV for 45 minutes a half, and that’s not including this extra time which is possibly the stupidest sports rule since the 2-3-2 NBA Finals format, just do they can watch a game where they may not see a goal. You can see more goals in the first minute of an NBA game, or even the first period of a hockey game. Our children like action, and they love stars, so while Nike has done their best to throw tons of money behind the US star players, they are only stars in their own worlds, and now that the World Cup is over for the Americans, we will see if Nike will still market Landon Donovan and his boys while they start to get ready for 2010.

Because I promise they will be promoting Lebron James, no matter if it’s the offseason or not.

Now that’s what the children want to see.

A PimpWiz Exclusive By, Ryan Berger

Labels: RyanBerger, Sports