We have arrived as a soccer nation!
Something interesting has happened during this Women's World Cup that has me hopeful for the future of women's soccer in our country. Apparently winning isn't enough! Despite having her team in the quarterfinals against China, Jill Ellis is taking an absolute beating in the media about the way her team plays.
Let's face it, the "style" of play of the USWNT has been void of creativity and insight. There doesn't appear to be much thought in the attack. We simply kick it and flick it. But while we lack style, the results have been fantastic. We haven't lost a match. We won the "group of death." And we are doing the most important thing you can do in a World Cup. We are advancing.
It wasn't hard to predict that this would be the style of our women's team leading up to the World Cup. It was obvious in every send-off match. My fear was that the media would not care as long as we were winning. I was wrong!
While there are certainly some cheerleaders in the mainstream media, many like Alexi Lalas, Eric Wynalda and especially Michelle Akers have been extremely critical. The comments by Akers last night, which can be heard HERE, were very powerful.
But so far what has connected the most with me is a post by Anthony DiCicco where he writes about the disconnect between what the USWNT is doing and what they should be doing. You can read read the full post HERE but let me tell you why is resonnated with me.
Toward the end he states that it is the job of the USWNT to not only win but to inspire us. He is exactly correct! I remember Abby Wambach heading the ball into the goal in the 120th minute against Brazil on that brilliant cross from Megan Rapinoe in the 2011 World Cup like it was yesterday. I'm pretty sure I was on my knees and cried when it happened. I was ALL IN when it came to that team. At no point has this national team generated that feeling.
Why is that?
This team is win at all costs. That's why. Firing Tom Sermanni, allowing Hope Solo to remain on the team, Ellis' tactics, it's all about WINNING!
I understand it is the World Cup and winning is what matters the most. I'm not sure I buy into Cruyff's famous line that losing a World Cup Final is better than winning ugly. Clearly Ellis doesn't. I'm pretty sure we all would forgive Ellis and the team if it took an ugly win in the semi-finals to beat Germany. I know I could.
The problem for Ellis and the USWNT is that EVERY SINGLE GAME IS UGLY!
It has gotten so bad that Tony DiCicco claimed during the broadcast of the last match that if Columbia scored to make it 2-1 most of the pro-USA crowd would have probably started cheering for Columbia.
Forget about the fact that these tactics probably aren't good enough to actually win the World Cup. The real problem for Ellis is that she should have coached the team 20 years ago when nobody cared because in 2015 these tactics aren't good enough to win the hearts and minds of the people who root passionately for the USWNT.
As far as I'm concerned that's a great sign...
