World Cup 2006

Washington Post soccer writer Steven Goff was online Friday, June 23, at noon ET to chat about this year's World Cup. Goff was live from Germany to take your questions after Saturday's match between the United States and Ghana.

Post Coverage: World Cup 2006

Blog: World Cup Journal

The transcript follows.

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Steven Goff: Guten Tag...

Bring it...

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Washington, D.C.: I'm sure you're going to get tons of questions today about the disappointing US loss yesterday to Ghana and their quiet exit from the World Cup, but here's my 2 cents as to what went wrong.

There seem to be two schools of thought about why the US didn't perform better in the World Cup.

#1 Bruce Arena was stubborn regarding his lineup, and went with proven veteran players instead of players who had something to prove.

#2 The players underestimated the competition in this cup and did not play with the passion necessary to advance to the second round (Donovan and Beasley primarily).

I tend to think the US failure, and yes this WC was a complete and utter failure (4 SOG and only 1 goal), was a product of arrogance. Not only by the players, but also Arena. I LOVE Arena, and hope he continues as the US coach, but you can't place blame on the referees when you only manage 4 SOG in 270 minutes (almost half of that time trailing). Arena was stubborn to stay with McBride up front and Reyna in the middle instead of realizing that both were having trouble staying in the flow of the game and lacked the passion to create chances.

Players were also arogant, expecting to get calls (very little acting from the Americans in this tournament to earn calls), and expectingthe second round to be given to them on a silver platter. Most of the players did little to force the action and create. There was no creativity on the pitch, and the timidness of the offense was simply offensive!

The US roster was stacked for this WC, not even including the incredibly talented players that were left home (Twellman, Mathis, Adu), and Arena stuck with pretty much the same lineup for Ghana (aside from the required changes because of cards). Where were Brian Ching (an incredibly talented M/S), Josh Wolf (possibly the most talented S on the roster), and Greg Berhalter (one of the better attacking D, aside from Cherundolo)?

There's no excuse for this performance, and as fans, we should not be happy with this result. I don't care what Eric Winalda says, US soccer is strong, and fans should not be satisfied with qualifying for the tournament. FIFA rankings aside, the US should be among the top half of the teams in the field, and 4 SOG only prove that this team underperformed in this tournament. US soccer fans deserve better than what we got this year in Germany.

Steven Goff: One reader's (long) opinion.

Arena admitted today that he probably made a mistake not getting Ching into the game in the second half against Ghana.

And clearly he stuck with his veterans. However, as a coach, you've got to go with who you trust, and Arena clearly had more faith in his veterans. As we saw when Eddie Johnson entered the game, the young guys are not necessarily the answer at this level.

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Rockville, Md.: You miss covering our beloved D.C. United at all? They haven't lost since May 6

Steven Goff: I mentioned to Ben Olsen the other day that DCU hasn't lost since he departed for WC training camp. Coincidence?

:-)

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Boston, Mass.: I've followed soccer for years, but I don't understand the yellow and red card business - and how they affect suspensions for later games.

Steven Goff: A red card means ejection from that game and an automatic suspension from the next match. FIFA also has the power to extend the suspension if they feel the foul warrants it.

As for yellows, if a player receives two yellow cards in separate games during the first round, he is suspended for the next match. If a player makes it through the first round with only one card, that card is erased from his record, so to speak, when the next round begins.

The elimination stage works the same way: A yellow in the quarters and a yellow in the semis means suspension from the final.

Got it?

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Tweaked: Crash and Burn...as much as the US team (and fans) can bitch and moan about red cards, phantom PKs, poor seeding etc., the bottom line has to be if your offense only generates one goal in three games (I'm purposely ignoring the Italian own goal) you're not going to make it out of group play.

where does the program go from here?

Come on England, Holland, S. Korea...and I hate to admit it, but I like Germany more and more.

Steven Goff: I never thought I'd say this, but Germany has become a very likeable team under Klinsmann. We'll see how they do in the elimination stages, but the country is really getting energized about their prospects. It's getting fun around here.

As for the U.S. team, Arena said today that, despite all the obstacles, the bottom line is that the team did not play well offensively.

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Washington, D.C.: Who are future coach options besides Arena and Klinsman? Foreign possibilities?

Steven Goff: If Arena does not return, I would guess the USSF will hire a foreign coach. There's simply no obvious American candidate as there was in 1998 when Arena was hired.

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College Park, Md.: Any chance sasho cirovski gets consideration for the U.S. national team soon-to-be available head coaching position??? attack minded outspoken motivator, four straight college cups and a national title.....

Steven Goff: Without experience in MLS, he has no chance.

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Stamford, Conn.: Steven,

Eric Wynalda was criticizing Bruce Arena in a most unprofessional way after the USA's loss.

Is this fair criticism? Or tainted by the fact that Wynalda's career was cut shorter than desired at the hands of Arena?

Steven Goff: Wynalda is a strange bird. Just ask Peter Nowak, who has been endlessly trashed by Wynalda the last two years.

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Alexandria, Va.: Can we blame Freddy Adu for this fiasco? Probably laid down a Ghanaian hex. The fifth highest paid player in MLS and tied with me for the number of goals scored!

Steven Goff: Freddy is having a very good overall year for United, despite his lack of scoring, and is positioning himself well for the under-23 and senior national teams in the future.

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Tel Aviv, Israel: The Brazilians seem to be playing weakly, although they finally played some nice soccer against the Japanese yesterday, after being down a point for a bit. But the really exciting things seem to be happening with the Spanish and the Portuguese - thoughts on their chances? Also, who do the Brazilians play next?

Steven Goff: Brazil plays Ghana on Tuesday. 4-0, Brazil.

Spain and Portugal have looked pretty good so far, but the Argentines, Germans and Brazilians are the teams to beat at the moment.

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Arlington, Va.: Maybe Arena should have played Eddie Johnson more, I think it is an example of US naivete that we think a player is going to be effective because he is fast. Didier Drogba is very fast, but what makes him such a dangerous player is that he is fast and skilled. Eddie Johnson didn't exactly run circles around anyone once he got on the pitch.

Steven Goff: Couldn't agree more.

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Stamford, Conn.: Yesterday, a poll said that 80 percent of Americans were interested in the US vs. Ghana match.

Encouraging news for the future of US interest in soccer?

Steven Goff: People are interested in big events. Unfortunately for the American team, they were unable to impress the bigger audience.

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Gutted Street, Baltimore, MD: Steven-

What next for the boys in white? So many questions. To whit:

Will Arena say goodbye?

If so, who's next?

Juergen, our Californian friend?

Is it time to say auf wiedersehen to Claudio, Brian, Kasey, and the Eddies (not Johnson)?

Is it time Landon & DaMarcus became role players?

Who are the up and coming talents we can look forward to supporting in the next round of qualifiers?

p.s. Have you lost your appetite for sausages yet? Camille says you can pack them away.

Steven Goff: My colleague Camille Powell is about to eclipse triple-digits in sausages comsumed -- and that's just during her stays in Nuremberg!

As for the other pressing issues...

Probably.

Dunno.

No.

Yes.

Not sure.

Too early to say.

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N.Y.C., N.Y.: What is your thoughts on Arena's stubbornness in sticking with the 4-5-1? There are SO many people just killing for it - for example, Eric Wynalda, on the post game show. How you go into a must-win game - and potentially a must-win-BY-A-LOT game, with a defensive posture really escapes me. Your thought?

Steven Goff: Yes, it was a 4-5-1. No, it was not a defensive posture (or not as defensive as it appeared).

Look at the midfielders: Beasley, Donovan, Reyna, Lewis and Dempsey. Are any of those guys traditional defensive midfielders? No. They attacked throughout the game, but Donovan let em down, the crossing wasn't great and then they missed two great chances in the second half (McBride off the post, Onyewu misses a header).

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Washington, D.C.: Gus Hiddink for US Head Coach!!

Steven Goff: Hasn't he already agreed to coach Russia after the Cup?

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Bethesda, Md.: Am I off the mark for blaming Bruce Arena for 90 percent of this pathetic performance? Coming into this must win game we only had 1 shot on goal for the entire tournament and Bruce starts only one guy up top (McBride)? Why not Eddie Johnson AND McBride from the beginning? McBride is great in the air but isn't that fast or mobile. Also, do you think Landon Donovan will now realize that the only way he can really get better and compete on a world stage is to leave the MLS and go play in Holland or England (not Germany for him again)? PS: I am horribly embarrassed by our performance!

Steven Goff: Again, the formation is misleading. There were plenty of attacking players on the field. They just didn't execute well.

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Washington, D.C.: What are Ghana's chances for winning the Cup now? Good, better than they were or don't bet the rent money?

Steven Goff: With Essien, they were going to lose to Brazil. Without him, they could get embarrassed.

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The future of US soccer: The US lost for 2 reasons:

1. Soccer is a secondary sport in the US and our best athletes do not participate. Imagine if Clinton Portis and Gilbert played soccer.

2. Bruce Arenas has run his course and his game planning was poor. Time for a change, it's inevitable.

Agree/disagre?

Steven Goff: I'll agree with the first point, to a certain extent. Until the U.S. develops more world-class players (and taps into the vast athletic pool in America), it is going to be a little behind the traditional soccer countries.

I would not pin it all on Arena. However, I do think he has done all he can do and the USSF needs to go in a new direction.

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Richmond, Va.: Steve,

Thanks for your articles and for the great work your team is doing.

Germany v. Sweden

I think the Swedes can give the Germans trouble in the air. The attack of Germany has taken the spotlight away from the defense but Poland had several chances and Costa Rica scored twice. Ecuador never showed up to win. I think Germany has to score 3 to win. Thoughts?

Steven Goff: Sweden is a quality opponent, certainly capable of beating Germany, but with the momentum the Germans have built, I would expect them to win.

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Anonymous: Can you explain the shirt thing? The guys take them off and trade, yet it is unsporting behavior to take a shirt off after scoring.

Steven Goff: During the game, you've got to keep your shirt on. After the game, you can do whatever you want. The tradition of exchanging jerseys dates back about 35 years.

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Arlington, Va.: Here is a term the new US coach should work on: diagonal run.

Steven Goff: Okay

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Anonymous: I know hindsight is 20/20, but Arena deserves some blame for his dubious roster decisions. What was the point of wasting a roster slot on John O'Brien, especially at this stage of his career? Do you think any coaches lost a moment's sleep thinking, "and what will we do if O'Brien is healthy?" When the top teams "waste" a spot, they seem to favor emerging players who might not be ready yet, but probably will in 4 years, like Walcott for England this year, and Ronaldo and Kaka for Brazil in the past. I know you think including Freddy would have been a bad idea, but how about Jonathon Spector?

Steven Goff: Based on O'Brien's experience and versatility, Arena felt it was worth the risk. In the end, O'Brien wasn't able to help, but it's not like there were some stars-in-the-waiting who didn't make the team (Zavagnin? Noonan? Ralston?)

Spector was in contention for a defensive role, but got hurt late in the English season.

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Stamford, Conn.: Steven,

Enough negativity. On to the positive.

Unsung hero of the USA team, in one name:

Steven Goff: Onyewu was pretty good. Dempsey performed.

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Arlington, Va.: Thanks for doing these chats, must be heartbreaking for US fans after yesterday's match.

I'm not a US soccer fan, grew up watching English soccer and have never looked back. And I have to say that I am not surprised by the US's showing in the WC. I believe there was too much hype being heaped on this team. I don't think they were that good and I think it showed.

I think US fans need to take a step back, at some later time, and realize their team was just flat out beat...no matter which way you look at it. I won't argue that they were put in an tough group and had one of the worst draws of the tournament - they did.

I just think US Soccer fans need to understand that this team and this country have a long, long way to go before they are on par with European teams.

Steven Goff: Very well stated.

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Philly, Pa.: Hello, does arena have a future anywhere besides MLS? i would think his frequently expressed desire to coach in europe is wishful thinking at best

As for a new national coach, how about Philippe Troussier? the "white witch doctor" has performed miracles in africa and asia with second-tier teams

Steven Goff: Arena had very preliminary talks with a Euro club, but it didn't work out. MLS is out there, and he could pursue a TV gig.

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Ann Arbor, Mich. (Univ. of Michigan): Steve, I've been reading the comments posted to the articles and blog entires on this WashPost site. Despite the derision some posters have shown toward soccer and soccer fans, there are many of us who do take it seriously and would watch more of it locally if we could.

I'm blessed to have two college soccer teams in my town, men's and women's. You can bet I'll be in the stands this fall when the seasons start, with a deeper appreciation for constantly playing against the odds, as athletes and fans of the game.

In the meantime: let's all keep watching the World Cup. There's no sense being a fairweather football fan! Still great games ahead.

Thanks for the great reporting -- you and the whole crew there.

Steven Goff: Thanks for your thoughtful comments.

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Another Arlington, Va. person: If it is any comfort to people, just think what sorts of discussions must be taking place at this moment on Web sites in, say, the Czech Republic or Serbia, whose sides fizzled in a much bigger way than did the U.S.

Steven Goff: Great point.

For what it's worth, the Czechs were ranked second in the world and, after scorching the U.S., didn't score again.

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Washington, D.C.: Steven,

Thanks for your great coverage of the World Cup, US National Teams, and MLS.

Call me a pessimist (or a realization that the USA is not ready to compete at the world stage) but isn't it a problem when our "go-to" guys become Ben Olsen and Clint Dempsey?

Also, how long will it take for Arena to either resign or get fired?

Steven Goff: Thanks for your kind words.

Dempsey is a creative player who has a great future.

Olsen wasn't a "go-to" player by any stretch of the imagination. He was put into the match because Mastroeni was suspended, OBrien wasn't ready and Reyna had gotten hurt.

The Arena decision probably won't happen for at least several weeks.

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Germantown, Md: Again, thanks for the fantastic coverage. The Washington Post has much better soccer coverage than the tired old geriatric lady to the north.

Even if the US did well, 8 years is a long time to be a national team coach/manager and 12 years is unheard of. Let's thank Bruce for all he did over these past 8 years and move on. Many people have suggested Klinsmann as the next US coach. I'd like to nominate Novak. He's a proven commodity as a player and as a coach in MLS and will have no trouble gaining the respect of club managers in Europe. (Sunil, are you reading this?)

Steven Goff: Thanks for your kind words (even if it's at the expense of my friends at the NY Times).

I agree, eight years is long enough -- regardless of the most recent results. I think Bruce is thinking the same thing.

Nowak? Maybe for Poland, but not likely for the U.S. team.

Barring an upset this weekend, Klinsmann seems as if he will remain Germany's coach.

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Syosset, N.Y.: Steven,

I've just discovered you and enjoy your dispatches and chats.

Obviously, the US needs to get a new coach and we need to start attacking. Where is the smart money on the right coach for our team who can manage expectations and the US culture?

Steven Goff: I've been discovered! Yes!

I would guess, if Arena doesn't return, they will hire a foreign coach.

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Indiana: Can Argentina and Brazil make it to the final?

Steven Goff: Sure.

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Goodbye Bruce: I've been a big believer in Bruce Arena since his days at UVA, but have to say that he deserves the lion's share of the blame for the team's failure. Beyond questionable roster moves (too much reliance on past-their-prime ex-UVA stars like Pope and Reyna) Arena never came up with a clear, focused strategy for this team. It seemed to me that this team never had a clear idea of who was the central player to drive the offense. They also folded too quickly after a goal. I know one goal makes a big difference but it's not a big deal for really good teams to overcome. In retrospect, what's your view on his performance?

Steven Goff: Not a great performance, plenty of blame to go around, including the coach.

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Baltimore, Md.: Steven,

How come US Soccer hasn't been able to set up an annual home and home with England?

I think we have little hope of improving if we don't schedule some tougher competition (anyone think we'd qualify for the World Cup if we were in another region besides CONCACAF?) for friendlies and England would seem to be the the most logical opponent to start with.

Steven Goff: Arena talked today about how it's important for the team's schedule to improve. However, there are always issues. Next year, for example, the Americans could have the opportunity to play in Copa America, but they are obligated to compete in the Gold Cup around the same time. And because MLS plays during the summer, you can't expect those clubs to let their top players join the national team for two months.

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Washington, D.C.: I watched Spain in its tuneup against Egypt and came away saying "This team looks like a potential finalist if they can get some goals."

Well, they're getting goals, and I still think they look like a potential finalist.

Who's playing better than Spain right now?

Steven Goff: Argentina and Brazil have looked pretty darn good, and keep in mind Spain was actually trailing Tunisia the other day.

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Washington, D.C.: Isn't it sad to see American sports players, coaches and fans constantly blame referees for their losses? Isn't this the country of personal responsibility?

Steven Goff: They did place a lot of blame on the officials, but they also blamed themselves.

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Washington, D.C.: The new national coach needs MLS experience?!? Please. The MLS isn't on pace to compete with international leagues. Bring in a foreign trained coach/payer who will bring the national squad up to speed - literally. While we're at it, we could use a few more international coaches at the university/college and MLS levels. US doesn't lack for talent, but until we train at the pace of the rest of the world, we'll not be able to compete at its level.

Steven Goff: If you are referring to my answer about the Md. coach being a national team candidate, the point I was trying to make was that Cirovski would not be considered without professional experience (i.e. MLS, etc.)

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Washington, D.C.: Syosset, N.Y just discovered Steven Goff??? What? This journalist(Goff) is an absolute legend in DC!

Steven Goff: Ack.

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Rockville, Md.: Should Brian Carroll get a serious look for the team in 2010??? He does a real good job for the United. What about Alecko too??

Steven Goff: Carroll is certainly a legitimate national team candidate in the future, but like many young Americans, some European experience would help his cause. Alecko is a very good MLS player, but he's got a lot to prove on the international level.

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Arlington, Va.: For the record Pope went to UNC, not UVa, but he does seem to be past his prime. And the team came back twice from 1-0 deficits to tie a game, so I'd hardly call that folding in the face of giving up a goal.

Steven Goff: An update...

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Alexandria, Va.: Is it true that Ronaldo netted twice yesterday because he saw fans holding brats behind the Japanese net and wanted an excuse to get closer and possibly steal one?

Steven Goff: Cruel, very cruel.

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Adams Morgan, Washington, D.C.: For the English fan who stated, "I believe there was too much hype being heaped on this team. I don't think they were that good and I think it showed." Couldn't the same be said for the English Team? If they were in the US's group, I believe they would be heading back home also.

Steven Goff: England's injuries are not helping the cause. Having said that, England is overhyped every World Cup.

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Metro Center, D.C.: What U.S. player was the bigger disappointment, Donovan or Beasley? Other than Beasley's assist yesterday, he did nothing offensively. Donovan didn't have a single highlight on offense, other than his pathetic free kick from 20 yards out that went 10 feet high and 15 feet wide. PS- Why can't Bobby Convey cross the ball?

Steven Goff: Donovan was the biggest disappointment because he failed to meet any expectations.

No one on the U.S. team crossed particularly well during the WC, although Beasley set up Dempsey nicely yesterday and McBride hit the post on Lewis's short cross in the second half.

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Arlington, Va.: How about Larry Brown as new coach? With the exception of the Knicks, he's won everywhere he's been.

Steven Goff: Bingo!

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Fairfax, Va.: So what's your opinion on where TV ratings will go now with the US out of the Cup? Were Americans interested because they thought the US had a shot, and now with the team gone they'll stop watching other games? Or do you think the ratings will continue and even increase with the knockout rounds?

Steven Goff: With the U.S. team out, I'm sure the ratings will drop off. The average American sports fan seems to have a curiosity about the U.S. World Cup team, but I'm not sure the rest of the tournament will hold their interest (other than the final).

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Arlington, Va.: The US's main problem was a lack of talented, savvy players. And while I love going to MLS games, the place for US players to develop WC-level players is Europe. If I'm Bruce Arena and I want to do one last thing to help US soccer, I tell Dempsey not to bother getting back on the plane back home, to tell his agent to find a European team who can use him. And if Dempsey hesitates, just point out Landon Donovan's disastrous decision to return to the MLS after 2002.

Steven Goff: Great point. Arena addressed that issue today.

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Arlington, Va.: For someone who is "possibly the best goalkeeper in the world," I though Keller was far too timid on the first Ghana goal. He had defenders coming to the rescue. This was the time to send a message by being aggressive and coming off his line. Brad Friedel would have either made the stop or sent Dramani to the sidelines (or both).

Steven Goff: Who ever said Keller was possibly the best goalkeeper in the world? Other than a U.S. teammate?

Look, the Ghana player had a clear run at goal, Keller decided to hold his ground and protect the near post, the Ghanaian did well by placing it to the far corner.

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Washington, D.C.: We need to face the real limitation on our nation's soccer skills: poor haircuts.

Seriously, we can hire or fire Arena, but someone get Vidal Sassoon on the payroll.

I really fear that Adu's hairstyle is going to develop sufficiently over the next 4 years, so perhaps it will be a generation before we get the lifelong professional hair care that the Euro's and South American's are deploying at the World Cup. Until then, we don't stand a chance against Italy, Argentina, or even England or the Netherlands.

Steven Goff: And with that......

Enjoy the rest of the Cup!

SG

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