Outrageous

Since this collection of words and links needs a boost today, I’m laying it out on the line. The US/Mexico friendly tomorrow is the most important national sporting event of 2007.

Huh?

Yeah, I said it…bigger than the Super Bowl, bigger than NBA Finals and bigger than the Oakland Roller Derby all rolled up into one, consider this:

1-This is the first “real” test for new Men’s coach Bob Bradley since the US disappointment in the World Cup 2006. Even though it is technically a “friendly”(translation-exhibition), I believe the future of US Soccer is at hand because:

2-The New Transitionary Period. For the first time ever, we saw a Premiership game last weekend that featured 4, count them 4 prominent US players playing a significant role in two middle-tier Premiership Clubs Fulham and Newcastle United. Except for Brian McBride who is just past his peak, the other three: Dempsey, Gooch and Bocanagra all represent the future of the game in the US and the type of talent we need to continue to develop in the States. The fact that Bradley has asked for:

3-Call Ups from Bocanegra, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Tim Howard and The Gooch show a desire to have a meaningful result in a non-meaningful match. The fact that Mexican Coach Hugo Sanchez has also ordered the call up of his International Club stars also tells you the subtle underlying tone of this friendly and the importance in a decision from both sides. So what's the result?

A meaningless friendly in the beginning of February has taken on Bay of Pigs like consequences for the loser, with both nations trying to find a way to make their sides relative on the International Stage and bring some sort of credibility to North American Soccer. The US has fallen dramatically in skill and reputations from their rise following the ’02 WC where they defied expectations, but since hasn’t shown any signs of developing into a constant International Power.

Mexico on the otherhand, has never received the credibility, especially among other Latin-American and Latin-European countries. They need to demonstrate North and Central American dominance before they can begin to rival long superior South American Countries such as Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.

My take:

I find the whole thing ridiculous, especially considering the current League title and cup races combined with European competition which normally includes the best International players. I’d like to point the collective finger at just Bradley for being the only one to make the call ups, but it is being done by every International manager around the world. Meanwhile, every Club manager in contention for a Cup or Trophy holds their collective breath making sure their investment makes it through a meaningless competition.

That being said, if you are going to go through the motions and bring your players home for the week, you might as well put on a showing, especially in a place like Phoenix were the US team will be lucky if they have 50% fan support.

So why is this exhibition match the most important National sporting event of the year? Because it sets the tone for the future and direction of the Men's National team for either country. Between the increasing number of talented young US players getting top flight experience around the world and the ever developing MLS, the US is at a turning point in regards to its reputation around the world regarding the beautiful game. Do we reflect the failures of the past or do we show the type of American resolve that could make us a top flight power for years to come. We'll find out tomorrow what direction we decide to take.

Who: US versus Mexico
What: The NAFTA Rumble
When: 6pm PST, ESPN 2
Where: University of Pheonix Stadium, Phoenix, AZ
Why: Because they have to!