U.S.-Mexico Gold Cup Final Preview With Eric Wynalda
For a preview of Saturday’s Gold Cup final between the U.S. and Mexico, we caught up with former U.S. national team player, Eric Wynalda, 42, who will be in the studio for Fox Soccer Channel, which will air the 9:00 PM game.
It’s an important game for both sides. At stake: a berth in the 2013 Confederations Cup, a crucial tune-up event for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Wynalda, the second leading goal-scorer in U.S. team history (34), has become sort of the Johnny Miller of soccer commentating: bold, brash and very opinionated. In some way, his style of commentating is a sign of the growth of U.S. soccer.
Below, Wynalda dishes on the U.S.-Mexico rivalry, coach Bob Bradley’s status and what he fears is the stagnation of the sport at the youth level. He also gives us his prediction.
Forbes: Talk a little bit about the U.S.-Mexico rivalry. Saturday’s game will be played in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. It’s expected that most of the fans there will be cheering for Mexico and that it will feel almost like a home game for them. Does than anger the U.S. players?
Wynalda: U.S.-Mexico is always a special occasion. Problem is—especially when the game has greater meaning, like a World cup qualifier or Gold Cup—it takes patriotism to a whole new level.
Let me make this very clear: there is no “hate” in the hearts or heads of the players. We have the utmost respect for each other. It’s the people in the stands who always start the problem because they are the problem. When the U.S. national anthem starts so does the tension.
The one thing that gets under the U.S. players’ skin more than anything else is when the “Mexicans” boo our anthem. Especially since most of them are Mexican-Americans.
Bottom line is that we both, as countries that is, want to claim that we are the best from our region. Saturday’s game is the decider.
The fighting on the field is all in the spirit of the game. Trust me, we want to beat Mexico more than any other team. I have played in a few of these and they are games I will never forget.
What’s your take on Bob Bradley and the job he’s done? He has a lot of critics out there and those voices have been raised a notch with some of the team’s recent performances.
Bob Bradley will always be criticized. That’s part of the job and even he knows that. I think he handles it pretty well. He has had great success and is taking the team in the right direction.
He has answered the critics on most occasions and I would think this will be another one of those times where he gets it right.
My suggestion to the US fans is to back him. He’s doing a good job.
What’s the biggest strength of the U.S. team?
The U.S. team is “good” in most positions. We fight together, stick together and rely on each other. We need everybody to play well to get big results. This team can beat anybody.
The biggest weakness?
Personality. Sometimes I feel it’s the only thing they lack. And each guy needs to focus on what they are good at and get great at it. Too many “versatile” players and not enough game-changers.
What’s with the recent benching of Landon Donovan, who is supposedly the best player on the U.S. side?
Landon Donovan needs to be pushed. He needs to earn his spot. Too many guys are ready and willing to step in and make a difference. His game is at its best when he brings energy. When he is just out there going through the motions, he’s nothing special and Bob Bradley has shown that he isn’t afraid of introducing him to the bench. The message has been sent and received: “We don’t need you as much as you need us. Bring it or take a seat.” His response was pretty good. He’s a competitor and just needed a little reminder that nobody is bigger than the team.
Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the way U.S. soccer, as a whole, is going?
Wow, soccer as a whole in this country. The tri-decade dilemma!
As a whole, both MLS and US soccer have made the presentation of the game much better, but it is really FOX Soccer who has stepped up and opened access to the game in this country. FOX made a commitment and an investment to show the game 24/7/365. No other network has done that. Following that, the stadiums, leagues, and marketing of our players is better and fans are noticing.
The players are growing in numbers. The coaching needs to catch up.
Simply put, the abilities and talents of the players now exceed the knowledge of the coaching. It’s the definition of stagnation. We have the experience. We neither tap into it nor utilize it enough to make the on the field product better. We don’t need to get foreign help. We need to achieve our own identity.
Nice Fox Soccer plug! Next question: will the U.S. ever produce a world-class striker? A Renaldo, a Messi, even a Chicharito?
The next world star could very well be in some high school or elementary school right now. Most likely, he’s being over coached. He is being told what he needs to do to be great by somebody who doesn’t know what that is. He is being stifled from developing into the player that he could be because of what he is being told he should be. It’s the saddest part about our system. The “industry” of soccer in this country has become our greatest enemy. Until that changes, I am a realist.
The best advice I can give players today is, if it’s not your own voice you hear when you get the ball, we have a problem. Be yourself and express yourself. Good, bad or indifferent it will always be you.
How do you see Saturday’s game going?
USA wins 1-0 on a free kick. Captain Carlos Bocanegra heads in a Landon Donovan cross. 86th min.
Well, that’s at least what I dreamt last night.
http://blogs.forbes.com/monteburke/2011/06/24/u-s-mexico-gold-cup-final-preview-with-eric-wynalda/
