Wow, I had not idea anyone on here was into the game.

I heard an interview with Pele where he said that Ronaldinho was going to be the greatest player ever in his opinion. It's not that I couldn't see it happening but, that was also said about Ronaldo in 98 and the other guy from Brazil in 94 (I can't think of his name, Mario something maybe). Either way, Ronaldinho is nasty, but by 2010 there will be another young player from Brazil who we are having similar conversation about. When an entire nation of young boys live to play, natural great players will be produced.

The United States has come a long way. Even after getting beat today they deserve credit. The Czech team is no joke, as their ranking indicates. We need to keep in mind that in 98 the US came in dead last, 32nd our of 32 teams. In 02 we made the quarterfinals. I will admit that after a loss today, making the next round looks grim because of how stong Italy is (some of them winning in). I did not get to see much of the game because of class, but the short bit I saw in the beginning did look pretty ugly.

I will agree that we are not on the level with the best in the world yet, even if we were ranked 5 coming in. On the bright side, based on the U-20. U-19, U-18 and U-17 national teams we are projected to win it in 2010. Now I heard this back in 2000ish, but I know that we do win many of the world tournaments on that level. Not that he could win it himself, but that will be Adu's first Cup, and with a young team we have now and the addition of really the first generation to grow up with the sport we should be strong.

I played with/against some who will be on the national team in the next couple years and I really feel as though my age is the first true generation of the sport from America. Soccer is now the number one youth sport, as it was for most of my youth, and it's only growing. As a former player, student and true fan of the game I look forward to where the sport is going in the US.

97 RS- Runs, but never driven
2000 Subaru Outback- Daily Driver