Perhaps Not Enough International Football
FCBNews blogger Nig recently posted an article stating that he thinks there should be less international play, because it affects many clubs in Europe and it generally isn’t the same quality of play that you would see in a game between EPL heavyweights Manchester United and Liverpool, or La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, as an American, I see international play differently. I look at it as not as an encroachment on my favorite clunb team, but an opportunity for players to represent their countries.
In the US, international games are not seen as a problem for 2 reasons. One, because international games only really affect a handful of teams, as most of our players play in Europe and not MLS. The second reason is because as Americans, we root for a national team that has done a lot of losing over the years, and to me, each time our guys suit up in the red, white, and blue, it represents another chance of moving towards our ultimate goal, which is winning the World Cup. Every game is a chance to try something new, give a new player a chance, and hopefully, find something that can help get us to where we need to be in 2010 and beyond.
So play more games. Play as many as the schedule will allow. Its great to see the players represent their clubs and win trophies with them, but even the players will tell you, the ultimate goal is to win the World Cup, and you can only do that with your country.
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Discussion - 13 Responses
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I guess the reason most people say they want less of international football is not just the club vs country debate, but also the fact that generally international football is boring. The Copa America was easily the most exciting event held in recent history by a long distance. People relly wouldn’t have bothered much if national teams played to entertain (not so sure Dunga’s Brazil will entertain anymore though)
Brian, it’s interesting to see an American show interest towards the international games. I don’t want to generalize but over the past year that I have spent time here in the US people don’t tend to care much for international sport. Heck! This is a country where the World Series means a game between the winners of the AL and the NL! Anyway, I guess for the football (I mean soccer!) fans the international games mean a lot more because of the relatively lower quality of the MLS.
And Ahmed, since you put up another pic of GA on top here’s a bit of trivia pulled off Wikipedia:
According to that her breasts would be bigger than that, don’t you think?
RR - topic for the new wagsnatch column then? write it up brother
Yeah, I agree more Internationals between bigger Country’s, but if the World Cup and Euro etc are on, limited friendlies the same as a year when there is qualification for big events like The World Cup and Continental Cups.
My Socceroos are playing Argentina at the 100,000 Capacity MCG soon..
We all wanna think that Australia will win..While you yanks say we’ll get FLOGGED well you said we where at the WC in 06 to make the numbers, and look who got in the Last 16, Australia and USA Missed out ha ha ha.
Australia 2-2 Argentina or Argentina 3-2 Australia, I dunno…
Id like Australia to play these countrys in 2008 since only Euro 2008 is on.
These are in order too. And the venues:
Australia vs. Wales - Mellenium Stadium
Australia vs. New Zealand - Somewhere in New Zealand
Australia vs. New Zealand - Suncorp Stadium
Australia vs. Japan - Aussie Stadium
Australia vs. United States - MCG
Australia vs. Croata - Somewhere in Croatia.
The Australia Vs. New Zealand matches will be part of the Rufer-Warren Cup and one team will be awardd te Trophy and away goals is counted, Australia will use there A-League players while New Zealand will use there best team for the 2nd leg and there best team minus there 2nd striker and best midfielder for the 1st leg.
You should have put the picture at the bottom, I read none of the article.
Nick - point noted
I LOVE JAM!
Well done sir!
Ahmed .. where the hell do you get the pictures, man??
Alan Smith did himself some good.
Dash - it all started when I went out to get a bottle of jam…
? What are you talking about?
Internationals for Australia?
And just going on about stuff..lol
The pic was very nice? Was Alan Smith with Gemma Atkinson
That is Atkinson isnt it? lol