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usmnt: a quick reflection and look ahead to 2026

12/29/2022

 
“USMNT: A Quick Reflection and Look Ahead to 2026”
The Four-Year Review: America’s Quest for the Cup 
(First published at Cardinal Publishers Group, December 29, 2022)


Once again, the USMNT had the athletic talent to win the FIFA World Cup in Qatar outright yet something happened, something very familiar: it didn’t. Why? Why is it that the most talented athletic nation on earth didn’t win the men’s World Cup? What is it about American soccer culture that keeps holding us back?...more at Cardinal Publishers Group
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fifa world cup 2022 champs: argentina

12/20/2022

 
​FIFA World Cup 2022
Champions:
Argentina!
 
It wasn’t easy, never is. It seems, at times, Argentina had to do it the hard way. Take for example, the first match: Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia by 2-1. Not a good start. Yet, Spain, the year it won the 2010 World Cup, lost 1-0 in its opening match to Switzerland. When Argentina went down to the underdog Saudi Arabia there was immediate panic, yet Argentina, like Spain, came back and showed its true quality.
 
Fast forward to the 2022 WC quarter-finals against Netherlands in which Argentina allowed the Dutch to come back and tie it 2-2 at the end of the game…one of the tournament’s best matches, yet tense for Argentina as it held on, just barely, in large part thanks to Otamendi as the Dutch unleashed a formidable aerial assault in the box.
 
And for the final, Argentina allowed France to come back and tie it 2-2. Before that happened, I said to a smart soccer friend of mine, Dige, “I don’t want to say anything but Argentina’s allowed teams to come back before.” And then it happened. For Argentinean fans, it must’ve been agony. It was a 2-0 lead that turned into a potential nightmare, right at the very end when France—by way of Mbappe—tied it up!
 
Similarly, in the 1986 World Cup final, Maradona and Argentina had a 2-0 lead over West Germany—with Rummenigge, Rudi Voller and Lothar Matthaus—that ended up being a 2-2 tie. Eventually, at the end of the game in dramatic fashion, Maradona’s through pass led to a 3-2 victory.
 
In 2022, Messi’s magic helped Argentina get back on top and it cemented Messi’s place among the greats, such as Maradona and Pele. For France, it made sense to sub Giroud, who is older and a boost from the bench was likely the idea. But to sub Griezmann, a playmaker that was the engine for France all tournament long, it didn’t make any sense whatsoever. Yet, France did manage to tie it up. Mbappe surged at the end. Would Griezmann have made a difference? Perhaps questions Deschamp must answer for in the near-term, should he remain as coach for the next World Cup. In earning second place, France nearly became a back-to-back champion (like Brazil in 1958 and 1962; Italy in 1934 and 1938). Though, it was Argentina’s tournament and third overall title.
 
What a phenomenal final and finishing touch for a superb tournament in Qatar.
 
It seems that FIFA World Cup 2026—Canada-Mexico-United States—will have a great boost, as the first “tri” World Cup in history. Who will take over the tournament? Will Messi, who will be close to 40, find a reason to make one last World Cup run, perhaps off the bench like Roger Milla in 1990? Will Cristiano Ronaldo be around? Might Mo Salah lead Egypt to the tournament? Will the United States and Mexico have home-field advantage to help put each side over the top? With a different format in 2026—a tournament that daringly has increased to 48 teams, the most ever—it will be interesting, and qualifiers are right around the corner!
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a quick look at the usmnt

12/8/2022

 
A Quick Look at the USMNT
"The Four Year Review: America's Quest for the Cup"
Published with Cardinal Publishers Group, December 8, 2022

As the Quarter-finals for FIFA World Cup 2022 approach, it seems clear the “old guard” of world soccer is showing up. In the Round of 16, a few challengers came in the form of Japan, South Korea, Australia, Senegal and the United States. As of 12-5-22, the teams that made the Quarters are Netherlands, Argentina, Croatia, Brazil, England and France. (The remaining Round of 16 teams are Morocco, Spain, Portugal and Switzerland.)


As for the United States, who lost 3-1 in the Round of 16 to Netherlands, it’s much of the same: macro talk that revolves around “almost, the need to stay consistent, and it’s a gradual process.” Yet fans are gradually becoming more impatient each tournament. When will the USMNT take home the ultimate prize? When will the USMNT when the elusive World Cup trophy? Not in Qatar, that was proven. All in all, the USMNT had one big victory in FIFA World Cup 2022: it reached the Round of 16. However, in four short years, when the US-Canada-Mexico host, a big opportunity awaits. Will it be the same players still? The same coach? That’s yet to be seen. For now though, a lot of thought is being put into what form the team will take in the near-term and eventually 2026. 

Stay tuned, it should be interesting. Just as this World Cup in 2022 remains as interesting as ever!


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facts about their country: argentina

12/6/2022

 
Argentina is a beautiful country in the south of South America that has an estimated population of 45.6 million people and a GDP of about $444 billion. While Argentina has produced a top-level international basketball team, the number one sport is, without a doubt, soccer. Argentina’s captain from its 1978 FIFA World Cup championship team: Daniel Passarella. The captain from its 1986 FIFA World Cup championship team: Diego Maradona.
 
Who won the Adidas Golden Ball (i.e., the MVP) at the 2014 FIFA World Cup? Answer: Messi. 

For the best wine in the world, you’d go to California (specifically Sonoma and Napa Counties, Vine & Barrel, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Australia, a lesser-known hub in Southern Illinois and Missouri, and, of course, Argentina and Chile. The latter two are known for very good wines.

​A few wines from Argentina?
 
Felipe Staiti Vertigo Blend 2014
Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino 2015
Graffigna Reserve Pinot Grigio
Luigi Bosca Gala 2
 
However, for beer drinkers during the World Cup, a couple from Argentina include Antares and Quilmes...more at THE World Cup 2022 Book
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    KEY
    (NS) refers to "Non-Soccer" related blog entries, stories and essays.

    Author

    Shane Stay, author of The Euro 2020, The World Cup 2018 Book, Why American Soccer Isn't There Yet.

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