It’s tough to classify if the United State’s recent World Cup journey was a “success or a failure”, in blunt terms. Losing to Ghana in the Round of 16 was absolutely an upgrade to the Yank’s 2006 exit in Germany after group play, but you could tell the players (and the fans) wanted more. Under new coach Bob Bradley the US finished first in Group C, ahead of the highly touted English and surprising Slovenians. The figurehead of South Africa 2010 for America was midfielder Landon Donovan, undoubtably the most talented American player of his generation. He had plenty of help though, especially from a skilled veteran core of players infused with much needed youthful talent. Goalie Tim Howard, centerback and team captain Carlos Bocanegra, and attacking middie Clint Dempsey helped Donovan lead the squad to hopefully a new age in United States soccer. This aforementioned new age hopefully will be one where we will see the Stars and Stripes in the Top 10 FIFA World Rankings year in and year out, and able to compete with European and South American powerhouses. There’s no reason not to believe US soccer is on the rise, and by the next World Cup in Brazil, 2014, the Yanks should be much more explosive on offense and more well rounded overall. Read More→