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Now I know what you’re thinking, ootball and the USA, doesn’t seem the most appealing of combinations. But just hear me out guys…
Traditionally written off by the local populous as a boring, illogical code (sound familiar?), ‘soccer’ has developed from the rather mercenary days of the North American Soccer League (NASL).
This was where legends such as Pele, Gerd Muller, George Best and even Australia’s favourite son, Holger Osieck, went in search of a final paycheck – into the highly attractive and successful MLS.
Since its foundation in 1993, the MLS has been the breeding ground for talents such as Tim Howard, Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore.
In terms of attendances, the average sits at a healthy 18,843, which bodes well in comparison to their European counterparts, particularly given it is considered the country’s fourth most popular sport.
In terms of the national team, five continental triumphs are bettered only by Mexico.
World Cup qualification is no longer an achievement for the stars and stripes, it’s an expectation.
Having qualified for the past six World Cups, their passion and determination have been admirable, even when the results haven’t.
Think of the passion that was sparked after Donovan’s 94th minute equaliser against Algeria in 2010, or the sign of things to come that was provided by their quarter finals appearance in 2002. It’s hard to deny that the Americans are on the rise in world football, an astounding feat given the stereotypes that surround their take on the sport.
So what can the FFA learn from its American brothers? Is there a magic formula that leads to international credibility? Which international powerhouse must we parallel in order to succeed?
The answer, be like America.
What? How could you say such a thing!
Give it a minute’s thought. Look at the way that broadcasters have ‘americanised’ their game.
Look at the draft system, the east/west conferences, the crowds, their terrifically over-excitable commentators.
Words won’t do it justice, check out the highlights packages on YouTube every once in a while.
It’s football as you’ve never seen it. Heck, it’s hardly even football. Its soccer.
This is what Australia must do to progress as a football nation – just be Australian.
Forget the Dutch revolution, play the Aussie way, with a ‘heart on sleeve’ mentality, physicality and a nous for unsettling the opposition to boot.
This is what fuelled the national team when silky smooth, possession-based play was a far-fetched fairytale.
That being said, I’m aware that advocating such a style may lead to the upper echelons of dullness put forward by Tony Pulis’ Stoke City over the past few seasons, but who says physicality and an ‘in-your-face’ attitude can’t be combined with flair and creativity?
The development of players like Tommy Rogic, Robbie Kruse and Daniel De Silva and others will be paramount to ensuring that a strong backbone is supplemented adequately.
History dictates that we produce strong, hardened footballers. Why ignore that?
There’s a reason we all act like excitable school children when theres a punch-up in Origin.
And what other country would have a nationwide “Bring Back the Biff” campaign? Perhaps America, but that would only add to my case.
Bringing it back to home, remember how outraged you were by the diving antics of the Omani, Jordanian Iraqi teams when we played them? That’s your innate sense of integrity and dignity that justifies our equally innate desire to play tough.
So don’t be ashamed, Australia. Being able to relate to all this doesn’t make you brutish, it’s part and parcel of our sporting identity. Embrace it.
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