We all know the USA is out of the World Cup. To some, this cycle was a successful one in that they won their CONCACAF hexagonal with room to spare in qualifying, advanced from the group of death and overall exceeded global expectations in Brazil. To others there was a lot left on the table. National team staples Landon Donovan and Carlos Bocanegra were left off the roster when many felt they could still contribute to the team. Some even feel this cost them first place in the group and a spot in the quarterfinals.
I think that this was a successful World Cup cycle for more than just the reasons listed above. Yes, winning the hex was a huge step forward for the USA, and escaping the group of death was more than I thought possible. In addition to that, however, we saw some great young talent flex their your muscles. This represents a bright future for the USA heading into Russia in 2018 and beyond.
The biggest bright spot in my mind was DeAndre Yedlin. Both times he came on as a sub for Fabian Johnson I was worried that he would cause another hole in an already torn up back line. Instead, he provided a force going forward and rarely, if ever, got caught out on the counter. The 21 year old figures to be a consistent force at right back going forward.
The other piece of young blood that got only a little bit of experience, but a lot of positive exposure, was Julian Green. They 19 year old is the youngest player to ever play in a World Cup game for the USA. He also scored on his first touch of the game. As a product of the Bayern Munich youth academy, he has the high level training that more American players need. Should he stay in Europe, he should be able to develop into the force that the USA needs him to be. It's possible that he becomes the big breakout star that defines a World Cup in four years.
Another comforting feeling is that many of the veterans that shined brightly in Brazil will still be around to travel to Russia. Clint Dempsey should still be good to go. Michael Bradley will hopefully still be around to learn from his mistakes this year. Matt Besler will also be there to shore up the defense that was a major reason the USA bowed out when they did.
The 2014 World Cup experience was great for these young guys, but more needs to happen for this team to take the next step in 2018. One thing they need to do is try and encourage young players to go over to Europe. This may seem counterproductive for the popularity of the game on the home front, but the competition abroad is more helpful to developing the type of talent that the USA needs to push further into major competitions. The vast majority of the best players in the world ply their trade in Europe. If the USA can produce talent that can share the pitch with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi in Spain, or Suarez and Rooney in England, or wherever they can play across the pond, they can produce talent that can be more competitive at the World Cup.
Look no further than Tim Howard and Clint Dempsey for examples. Howard was once goalkeeper at Manchester United before becoming the stalwart between the sticks at Everton. He is, and has been, one of the best goalkeepers in the world. Dempsey scored 50 goals at Fulham before his transfer to Tottenham in 2012. These two are some of the greatest players this country has ever seen, and more like them can be produced by sending you American talent overseas.
Returning to MLS tends to slow these players down because they are facing inferior competition. While Dempsey hasn't really seen a drop off in his play, Michael Bradley was noticeably slower after he left Roma in Italy to play at Toronto FC in MLS. Bradley was a great player in Italy, and was touted as America's best player heading into this World Cup. He just didn't seem up to speed with the worldly talent around him.
As much as we would love it for MLS to be the best way to train our young stars, the league has been and will remain a place where good North American players bide their time until Europe comes calling and a graveyard for old pros trying to keep things going. There's a reason players like Thierry Henry, Kaka, and David Beckham come to MLS. It's because their aging legs can't run with the likes of Ronaldo, Messi, Suarez, and anyone else playing in Europe's top leagues.
Because of this World Cup, there are sure to be some European teams looking to recruit some young Americans. DeAndre Yedlin and Matt Besler in particular look to be attracting foreign eyes. If they knew what was good for them, these guys should jump at the chance to play in Europe for the betterment of both their games and the USMNT's.
The next major competition for the USA will be the biannual CONCACAF Gold Cup next summer. The USA are the defending champions, but the 2015 competition will be more important than the one in 2013. Should they win it again, they head to the FIFA Confederations Cup, an important tune up for the World Cup played the summer before in the host country. The USA playing in the Confederations Cup final in 2009 was a major factor in their success in South Africa the following year. A trip to Russia in 2017 can only serve to help in the next World Cup.
The USA may not have advanced further this year than they did in 2010, but the stiffer competition and great play from young players means they have taken a step forward. They still have a great deal of work to do to become capable of winning the whole thing, but they are at least on the right path.
As for the remainder of the 2014 World Cup, today marks the beginning of the quarterfinals with two massive games. Getting things started at noon are Germany and France. Both of these teams are capable of winning the whole thing, and I predict the winner will eventually make their way to the World Cup Final. I like Germany to win, since I placed them as the best team coming out of the group stage. Both teams have a wealth of attacking talent so I expect a flurry of goals ending in a 3-2 German win.
The second game of the day puts a shaky Brazil against a surging Colombia. The leader in the clubhouse for Player of the Tournament is Colombia's James Rodriguez and I expect him to have another big game today. Brazil will need to really get serious if they want to win this game. They barely survived Chile and now they have to face a more talented side. My original bracket had Brazil winning this one, but now I am not so sure they will. Colombia will come out of a hard fought match with a 2-1 win. Be sure to tune in to this one kicking off at 4pm.
Today is the better of the two days of quarterfinal action, so enjoy your Independence Day in the most American way possible, watching European and South American nations battle it out in a British sport. I know that's what I'm doing.
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