Current State of American Soccer
In America, the passion of nationalism burns deep and it is always looking for outlets to express its colors. However, even with bright young stars ready to shine for their country, the USMNT has faded greatly as results have been harder to come by then expected. The USA has not missed a World Cup for over 30 years. That they have failed to qualify proves that America’s progress is men’s soccer is falling drastically behind compared to other neighboring nations. No one would say that the USMNT has ever been that successful, but for them to fail now after years of attempted progress and concentrated effort is alarming. It is quite sad that some players will be faced with missing out on representing their country on the biggest sporting stage, and this slip has to be taken seriously but without regret of what could have been. And also, crucially, without backtracking to a point where the team performed just well enough at times to play the game. The hiring of Bruce Arena is what I’m referring to. There was no real attempt at progress with that hire. It definitely felt like the USA player’s performance (most times) warranted more while the fan’s dedication certainly deserved more. It could be very easy for US Soccer to eat the “memberberries” and adopt the current trend in America to recreate the good ol’ days. Ideology like that will leave the USMNT more uncompetitive and erode the slow progress that has been made in developing American soccer.
What does US Soccer need to do to recover?
Without going into much detail on the state of US Soccer governance, it is quite obvious that they need fresh ideas. With the expected election of a new federation head, hopefully brings new, sporting focused plans to reorganize player development and the grow the sport on the professional front. In Claudio Reyna’s word’s to Goal.com, “Our approach and our behavior to the sport here — to coaching, to everything, is just wrong. We’re far too arrogant. We’re far too obnoxious.”
US Soccer needs people who care less about the business potential and understand more about the game. I’m betting those in power now had not even considered the possibility of USA missing out on a World Cup because the thought of that happening does not bring them as much sadness and regret as it does to those true fans. Otherwise they would have taken different actions in the operation of the football team of the richest nation in the world. The fans are out there just dying for a chance to support their team. The business will come with results, but Americans haven’t figured out how to make the business bring results yet and the atmosphere created has done nothing but hamper it’s own growth. In regard to solutions however, I would like to highlight my most important item on the list to recovery for US soccer.
**The hiring of Thierry Henry as USMNT manager.**
I will briefly layout 3 reasons that make Henry the best choice to replenish US Soccer’s drained spirit. I won't go into possible coaching tactics of his, but just talk around why Henry would fit what America needs in a manager now. Thierry Henry, for those few people currently unaware, is a French football living legend. He last played for the New York Red Bulls in 2014 before retiring and going to work as a Sky Sports pundit and as of 2016, the assistant manager of the Belgium national team. He played for major teams like Juventus, Barcelona, and Arsenal under legendary tacticians like Pep Guardiola and Arsene Wenger. Along his career he has won innumerable individual, club and international trophies, notably both the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Euro and also the FIFA World Cup. He is on the top 10 list of English Premier League all time goal scorers and is recognized as one of the best footballers to ever live.
What he represents in the world of international football is what American’s would love to get a taste of. American’s love the big guns and Henry is one of the most lethal weapons to ever shoot on a goal.
Reason One: Communication skills and professional personality
Henry can speak multiple languages fluently, importantly English, having lived in England and New York for many years. He played professionally in the MLS for 4 years and learned how American players and coaches behave compared to the rest of the professional world. He has worked as a tv analyst, explaining tactics of coaches and emotions that players feel during the games most competitive events. He has learned from the best of the best and played against legends of the sport and won all there is to win in soccer. Henry has a thoughtful composure that will make him well loved by all players and his resume will command their respect. He has many ideas on what makes an ideal player and he gives a lot of regard towards players who behave a certain respectable way, on and off the pitch. He has proven himself at the highest level and will demand the same of his players. The United States has a slight arrogance that is not deserved or justified and the mentality that Henry brings would go a long way towards making a better America, not just in soccer.
* [Henry shows how to score a goal]
Reason Two: American’s love celebrity.
Henry has lived in the limelight for years and has a adept, levelheaded attitude towards the media and his critics. It is very important that American’s are proud of what their national team represents and that is carries a certain weight of respect throughout the world. All respect should be given to great and dedicated American coaches in the MLS but most American’s would not recognize or remember their name and Bruce Arena was the best that US Soccer could get to try and qualify for the World Cup! Clearly we are not on the “level” that we think we think are and need to look for help from those on that “level”. All the business and financial success will come if America's fans, the players, and its management can adopt the nature of the game that Thierry Henry has been a part of shaping. The level of excitement a name like Henry can generate can never be truly predicted but US Soccer needs to make the next hire really count and Henry brings everything possible to the table.
Reason Three: Henry coaching as good as his playing
Some players make excellent modern coaches, such as Guardiola and Zidane. Henry shares many of the same sporting philosophies as those two having played with or for them both. He is mostly unproven as of now but currently he is the assistant manger of the Belgium national team, one the most exciting teams on the world stage right now. He is the assistant to Roberto Martinez, the former Everton manager and a coach lauded for his tactical prowess. Henry will be coaching and evaluating some of the most talented attacking players in Europe like Eden Hazard, Michy Batshuayi, and Romelu Lukaku. As much as they are learning from him, I assume him to always be sharpening his coaching skills and philosophy by interacting with and against the world’s best players. Roberto Martinez has referenced Henry as a crucial part of their strategy and that he provides an excellent vision for his players. I expect him to stay with the team throughout the 2018 World Cup before he goes on to his own gig somewhere else, hopefully to rebuild the USMNT’s fledgling program. The United States needs to act quickly though because they will not be the only ones in search o f a good coach. Thierry Henry has all the tools and experience needed to become even a better coach than he was a player. He can guide a modern United States soccer team to the next level and show the team what it means to compete with world champion teams on an international front.
[Henry’s last game for NY Red Bulls]
While I’m sure that I am not the only one with Henry on their dream shortlist for a new coaching gig. There are dozens of clubs and teams that would love to have him. However given the proper support and a little luck (like any coach needs) there is nowhere else Henry could go and make as much of an staying impact on a team. The US will gladly embrace anyone willing to attempt to right the ship and both parties have nothing to lose from attempting to make it work. I do not expect to hear him announced as coach anytime soon but maybe the idea will spread and catch on at the right time.
Peace.