Will the US win a World Cup in my lifetime?

I think it's a pretty fair question. In light of some fantastic articles from the AP and Ives Galarcep, it's now common knowledge that the US is light years away from competing with World Cup powers, let alone defeating them. It's sort of a bitter pill for someone like me to swallow. I've followed international soccer faithfully since the '94 World Cup. Bringing the world's greatest show to the US was supposed to draw more fans to the sport. Well, it worked for me. The problem is that my team stinks. Despite millions of young kids playing the sport, our beloved country can't seem to produce world class talent. Sure, there are millions of reasons why... football/basketball/baseball take away the best athletes, no soccer culture, poor coaching, etc. Yet, you would think that, in a country of 300 million people, at least one soccer prodigy would come forth. (Well, it's possible that soccer prodigy did come forth in the form of Guiseppe Rossi, but that's another story.)

Hasn't happened. That's why we gotta trot out out-of-form, clubless Damarcus Beasley as our 1st choice midfielder. That's like Sheed getting the start on the Olympic team just because he was an Allstar eight years ago. Where the heck are the players? Where are the coaches? Bob Bradley is a sharp dresser and very fit, but does he have a single creative bone in his body? He's got as much charisma as this guy. Down 2 to Brazil, and his halftime answer is Conor Casey? Yikes. You got Freddy freakin' Adu on the bench. And Jose Torres. Either of those players have the fire and skill to actually take the ball to the Brazilians. It was just a mess yesterday, and, if you didn't see the game, best continue avoiding it. After scoring the 2nd goal, Robinho actually took the time to give a sideline interview. That's how seriously he took the US.

This Sunday, the US faces Egypt - a team that almost tied Brazil except for an injury time penalty kick. It could very well be another shellacking. During the Brazil game, John Harkes said the team lacked confidence. That's the key. Against Egypt, we'll find out if they have any pride.

If they come out flat, I think it should be curtains for Bob Bradley. It's the true test of a coach to rally his team when they're suffering. Not that Pat Fitzgerald is the greatest coach of all time, but he definitely impressed me when, in '06, his 2-8 Northwestern team went into Iowa city and beat an Iowa team still fighting for a New Year's day bowl. The team had nothing to play for but pride. Can the US match that spirit?