The dizzying spin spun by U.S. soccer officials since the qualifying process began in July 2000 turned more than a few heads.
From shrouding the list of players called up for the first Hexagonal match in Columbus to puffing up U.S. chances in Group D at the 2002 World Cup, U.S. Soccer has stretched the truth if not actually twisted it.
If Coach Bruce Arena really believes he gains an advantage by not releasing his actual lineup prior to kickoff, he should do that.
But for federation officials to insist the Columbus Crew not disclose the condition of Brian McBride, who was suffering from a life-threatening blood clot last winter, in the belief it would further confuse the opposition, was reprehensible.
Arena played both sides of the net regarding the draw. He claimed to be happy with it, but at the same time stated Portugal was as good as several seeded teams.
So by Arena logic the U.S. is well off playing Portugal and officially seeded co-host South Korea as well as a second European team – Poland – that won its qualifying group.
Only one other team – Nigeria – was drawn with a seeded team plus two European group winners. The Nigerians are in the Group of You-Know-What.
Arena diplomatically stated that every group is tough, which for weaker teams is always the case. They always get a tough draw.
At full strength, the U.S. has a chance to advance. But anything more than one or two minor injuries could derail the current squad. That was proven in the Hexagonal.
The greatest danger in disseminating disinformation is believing it. I believe Arena is too clever to fall into that trap.
Some of his players were guilty of complacency last summer. Three straight losses wiped out that problem.
What those defeats should also have eradicated is the feeling among certain starters that they are ready to take on the world’s best, no matter what U.S. Soccer says.
by Soccer America Senior Editor Ridge Mahoney