Quote:
Originally Posted by Griff
This is why Lil' Pete fences, team sports get too political (and she's a natural individualist). We know we have better players available but judging talent is an art not a science.
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This isn't even an art v science issue. the US football association is an utterly inept political organization.
Example: Jurgen Klinsmann, recognized as being an outstanding international coach capable of creating well structured, tactically astute teams was ready to be hired as our national team coach. It fell apart at the last minute because as all top tier coaches would he demanded the freedom to select the players he thought were the best fit even if they didn't come from the pool of the most recognizable or marketable players. The association refused to give him free reign so off he went and in came bob bradley. bullshit.
Right now one of the top central defensive prospects in Europe is a man called Subotic. I'd literally sacrifice goats and throw virgins into a volcano to get the guy to sign for Arsenal. He grew up playing for the US national team at the youth level but fell out of favor and wasn't selected for a major tournament. He now plays for Serbia. The US missed out on him.
There are other players that have made the same choice.