October 5, 2005

BRAZIL MEAN BUSINESS, U.S. CONTINUE TO TINKER

It has crept up quietly, but the epic 2006 World Cup Qualification process is nearly done. By this time next week the world will know 27 out of the 32 nations that will be competing in Germany next summer. There will be some two-leg playoffs in November; three in UEFA, one between CONCACAF and CAF and another between Australia and CONMEBOL’s 5th place team.

Brazil and the United States are among the ten nations that have already qualified for next summer but the two sides have taken wildly different approaches to their squad selection for their remaining fixtures. Brazil are still out to prove they are the undisputed best team of the world and have picked their strongest lineup possible. Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Robinho, Roberto Carlos, Cafu and Dida are all there as they travel to La Paz to play Bolivia on Sunday, and then face Venezuela three days later deep in the Amazon at Belem. While the lengthy travel involved for their European-based players (i.e. the majority of the squad) is always a drain, it is admirable that Brazil do not want to take their foot off the accelerator now just because they’ve passed a stage in the long road to Germany. They know this is their best squad, and there is no time to be mucking about and “experimenting.” This is the squad that will start the tournament as favorites.

The U.S., on the other hand, have opted for even more tinkering and resting, even though their domestic players will soon be enjoying a four-month off-season, easily the longest of any soccer league in the world. Instead, Carlos Bocanegra will be brought back over the pond, but not Brian McBride. Bobby Convey, but not Marcus Hahnemann. Eddie Pope has been picked, despite an awful campaign for nearly-worst-overall Real Salt Lake. Same goes for Kyle Martino of the Columbus Crew. DaMarcus Beasley is in the squad, but if somebody deserves a break from the U.S. camp, it is surely he. Beasley has a tough grinding calendar of fixtures ahead of him between now and June 9th, 2006 in both the Dutch Eredivisie and the Champions League. Bruce Arena still seemingly doesn’t have a clue who will fill out his 23-man roster for the tournament, let alone who be the starting XI. Brazil, on the other hand, knows, and will show no mercy on anyone until that golden trophy is back in their hands for a sixth time. The U.S. needs that confidence and stability, and Bruce Arena has yet to find either, despite a three-year testing period.

Elsewhere, in UEFA, Portugal are sure to qualify from Group 3, all they need is a point at home against lowly Lichtenstein, and they take the group. England will have to rally over injuries, a cantankerous media, a shaky manager and a disapproving fan base to qualify. England have Austria and Poland both at home and need to win both to make it to Germany. Austria are now managed by former Los Angeles Galaxy #10 and 90:00 columnist Andreas Herzog, while the underrated Poles cannot be overlooked. An injury ravaged France face-off with Switzerland in Bern in what will likely be a decider to the closer than close Group 4, though Israel and the Republic of Ireland still have a shot via the playoffs.

Edward Knowles, International Editor, 90:00™