The Round Ball on My Mind

In my last post, I promised to write about why I don't switch to Apple next. Well, I just feel like talking about soccer instead.

But this won't be about the tasty final between Spain and Germany in the Euro Cup. I'd rather address the United States and the 201o World Cup. The fact is, the team will get to the finals. They'll get to Johannesburg, and then will not go any further than the last 16.

Unless ...

Some changes occur. Manager Bob Bradley - a nice guy, a hard worker. But he is not on the level of top European coaches. Or even some of the South Americans. Look south of the border, where Sven-Goran Eriksson is taking charge of Mexico. That makes them infinitely more threatening to any team they meet. Sven might not have elevated England, but he did quite well with a not-so-hot Manchester City squad. And he will do even better with Mexico.

Now, Bob isn't the real problem. That title belongs to Sunil Gulati, president of the US Soccer Foundation. Every journalist in the United States who says Guus Hiddink, Jose Murinho or Jurgen Klinsmann could solve the US team's problems is wrong. Because Gulati - or rather, Gulati's ego - is what stands between US Soccer and its next step.

The USSF had a chance to hire Klinsi right after the 06 World Cup and his near-triumph with Germany. He lives most of the itme in California. He knows the nuances of Major League Soccer. So, why did he not assume command? Because there is an unspoken directive from Gulati: Thou shalt not overshadow Me. And yes, he would use caps for "Me." And Klinsi is flamboyant, larger than life, high-profile.

Oust Gulati and install a rational president, and many problems will right themselves. Until then, prepare for another early World Cup exit and continued lurking in soccer's shadows.