From The Oklahoma Soccer News Service (Opinion Section)
After doing a disappearing act in his previous five World Cup matches, Claudio Reyna, aka "Captain America," has a golden opportunity against Mexico to both silence his critics and help Team US advance to the quarter-finals. Despite constant harping on some internet boards by unknowledgable American soccer fans, Reyna is acknowledged abroad as America's best player.
Renowned for his terrific knowledge of the game, his wonderful playmaking ability and intelligence, Reyna as of yet has had little positive effect on the success of the U.S. Team. In fact, in games in which he has started, the US has yet to win, and have scored only three goals. Coach Bruce Arena and other experts dismiss with derision the so-called "fans" who dare question Reyna's gifts to the team.
Nontheless, these so-called fans, have taken a firm stance, not an unreasonable one under the circumstances. They just say: "SHOW ME!" Knowing full well that the dye is cast and that Coach Arena has chosen, for whatever reason, to guarantee Reyna a captain's starting role in the very center of the field, these "fans" (including certain OLD ones) are hoping against hope that they are proven wrong against Mexico. They are rooting for Mr. Reyna to have a BIG game, make some crucial and telling physical tackles, disposses the opposing players more than a couple of times a half, and actually make some passes to his teammates in position to score. At the very least, they are hoping that Reyna doesn't disappear one last time taking the US Team down with him. If he has a decent game and doesn't totally suck, the new young bloods on the team, with the sage help of a few veterans, might just pull out the win.
Oldplayer
After doing a disappearing act in his previous five World Cup matches, Claudio Reyna, aka "Captain America," has a golden opportunity against Mexico to both silence his critics and help Team US advance to the quarter-finals. Despite constant harping on some internet boards by unknowledgable American soccer fans, Reyna is acknowledged abroad as America's best player.
Renowned for his terrific knowledge of the game, his wonderful playmaking ability and intelligence, Reyna as of yet has had little positive effect on the success of the U.S. Team. In fact, in games in which he has started, the US has yet to win, and have scored only three goals. Coach Bruce Arena and other experts dismiss with derision the so-called "fans" who dare question Reyna's gifts to the team.
Nontheless, these so-called fans, have taken a firm stance, not an unreasonable one under the circumstances. They just say: "SHOW ME!" Knowing full well that the dye is cast and that Coach Arena has chosen, for whatever reason, to guarantee Reyna a captain's starting role in the very center of the field, these "fans" (including certain OLD ones) are hoping against hope that they are proven wrong against Mexico. They are rooting for Mr. Reyna to have a BIG game, make some crucial and telling physical tackles, disposses the opposing players more than a couple of times a half, and actually make some passes to his teammates in position to score. At the very least, they are hoping that Reyna doesn't disappear one last time taking the US Team down with him. If he has a decent game and doesn't totally suck, the new young bloods on the team, with the sage help of a few veterans, might just pull out the win.
Oldplayer