How would someone characterize US Soccer's Summer of 2009? The extreme optimist would say that the US made a non-CONCACAF tournament major final for the 1st time by ending Spain's world record streak, then with a "B" side made it to the final of the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The extreme pessimist would say that the United States squad blew a massive opportunity to establish themselves as a major world footballing nation with their collapse in the 2nd half Confederations Cup final. Add to that Mexico put their cleats in the US rectum on US soil in the final of a tournament they have recently owned.

Both sides have legitimate points, however my leaning is 80-20 towards the pessimist side. Its not all bad but it should have been much better.

Let's begin in South Africa, where the US took advantage of the fact that they barely made it into the semis. The way they got into the semis wasn't anything to be proud of but hey they made it in so I won't hold that against them. In beating Spain 2-0 in the semis, the U.S. earned massive respect but needed to lift the trophy in order to achieve "Miracle On Ice" status and stop the world footballing community from looking down on the US soccer program. In the biggest final in US Soccer history, The Stars & Stripes choked, played scared in the 2nd half with a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2 to Brazil. At this level of football, its no trophy, no glory, no respect.

The difference between Brazil, Germany, Italy and the elite footballing nations and the US is trophies in international tournaments outside their own confederations. Brazil, Germany, Italy each have multiple trophies and the US have zero. Lifting the Confederations Cup by beating Brazil would have been a great boost to US Soccer's reputation in the world football community.

Now onto the CONCACAF Gold Cup, a tournament the US was expected to win and coming in had won the last 2 editions and 3 of the last 4 stagings. To no one's surprise, the US made it to the final with their "B" side. That's nothing to smile about because that was what the Americans were supposed to do, praising their place in the Gold Cup final is like heaping glory upon a 2 month old for soiling their diaper.


In the final, once again in the 2nd half, the US wilted and let their arch-rival stomp them to a 5-0 embarrassment. The Americans looked slow, unorganized, and helpless. There is no excuse for that loss and the notion that it was the "B" side is no consolation. If the US is to be considered a great program,they have to display their depth by winning tournaments with their "B" side.

If you are counting that's 8 goals allowed in two 2nd halves of 2 major international tournament finals almost a month apart. The 20% optimist says that its fulfilling to have reached two finals but the 80% pessimist says that the manner with which they lost those finals were embarrassing and shameful.

The summer of 2009 for U.S. Soccer should be remembered for its finals disappointments. The lesson of the summer of 2009: To fully appreciate winning, you have to feel the pain of losing.