Over-reaction to the US loss and Chicharito

Why Can't the U.S. Build a Soccer Star - WSJ.com

Funny thing about the emergence of Chicharito for Manchester United and Mexico.  Somehow the presence of one exceptional forward has given everyone the impression that the entire US system of player development is broken because, as the above article says, we haven't developed a superstar (which I'm pretty sure is code for dominant goal-scoring forward).  The implication is also that Mexico has it all figured out now that they've developed Hernandez and he is starting for one of the top few clubs in the world at a young age.  Here's the thing, if you look around the world, no one seems to have figured out the secret to regularly producing exceptional goal-scoring talent.  The implication seems to be that there is an assembly line of Chicharito clones ready to invade the football world while the US is turning out players who are barely good enough for MLS.  The evidence just doesn't point to this being the case.

Consider...

Mexico 5 - 0 El Salvador

This is just great. The goals are fantastic. The announcer is fantastic. And it should appeal to the Premier League fan because:

• Givoanni Dos Santos assist on the first goal. Iit wouldn't cound for fantasy purposes, but still.
• Chicharito hat-trick
• Salcido clean sheet

I may make it my campaign for the summer to get GDS some respect and to get him a place in Spurs' 2012-13 side.  My first effort at this particular windmill was last week on Twitter.

Watching #MX play in the #GoldCup. How is @giovanni2santos not the natural understudy to @rafvdvaart at @SpursOfficial?less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet Replyjspitzberg
jspitzberg

Consider this attempt number two.

I wonder what Spurs fan Y!AM thinks of the idea.

Correct Offsides Call in South Africa vs. Mexico

ESPN Flubs South Africa vs. Mexico Offsides Call

When everyone took a breath, it turned out the refs got the call correct.

In short, the offside rule reads as follows:

"A player is in an offside position if: he is nearer to his opponents' goal line than both the ball and the second last opponent."

Since South Africa keeper Itumeleng Khune charged off his line, trying to push away Gerrardo Torrado's corner, it left only Steven Pienaar left on the line. That meant when Khune went forward, Vela was in an offside position, regardless of the Everton man's position on the line. Just think of Pienaar becoming the de facto goalie on the play.

World Cup 2010 - South Africa v Mexico

Chat recap, after the jump.