Throughout each level of soccer in the United States, reverberations are being felt after the U.S. Men’s National Team failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
It was the first time the USMNT did not make the World Cup since 1986. The Americans had become a staple in the world’s biggest showcase of soccer, and failing to qualify after seven straight appearances will sting.
Whether you were in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago, where the American qualifying campaign came to an end, or Bloomington, Indiana, everyone has had a reaction to failed qualification attempt.
The IU men's soccer team has multiple players who have represented the U.S. at the youth national team level. IU associate head coach Brian Maisonneuve represented the senior U.S. National Team in the 1998 World Cup.
“Yes, we need to figure things out, but I don’t think it’s the end of the world by any stretch,” Maisonneuve said. “The growth of soccer in the last 40 years has been unbelievable. It’s great to see so much talk about this. 40 years ago, it would have been maybe a headline and that’s it. Now there’s so much talk. That just shows the popularity and though it’s not great press, people care and that’s a great sign.”
The U.S. was in good shape to reach the World Cup after defeating Panama 4-0 in the penultimate qualifying match last Friday night in Orlando, Florida.
The Hoosiers were watching the game before their match at Penn State. Then on Tuesday, a series of events, wins by Panama and Honduras along with a loss by the U.S. at Trinidad and Tobago, left the Americans on the outside looking in.
Many questions are being asked. Some say it will set soccer back 30 years in the U.S. Others say American soccer will be able to move past it.
Maisonneuve said there are definitely things that need fixing.
“Our national teams are doing some really good things," Maisonneuve said. "Our youth national teams are doing some really good things. College soccer is doing some great things. Soccer in this country has grown and it’s moving in the right direction.”
One of the IU players who has played for the U.S. youth national teams and recently returned from playing with the Under-18 team is freshman winger Griffin Dorsey.
A lot of pundits have said it is up to the next generation of Americans to carry the torch of those who have come before them. Dorsey isn’t necessarily feeling that burden.
“Things change. You play for the U.S. team, you don’t play for the U.S. team, you get called into camp, you don’t get called into camp,” Dorsey said. “It’s not really pressure like the USA not making the World Cup, but you just keep grinding and you want to get to the level that all those first-team guys are at. Ultimately, the burden is on someone like Christian Pulisic who is starting for (Borussia) Dortmund and is playing very well with the first team.”
Within the team, Maisonneuve said most of the team is a fan of the U.S. National Team.
An exception is senior attacker Rashad Hyacenth, who is from Trinidad and Tobago.
Maisonneuve said the team talks about the absence from the World Cup but nothing at length.
Maisonneuve kept a positive attitude by saying there are good coaches and players do a good job for U.S. Soccer.
“Everyone is kind of on the negative bandwagon, but there’s some excellent players and they went out there and worked hard," Maisonneuve said. "Nobody wanted this to happen, and it did and now we have to move forward."
jeastern@umail.iu.edu
@JoshEastern
