[AngryJawa]

I agree about the physical size of the US team. The team's obviously been built to deal with Mexico and other CONCACAF nations - not European teams.

There really is an ingrained PC belief in American soccer circles that soccer is the ultimate democratic sport where size and speed don't matter. IMHO, having been through the ODP system back in a former life, the coaching staffs are wowed by quick, little flashy guys and not by a big, domiant grinder.

Not much else can explain why Cobi Jones spent so many years zipping about but not accomplishing much against stout competition. I see Donovan and Beasley as the next generation of the same old thing.

Those bigger guys *are* out there, they just aren't developed.

[You Dirty Rats]

I often wondered what a guy like Bo Jackson would have been like on a soccer pitch.

[AGreatPer]

"having been through the ODP system back in a former life, the coaching staffs are wowed by quick, little flashy guys and not by a big, domiant grinder."

I couldn't agree with you more. At most ODP tryouts the players are already picked. All you had to do was watch the coaches not really looking for some sneaker players. Ben Olsen is a perfect example of that. He knew in advance of ODP tryouts that he made the team, so he didn't even go.

Go Switzerland.