Armour: As long U.S. underwhelms, '99 team will continue to be the standard
OTTAWA — Never has the 1999 U.S. women's soccer team cast a bigger shadow than it is this week.
That was likely going to be the case, anyway, what with Friday's quarterfinal being the first time the U.S. has faced China at the World Cup since that historic final at the Rose Bowl. But the underwhelming performance of the Americans so far at this tournament only illustrates how far the U.S. is from the standard set 16 years ago, and it's some of the '99ers raising the loudest alarms.
"(That) is another reason why you hear the emotion of the past players because we know how good they are. We know how good and talented these players are," Julie Foudy, a member of the 1999 team who is now an analyst for ESPN, said Tuesday.
"They absolutely have the talent," Foudy said. "It's just so hard when it's not all coming together and you know it's there."
The Americans will always be a contender because of their athleticism and sheer numbers – name another country that can yawn at the prospect of losing two of its starting midfielders for a World Cup quarterfinal. But with the global game evolving, U.S. coach Jill Ellis has tried to make the Americans more technical – think possession-oriented – to stay ahead of the competition.
Which is fine. In theory.
In reality, it's turned the Americans into a dull bunch, stifling every bit of creativity and freedom. Imagine Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors shackled by a half-court offense, and you get the picture.
"They're still one-dimensional. Jill Ellis is locked on a system that isn't working," Tony DiCicco, who coached the Americans in 1999 and is now a FOX Sports analyst, said about Monday night's 2-0 victory over Colombia that was more of a slog than a show of skill and competence.
Carli Lloyd and Lauren Holiday, in particular, have been asked to play roles that have rendered them almost invisible when they have the ability to be dangerous game-changers.
It was Lloyd, remember, who scored the game-winning goal in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic final. Aside from converting a penalty kick Monday night, she's barely been seen near the goal. Asked about reverting to attacking playmaker late in the Colombia game, the grin that spread across Holiday's face was telling.
The Americans are far too reliant on Abby Wambach, as well. Yes, she's one of the greatest to ever play the game, with more goals than anyone else, male or female. But she's also lost a step at 35. Couple that with the injuries that have limited Alex Morgan for most of the last two years, and Foudy said the pairing is no longer the strength it once was.
"The 4-4-2 is not working. It's not working. I think it's asking too much of Abby Wambach," she said.
"You need to rejigger (for) when you get to … Germany-France. If they're playing like they are, it's going to be a short World Cup for the United States."
That's the point. The name of the game at the World Cup or an Olympics is survive and advance, and the U.S. has done enough to do that. But that kind of approach won't cut it in the semifinals or final, and accepting the current state of mediocrity only sets the U.S. up for failure.
That is where the comparisons to '99 become so glaring. Great teams don't play down to their opponents or let them dictate the game.
They set the standard, and the U.S. has been doing anything but at this World Cup.
"We take it personal. That's our baby out there, too," Michelle Akers, the star forward on the 1991 and '99 World Cup champion teams, said Monday night on SiriusXM FC before delivering a withering criticism of Ellis' tactics.
"If she's pleased with the way we played tonight, then what the hell is she doing coaching our U.S. team?" Akers asked.
The current U.S. group has long chafed at the endless comparisons to the 1999 team and its ability to command the spotlight 16 years after winning the World Cup. So long as they stick to this system, however, they'll never escape the shadow.
No one admires someone for being satisfied with getting by when they could have been great.
PHOTOS: U.S. vs. Colombia