USA's 2010 World Cup

For the United States, the 2010 Fifa World Cup has come to a disappointing close. Coming in, this is where most of us would have put the US, losing in the round of 16, except to Germany, not to Ghana. Getting to this point is a success, but the loss to Ghana is upsetting, especially considering we had the easiest road to the semifinals possible. The loss to the 32nd ranked team in the world is cut and dry a disappointment, no ifs ands or buts about it. But despite the loss, this WC has been a success for the good ol Stars and Stripes.

It was an exciting World Cup, my least favorite part about it is the fact that my team, the US, usually plays so few games, but they gave me and everyone their moneys worth with four of the most exciting games of soccer I have ever watched. It's time for the Bearded Fellow to give out his Quad-Annual (that's once every four years, not four times a year.) World Cup Awards: USA Edition.

Most Valuable Player: Landon Donavon.
The best player in US soccer history finally decided to earn that title in the stage that mattered most; the World Cup. He did it all for the US; good runs, good passes, and great finishes, Landon led this team to it's group win with his impressive top-shelfer to start things against Slovenia to his clean up goal in the 91st to give the US the 1-0 win it needed to advance. He's 27, so one more isn't out of the question, but he probably will not be at his top form.
Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey

Most Surprising: Maurice Edu.
This one is a tough one to hand out, but I gotta give it Edu for the way he played in his three appearances. He had a "goal" against Slovenia and played very solid in the midfield alongside Michael Bradley. He gets the surprise award because he was coming off of a serious knee injury, many questioned whether he was going to make the 23-man team. Made it he did, and he was the best of the three mids that played in that spot (Ricardo Clark and Jose Torres.) He was very good on the ball, making good decisions and good passes.
Honorable Mention: Michael Bradley

The "Where the hell were you???" Award: Jozy Altidore
With the exception of a few plays where he showed his strength on the ball, Jozy was completely non-existent. He made one good play, the header that led to Bradley's goal against Slovenia, and that was it from Jozy. The guy who led the US in scoring during qualifying, barely even sniffed the net during the World Cup. He was a complete no show. Luckily for US soccer fans, the kid is 20, he'll be around for a few more of these. He'll be back an improved and more experienced striker, one the US desperately needs.
Honorable Mention: The entire US defense except Bocanegra and Cherundolo

Least Valuable Player(s) Award: The Entire Defense except Bocanegra and Cherundolo.
I have to throw in the except here, because these two guys were solid. Carlos made one, albeit crucial, mistake against Ghana, but other than that he was a solid and consistent back. Cherundolo was most successful pushing forward and generating chances with his excellent crosses. But other than those two, the rest of the backs, including defensive mids Ricardo Clark and Jose Torres, were terrible. They were exposed early and often, slow on their close outs, and often slow to react on plays. The D cost them against Slovenia and Ghana, no question about it. In four years, it could be a completely new set of four, and I wouldn't be shocked.
Honorable Mention: Ricardo Clark

Most Promising Award: Michael Bradley.
This kid has star written all over him. He already plays in Europe, he's 22, and he is a force in the midfield for the US. Every team needs that center mid that can control the game, score goals, and recover and defend. Maybe that mid is Bradley. He showed promise of being a dominant mid in the 2010 World Cup. He excelled with his ability to go box-to-box. He made good recoveries on D and made great plays and runs on offense, including his run that led to the equalizer against Slovenia. Michael Bradley is a star in the making.
Honorable Mention: Maurice Edu

Brain McBride Award: Clint Dempsey.
This award goes out to the guy that showed the most grit and determination out on the pitch, also doesn't hurt if you start bleeding somewhere on your face, much like good ol McBride in 06. Dempsey got bowed not once, but twice in the face, and was on the pitch every minute of this World Cup. He played with heart and determination out there, he even got rewarded with a goal, thanks to Robert Green. But Clint played his usual brand of hard-nosed soccer, whether he was at mid or up on the attack. He even drew a penalty against Ghana after nutmegging John Mensah. Do work Clint, you earned this prestigious award.
Honorable Mention: Michael Bradley.

The Bearded Fellow Award: Oguchi Onyewu
This award goes out to the man with the best facial hair. When you have more hair on your face than your head, you're usually a lock to win this award. He could have made it look a little neater, but the beard was impressive. Keep growin it Gooch
Honorable Mention: Clint Dempsey.

The US will have a solid squad in 4 years, but for some reason I doubt it will be as good as this year's squad. There are a handful guys that are questions for the next World Cup in four years, and they are important guys, (Dempsey 28, Donoavon 27, Howard 31, Bocanegra 31, Cherundolo 31, Onyewu 28.) This team's exit is disappointing, but they made this country proud. Hopefully, positive comes out of this run for the game of soccer in this country... One can only hope.