By Sean Connolly

So, it might not be the most prestigious stage for soccer, but if the US team can make some noise this Olympics it can’t hurt. In their opening game today against Japan, Stuart Holden gave the US a 1-0 victory.

Holden’s goal ended a three game scoreless drought just in time as the US picked up a crucial victory in a difficult group B. Group B includes Netherlands and Nigeria who are heavily favored. Although the US didn’t look strong enough to defeat the Dutch or Nigerians they seemed to sort out whatever kinks they had.

Good news followed the game when Netherlands and Nigeria played after and ended in a draw. This leaves US atop of Group B and now it looks like they have a chance to advance past the group stage. Now the easiest way past is to simply tie their way in. Easier said than done as the Dutch possess a solid young team with speed and talent.

The US team face the Netherlands on Sunday which will be the biggest test of the Olympics. The heavily favored Dutch will look to slaughter the more inexperienced US but the US beg to differ. The US has shown a solid defense and will use that against the Dutch. If Holden can put another goal in the back of the net expect the US to net a victory and an entry past the group stage.

By Sean Connolly

The US Soccer team has been asking for respect for I don’t know, the last ten years. And guess what, they’re not getting any from FIFA. In the new world rankings, FIFA dropped U.S.A to 30th in the world, falling 9 spots from 21st. With a team who showed so much promise before the 2006 World Cup in which they were ranked 4th in the world in April of ’06, what does falling 26 spots since then and falling below teams like Paraguay, Israel, and the Ivory Coast mean to the U.S. Soccer program?

Looking at the United State’s last game in which they only beat Barbados 1-0, they really need to get their act together. I mean Barbados is a team who is asking citizens of Barbados to step up and play on their website. I’m not joking either, seriously it’s hilarious check it out…http://www.barbadossoccer.com/. They beat Barbados by 8 at home but for some reason when they played in Barbados they looked like a completely different team. I mean, what are they going to expect when they go into Mexico and try to win?

The U.S. played Spain almost one month ago, and showed some hope by only losing 1-0. Spain is now the number one team in the world according to the new FIFA rankings and the U.S. has to look back to that game for hope. In their exhibition matches coming up to the World Cup Qualifiers they played somewhat admirably against Spain, got spanked by England, and then had their best game against Argentina in a 0-0 tie. I really don’t think FIFA should have dropped them 9 places but they shouldn’t have gained any ground either.

This new ranking will do either two things. One, get the team so demoralized that they feel like there’s nothing they can do to get respect in the soccer community and play poorly. Two, they use this ranking as fuel to the fire, and use it as motivation to get to the next stage which is making a significant impact in the 2010 World Cup. The Barbados Soccer website says to give Barbados a chance, I think it’s time for U.S. to pick up the same slogan. Give U.S. Soccer a chance!