Germany 1, USA 0
Well, at least one titan of German football thinks the USA was the "better" team.

I came into this game with a very similar feeling to the '98 Rose Bowl, which pitted an upstart (and Ryan Leaf (!) lead) WSU team, which had shocked the West Coast at least, if not much of the country, to win the Pac-10 and suddenly become one of the best teams in the country, against a Michigan team in the championship run. They were a little bit fortunate to be there, and many more "seasoned" and "sophisticated" college footbal fans (aka UW Husky boosters) were quite unwilling to give them much credit for what they had done.

They suddenly found themselves facing a perenial power (it's amazing how Michigan and Germany compare to each other in this respect... two team known for size and physicality and sound tactics and fundamentals) on a very big stage, and hardly anyone -- rightfully so in most cases -- gave them much of a shot to win.

However, they had a "punchers chance," and almost more important than winning or losing was gaining respect. While the possbilty loomed they could get blown out, it was hoped that more likely they would show they were capable of being there, playing at that level, and if nothing else, putting a huge scare into the prohibitive favorites.

Both WSU and USA jumped out and had their champion opponents on the ropes early. Remember that WSU grabbed a 7-0 lead and were driving for the second score when Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson intercepted a Leaf pass in the end zone. The USA peppered Germany's defense, forcing All-Galaxy Goalkeeper Oliver Kahn (who, by the way, is not a pretty man) into a number of great stops. Landon Donovan showed tremendous touch and skill on some scintillating first-half runs, but ultimately some bad choices and finishes cost him.

But that was similar to WSU's effort. While playing tremendously, they didn't "finish" well, so to speak. There were a few dropped passes, a blocked PAT, an inability to stop a clock-munching 4th-quarter Michigan drive despite 3rd and long after 3rd and long. The USA in the second half looked a little naive and, I hate to say it, clueless inside the German Penalty area in the final 25 minutes, while they started a relentless attack and Germany seemed resigned to packing it in and trying to "sit" on a one goal lead (of course, they were forced into this posture by a relentless USA attack through the midfield).

One came away wondering if the lack of "worldly" experience, for lack of a better word, ended up costing the teams in both situations. But despite the sting of the loss, and the feeling that "but for..." there could have been a victory, there remained the tremedous pride in a job well done, and a definite "Moral Victory."

I know, "Moral Victories" are for losers, but we also need to face facts: in both cases, be it WSU or the USA on the international scene, the teams Have been "losers" throughout Most of their history. The fact that they won themselves a chance to perform on a big stage, and performed admirably, is a gigantic building block.

It is now time to look ahead. The future of USA soccer has been glimpsed, and the USA have taken great strides. They have defined a set of formations and tactics that has worked, and they have developed a playing style of their own. They play a scrappy, defensive postured-but-attack-minded approach, using speed and flank runs to their advantage. We can see that John O'Brien, Landon Donovan, and DaMarcus Beasely will form the core of a potential world-class midfield, with potent strikers like Clint Mathis and Josh Wolff up front. I worry about the defense, mainly because Stalwarts Pope and Sanneh will not exactly be young by 2006 (Sanneh 35, Pope 33) but Frankie Hedjuk, Steve Cherundolo (who did not play due to injury), and Pablo Mastreoni should still be around.

On a personal note, I am very happy, because for one glorious night, USA soccer was THE thing on the sports table. Millions around the country got up early (or stayed up all night) to watch the match, and thousands of those packed bars, stadiums, or other social venues to share the experience with other fans.

I spent the night at Arenasports, on West Marginal Way in Seattle (where I play indoor soccer) and watched both games (England vs. Brazil at 11:30) on the 15' big screen they had set up. A number of us filled the 3 hourse between games by playing pick-up soccer. It was a fun night, and I won a soccer ball in a half-time door-prize drawing.

And now, my final player ratings, not only for this game, but all five:

Three stars against Germany:
1) Tony Sanneh: was fabulous at right back, pushed forward late to use size to advantage on attack
2) Claudio Reyna: despite errant passes late (fatigue?) finally showed, against Mexico and today, his world-class skills in the World Cup
3) Landon Donovan: despite some questionable finishes, and the German defense clamping down on him the the second half (and he forced them into that posture) was brilliant on the attack.

Tournament MVP's:
A special shout-out to Brad Freidel, who I have largely ignored in my rantings because I concentrate on field players, but he set himself as AT LEAST the second-best goalie in the tournament. And I'm Still frustrated he started over Kasey Keller.... oh well.

Top Three Stars:
Eddie Pope, Tony Sanneh, and John O'Brien: The "shakey" defense the USA showed in group play was hardly the fault of Pope and Sanneh. I honestly believe Sanneh may have been the best right-back in the tournament, and Pope has shown he can be a world-class middle-man. O'Brien was spectacular, and came up Huge as the "forgotten man" in the USA scheme (O'Brien has had a tough time freeing himself from his club, Ajax of Amsterdam, one of the top clubs in Europe, to play for the US)

Next Three:
Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, Claudio Reyna: the centerpeices of the USA attack. I still believe, despite his role as striker today, that Donovan role with the US side for most of the next decade will be that attacking center MF role, as he played against Mexico. McBride was Man of the Match against Portugal, and his abilty to win long balls was key to the US attack against Mexico and Germany (until he was subbed out). What more do you say about Reyna that hasn't been said?

The "unsung" hero 3:
Frankie Hedjuk, Pablo Mastreoni, Earnie Stewart: Stewart's role seemed oddly limited, for a man who has contributed so much to the cause for 8 years, but he was hobbled by injury. Still, the best US side usually seems to include him, and it's unfortunate he couldn't get more field time. Hedjuk was virtually "out of the loop" for the National Team most of the spring, seemingly hurt by his utter lack of playing time for Bundesliga titan Bayer Leverkusen. He is tremendously quick and scrappy and (despite his excessive fouling at times) is the kind of "hustle player" most great teams need. Mastreoni, despite coming from out of nowhere (didn't play in a single qualifier) was on the field for the three best US performaces, the 3-2 win over Portugal, 2-0 over Mexico, and today's game.

The "forgotten," the subs, the bit players: How strange that Clint Mathis played such a small role for this World Cup effort, but that goes to the strength of the US side more than anything, as I can't fault Arena for his decisions. He had that delicious goal against Korea, but was strangely quiet against Germany after coming on in the 58th minute. Josh Wolff had a solid effort against Mexico, a start he more than deserved. DaMarcus Beasley was brilliant when he played, for the most part (and was clearly kept out against Germany because of size concerns), and like Mathis it is strange he didn't play more, but like Mathis it is justifiable. His future is incredibly bright, and he will probably anchor that left side for years to come. Cobi Jones was the usual sparkplug off the bench, Greg Berhalter stepped in admirably in the left defense slot for two games (and boy, do you Come closer to scoring than that handball-on-the-line 4 minutes into the second half?). Eddie Lewis was a solid left-side presence, and had a good game against Mexico. Jeff Agoos.... I'll just leave that alone.

Have I forgotten anyone...?