For a preview of the tournament, Team USA and more, new USC women's soccer head coach Keidane McAlpine has you covered.
Q.) What country do you most enjoy watching in terms of style of play?
I grew up being a real fan of the Dutch. They popularized "total football", which means every player can play every position, so there is a lot of interchange. It is a thinking person's game, but you have to be proficient all over the field. It forces you to be a complete soccer player.
Q.) Which team would you like to see USC play like?
I would like us to defend like Italians. They lock in with a tight, organized ship, and no one gets in. I would like us to attack like the Dutch having that kind of fluidity to the game. And, I would like to add in a little flair of the Brazilians. If I could add all those together, and don't forget a little of the bite of the African teams.
Q.) Who is the player that you most enjoy watching?
My favorite player until he just retired was Clarence Seedorf, again a Dutch guy. The guy has won Champions League trophies with three different clubs. The way he played the game and his ability to adapt to different styles, teams and leagues showed the total football part.
Q.) Who is the best player in the world right now: Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo?
I am going to say Ronaldo. He has tested himself in multiple markets (Manchester United and Real Madrid), while Messi has not. It is hard to call Messi the best until he tests himself in other leagues, although I don't think he will just based on his belief in the Barcelona way. Ronaldo is proven in different markets and different leagues. He has played against everything.
Q.) What is your Team USA preview?
Talking strictly their development under Jurgen Klinsmann, I was really pleased to see their combination play and fluidity offensively in their last game against Nigeria. They made some adjustments defensively against a good, athletic Nigerian team. They are young, especially in the back line, which I am a little concerned about, but the American spirit always bodes well to find results where maybe we shouldn't get them. My hopes are high that we will advance out of the group. The more important part is that this group of young players continues to develop and get experience, so that when we get to the next World Cup, we are bought into what Klinsmann wants to do.
Q.) What do you make of Jurgen Klinsmann's approach?
He is a winner. I have played with a lot of Germans, and he has that trademark efficiency, but he seems to go outside of that and allow a creativity, excitement and flare to the game, which I appreciate. Typically, the U.S. plays a working class style of soccer, so to ask us to actually play, and play at a high level, is going to be interesting to watch. We are still as a nation very much in our youth in terms of the game compared to other countries. The players that are playing now are really the second generation in terms of having parents that understood the game. Look at Bob Bradley (the previous U.S. Men's National Team head coach) and his son Michael Bradley (arguably the best field player on this year's squad) who are proof positive that we are headed in the right direction.Q.) How important is World Cup success to the development of soccer in the U.S.?
The women's team, just as much as the men's team, ignited the fire in this country by winning the World Cup, and creating this "soccer mom" movement. Now, you've got a sport that not only men watch but women watch, which I think is great. The men's World Cup is the highest stage in the sport. Every time we can get a result against a proven country is a step towards that next kid believing that we can win a World Cup. Ultimately, you have to believe it is possible. And even though Klinsmann's come out and said that it is not realistic right now, I do think ultimately he wouldn't be here if he didn't think one day it was possible. He's trying to blend all the cultures in this country and create a team with the potential to do so.
Q.) Predictions?
I have been too hard at work to look at the bracket! But, Brazil and Argentina have the advantage as the top two teams in South America, where the World Cup is being played. You never want to count out Germany because they are so solid at every position. Brazil and Argentina are the favorites though.
