The Dream Team

One of my company's 2009 priorities was to focus our resources on the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Outside of this countdown, which was put up about two and a half months ago, it's hard to really tell what we've done.


(The scoreboard now features the flags of all 32 teams that qualified for the World Cup and about 8 different people have asked me why Ireland's flag is up there and I have to tell them that it's not Ireland's flag, it's the Ivory Coast's flag)

Although soccer is the most popular game in the world, it's probably only the 5th most popular sport in America. Our awareness of the soccer landscape, as a country, is virtually non existent. For example, try to name 4 MLS teams. Sure, whenever Team USA wins a match we take great pride in that, but for the most part it's a known fact that we can't really compete with the best of the best in the world. Why is this, you might ask. Well it's simple really. All of our best athletes play either basketball, football, or baseball whereas the best athletes in the rest of the world play soccer.

This got me thinking the other day (Christmas Eve) at work with that countdown practically staring me right in the face. What if 23 of our best athletes had focused all of their time, talent, and energy on playing soccer their entire lives? What would our national soccer team look like then? Before I proceed with our literal dream team I must first say that this idea was briefly tossed around by Kyle Korver (I think) in what has come to be known as TGETE (The Greatest Email Thread Ever) a few months ago.

Prospective 2010 US World Cup Soccer Team Roster

Starting Lineup (we run either the 3-3-4 or 2-4-4)

Left Striker- Chris Johnson (Titans RB)- Johnson might be the toughest sell on the team from an intelligence standpoint, but his speed and quickness are undeniable. Also, there has to be someone on the team with dreads, right?

Striker/Midfielder- Rajon Rondo (Celtics PG)- I strongly dislike Rondo, but I think that his size (6'1), quickness, and creativity would work well in soccer. Also, as ESPN.Com's Bill Simmons pointed out in what I consider to be the greatest article ever written, his name sort of sounds European.

Right Striker- Reggie Bush (Saints RB)- Reggie Bush just has immense natural ability. His speed, agility, and elusiveness are almost unparalleled. I have him in the starting lineup based purely on his raw talent, but I think I'd replace him with a sub in crunch time.

Left Midfielder- Brandon Jennings (Bucks PG)- Jennings is at his best with the ball in his hands. He has both great vision and creativity. He's left-handed (and I assume left-foot dominate as well, even though these players will be close to equally skilled with both feet). Lastly, he spent a year over in Italy (the 2006 World Cup Champions) and that's got to count for something.

Center Midfielder- Maurice Jones-Drew (Jaguars RB)- For my center midfielder I wanted a short, tough, bruiser who could carry the ball through traffic and get tough when needed to on the defensive end. I think MJD fits all the criteria extremely well. I've been told that this is a prime position for a captain, but Jones-Drew is most certainly not the captain of Team USA.

Right Midfielder- Chris Paul (Hornets PG)- Just imagine the kind of balls that Paul would send into the box. Throw in his speed, defensive intensity, and unselfishness and he makes for a perfect midfielder.

Left Back- Kobe Bryant (Lakers G)- Kobe, although born in Philadelphia, grew up in Italy and learned to speak Italian and Spanish fluently. He has also said that if his family didn't move back to America he would have tried to become a professional soccer player. He's been named to the NBA All Defensive First Team 7 times and has arguably the most unflappable work ethic of anyone in the world.

Center Back- LeBron James (Cavaliers F)- LeBron's combination of size (6'8 250) and speed would make him the best defenseman in the world. No doubt about it. No one would be able to out tough, out run, or out jump him. I think I'd run all of my set plays for him.

Center Back/Sweeper- Josh Smith (Hawks F)- This team is stacked with amazing athletes, but Smith might take the cake as the most freakish. Smith stands 6'9, weighs 240 pounds, and jumps higher than LeBron would if he were wearing PF Flyers. He has incredible length, recovery speed, and would win every header within a 30 foot radius. I feel like most of you won't know who Smith is, so do yourself a favor and watch this video to get a taste of what he is like.


Right Back- Dwyane Wade (Heat G)- D Wade has the toughness, quickness, and composure needed to excel as a defensemen. It's hard to believe that he'd probably be the weakest of the 4 defensemen (on paper), but he has shown the ability to thrive when surrounded by the best talent in the world before. It could be argued that he was the MVP of the Redeem Team with his energy and scoring off of the bench.

Goalie- Kevin Garnett (Celtics F)- KG is a lean 6'11 with a wingspan the size of a 747. His lateral quickness is off the charts. Him holding a soccer ball with his right hand would be like you holding a tennis ball with your right hand. KG is the perfect soccer goalie based on his physical attributes alone, but his intangibles are perhaps more impressive. I think KG is the fiercest competitor in the world. His drive is unmatched. His intensity is scary. He is an ideal vocal leader. Oh and by the way he excelled at soccer in high school and he's won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the NBA to go along with the 8 times that he's been on the All Defensive First Team. Ladies and Gentleman, the captain of your 2010 US Soccer Team.

Bench

Striker- Jonny Flynn (Timberwoolves PG)- Speed, charisma, and creativity.

Striker- Ty Lawson (Nuggets PG)- Lower body strength, vision, and toughness.

Striker/Midfielder- Carl Crawford (Rays LF)- Speed, speed, and speed.

Midfielder- DeSean Jackson (Eagles WR)- An ideal frame, explosive quickness, and a knack for making big plays.

Midfielder- Wes Welker (Patriots WR)- Your token white guy has great toughness and agility.

Midfielder- Steve Smith (Panthers WR)- Although he's not even The Real Steve Smith (he is), his speed, as ESPN's Kenny Mayne told us, is incendiary.



Defenseman- Charles Woodson (Packers CB)- A lockdown defender, crafty veteran, and team leader.

Defenseman- Torii Hunter (Angels CF)- Good size (6'2, 225), leaping ability, and a total character guy.

Defenseman- Shawn Marion (Mavericks F)- A hard nosed defender with great size and speed that doesn't bring the kind of baggage that a Ron Artest, etc. would.

Defenseman- Darrelle Revis (Jets CB)- He will shut down the best offensive weapon on any team.

Goalie- Larry Fitzgerald (Cardinals WR)- Great hands, lateral quickness, and smarts.

Goalie- Dwight Howard (Magic C)- Has the same physical tools as Garnett, but needs to work on the intangibles.