You wanted the U.S. national team to play tougher opponents?
You got it — and then some.
The United States will begin what could be its most difficult stretch of exhibitions ever beginning Wednesday when it faces FIFA’s No. 11 team, England, at Wembley Stadium in London. After that, the United States faces No. 4 Spain in Santander on June 4.
And just when you thought it couldn’t get any tougher, the U.S. faces No. 1 Argentina on June 8 at Giants Stadium.
These are the games American fans want to see and they’re the games the United States needs to play to get better.
That’s not to say the American squad was playing only cream puffs in the past. Mexico is a solid team that could surprise at the 2010 World Cup if its young talent develops. And Poland and Sweden qualified for the 2006 World Cup with the latter advancing to the knockout stage.
But if the United States wants to be one of the best, it should be testing itself against the best.
Taking part in last year’s Copa America tournament was a good start. Even though the U.S. fielded what could be considered a “B team” in a 4-1 loss to Argentina, those young “B players” now know what it’s like to play against someone as skilled as Lionel Messi.
The competition didn’t get any easier when the U.S. faced Brazil at Soldier Field in September — and that’s a good thing. Getting beat 4-2 by Brazil likely did more for the U.S. than defeating China 4-1 in a friendly last June. Besides the experience, the United States was able to test itself against one of the world’s best teams. That’s what makes the upcoming friendlies so important.
England boasts two of the world’s best defenders in Rio Ferdinand and John Terry. There might not be a better test for U.S. star Landon Donovan, who has scorched MLS defenders this season with nine goals and six assists in nine games for Los Angeles.
Spain and Argentina have two of the world’s most dangerous midfielders in Cesc Fabregas and Messi, respectively. Those games will be the perfect opportunity for U.S. coach Bob Bradley to see which of his defenders are up to the challenge.
It’s possible the United States could lose all three matches. There’s also a chance the United States could lose one or two of the games big.
But as the saying goes, whatever doesn’t kill you will make you stronger. And with the World Cup qualifying campaign set to begin next month, now is the time for the Americans to get stronger.
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larroyave@tribune.com
