We proved we could play with the rest of the world…We’re certainly disappointed we did not advance. We surprised a lot of people around the world showing we could play with such style and class.
Bruce Arena, 1996 Olympics
Came across this quote in an article by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, which offers yet another candid critique of the 2008 Olympic team’s performance. Carlisle resurrects Arena’s 1996 quote to support his point–the days of US Soccer accepting moral victories should be over.
Perhaps violating the no-moral victories mantra, Futbol Insider does see an important silver lining. Finally, it appears that both the US media (at least those covering soccer) and the US Soccer federation are giving up on the moral victory approach.
It is a sign of true progress in US Soccer when this Olympic performance is met with a collective “not good enough” from those involved in covering and advancing the sport.
