Schwarz: When will the United States play in a World Cup final? That’s difficult to say

As we watch Spain and Argentina play Sunday afternoon in the World Cup final, don’t be afraid to dream of the day the United States plays for that golden trophy.

But remember, to reach the World Cup final, or even the quarterfinals again, is difficult. Very, very difficult. That’s important to remember as we wonder, why can’t the United States do this?

Because it’s so very, very difficult. But it’s not impossible. Someday it will happen. Probably.

But not this year.

And just as the task is very difficult, it’s difficult to find answers.

Of course this year’s failure to advance is especially disappointing because the Americans had home-country advantage this summer. They had familiar food, familiar language, home fans who shook stadiums after their goals.

By golly, they had “Country Roads.”

But they didn’t have the talent or the mindset to get past the Round of 16.

They’re not alone. Co-hosts Mexico and Canada had all that except John Denver and they couldn’t reach the quarterfinals either. Mexico especially has reason to be frustrated, being a long-time soccer country, frustrated that their football-, baseball-, hockey- and basketball-loving neighbors to the north have passed them on the soccer pitch.

So when will the United States catch up with European soccer powers like Spain, France and Belgium, and South American soccer powers Brazil and Argentina?

Some blame pay-for-play youth clubs for failing to develop international elite players. They haven’t, and it’s not likely to change anytime soon. These clubs are for-profit. Their priority is to make money for the clubs and their owners. Developing players helps them do so, but it’s not tops on their list.

Some blame Major League Soccer rules. MLS won’t rise to the level of the top European leagues under a strict salary cap. And forget about promotion and relegation. That’s not happening anytime soon. MLS owners didn’t pay big bucks for their teams only to be relegated.

The controversy over Folarin Balogun’s reinstatement after a Round of 32 red card didn’t help. The Americans looked hesitant to compete, as if they knew they had caught a break they shouldn’t have. The motivation swung to a Belgium side that looked lackluster in previous matches.

It’s rarely a good thing when politicians get involved in sports.

Teams rise and teams fall. Brazil didn’t look like a five-time champion this year. Germany isn’t what it once was either. Four-time champion Italy didn’t even make this 48-team field, losing in qualifying to the same Bosnia and Herzegovina team that lost to the United States 2-0 in the Round of 32.

Which brings us to U.S. Soccer and coach Mauricio Pochettino. Both share some blame also, but Pochettino is the same coach who had the Americans on their front foot and rocking those stadiums through their first four games. He’s a proven winner at the club level, and he could benefit from this experience if given another chance in the 2030 World Cup cycle.

And whatever role the national federation serves in the men’s team’s failures, it deserves credit for the women’s team’s four – yes, four – championships. Wow, the women sure make it look easy.

Luck has been a factor also. The United States reached the quarterfinals in 2002, taking advantage of a favorable Round of 16 matchup against archrival Mexico. Luck struck again in the quarterfinal, this time working against the United States when Germany defender Torsten Frings used his hand to stop a clear goal on the goal line, a foul the referee didn’t see in those pre-video review days. Germany ousted the Americans 1-0.

Now you see just how difficult this is.

Daily Herald Sports Editor Orrin Schwarz can be reached at oschwarz@dailyherald.com