JEONJU, South Korea – U.S. coach Bruce Arena knows all about how Germany
beat the Americans four years ago in the World Cup. He also has a
warning for the Germans and everyone else: "The gap is closing."
The Americans' 2-0 victory Monday over Mexico to reach the World Cup
quarterfinals, their best performance in 72 years, makes even a victory
over Germany on Friday look possible.
Arena called three-time champion Germany "the overwhelming favorites,"
recalling how the Germans beat the United States 4-2 on March 27 in
Rostock, Germany. And how Germany blanked the Americans 2-0 in France'
98.
But with upstarts like the United States, Senegal and co-hosts Japan and
South Korea making an impact at this 17th World Cup, anything could happen.
"They (Germany) soundly beat us on that day and we understand they are
overwhelming favorites against the U.S. on Friday," he said. "On paper,
it looks to be no match. However, we don't play this game on paper."
Arena tried to spread the American success around, noting the North
American and Central American region seldom gets much respect from its
European and South American rivals.
"This is terrific for our region," he said. "In all honesty, I think our
region is very underrated around the world. I think this showing of
Mexico, Costa Rica and the United States will get us a lot more respect."
Arena also shrugged off suggestions the United States had been lucky.
The Americans advanced from their first-round group despite being beaten
3-1 by Poland in the final game. They beat Portugal 3-2 and tied 1-1
with South Korea.
"I think we belong here, we've proved we belong with these teams. There
are so many experts, all the experts predicted (something else) and
where are those experts? We're here," he said.
"There is no longer an established world in soccer. It is truly a global
game now. At the end of the day, the Brazils and Germanys and Englands
and Italys will be there, but the gap is closing.
"Have we arrived? No, we are not even close, we are not even pretending
to be. But the gap is closing."
Arena said the U.S. team should be recognized for its impressive
performance at the World Cup.
"We have a good team and we proved it. And now we have one of the great
teams in the world in Germany on Friday," Arena said.
Germany advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Paraguay 1-0 on
Saturday.
The coach called the win a "great day for U.S. soccer," as Brian McBride
and Landon Donovan scored goals in each half.
"They gave a great effort and our veterans did a great job," Arena said.
"Claudio Reyna played a position he's not used to and he came through
big. I'm proud of my guys. ..."
The Mexicans lost their cool after conceding the second goal in the 65th
minute, with captain Rafael Marquez ejected in the 88th for a wild lunge
with his head at Cobi Jones.
Arena played down that – and several other tough challenges by their
neighbors.
"It's a rivalry. We know each other. There's been a lot of bad blood
over the years," he said. "When the game's over, we're friends again."
