Team USA – the Sigi Schmid Connection

Friday, July 3, 2009

Behind Every Successful American Soccer Player, There’s a Genius

July 3

Bradsmiles0021cr The sub-headline may be a bit of an exaggeration, but there are quite a few of the USA squad who owe part of their career development to Sigi Schmid.

Brad Evans has spent his entire professional career under the tutelage of Schmid and could receive his first cap on his home turf. It must be weird for him to be taking instructions from somebody else. However, he has the advantage of experience in the cauldron that Qwest has become.

Chad Marshall was 2008 MLS Defender of the Year with Sigi’s former club, Columbus Crew. Robbie Rogers was a member of the 2008 MLS Best XI with the Crew.

Chicago Fire goalkeeper Jon Busch played under Sigi with the Crew before being traded to Chicago – a few harsh words were apparently exchanged between the two after Columbus beat Chicago in the Eastern Conference finals. That just doesn’t sound like our Sigi.

Kansas City Wizard Jimmy Conrad was coached by Sigi at UCLA. Benny Feilhaber, Sacha Kljestan and Freddy Adu were in the US Under 20 side that Sigi managed in 2005, as was Brad Evans. The tournament finals were in the Netherlands, and the USA managed to escape their 4 team group unbeaten without conceding a single goal, before going down 3-1 to Italy.

When the tournament was known as the World Youth Cup in 1999, Sigi also managed the side, this time in Nigeria. Among his squad were Tim Howard and Steve Cherundolo. Among their accomplishments was beating England. Taylor Twellman, Cory Gibbs and Carlos Bocanegra emerged from that squad too, and they haven’t done too badly either.

Win Gold Cup Tickets for USA v Grenada