The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The USWNT, the USMNT Coaching Search, and Inter Miami

Welcome back, Mane Landers! In this somewhat regular feature, I will usually highlight topics that include Orlando City or the Orlando Pride, which is pretty obvious given that this is an Orlando soccer blog. However, this week I’m going to spread out and cover some other topics since there was no Pride match, and it would be too obvious that Orlando’s draw could be the “good.” When they win a match, I promise that the Lions will be featured in the good section. With that out of the way, let’s take a look at what’s going on.

The Good

The USWNT played a pair of friendlies against Chile over the last week. The Yanks won both pretty easily, with scores of 3-0 and 4-0, respectively. Now, Chile isn’t a top team (currently ranked 39th in the world), but such friendlies are still important for the players to get time together, and for Jill Ellis to evaluate said players.

There is a lot for supporters of the USWNT to look forward to with the Women’s World Cup coming up next year in France. As much as many of us enjoyed the men’s 2018 version, we had to do so without the American squad. The USWNT is the No. 1 team in the world, and the Yanks should get a chance to defend their World Cup title. I can’t wait to don my U.S. Soccer gear and hold my American Outlaws scarf aloft as they take the field, and support the U.S. in soccer.

The Bad

The USMNT is still searching for a coach. Now this might not be completely bad if it’s because U.S. Soccer is taking its time and vetting a bunch of incredible candidates. However, this is U.S. Soccer we’re talking about. How confident are you feeling about that? It’s been 10 months since Dave Sarachan was named the interim coach.

When the World Cup ended, the qualifying for 2022 effectively began and for a long time, the Yanks haven’t had the person who will lead them in that World Cup steering the ship. If the reason was that USSF President Carlos Cordeiro and crew were searching for a general manager the entire time, then that would be one thing. However, given that Earnie Stewart was hired for that position at the beginning of June, I don’t think that’s the case. Even if that was the reason, there’s no law that says they can’t be looking at candidates while conducting the GM search. I want an update, and I doubt I’m alone.

The Ugly

There was only one choice in my mind this week. Club Internacional de Fútbol Miami has arrived. David Beckham’s long, long, long, long (take a breath), long journey is finally nearing its end. Well, actually in 2020 when Inter Miami finally starts playing. Let me be very clear: I have no real problem with the name, the colors, or even the logo. It’s all very Miami. But, pink flamingos? (Yes, I know they’re supposed to be herons, but the word “flamingos” sounds funnier.)

They’re edgy, right? It’s not bad, and only a smidge ugly. The ugly part is how long it’s taken Beckham to land this team.

As always, let me know what you think in the comments below. Go Lions, and go Pride!