In 1998, Nike and the United States Soccer Federation created Project 2010, a blueprint to “ensure that the US Men’s National Team become a legitimate threat to win the World Cup by 2010.” While the project’s ambition was commendable, any self-respecting U.S. soccer fan knew this goal was a bit far fetched to say the least. It’s now the beginning of the 2010 World Cup qualifying cycle and we here at Project 2010: The Blog can’t help but wonder what effect this nearly-forgotten blueprint has had on today’s United States Men’s National Team. The team is in transition as one generation passes the baton to the next. Will the young players, the generation that was to benefit from Project 2010, really offer a step forward for the program?
By looking at the U.S. player pool and the team’s trip through qualification, this blog intends to examine the successes and the shortcomings of the initiative…but mainly to prove that we can pick a better squad than Bob Bradley.
