SAN JOSE, Calif. ā Arturo Alvarez and Ramon Sanchez saw their dreams of competing in the 2010 World Cup Finals dashed when the Salvadoran National Team finished fifth out of six sides in the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying.
But that disappointment wonāt keep the San Jose Earthquakes pair from watching the action as it unfolds in South Africa, starting today with the hostsā 1-1 draw against Mexico.
āObviously, we wanted to be playing there, but the only thing we can do is just sit back and enjoy the World Cup,ā SĆ”nchez said in Spanish, with Ćlvarez translating. āItāll be a good one.ā
For a younger player such as Ćlvarez, who will turn 25 later this month, itās easier to avoid bitterness with thoughts of the future.
āThe good thing about it is that we have the opportunity to maybe qualify for the next World Cup,ā said an optimistic Ćlvarez.
Quakes coach Frank Yallop also never made it out of qualifying as a player for Canada or as its national team coach; nonetheless, he was full of excitement heading into the opener.
āYou look forward to it, but you donāt realize how much you like it until the first match,ā Yallop said. āAnd then off you go.ā
Although the Quakes have several internationals on the roster, only one āBobby Convey, with the US in 2006ā has participated in the World Cup Finals. Convey is not, however, holding court in the back of the bus as teammates listen in rapt attention to his stories of the USā journey through Germany.
āWe donāt really talk about it, because thereās no point,ā said Convey, who fell out early from coach Bob Bradleyās plans after a subpar 2009. āItās just kind of negative. Everyone knows that I played in the World Cup the last time around, and I guess the natural progression would have been for me to go this time as well, but we donāt really talk about it. I just focus on being here.ā
Yallop may have the worst case of World Cup āwhat-ifsā among the Quakes, though. He was a defender on the Canadian squad that needed a win at home against Mexico on the final day of CONCACAF qualifying to secure a berth in the 1994 World Cup Finals. Instead, the team lost 2-1, giving up the game-winner late, and was forced into a two-legged intercontinental playoff with Australia, which the Aussies won on penalty kicks in Sydney.
āEverything,ā Yallop replied when asked what participation in a World Cup Finals would have meant to him. āWhen you start playing, youāre dreaming of the World Cup. I would have loved to be able to do that.ā
Just like many fans who are without their own country to root for in South Africa, Yallopās rooting allegiance lies Brazil and Argentina because of their unmatched technical prowess.
āThey just look good,ā Yallop said. āThey just do the right things. Theyāre exciting, but theyāre strong.ā
Alvarez can get behind half of that sentiment, at least.
āI personally want to see Argentina and Messi do well,ā said Ćlvarez, who is less than enthralled by Brazil coach Dungaās defensive style. āIām always usually a Brazil fan, but you watch Brazil and their play now is not the same.ā
Geoff Lepper covers the San Jose Earthquakes for MLSsoccer.com. He can be reached at sanjosequakes@gmail.com or on Twitter at @sjquakes.