If You're Happy, Then You Know It

Is it possible to rate happiness? If so, how much does that factor into a team sport like soccer?

We've seen disgruntled teams implode in tournaments, and we've also seen teams where everyone was smiling, looking like they're having a great time, genuinely friendly with each other, do very well in games. 

But is happiness measurable as a factor to winning?

What about personal preference? Would a player prefer to be part of a team that was a happy one? 

The truth is, most players will say that they want to play for the best team they can, regardless of the camaraderie among teammates. They'll take sullen silences and diva attitudes in return for winning. 

Then again, losing a lot probably doesn't improve a team's attitude or ambiance. The US have only won 2 of their last 11 games. 

William Yarbrough and Ventura Alvarado are eligible for both the USA and Mexico. 

Mexico seems to be having more fun under Piojo. If that matters to the duo, it could play a factor in any final decision, should Mexico ever come calling for their services. 

If you could choose, which would you pick and why?

W. Yarbrough y V. Alvarado futbolistas mexicanos que no fueron contemplados por el Piojo Herrera, pero si para EUA pic.twitter.com/bVB7Evvvlc
— Frecuencia Deportiva (@FD1370) March 25, 2015

Who Mexico Didn't Call

They didn't call Billy boy. 

We are so proud of you! // ¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ti! #DaleWilliam #RugeFiera pic.twitter.com/EpXy1jWHy8
— Club León (@clubleonfc) March 19, 2015

Anyway, I'm not sure anyone even calls William Yarbrough "Billy", but I couldn't help myself. The Mexican-born goalkeeper of American parents has accepted a call-up from the one and only Jurgen Klinsmann, so he's apparently going to throw his lot in with the USA instead of Mexico. 

Club Leon had a nice little throwback to their history of USMNT players. 

Estos son los jugadores felinos que han defendido la camiseta de la Selección mayor de @ussoccer #SerFieraEsUnOrgullo pic.twitter.com/WRwCBugvak
— Club León (@clubleonfc) March 19, 2015

But is Klinsmann really serious about Yarbrough? He's made some picks before that just seemed off-hand and not about building a strong senior squad. 

@WisoVazquez Yeah, that's my concern as well. He seems to randomly pick some players just for kicks, which isn't a viable strategy.
— Andrea Canales (@soccercanales) March 19, 2015

Then again, Yarbrough is probably smart to seize the opportunity. Miguel Herrera wasn't encouraging on El Tri prospects for Yarbrough. 

Herrera explains Yarbrough snub: "I'm not going to call a player just to beat the #USMNT. But, I've got 8 or 9 like Yarbrough" #ElTri
— Eric Gomez (@EricGomez86) March 19, 2015

A friendly match doesn't cap tie Yarbrough, of course. But he would have to file an official FIFA switch to Mexico if he's already suited up for the USA, even in a friendly. 

Mexico coach Miguel Herrera leaves door open to US calling up William Yarbrough http://t.co/KUu3A67PtT
— Tom Marshall (@mexicoworldcup) March 19, 2015

Here's my article analyzing some of the players Herrera did bring in. 

Strikers Struck Down

Miguel Herrera, Mexico's ebullient coach, is in a bit of a quandary.  The double demands of Copa America and Gold Cup have, in my opinion, been part of a difficult test for Mexican players that helps them improve. 

But it's a strain to play both tournaments, so different rosters are often utilized. 

However, El Tri is getting really thin at one particular important position. 

What should Herrera do? What can he do? 

http://t.co/OXbv5ECgEv pic.twitter.com/P1LxcYKRpl kinda miss the wirld cup like badly!
— *sips tea* (@dianad307) February 4, 2015

Claudio Lopez compilation

Claudio Lopez officially joined the Kansas City Wizards earlier this week. It's been a couple of years now that he's been gone from Club America but I found some highlights of some of the goals he scored with America.

In total, he scored 4 goals in his first season, then went on to post 14, 3, 2 and 4 goals in successive seasons. Each season, incidentally is roughly 20 games. His full bio that shows his complete stats with America is here.

Anyway, here are the clips.

* Claudio Lopez sends a bicycle kick into the back of the net here.




* Note the three current MLS players in this clip. Duilio Davino sends the cross in from the right flank, Lopez finishes and Cuauhtemoc Blanco goes in and celebrates with his teammates.




* A playoff goal at Estadio Jalisco against Atlas in 2006. Kinda quiet.




* Lopez had a goal and set up another in this clip.