A Tale of Two Teams: How the mentality of the teams differ

In this three part series, we will tackle the success gap between the United States Women's National team and their male counterparts.

Mentality

Throughout history, the most wildly successful figures have had a common mentality of unwavering self belief. A belief that anything is possible. Some have attributed a similar national mentality with the United States.

In reality, is hard to encapsulate a singular mentality, let alone one for the most diverse nation on the planet. After all, to ask a set of Americans what the national mentality is means to get a range of answers from entitlement to individual freedom to upward mobility, and so on. Yet, the term “American soccer mentality” has been deployed for years, and seems much more manageable to define.

The foundation of the American soccer mentality, for both women and men, has historically been characterized as a scrappy, collective desire to prevail. To somehow find a way- even if it is not pretty. A mentality hat you and I, together, believe that we will win. In recent years, this mentality has evolved for both teams, albeit for very different reasons.

For the USWNT, the global rise of popularity in women's soccer has meant that the USWNT can no longer rely on strength, fitness, and a collective spirit alone. The team has had to add a commitment to technical skill and more sophisticated play to remain successful. In other words, gone are the days when the USWNT's strong pride and belief alone is enough to out muscle other teams. Today, the USWNT is more technically sound than ever, and has not conceded an inch of tenacity.

For the USMNT, the employment of German soccer coach Jurgen Klinsmann has meant the importation of a European, "me first" mentality. Unlike the ladies, this has not added, but replaced, the team concept. The USMNT has shed the scrappy team mentality and chemistry in favor of an expanded player pool encouraged to seek professional success beyond American shores.

In an April 2015 article, American pro soccer player Bobby Warshaw described the difference between European and American soccer, saying “European football culture...revolves around individual ambition. Personal success means more than team accomplishments.” In contrast, Warshaw describes “the sacrifice for the team” MLS players are forced to accept.

Overall, the American sports psyche favors team over everything. Individual ambition is applauded, so long as it does not interfere with team chemistry or commitment. Just ask Lebron James.

To American sports fans, a greater value and pride is laid upon superstars taking a salary cut to stay with his team. Leaving for another team based on money alone is almost of form of betrayal. Klinsmann need only look to the USWNT's commitment to the NWSL as proof.