“What would happen if the best athletes in the United States grew up playing soccer?”
The rise of soccer in the U.S. has prompted this question to be asked over and over again. The curiosity fueling this is easy to understand. Everyone knows the United States produces some of the best athletes in the world (or maybe, if you take exception to this, the most marketable athletes in the world), but they are spread out over four other sports that, until fairly recently, have been much more popular than soccer.
But what if they weren’t? What if all of the best American athletes of today played soccer instead of whatever sport they ended up choosing?
Well, that’s where we come in. The18 has assembled the Ultimate Starting XI from the American stars of the NFL, NBA, and NHL. Sorry MLB, it’s us, not you.
Now, allow us to go into detail on this amazing XI.
Keeper - Anthony Davis
Photo: NOLA.com
Anthony Davis is a human wall.
His physical attributes: 6’ 10” with a 7’ 5.5” wingspan, 9’ standing vertical reach, and a 35.5” vertical leap. Now, a regulation size soccer goal in 8' high by 24' wide, so without even jumping Davis could reach one foot over the cross bar. His almost three foot vertical means that if he were standing in the middle of the goal, he could dive left or right and land with his hands outside of the post. Oh, and he is currently leading the NBA in shots blocked per game.
Is blocking a basketball different than blocking a soccer ball? Yes, of course, but we have a feeling that if he grew up playing soccer, he would command his area with more confidence than Neuer himself.
The Defense - LB Patrick Peterson, CB J.J. Watt, CB Luke Kuechly, RB Richard Sherman
Photo: AL-LU Edits | Youtube | iAirborne | Twitter
Honestly, we don’t know what you were thinking if you thought there would be anyone besides NFL players in this defense. No other sport can match the toughness, aggressiveness, and shear brutality of an (American) football player. That is why they dominate this Ultimate XI’s defense.
Kuechly and Watt could probably bench press most top flight center backs, so we would imagine they would have no problem shrugging an attacker off of the ball. Sherman and Peterson, on the other hand, could keep opposing wingers in their pickets with their man-marking abilities. Plus, with the experience they all have defending against different kinds of receiver routes, we have no doubt that they could track a forward’s runs with ease.
Central Midfield - LCM Lebron James and RCM Cam Newton
This just might be the most exciting part of this whole team. Lebron James is the greatest athlete in the world, no exceptions. He is skilled, has vision, and owns a killer instinct. Imagine Paul Pogba, but better and taller, and that is what you would get with Lebron James.
While no one is James’ athletic equal, Cam Newton is about as close as it comes. As a quarterback, passing is second nature to him, and for those who doubt his ability to navigate defenders with the ball at this feet, we present this highlight:
A James-Newton midfield would be the most dynamic in the world. Both would be able to bully opposing players, win possession, distribute the ball anywhere on the field, and even go on a run themselves if they wanted.
We feel bad for the opposition already.
Wingers - RM Derrick Rose and LM Chris Paul
Photo: MixNba35| Youtube
Derrick Rose has the same kind of explosive style of play that Ronaldinho used to command, and he has the attitude to match. Yes, he has not fully recovered from his injuries but, be that as it may, he is still one of the fastest players in the league.
If Rose is the explosion, then Paul is the one who sets the charge. Arguably the best point guard in the NBA, one of its most intelligent players, and an amazing passer, Paul has all the makings of a classic #10. He would be the man that controls the symphony, while Rose is the soloist, who can improvise when all else is failing.
Forwards - LF Kobe Bryant and RF Patrick Kane
Photo: Patrick Kane was always a lock at the forward position. Kane has the third-most points in the NHL, so he knows how to assist and score, but he is also the best stick handler in the NHL. If he had chosen soccer as a kid, he very well could have become America’s version of Neymar.
That said, the only kind of player that we would want Kobe Bryant to be is Kobe Bryant. There might end up being a few shades of Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in his game, but we are sure Kobe would have a style all his own.
Kobe’s mastery of the fundamentals of basketball, things like footwork, positioning, and jump-shooting, combined with being the King of Killer Instinct, would make Kobe the most lethal finisher the United States has ever seen.
So there you have it, the Ultimate American Starting XI. Unfortunately, none of us will ever actually be able to see them play, so it’s up to you to imagine this team in action.
We have a few ideas of our own…
“Brazil’s attacking,” says the commentator. “Neymar streaking through the middle of the field and — OH! What that a foul?…No, Watt just completely dominated Neymar, took the ball right off him.”
“Anyways, James’ got it now, he avoids one defender and launches a raking ball to a streaking Rose, who controls it effortlessly.”
“And don’t you just love that, Rose steps right past Marcelo like he wasn’t even there. He’s got time now. Crosses to Bryant.”
“Bryant takes the ball down on his chest, fakes a shot and goes left. OH, HE’S CHIPPED THE KEEPER FROM 25 YARDS OUT! Yes, he’s done it! And now it appears he’s putting a finger over his lips, silencing the crowd at the Maracana. Only Kobe Bryant, ladies and gentlemen.”
Cut to Bryant near the corner flag. “It’s over,” he says to the camera.
Sherman crashes the scene, “Don’t come at us with a sorry-ass winger like Neymar!!!”
Ugh, that would be amazing.
