Dekel Keenan woke up at seven in the morning along with quite a few Americans to watch the round of 16 of the World Cup between the USA and the Netherlands. Keenan follows the World Cup and after years in America, the Israeli defender feels that there is great progress in American football despite the elimination.
"You'll be surprised, but a lot of people got up to see the game," he says, "everyone is aware of the importance of soccer and the team built momentum and gained fans. Suddenly there is a quality around the US team."
Serginho Dest.
Beauty of the World Cup, photo: EPA
- What is the feature about the USA?
"There is a World Cup here in 4 years. The USA will host it.
This is a very young team, the big goal is the next World Cup and to build young guys who will now get experience and play together.
So this is from a preparatory tournament that exceeded expectations.
We are talking about the lack of a striker here, we need to find a central striker, but we are very satisfied here overall."
Dekel Kenan celebrates in the USA. Cheering for his colleagues, photo: YouTube
- What are the reactions after the removal?
"Everything is very proportional. They did manage to advance from home, so the feelings are very positive. They lost to a better team than them, in the end it is considered a successful tournament for the USA.
There is a great coach, Greg Berhalter.
He has been with some of the players before and knows them well.
They played well in most of the games, didn't lose in the group stage, so overall, how can you not be satisfied."
Who are the players who will lead the USA in the next World Cup?
"Of course Pulisic from Chelsea is an excellent player. But in the US they are very satisfied with the young captain Adams and the left back Robinson.
Need a striker and it stands out.
This is a project that will be taken here for the next four years until the next World Cup.
I believe he will be a good striker."
The United States team today against the Netherlands,
What are the chances that they will build a talented generation in Israel as well, who will reach such a big tournament?
"Everything is possible. Israeli football is progressing, I see the successes of the youth team, the young women and also the boys - so you definitely see progress.
"It's different here because there are a lot of players and there is a strong market. In Europe they also understood this and are sending out a lot of players from here to the academies of big clubs. In general, soccer in the US has developed a lot and it's a market of a lot of players, in America everything is big, for sure it will be well felt in the World Cup that will take place Here".
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