Siphoning of Phoenix stars for All Whites clash could backfire on all involved
There is an ominous feel to the All Whites' clash against Mexico and it will be no surprise should Ricki Herbert's men roll over like the Poseidon when they take centre stage in Hollywood's backyard tomorrow night.
Playing Mexico seemed like a good idea at the time of the game's announcement, but the way events have panned out - namely Ryan Nelsen's knee injury and the Phoenix's run at the A-league title - I'm not so sure.
Of course a brilliant showing would sprinkle even more magic dust over New Zealand soccer, which is in renaissance mood.
Yet there is actually a lot to be lost for the All Whites, in terms of both standing and confidence, in LA. The Phoenix - the new sporting darlings in this country - have taken a hit as well.
With New Zealand soccer on a roll, it will be a great pity if an All Whites side minus their two defensive linchpins, having been thrust together on a mad travel schedule and moulded by only two training runs, is torn apart by a Mexican team bolstered by their European players and boasting a highly regarded attacking line.
A crowd of around 70,000 - mainly of Mexican origin - is predicted at the Pasadena Rose Bowl, and New Zealand's sporting eyes will be firmly on the World Cup underdogs.
The All Whites defensive line will be overhauled with Nelsen and Ivan Vicelich missing, and in their place will be players unfamiliar with each other and this type of scrutiny and pressure.
We'll find out something about New Zealand's depth, and most likely that we are in major strife when Nelsen is not in the side. Quite frankly, his knee injury sent a shudder up the spine when contemplating the Mexico game, and to go to the World Cup finals in South Africa without him would be a disaster.
Facing the All Whites will be a Mexican team whose frontrunners, including Carlos Vela from Arsenal, could well run amok. The sense of excitement over this game is tinged with a heavy degree of nervousness.
And if this All Whites venture should play a part in costing the Phoenix a shot at the A-league title, then a momentous opportunity has been squandered for soccer in this country.
The Phoenix will go into Sunday's semifinal against Newcastle ill-prepared, with coach Herbert and four players having had to make the mad dash to Los Angeles and back.
Think on the long-term implications of that.
The World Cup adventure will do brief wonders for New Zealand soccer, but this country's participation in the tournament is a fleeting thing. The national side hardly ever plays at home, or at all, and New Zealand Football couldn't even lure a decent side here for a World Cup warm-up game. In contrast, the Phoenix - against all odds - have started to grab consistent attention and are carrying the game's hopes.
New Zealand Football of course has no room for complaint, having steadfastly insisted that Rory Fallon head to LA - as they are fully entitled to do for a Fifa international date - rather than remain in England in the best interests of his club Plymouth Argyle.
Fallon, the first of the English-based players to arrive in Los Angeles yesterday, was pilloried in some quarters for seeming to put his club ahead of country.
But he was talking more sense than many have given him credit for, even though he may have come across - or more importantly been portrayed as - a selfish professional.
Fallon might even have managed a wry smile, should he have read Herbert downplaying the significance of the Mexican match even though the coach is eager to see how his depleted troops fire up for the battle.
As Fallon insisted all along, this isn't a real international fixture, and as he said, trial games have to be taken with a certain grain of salt.
Those who at least understood Fallon's position included the highly respected former All Whites captain Danny Hay. Hay has actually been there and done that, briefly, with Leeds United, a once-great club whose fortunes have slipped away.
Plymouth Argyle are in real danger of relegation into the League One division (and Fallon himself is struggling for goals). In such situations, clubs can see all their dreams about to fade, and professionals such as Fallon feel clouds descending on their futures.
Similarly, who knows when the Phoenix will next position themselves to bid for the A-league title, or whether the chance to launch a dynasty has been lost. In this case, there is the national health of soccer partly at stake.
Yes, international soccer has to be fostered and protected, and players developed. Somewhere in the Fallon position though, he is actually making a very valid point beyond his own situation.
This is an absolutely pivotal moment for New Zealand soccer, yet the Phoenix are training without their head coach and four vital players whose stamina for Sunday's match - and even beyond - will be reduced by the game in Los Angeles and travel.
This is a ridiculous situation, even if it is regarded as bad luck and/or timing.
The fact is, the Phoenix should be very frustrated by this turn of events, even though sporting patriotism will ensure that any dissent over the Mexican game is non-existent or heavily muted.
Let's hope the All Whites can at least put up a creditable showing against Mexico. And just as significantly, let's hope that this rushed venture hasn't stuffed up an unheralded bid by the Phoenix for the A-league title.
* Brendon McCullum might know how to survive his new and exciting Twenty20 shot, called the ramp, whereby he scoops the ball over his head. But the adoring kids, and there are plenty where McCullum is concerned, are certainly not so skilled. Prediction - there could be a few dented helmets and worse still, crushed noses. The really brutal action might occur in business house cricket however.
* The New Zealand Rugby Union has suggested to Graham Henry that he be less taciturn in his public manner, according to a Herald website series. This column's suggestion: just be yourself, Graham Henry. That's what makes life genuinely interesting - leave image makeovers to the TV shows.
