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USMNT: 3 reasons why Jay DeMerit’s ‘gritty guys’ comment misguided

By Andrew Dowdeswell

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11:The United States celebrates after a goal by United States midfielder Weston Mckennie (8) during the CONCACAF Nations League game between the USMNT and Cuba at Audi Field on Friday, October 11, 2019. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 11:The United States celebrates after a goal by United States midfielder Weston Mckennie (8) during the CONCACAF Nations League game between the USMNT and Cuba at Audi Field on Friday, October 11, 2019. (Photo by Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images) /
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England’s manager Gareth Southgate (L) speaks with England’s defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) at an England team training session at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England on September 6, 2019, ahead of their Euro 2020 football qualification match against Bulgaria. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
England’s manager Gareth Southgate (L) speaks with England’s defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (R) at an England team training session at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent, central England on September 6, 2019, ahead of their Euro 2020 football qualification match against Bulgaria. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / NOT FOR MARKETING OR ADVERTISING USE / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. Consider the English system

The crux of DeMerit’s argument about the current USMNT lacking ‘grit’ is the summarised by the following section:

"“I think the system has allowed us to not find them. I feel like the system has created these players that are good, technical players, they’re great athletes, they are very well drilled in the sport. But have they taken enough hits to create humility? Do they have the balls to stand in a room and be criticized or put themselves in situations they haven’t been in before to create adversity? Have they had enough adversity in their lives to know the occasion they’re walking into other than wearing red, white and blue? In my opinion, probably not.”"

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Now, he is correct that players must ‘have the balls to stand in a room and be criticised’. He is correct that elite players will have an element of ‘grit’ and determination, a resolve and resilience that yields unshakeable inner-belief and relentless work-rate and ambition. But to overlook far more impactful qualities likes technique, athleticism, being ‘well-drilled’ and tactically astute is a little foolish. And don’t take my word for it. Take Gareth Southgate’s.

England have one of the most talented young crops in world football. Jadon Sancho, Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Marcus Rashford, among many, many others are some of the greatest young prospects or young superstars in the world. But rewind less than a decade and England were renowned for their inability to develop talent.

In 2011, it all changed. The FA hired Southgate as the Head of Elite Development. Upon his arrival, he focused on one quality above all else: technique:

"“I played international football for England and in many games we were technically inferior to the opposition. We definitely realised we were inferior. We played so many teams who could keep the ball better, their technique was better. Other players in the teams I played in acknowledged that; everybody recognised it.”"

Southgate also addressed the need for English football to catch up with countries around them, to move away from the stereotypical English player, which could be described best by using the word ‘gritty’, and towards the technical demands of the modern era:

"“Everybody looks at Barcelona and Spain and realises we can’t keep playing the way we have and producing the English style of player. We have to grow and change.”"

Southgate would become the England head coach in 2016. He would lead the team to the World Cup semi-finals just two years later and is now managing one of the most exciting international teams in world football. Why? Because he specifically chose not to focus on ‘grit’.

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