USSD Going Forward

These past couple of weeks have been a grind here at US Soccer Daily for yours truly, as it gets tough at times to fill the gap between international match days with daily posts on worthwhile, interesting topics.  But hey, that's what I get for opting to keep my site focused on the international game; it's what I like the best and what I enjoy discussing the most, so I'd rather occupy my little niche and keep a focus rather than fill space with some things that I'm not as enthusiastic or knowledgeable about. 

So that brings to me what I really want this post to be about: what to expect from USSD in the coming months.  I would really like to continue the nice upward climb that the site has experienced since its inception, and I believe the coming months will play a critical part in that.  From USMNT camp and roster selection to international friendlies, team previews, and the World Cup, there will be tons of topics to discuss with regards to the international game, and it's my goal to make this one of the first places folks like yourself look for information and analysis.

Some of the things that I'm looking to put together in the coming months include:


Get to Know _________

A series on each of the 32 nations involved, giving an overview of the countries as a whole while also discussing their respective teams.  As it stands, I don't anticipate starting this until after all the rosters have been submitted, so as to simplify the process of giving an accurate team preview. 

Podcast

I have tossed around the idea of getting into the whole podcasting scene for awhile now, but I never really knew how to even go about getting such an idea off the ground (let alone if there'd be any kind of demand for it).  But now, thanks to the help of an amigo over at Match Fit USA, doing a podcast seems like a very feasible option.  At this point, I'm not too sure about the specifics: whether it'd be weekly/monthly/randomly produced, whether it'd be structured or more of the call-in/Q&A variety.  But I really think I'd like to do this at some point, and I'd definitely be curious as to all of your thoughts on the matter.  Would you be interested?  And, if so, what would you want from a USSD podcast?

Game Reports

This one is pretty much a given, being as they are so few and far between.  I will definitely be in Philadelphia for the USA-Turkey match, and I'm trying to get my plans together to make the trek up to Hartford for the Czech Republic friendly, as well.  Hopefully, my first hand accounts will be able to add a little bit more to the usual recaps, with some pictures, soundbites, or even a little narrative style thrown in.

Beyond the USMNT, I will also look to give recaps on some other notable friendlies, specifically those of Group C opponents England, Slovenia, and Algeria, as well as fellow CONCACAF qualifiers Mexico and Honduras.  That'll require a little more work on my part, but I think the demand will be there to justify it.

Roster Breakdowns

Another thing that almost goes without saying is that I'll be discussing the preliminary and final US roster in a good bit of detail once they are released.  This might tie back into the podcast idea, should I opt to analyze it via speech rather than type or if I choose to have a little friendly debate on the selections and snubs.  I'm also hoping to get up to Princeton at some point during the May camp, which may add some extra information on where the USMNT stands.

How We Got Here

The cycle is drawing to a close, and four years is a pretty long time.  I plan on doing some regular installments of this series to trace the USMNT's path from the disappointment in Germany all the way up to their final World Cup preparations.  Some videos, anecdotes, recaps, and perhaps even some guest work will all contribute to my cycle summary.

Interviews

I'm also hoping to set up a couple of interviews in the coming months with some people of interest to US soccer fans.  From current national teamers to future prospects to folks behind the scenes, I'm aiming high and hoping to provide you with some interesting pieces.

World Cup Updates

And, of course, I will be giving daily World Cup wrap-ups, summing up the day's action and pointing out some key plays and performers.  I may not be able to give thorough analyses of each and every match due to work and other obligations, but I think I'll at least be able to do something similar to Match Fit USA's "The One Thing"  series. 

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Those are just the things that come to mind at this point in time.  Ultimately, I'm most interested in what all of you would like to see out of this site in the coming months.  Feel free to make suggestions via email or the comments section, letting me know what you think about the ideas I listed above or if there's something else you'd be interested in. 

US Soccer Daily has been exceeding my modest expectations so far, and I'm grateful to all of you who have made it a habit of supporting the site.  I'm hoping that with your help (through suggestions and spreading the word about this blog), USSD can continue to evolve into something even better. 

With that, I'm all ears.  I'd love to hear any comments or suggestions you have about the site's direction.