ESPN soccer analyst and Irish squad president Tommy Smyth was stressing the positive yesterday following Sunday's 1-3 quarterfinal defeat against Mexico in the Cosmos Copa NYC.
"It's disappointing," he said. "But they played very well overall. It's a good competition and it's good to have an Irish team in there. Getting out of the group stage is an achievement in itself."
Smyth added: "They were doing well against Mexico and had the lead but conceded two goals just before halftime. It was unbearably hot. So that didn't suit us."
For the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2009, Ireland will not be in the semis and must look ahead to 2012. "It's going to get bigger. And because Ireland got through to the quarters they don't have to qualify next year," he said.
Smyth had praise for Ireland manager Kevin Grogan: "He was very professional the way he got the players together. He did a very good job."
The analyst said he had arguments with people who said that the U.S. women's team "choked" in the World Cup final on Sunday.
"Did Phil Mickleson choke because he didn't catch Darren Clarke? No, he didn't," Smyth said. "There are winners and losers in every competition."
Mexico will meet the hotly tipped Senegal while England take on the holders Poland in next Saturday's semifinals.
Details at: cosmoscopa.com.
