Just a little more to elaborate on Gary’s statements from the previous article (see below) regarding Marcelo Bielsa’s scouting and promoting talented players to the next level.
“Everyone would be shocked if someone like Bielsa came. He will find the talent. He would have no problem debuting an 18 year old from the academy or from a Sunday league on the Senior Team. No U18 or U20 team, the Senior Team. (Moises Orozco would be one of them). Our NT would have complete “no names” on it. But “no names” with true quality.”
Javier Mascherano
Javier Mascherano had not even debuted with River Plate and was given his full national team cap for the Argentine National Team.
Bielsa had taken a group of youth team players to Japan-South Korea World Cup to act as sparring partners for training sessions. During those sessions he noted the boy had true class to not only contend with, but displace, some of his senior peers.
These are small details only the well trained eye can see. We all know the trajectory Mascherano has taken since. He is now considered one of the best holding midfielders in world football.
Pavel Pardo
Pavel Pardo had a similar story.
Here is one of the best players in Mexican football of the last decade. 139 National team caps! One of the few Mexican exports to have a successful stint in Europe winning the Bundesliga with Stuttgart. He was given his first taste of 1st team professional football at Atlas by Marcelo Bielsa.
Rafa Marquez
Possibly the biggest name to come out of Mexican soccer since Hugo Sanchez.
The player was identified by Marcelo Bielsa during his time in Mexico with Atlas. Bielsa is considered Rafa’s first mentor and has a lot to do with the success of the Mexican international. Going on to Europe with Monaco, winning the French league title, and earning his well deserved transfer to Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Chile
Bielsa’s next crop will soon follow, and it will be beneficial to his current employers: Chile.
Look at the transformation of Chilean Football over last 4 years. He kicked the prima donna players to the curb and utilized mostly no-name young talent in his first term in charge. World football beware, a soccer minnow is on the rise with the right man in charge.
American Soccer
Just wanted to follow up with a few examples of what can be done with a high level coach at the top of the food chain.
We do have players with these capabilities in the United States.
Unfortunately, what we currently select nobody wants outside these borders – it’s useless on the world stage. With the right person, our football would grow and we could aspire to boasting world class talent wanted by European giants.
So how about Klinsmann? Would he shake up the roster? Apparently he has spent a lot of time around various local California leagues and he did bring some new guys into the German team.
That’s a good question.
Will the senior roster be shaken up?
I think so. But where I think a Bielsa would completely destroy the roster, Klinsi would amputate some limbs. 🙂 Better than nothing! And I support it.
Is he better than Arena, Bradley, or their “clones”?
Yes. He knows way more. It’s not even close.
Will he outperform his predecessors in the results department?
I’m not so sure. A four year cycle is too short to make a huge impact at the next world cup. I think only someone like Bielsa or Mourinho can accomplish something dramatic. Plus he has not proven to be a manager that can turn a B-level team into something special – he’s only managed world powers in Germany and Bayern.
But, what I do believe is:
1) He can create a solid foundation upon which US Soccer can build on.
2) He can institute a “style” – something we totally lack.
3) More of his selected players will be contracted overseas.
The existing foundation for the Senior side is too f’d up to hope for WC glory.
The youth sides, however, I think it’s possible. That’s why he must be given control over the youth NTs as well.
I think the US can actually contend for a U-17 or U-20 World Cup. Get the right players and coaches representing us here.
What about a coach like Frank Raekard.
I think that barcelona still is the team that his has been for the past several years because of the talent and mentoring that Frank brought to the team.
He developed players like Inesta & Messi. Lets not forget some of the players he brought up to the A team from the Barcelona youths like Busquets, Pedro & Bohan..
I think he would be an ideal coach to introduce the US into using young talent and developing a specific style of play that the whole team can buy into..
We need to be more offensive and learn to build up an offensive play. I am tired of whatching the US NT playing dump & chase soccer or relying to heavily on scoreing off of set pieces.. Something needs to change & I think Lalas needs to step down from what ever possition he has with the US soccer Association becuase he obviously does not know what he talks about, especially after his commenting of the WC2010..
Obsered
Of course that would be better. He’s not a product of our system, but rather indoctrinated in some of the greatest soccer institutions.
But I don’t think Messi and Iniesta’s development can be solely attributed to him. Plus wasn’t it Guardiola who brought Busquets, Pedro & Bojan to the first team?
And yes, I’m totally with you on Lalas. He makes me want to slit my wrists.
Interesting thoughts on Bielsa in the US setup. There was a rumor a few days ago that he was in touch with Gulati about a sporting director position. I can’t see it happening but if it did I would love to see a sparring system in place. I dont know if it is so much about Bielsa finding talent (he does) but more about given young players exposure to that level of play at an earlier age and giving them an opportunity to shine and of course learn. Red Bull’s U-18s got to do some sparring with Argentina today (http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2011/03/red-bulls-u-18s-embrace-chance-train-argentina) which I’m sure was an incredible experience. Now imagine doing that with another group of young players for every national team camp.
Hi Sarah,
Yeah, I can’t see it happening either. He’s a NT coach, and one that has earned and is accustomed to receiving complete authority and autonomy. There’s too much special interests, politics, and ignorance in US Soccer to make this a reality. Bielsa would never tolerate Bradley being the NT coach.
I definitely agree with you on more sparring happening between the youth and pro/national teams. This is a must! MLS squads should be regularly scheduling these with the local U18 academies. This is not charity, but actual training for the senior sides with the added benefit of possible early identification of quality players. Argentina didn’t do this for publicity or relationship building – although this is a side effect. This is part of their training workflow.
Sarah,
Great article, the great thing is that I actually know some of the talent on the RedBull’s U-18 squad, Have seen maybe 2 or 3 of them develop for some years now.
This is a great way to have kids look at the game in a different way and to understand it differently. understand it the way the rest of the world knows it.
What i can say is that Finally RedBulls have picked up a better coach for the MLS team & are playing possesion soccer.
I do think that All MLS teams should have a youth team & scrimige against them more often. that would do great deals for both teams. There are many high school players that I have seen that need a better understanding and approach to the game. They need a real mentor such as a Bielsa or other person who can guide them in the right direction.
So much talent that i can see out there but no where to send them to becuase I do not have the connection to have them placed into a great system. This must change……
Brian called it when he said beware of Chile!