I want to take this opportunity to inform our newest readers that not only can this site be blunt at times, but there may be sparse usage of profanity as well. I’m certain some people find this outrageous – or just off-putting – and that’s ok. This is simply my way of saying this blog […]
It’s Gotta Be The …
Culture? The following is perhaps the most accepted as insurmountable. Soccer in the Home The scapegoat is usually of the “soccer isn’t popular” variety. Which of course implies that daddy wants to play catch with the kids; not kick the ball. And even if all those daddy’s chose to help their kids with soccer, they […]
Player Development: Accountable for What? And to Who?
I don’t know if real accountability for player development is possible. What are the metrics? Is it how many players you place in college? Is it the number that get called to youth national teams? Is it the number of professionals you’ve touched while they were amateur? Certainly these things are important. But we need […]
On Replacing Bob Bradley, Rongen, and the Whole Entourage
What are the expectations? That is key. I think people are getting it confused. Hiring a manager who actually has a clue will not get us the World Cup final, and perhaps not the quarters this cycle either. That is not the discussion we should be having. That is not the appropriate metric to use. […]
Sooooo … Now What?
It’s been 5 long years of this: “It was our B-team.” “The players were tired.” “Bradley’s tactics were spot on.” “Bradley’s tactics were off.” “Bradley should try the youth.” “Onyewu never recovered from his injury.” “The ref sucks.” “We just don’t have the players.” “Give him time.” “We’re making progress.” “We beat Spain.” “We tied […]
US vs Guadeloupe: 8 Thoughts and Feelings
1. Watched the game at El Torito (hey it was taco Tuesday). An American fan, who was surely several tequila shots deep, comes up to us around the 80th minute and says: “This is embarrasing. I can get 11 of us in here to play better.” We couldn’t stop laughing … a US fan with […]
College Soccer Recruiting: On Being A Player Advocate
On a lighter note, here’s a post offering some behind-the-scenes insight. The following is our original email sent to the University of North Carolina, arguably the nation’s most prestigious women’s program. I’m sharing this now that our girls team (our first and likely last) has aged out. Hello Chris and UNC Staff, I am writing […]
Apparently Clint Dempsey is World Class. Who Knew?
First, let’s get something out of the way; Dempsey is a quality player. He is one of the few worthy of representing our country. He has a good touch, a good brain, and is highly valuable to his club. But World Class? I know we want one of these badly, but people are reaching and […]
The Importance Of An Identity: The 13th and 14th man.
There are factors beyond the individuality of players that shouldn’t go unrecognized. And this Champion’s League final offers a good backdrop for illustrating the point. Barca has the support of an entire philosophy behind them. A very clear and precise way of playing that has been engrained and rehearsed over years into oblivion. It is […]
2 Fundamental and Objective Metrics to Judging a Coach’s Quality
How do you know a coach is any good at player development? I’m specifically addressing those coaches who are implicitly chartered with that goal. Well, here it is: 1) The coach must have a clearly possession-based style. 2) The coach must be a winning one. Metric 1 (possession) First and foremost, if the coach is not […]