MIC Cup Game 3 vs Cherry Orchard (Ireland) After a monumental draw against FC Barcelona at noon, we had to shift our focus to our last pool play game against Irish side Cherry Orchard. They had just come off consecutive losses to Barcelona (9-0) and Begur (2-1) and had nothing but pride to play for. […]
Club Soccer
The Beast, the Monster, the 800-pound Gorilla: Our match vs FC Barcelona
MIC Day 2 3/28/13 The second day of MIC would be the most anticipated match day, not only for the boys here, but for all the players who came before them and for the club and for US soccer. El Super Clasico between FC Barcelona and TFA (that’s us) was on the minds of all […]
MIC Cup 2013: Our Match vs Begur
MIC Cup game #1 TFA vs Begur 3-27-13 After months of intense preparation, the day had come for our MIC Cup debut. A pleasant 25 minute bus ride to Begur to take on local youth club Begur in their hometown stadium. A great atmosphere awaited the team and we were ready to get the well […]
Mediterranean International Cup Day 1: Scouting the top Academies
The Giants Smash the Minnows 3/27/13 Day 1 of the MIC allowed for the Giants of the soccer world, Manchester United, FC Barcelona, Ajax and Villareal, to showcase their class against local inferior teams. These clubs are able to attract talent from across the globe and are consistently producing the next soccer superstar. Villareal Villareal […]
Game vs Junior FC: Preparation for MIC Tournament Opener
Friendly vs. Juniors 3/25/13 5-0 After a long trip across the Atlantic the squad was dying to get a game in. A local club in Barcelona, Juniors FC, Infantil “B”, would be the perfect test for the boys. We arrived for pregame at their modest sporting facility. Pregame Warm up was shaky, and the players […]
Set Tactical Training
We’ve mentioned the phrase ‘Set Tactical Work’ often, but I know this is a foreign notion to the American Soccer Community at all levels. So let me try to give a more familiar concept. Set Tactical Work is essentially Choreography. Here’s an example from the 3four3 curriculum. Now, Rich asked the following: I think for […]
Quality Pro Player Development or Recreation? People don’t know the Difference.
Before we go any further, something must be made clear. A line must be drawn between two camps: Those who ultimately view soccer as recreation. Those who are about creating professional footballers of the highest quality. Both have vastly different requirements. 1) Recreation This does not mean the ‘rec soccer community’ – as in reserved […]
This Must Be Unprecedented! Not One … Not Two … but all 3 Surf Cup Titles!
A clean sweep is what it was. All three academy teams – U10, U11, and U12 – which Brian overseas, took home the hardware at the prestigious Surf Cup. Not a bad start to the new season. The 10s are beginning to show some signs of keeping the ball and combination play. The 11s have […]
Recruiting is The Right Thing to Do
The perception and values associated with the practice of recruiting depends on who’s doing the perceiving and the act itself – be it an organization, coach, player, parent, or whoever. This post will take the position of what every interested party supposedly wants. Development and a meritocracy. Right? Recruiting If the goal is to develop […]
US Soccer Development Academy Coach Threatens Friendship
What follows was a text from the head academy coach at a US Soccer Development Academy club who we’ve known for … I don’t know … around six years. I won’t say who it is or when this happened, but it gives you insight as to the types of things that go on. Dear Brian, […]