“We’ve made good progress in the last 20 years.” Yes we have, and we should all be happy for it. However, it’s easier going from 40% to 70%, than it is from 70% to 100%. The first jump involves broad strokes. You know, the “common sense” stuff. The second jump involves the details. You know, [...]
TweetTHE LIST
What follows is an initial list of 25 things obstructing the US from becoming a soccer powerhouse. The “what’s wrong” topic is always around and maintains a certain level of attention. Then, when our national teams flounder, the topic spikes and dominates the discussion. And of course everyone and their mom has an opinion. Errrr [...]
Tweet3four3 Turns 2! Thank You Guys!
Today marks 2 years of 3four3! When I first started, the idea was really just to get my thoughts on paper, flesh them out and refine them over time. I thought I would systematically deconstruct all the issues I saw with the sport in the U.S., and methodically build up solutions. Surely that would be [...]
TweetIt’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 [...]
TweetPlayer 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 [...]
TweetOn 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. [...]
TweetSooooo … 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 [...]
TweetApparently Clint Dempsey is World Class. Who Knew?
Let’s get something straight right off the bat: 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 [...]
TweetThe 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 [...]
TweetUS U-20 World Cup Qualification Failure: Who Cares?
I’m a bit late to the U20 topic, but this is not a news outlet; it is an education outlet. In case you’re not up to speed, we lost to Guatemala and were eliminated from the U20 World Cup for the first time in 8 cycles. And as with most US Soccer failures, many across [...]
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