Hi guys,
Just a little update on what’s going on, and where that final report on how the MIC tournament concluded is at.
After returning from Barcelona, there’s been a ton of activity behind the scenes. Some things are very ugly, but some things are great.
Brian is now at Chivas USA (that of course is one of the great things), and my priority is scaling our work. When things stabilize, publishing content at our historical frequency can resume, and that MIC report completed.
But for people who still don’t know, we ended up losing 3-2 to FC Barcelona in the semi-final. Those who follow me on Twitter, were getting near real-time updates:
Post-failure is where the magic could happen. Where nature may be shining a spot beam on truths previously not fully appreciated, or even known.
I’m talking about nook and cranny truths meant for those looking for them, because ultimate objectives are on the line. Properly identifying and rectifying the details is for the serious.
Video?
Yep. We finally received it in the mail on April 18.
Brian had paid a company to do three games; the 2 against FCB and the one with AJAX at 100 Euros a pop.
Only the first FCB match is watchable, the semifinal wasn’t even filmed, and the job done for the AJAX match is the worst thing you can possibly imagine (a total waste).
Yes, I’ll be uploading … but don’t expect a 3four3 quality film job.
What’s the hold up?
Jesus, where do I start!
I guess this is probably the 1st rule of 3four3:
What can you expect?
That we care. We really, really care. And we take our work personally.
So now, this transition I mentioned isn’t your average joe transition…
Remember that preliminary “map to gold standard football” info-graphic?
Well, we’re in roster building mode:
- Scouting
- Player ID
- Retention
- Recruiting
- Releasing
This stuff doesn’t happen overnight, and requires enormous amounts of time and energy (if you want to do it right).
First up was #3. Retention
Parents of our now U13s had to decide whether to continue the process of our long-standing quality professional player development objective, or not. In other words come over to Chivas USA, or not.
If the consumer had a way of properly judging between services, it’s a no-brainer. But unfortunately, they don’t.
One can never really know, but in this case, I have to believe the parents had a good idea of how inferior a service (amateur hour really) they’d receive if they stayed at Barca-USA. So massive props to them!
I’ve tried to hint at this many times here, but I’ll repeat: Clubs don’t develop players, coaches do. If we had chosen instead at U10 to take this team to Pateadores, the buzz would be about how Pateadores are “doing it right”.
Anyways, these parents dodged a bullet! Their kid’s potential would have been ruined.
And this wasn’t any typical decision either. They had to navigate lies, bribes, and intimidation.
[Deep breath …]
Well, now you have a tiny sample of what’s been going on.
And I may consider tapping my reservoir of facts and opinions, if the spreading of lies does not cease. Resorting to bribes as a recruiting/retention instrument is one thing (hell, knock yourselves out), but the spreading of lies is quite another.
Oh yes, there is much educational value in the ugly side of things.
What else?
That was just the saga with the 13s, there’s all kinds of other stuff going on – directly soccer or otherwise. Here’s just two:
- The process of Scouting, Player ID, Recruiting, Retention, and Releasing must all be done (essentially from scratch) for the U14s.
- Laying the necessary groundwork to properly launch and scale our services, along with our media footprint.
All exciting, but scary.
All doable, but not simple.
And certainly not normal transitions that happen everyday. 🙂
The Future
So if you were wondering about the future of 3four3, I’ll share with you something else that can be expected: This is a lifelong venture, and you ain’t seen nothing yet!
I’m serious, we’ve barely cracked open this can of worms.
The game is in the blood, the passion is not faked or manufactured, I don’t go to games – pro or otherwise – to buy nachos and socialize, and I don’t write because I have to – I write because it has to get out, because containing it for too long feels unnatural.
p.s. That “3four3 needs to grow up” headline … don’t you worry, I’m talking on the business front. A third thing you can expect is never seeing this outlet pandering to the masses. This site will maintain its editorial independence.
The DA also needs to “level up.” Hope you guys are able to navigate the political waters and drive things forward.
Thank you.
And yes, politics are a fact of life, DA or no DA.
So learning and executing on that front is also a preoccupation.
Got to be “gold-standard” everywhere baby!
Do you have a developed or working philosophy for the political aspect of your work?
Great question.
But I’m not sure how to answer. Feels like the topic is too broad.
It is definitely a broad question. I am just curious about what kind of principles you apply to the many political interactions you have.
To be more specific, the situation you describe in this post is a very real world and very messy reality that coaches have to deal with every year, as they work on roster building. For example, what makes bribes okay (“hell, knock yourselves out”), but lies the source of righteous indignation on your part?
I’m not arguing that lies should or shouldn’t arouse scorn, but how do you (or any coach) determine what you are/are not willing to do or say to build your roster, and how does this fit into your concept of the “gold standard.” Especially, considering that the higher the level the higher the stakes, and others may not share your ethical constraints.
As I’m sure you know, things are on a case by case basis.
Money bribes to parents … I don’t know … what’s wrong with that? Yeah, it kind of feels a bit dirty, but … I don’t know. For me, I’m just not outraged by it.
But when there are completely manufactured lies aimed at tainting someone’s reputation, it’s certainly possible that a response is in order.
Most times I wouldn’t care. I mean the person resorting to lies is negligible in the big picture. Unfortunately due to a long history in this specific case, I may choose otherwise.
I’m not a fan of con artists and fraudulent activity. As soon as I believe I see it, I dissociate myself from it. And if I’m given a reason to expose it, I just might.
Gary,
The better the team / players, the greater the politics. The foxes come out when there is a hole in the chicken coop. That’s soccer. Everyone wants a piece, especially the tasty morsels. Hang in there, you and Brian have a good thing going. I’m sure you will get new faces and old familiar ones will go away but will all work out since you guys have right philosophy.
Thank you Kana.
You win some, you lose some. As I’m sure you know, the thing that keeps one on a long-term upward trend, is continuing to learn and adapt “correctly”.
“Clubs don’t develop players, coaches do.” Unfortunately, this is true. IF Clubs would question and define their game style (as a friend said it, their Declartion of Independence) they would (hopefully) eventually get to the right conclusion –> Play possession style, develop skills, smart soccer players, etc., Or, at the very least get closer. THEN, one could argue “THEY” (Clubs) develop players. BUT, right now is every man/woman (coach) for themself, which turns into lack of knowledge / development —> ugly soccer.
That is perhaps the first step.
Then the club must have committed leadership that can both identify and work with the “right coaches”.
I am yet to see that anywhere.
“On to the next one” ha man i wish ya’ll all the best, its crazy dealing with politics and all the bull crap that is US Soccer, i’m dealing with it now as well but seeing you guys push on is inspiring me. Tear it up at Chivas
Thanks Keph.
It tough, that’s for sure.
I generally see two options:
1) Suck dick. Do what others want (a follower, a panderer).
2) Don’t suck dick. Do YOUR thing (a leader).
At this point for me, it seems like politics is the art of deciding how much of each you do with your ultimate objectives in mind.
Most choose option 1 an overwhelming number of times, because it is what we’ve been trained (brainwashed really) to do from birth. And it’s the easiest one. It requires no courage.
Gary, how do clubs like Barca USA and Chivas USA feel about 3four3 and the brutal honesty displayed?
I figure you would suffer unbearable repercussions, drama, politics.
Quite the opposite: because of 3four3 the sole owner/operator of barca-usa has enjoyed never imagined exposure and income. His hack operation went from nothing to national/international exposure and the perception of a legit org.
Gary, nice to see you all in a very good article on MLSSoccer.com today about turf. They gave you and Brian some good props as well. Nice!
Here’s the link: http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/05/02/how-artificial-turf-could-change-future-soccer-north-america-word
Cool.
Thanks for the heads up Alfredo!
Gary – I believe that one of the biggest problems with US Soccer is your statement that “clubs don’t develop players, coaches do”. While that may in fact be true in the US, it is not the case throughout the world. In Europe and South Amerca, the great players are developed at clubs that have a system. Who developed Oscar, Van Persie, Schoales, Cole, Ronaldo, Rubinho, Hazard, Moses, etc. I bet you do not know the names of the coaches but you might know the name of the academy.
I have no knowledge of the background for the recent split and I truly do not care to know. Point is, one club is now set back and another thinks the future is brighter. But with all this, we did not create any further “player development”. Just bickering.
In the US, there is constant bickering, politics, etc, and club hopping (now by you guys) because there is no loyalty. it happens everywhere in US. Now the boys that were at the old club, are in the middle of a tug of war. It is bad for youth soccer.
I appreciate where you’re coming from.
But there’s so much more to each of your statements. So I’ll take them one at a time.
First up is this:
” ‘clubs don’t develop players, coaches do’. While that may in fact be true in the US, it is not the case throughout the world.”
Several things on this statement alone.
1) If it’s true in the US, then the statement is educational. Because with everything that is written and discussed in our country, it’s apparent people have not understood this. Especially the consumer (ie parents).
2) It is the case everywhere across the globe. What clubs can provide is an infrastructure and support system for the coaches to best execute their art. And what clubs can do is go out and hire the best coaches they can find. It is in this regard that clubs overseas differ from us. And the reason we don’t have similar clubs here, is because the business interests are not aligned with player development.
Let’s take your next comment:
” In Europe and South Amerca, the great players are developed at clubs that have a system. Who developed Oscar, Van Persie, Schoales, Cole, Ronaldo, Rubinho, Hazard, Moses, etc. I bet you do not know the names of the coaches but you might know the name of the academy.”
Do you know why you think this way? Do you know why I wouldn’t be able to name youth coaches who’ve developed these players?
I’ll provide a flavor as to why.
It’s called marketing. Clubs, like big companies, have the media / marketing power, not individual coaches. The fact that one can name the club where a player came from and not the coach is solely because that is how it’s been marketed. Over time, the internet will erode this position.
RED,
How many US clubs do you know that have a Playing Philosophy (style)? How many clubs have their coaches buy into and follow the philosophy and get rid of coaches that don’t? How many clubs support, encourage and teach their philosophy? Then, if a club does not have an identity / philosophy and a team (out of many) is successful then how can you argue it is the club that developed the players and not the multitude of coaches behind every player on that team? Clubs provide resources, logistics, but without direction you can’t possibly argue that they develop the players. You talk about loyalty but clubs are not loyal to those that don’t support them or their own goals. I don’t know the details either but bet you other wanted to jump on band wagon and reap rewards without putting in the work. Or did not want to relinquish power or give into their playing style as others rised within organization and proved them wrong. As Gary indicates, there are two options. To me, if you want to do something special others will try to bring you down (Escalante in Garfield comes to mind). I bet the boys are glad to be part of something special. Personally, I would not care about club name as long as soccer was played the right way.
Now on to your more personal statements …
*****
“I have no knowledge of the background for the recent split and I truly do not care to know.”
If you have no knowledge, then why would you think you can make sound judgements on the matter?
Worse yet, you’re making judgements on the matter AND declaring you don’t want knowledge of the background.
Holy Cow!
In any case, let’s continue to look at some of your judgements:
*****
“Point is, one club is now set back and another thinks the future is brighter. But with all this, we did not create any further “player development”. Just bickering.”
Who is “we”, and what do you know about “player development” in this context?
If you’re talking about “we”, as in the United States, then yes “we” did create further “player development”. Thanks to our many readers, the word of what’s possible has spread, continues to grow, and has inspired others.
Furthermore, you should be hopeful in seeing that a professional organization came calling us. It’s an indicator that at least Chivas USA is looking to be more like it’s overseas colleagues, and recognizes they need quality coaches if they are to actually develop players.
*****
And finally, here’s your concluding judgement, which by your own admission you arrived at without knowledge of the events:
“In the US, there is constant bickering, politics, etc, and club hopping (now by you guys) because there is no loyalty. it happens everywhere in US. Now the boys that were at the old club, are in the middle of a tug of war. It is bad for youth soccer.”
My man, from the caveman days to now, disputes have happened every second across all walks of life.
And what do you know about loyalty in our context? Loyalty, like so many other things, is a 2-way street my man.
Like I alluded to in the main article, there are some sad things that have been happening for a long time and continue to go on. Hopefully parents, not just at the old club, but everywhere, choose to pursue knowledge instead of ignorance. Then they’ll be more capable of educated judgements.
And finally, what do you know is “bad for youth soccer”?
Wouldn’t you agree that people whose objectives are in line with true “player development” should rise, while those who make “anti-player development” decisions should sink?
I think that’s good for youth soccer.
RED,
I beg to differ. It would be nice if clubs developed through a common philosophy, but that doesn’t happen in USA. So it’s the coaches. Scouting and moving clubs can be good and bad. Bad if trading green pastures for brown or brown for brown. In Kleiban’s case, they have proven success. I don’t know the situation, but if they are moving to Chivas, then every kid form FC Barcelona USA should follow IMHO. A professional club, better facilities, hopefully better coaches, better exposure for starters. If Brian is staying at FC Barca, then hopefully he can carry on what Brian did. Either way, I don’t see the issue? Why would staying with a youth club for life be a good thing? If greener pastures are there, then go or you would be a fool.
I’ve been a coach since early 1990s. Club hopping is a way of life. It happens in Europe and South America. It’s how they move up the ladder to next best thing. Only difference is they can wind up at a top club and play first team soccer, while USA often just a better team. Not the same fringe benefits here.
Gary – let me be clear with you, my original post was not intended to be a personal knock against anyone individually. My point was and is that youth soccer in US is the subject of constant turmoil and turnover. I believe that is horrible for the sport, because it undermines our infrastructure (or worse yet it prohibits us from creating proper foundations and infrastructures) and distracts all of us from the job at hand. I don’t know how yet, but I am working on it, but we need to somehow figure out how to rise above all the messy bs and just work on developing players. I did not blame you, your brother or the other side for anything. I don’t know the facts and do not want to know them, because the substance of the squabble is not my concern nor something I want to discuss.
P.S. In the past you and I have exchanged one set of emails and you were brief, but kind. I recently met and chatted with your brother in Barcelona, Spain. He also was professional and kind.
It’s all good.
I simply don’t want our readers to have an impression that may not reflect what’s transpired.
So I had to respond.
Gary – no problem. Please see my email I sent to you and send on to Brian. Stay well !!
My view is that 100% of our effort should be all about the kids and the profession, but we all need to prioritize and organize the effort better.
Too many coaches, clubs, etc are taking advantage of the environment and ignorance of parents. Pay to play is NUMBER 1 priority !! That is the root of all problems.
Took one of my U9 players to the Crew and NYRB match. About twenty minutes into the game he says “Coach, this is just jungle ball” haha! I think he and some of my other boys are on the right track and I owe a lot of the strides we are making to you guys. We still are not even close to where I want us to be but Gary I gotta say thanks for your inspiration! (as well as that fantastic jungle ball phrase haha) But you have helped me develop and refine my philosophy towards coaching the game. I know you guys will continue to educate and I look forward to hearing how Chivas works out.
great relatively new blog thats going into the details of the politics more than the Kleibans can:
http://howsyourtouch.wordpress.com/
(not my blog, I just ran across it)
Unfortunately, the author is anonymous.
What is going on with the amazing “Chelis”, is he already started to say he is going to resign every time he loses? is he already asking the reporters for answers?? I said it before and I repeat it again, this guy is a lucky son of a gun, he has no idea of what he is doing, he is just a “clown” once again, failure is coming…
One request for Brian, lose the popped collar. For the love of god!!
If it good enough for Cantona, I don’t see why not.
Brian promised his transition to Chivas USA would include his BU 11 Division and League Cup Championship team he promised his boys if the followed him their goal this upcoming season was to win State Cup. He lied and he dumped a team of 11 year olds who worshipped him and would run thru a wall if he asked then to, in an email he did not have the courage or decency to explain to them in person that his obligations to Chivas Academy were more important and therefore he could not give 100 percent he sent a cold hearted email to parents and never faced his boys to explain why he was leaving them. It shattered a team and destroyed the confidence of 11 year olds who worshiped him. It was devastating and Brian couldn’t find the time to Man up and explain it to these boys his boys face to face. It was disgusting and as the team manager I was left with trying to pick up the pieces and try and explain Brian’s total lack of decency and honor. Something he always insisted the boys play and live by.
While I understand the anger / disappointment as a parent, I also understand people need to seek new and bigger opportunities. It goes both ways. You can’t expect anyone to watch after your kid’s best interest than yourself as a parent. Why don’t you transfer? Why don’t you work with your kid to get him where he wants to be? I don’t think coaches should make promises they can’t keep, but people sometimes promise more because they really do feel it at the time. However, there are dynamics happening behind the scenes that you nor I know about.
This is why I got so deep into coaching, the “better” coaches did not care to work with young players. I educated myself in the game, spent countless hours watching YouTube and working with my kid. I suggest you do the same. It may not be the best / easiest road (The Kleibans) but you can get there.
My son was offered numerous positions st elite Academy’s I turned them down to stay with Brian based on his promises. I don’ have a problem with his desire to advance his career what I object to is the broken promises and lies he told to children who believed in him and followed him based on lies he told.
“He lied and he dumped a team” I was starting to think he was super-human.
Typically I am on the receiving end of lies, emails, txts and deceit from clubs/parents/players. I don’t wish it on either end. Coaching and youth sports in general is a painful process not for the faint of heart. Few if any adults, including coaches and parents, truly care for each other. You have got to find a way to survive or be consumed by the machine of youth sports in America.
Jodi, I feel your pain.
I respect Brian as a coach but I was disappointed by Brian as a man.
I asked Coach Brian who by the way I considered a dear friend if we moved the team he would be able to dedicate himself to the boys who followed him he told me he would never let them down. Obviously that was not the case he never offered a transition period so we could try and find another coach he simply sent an email and dumped the team.
I wish Brian only the best I am just disappointed in the way he handled a situation involving his team who adored him followed him fought hard on the field for him and believed in what he told them.
I agree Jodi with all your post I am the DOC of a club in Chicago. I believe in the face to face method nothing wrong with moving on. Personally speaking since he didn’t train them through email he should not have left them by email. I’ve been offered a ton of jobs by clubs in the area not interested. I’m loyal to my players and they’ve been loyal to me some have gone on to the academy level to do good things. Those same players return to me in the summer to participate as counselors and the such. I’d much rather have a smaller paycheck and some group of 16 or 18 year old kids running around saying I added some sort of positive experience to their life than not. Personally I don’t really like when some guys “make a living from soccer” the wrong way. I don’t believe in full time coaching positions that consist of a coach taking 5 teams within the club model that’s a problem. Coaches come to me asking for full time work looking for 5 teams I won’t hire them. Guys should have one or two teams combined with community programs and personal training not 5 or 6 teams they get a salary for. Why? Because it leads to the abuse of young players they don’t get trained properly. They win games with kids to take their notoriety up to get noticed by bigger clubs to make a bigger paycheck it’s corporate America with kids. Some of these coaches are worse than politicians I’m not going and haven’t gone most of them are a joke. A lot of them are arrogant and act like they are god because they won 5 regionals and 6 nationals….SO WHAT….meanwhile our U17’s didn’t qualify for the world cup with all our new AWESOME youth academies that have the SAME guys coaching that have always been coaching….sooooo…essentially they just gave the top level a new name with the same players and coaches…again…whatever…I promise you the day US wins a world cup will be the day Youth coaches actually give a damn about the development of kids.
Can some of you who have experienced working with Brian tell me a few things about training? How often did this U11 team practice and for how long? Were they playing for other teams too or getting additional training outside of Brian’s training? What is Brian’s background? Where did he play and where has he coached before?
i just noticed Gary is commenting, I should have asked Brian or Gary this. I guess I shouldn’t have started towards the bottom of the page.
Thank you your candid and unvarnished opinions. You obviously aren’t just saying what you think people want to hear but rather what you really think. That doesn’t make you right, it just demonstrates intellectual honesty.
I appreciate that Daniel.