There are pros and cons to watching games on TV versus being at the field. When it comes to assessing the details of a player’s technique, off the ball movement, and overall awareness, the television can not compete. I was at the Home Depot Center on Saturday to watch Chile vs the US and the […]
National Team
Winning vs Soccer Development? Part II
This winning vs development argument always seems to revolve around technique. I discussed a bit in part I of this series how a coach can only go so far in technical development. But people talk over and over again about how our professional player’s lack of technique is the biggest problem. Again, we’re missing over […]
Mascherano, Pavel Pardo, Rafa Marquez clear examples
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 […]
How A High Level National Team Coach Could Influence US Soccer
While the system and philosophy of soccer in the US as a whole must change, if we had a top-shelf coach we would take a huge stride. If someone like Marcelo Bielsa (I know he’s off the table) took over … The Current National Team Pools Would be Decimated Maybe 2 or 3 guys from the […]
Moises Orozco Must Go Pro!
So I took a drive to the Home Depot Center today where the US Development Academy Finals are being held. Specifically, I went to watch Real So Cal vs Concorde Fire. My objective was to identify if there were any elite players. One of 3four3’s missions is to scout and promote the absolute cream. In […]
Thank You Ghana! You Are The Savior of US Soccer.
For anyone who is a fan of US Soccer or has a child that aspires to big things in the sport, you should say: “Thank you Ghana”. I know I made my position clear last week, but this can’t be emphasized enough. Thank the lord the US lost to Ghana on Saturday! Or in the […]
The US a World Cup Semi-Finalist? God Help “US”!
First and foremost it was important for us to get out of the group. And it’s tough to have written a better script! The way we advanced – by a razor’s edge – helps to keep fans grounded, while at the same time experiencing an emotional reaction so rare in all of sports. This is […]
US National Team U20s: Dallas Cup Report
Another crack at some Elite competition for US mens soccer and another failure! The US U-20’s were paired in the Super Group at Dallas Cup with the Mexico U-20’s, Vancouver Whitecaps, and Eintracht Frankfurt. With a National Team, player selection is usually critical as there is little time to work. This is usually the case all […]
US vs Honduras: Excuses and Another Bob Bradley Indictment
While it certainly would have been different with the 1st team, I view this performance (a 1-3 loss) as a further indictment of Bradley: He doesn’t know what a “true quality” player is. He simply has no tactical understanding. On the first point, does he mean to tell me these “second string” players are the […]
Report: U-18 National Team Camp
I was at the Home Depot Center Friday night were the participants of the U-18 camp played against a couple of PDL teams comprised of college players. I arrived 20 minutes from the end of the first game where they lost to Ventura County Fusion. I was told 4-1. All I can say from watching […]