Player development is a topic that applies to all age groups and levels of play. But, let’s keep our eye on the big picture. When the term player development is used, what is the general context it is usually being used in? What is it that’s being visualized? I think you know. We are thinking […]
Problems
Eric Wynalda’s Cal FC crushes professional side Wilmington Hammerheads
Pretty much everyone in this country would agree the system is broken. And pretty much everyone is WRONG! Wrong about precisely what it is that’s broken. You see, everyone just parrots the reasons the status quo protectors sell them. But the real problem is the status quo protectors themselves. We’re broken because of the people. […]
Portland Timbers U23s are defeated by PSA Elite? WTF?
PSA who? Exactly. Before I get all nasty with this … just a touch of background. I went to watch the final of a U.S. Adult Soccer Association regional (huh?) between a team called PSA Elite and a team that Eric Wynalda formed, Cal FC. (That was May 6th) These are two teams that were just […]
“Culture” Problem? What Culture Problem?
In the US, people point to “culture” as our fundamental impediment to excellence. And the arguments come in many flavors. But what they say essentially boils down to one theme: Numbers We don’t have the numbers, they say. Numbers in terms of audience Numbers in terms of consumers Numbers in terms of money Numbers in terms of […]
The Single Most Critical Path to Soccer Enlightenment
… is through deep emotional investment. Rite of Passage Until you cry for a team, you probably don’t have what it takes. Not as a player, not as a coach, not as a fan, not as a reporter, not as anyone. It means you don’t feel this game in your soul, it means you don’t understand […]
Blogging and the War of Ideas
I don’t think the point is getting across. As it relates to a post, let me just say that it’s ok if a reader “doesn’t get it“. People can’t be convinced or changed with a solitary article – not at their core anyways. Every time I write one of these, my brain screams: “Oh, but what […]
Possession Soccer is Dead. Long Live Possession!
Those who think this possession thing is just a fad expose one, or a combination of the following: their soccer age their global soccer literacy their racial, cultural, or national prejudice Soccer Age How long you’ve been involved in the game, plain and simple. If you’re fairly new, say within the past 10 years, it’s […]
Warning!!! To All Our New Readers: This Blog is Probably Not for You
I’m dead serious! The majority of you likely joined us after the U11 video. That means the chunk of posts you’ve seen since, have been about kids playing soccer and our trip to Spain. So cute youth soccer stuff. Well, you’re in for a big ass shock if you think that’s what this site’s about. […]
Caleb Porter Took A Dump All Over US Soccer
Here’s the number one lesson to take away from the U23 performance against Mexico: People have a lot to learn about this sport. I mean A LOT! Stop making excuses for not being able to play dominant possession-centered soccer. You can’t play that way because this is college soccer. You can’t play that way because […]
3 Scenarios on Klinsmann and the National Team Player Pool
I have no verdict on Klinsmann yet, but I have splashed some thoughts in the comments area. In short, I’m not exactly thrilled and the reasons have nothing to do with score-lines. What seems to surface time and again, is the notion that the national team player pool “is what it is“. The implication being […]