***Official 2014 World Cup Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[Sinn Fein]

Just one last tip o'the cap to Klinsmann and the boys before I sign off for the night. Just 15 months ago we were talking about the difficult path to qualification, the team seemed ready to implode - or at least some elements - and here we are, having gone on perhaps the greatest extended run in US history. I thought they performed above expectations for this tournament, and have set the stage for even higher expectations in the future.

 

[TLEF316]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

Knew I was forgetting someone. Zelalem could obviously be a huge part of the puzzle.

What's it going to take to get him with the US?

supposedly his father (who has maintained residency in the US while his son has been in the Aresnal youth system in London) is finalizing citizenship. If that happens, Zelalem automatically becomes a citizen as well because he's under 18.

 

[SpurrierisisGod]

I think focusing on training and practicing 4-5 times a week might be a pretty good start for the system.

IMO, it would be the biggest.

If done correctly, kids would get 30,000-40,000 touches between games. If I had to guess now, I'd say the average practice around here has the kid getting less than 1,000 per week and then three games on the weekend.

Yeah, I mean I'm blind to the youth game b/c I've been out for too long but don't have kids so I have no idea what goes on anymore. I've just read about the academies and they seem to know what they are doing with the training/game breakdowns. But those are only for U13 and up and I guess from reading one of the articles, these clubs often skirt the rules of no outside games. But I imagine that eventually this will trickle down to the U8 and U10 games. But it seems like more and more people are catching on to this so it is only a matter of time.

Sorry but can't keep up with the posts. We aim for 2000 touches per session, 1000 just in warmups. Problem is its hard to get parents to commit to more than 2-3 sessions per week. When I played it was monday - friday 1.5 hours a day. I get dirty looks when I suggest even 1 extra session. Even football around here has cut to 3 days a week at the youth level.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

Knew I was forgetting someone. Zelalem could obviously be a huge part of the puzzle.

What's it going to take to get him with the US?

Who knows. His dad appears to be pushing him towards the US. It might take another JK promise like what ever he made to Julian.

I'm fine with that. Getting young talent is the key to success in the long run.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

What? Five years ago the US was in the final of the Confederations Cup. Charlie Davies was starting games and the team looked better than any time since.

Maybe the attack will be better in four years, maybe it will be worse. The team certainly takes a big hit without Howard, today showed his importance.

Ok, so 4 years ago (post Davies injury). Connor Casey scored 2 goals in the game that secured US qualifying for the 2010 world cup. Dude was a hack.

Better or worse than Wondo? Let's be real, the US striker situation has been poor for sometime.

As a whole, the team now is deeper than last cycle, but I don't think it is really better. There is a lot of talent to develop, but it hasn't yet. JK does seem like a much better coach than Bradley so far.

Wondo is a much better player than Casey was at his peak imo.

JK is obviously a better recruiter but I don't see any real evidence that he is a better coach than Bradley was.

 

[renesauz]

Thought Donovan nailed it. We need some players who are elite even in the context of the World Cup to go further than we have at this point.

Belgium ran us off the field for the most part, and their ability to string long passing movements together under pressure was the difference in quality between the two sides.

How do we get those elite players though?

J

Simple, but not likely to happen. We need our elite athletes to play soccer instead of the big four. Problem is, the cheerleader is always going to go for the football, baseball, basketball or hockey player. Also the $$$ here in the USA is in the other leagues. Soccer MIGHT be close to hockey.

Cheerleaders go for soccer players too. Trust me!

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

Knew I was forgetting someone. Zelalem could obviously be a huge part of the puzzle.

What's it going to take to get him with the US?

supposedly his father (who has maintained residency in the US while his son has been in the Aresnal youth system in London) is finalizing citizenship. If that happens, Zelalem automatically becomes a citizen as well because he's under 18.

But that is not the only issue. I think he can play for 3 different countries. Getting a US citizenship just leaves the door open.

It might take some recruiting to get him to commit.

 

[Ilov80s]

To the football is dangerous and could result in less kids playing it idea, even if it dips 5% in enrollment and soccer can pick up part of that, it's a considerable increase in the chance of getting a Barry Sanders or Reggie Bush type of athlete to become an American soccer player.

 

[TLEF316]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

Knew I was forgetting someone. Zelalem could obviously be a huge part of the puzzle.

What's it going to take to get him with the US?

supposedly his father (who has maintained residency in the US while his son has been in the Aresnal youth system in London) is finalizing citizenship. If that happens, Zelalem automatically becomes a citizen as well because he's under 18.

But that is not the only issue. I think he can play for 3 different countries. Getting a US citizenship just leaves the door open.

It might take some recruiting to get him to commit.

Oh no question. Its far from a done deal. But at this point, he's not even eligible. Once his dad (who seems to be on board with the US) is a citizen, the door is open.

I can't imagine he's really going to play for Ethiopia. Very little chance of ever sniffing the world cup there.

 

[sporthenry]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

I thought Yedlin was really exciting. He looked like our most dangerous player with the way he was able to handle 1:1 situations, use space and threaten outside the box. He had a hell of a tackle as well. He shined today.

He had a very good game but he does have to work on his defense. I haven't seen him enough in the MLS but he was caught up quite a bit. I guess he could switch to a MF role but that makes him a bit less valuable but either way, he seemed to be without a position for the Nats.

See my post on this topic. I don't think this is on Yedlin as much as the tactics. A player can't be expected to get to the baseline to cross a ball and get back on defense constantly. It is a recipe for disaster, unless you are the dominant team holding possession.

Yedlin at RB should work in qualifying but if they want him as a rb to be the main supplier of crosses, they have to provide cover for him when he gets so deep.

Fair enough. Well hopefully the US can get a consistent formation going forward so they can settle the position. But I just think if he was a bit more selective in his runs, he could be very effective. I agree that he can't be expected to do it all but his value as a RB is a lot more than as a MF, assuming we can start to get possession.

 

[Spartans Rule]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.

I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

He'll be 21 in 2018 so if he commits to the U.S. and is as good as hyped he could be pushing for a regular spot by then.

I'm definitely going to have follow the team a little closer this cycle and learn more about some of our next generation.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

He'll be 21 in 2018 so if he commits to the U.S. and is as good as hyped he could be pushing for a regular spot by then.

I'm definitely going to have follow the team a little closer this cycle and learn more about some of our next generation.

Same here. I have followed since the 90s, but this is the most familiar and interested I have ever been. I'm in for the long haul now.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

I thought Yedlin was really exciting. He looked like our most dangerous player with the way he was able to handle 1:1 situations, use space and threaten outside the box. He had a hell of a tackle as well. He shined today.

He had a very good game but he does have to work on his defense. I haven't seen him enough in the MLS but he was caught up quite a bit. I guess he could switch to a MF role but that makes him a bit less valuable but either way, he seemed to be without a position for the Nats.

See my post on this topic. I don't think this is on Yedlin as much as the tactics. A player can't be expected to get to the baseline to cross a ball and get back on defense constantly. It is a recipe for disaster, unless you are the dominant team holding possession.

Yedlin at RB should work in qualifying but if they want him as a rb to be the main supplier of crosses, they have to provide cover for him when he gets so deep.

Fair enough. Well hopefully the US can get a consistent formation going forward so they can settle the position. But I just think if he was a bit more selective in his runs, he could be very effective. I agree that he can't be expected to do it all but his value as a RB is a lot more than as a MF, assuming we can start to get possession.

Agreed 100%.

He has a rather unique skill, hopefully they can figure out how to maximize it.

Perhaps a small tweak. Cherundolo did not have 1/10th Yedlins raw speed but he always served nice crosses but he did it early (like say from 30 yards out) which kept in a position to get back. If Yedlin can mix in early crosses with the hunger to get deep, that should help.

Evans is always covering for him in Seattle so he has almost unlimited chances to go forward.

This kid was not even a professional yet 18 months ago. His growth curve should excite everyone a bit.

 

[sporthenry]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.

I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

I think it is clear Bradley is better playing deeper. Jones was much more effective getting forward than him and had a great tournament. Neither really was the playmaker the US needed, but Jones had some flashes.

Yeah, we've been needing that #10 for forever. Granted he hasn't really played in 2 years but I think Holden was really missing and could have fit that attacking role with the final ball. The problem is that we're kinda at that point where we don't have enough possession so we have to go with 2 holding center mids but the best way forward possession wise is to probably get away from the 2 holding mids. But eventually, some of these prospects have to pan out.

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.

I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

I think it is clear Bradley is better playing deeper. Jones was much more effective getting forward than him and had a great tournament. Neither really was the playmaker the US needed, but Jones had some flashes.

Yeah, we've been needing that #10 for forever. Granted he hasn't really played in 2 years but I think Holden was really missing and could have fit that attacking role with the final ball. The problem is that we're kinda at that point where we don't have enough possession so we have to go with 2 holding center mids but the best way forward possession wise is to probably get away from the 2 holding mids. But eventually, some of these prospects have to pan out.

Oof that hurts :(

I was just thinking that Zusi and Bedoya were our two weakest players and just realized that Holden would have been a first choice starter for one of them.

 

[Slapdash]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

What? Five years ago the US was in the final of the Confederations Cup. Charlie Davies was starting games and the team looked better than any time since.

Maybe the attack will be better in four years, maybe it will be worse. The team certainly takes a big hit without Howard, today showed his importance.

Ok, so 4 years ago (post Davies injury). Connor Casey scored 2 goals in the game that secured US qualifying for the 2010 world cup. Dude was a hack.

Better or worse than Wondo? Let's be real, the US striker situation has been poor for sometime.

As a whole, the team now is deeper than last cycle, but I don't think it is really better. There is a lot of talent to develop, but it hasn't yet. JK does seem like a much better coach than Bradley so far.

Wondo is a much better player than Casey was at his peak imo.

JK is obviously a better recruiter but I don't see any real evidence that he is a better coach than Bradley was.

Don't think there is enough difference to matter at this level.

Maybe not tactically, but he certainly got the most out of an inexperienced and overmatched squad at the WC. Bradley's teams always seemed like they were capable of more and couldn't find that next gear to me.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

I thought Yedlin was really exciting. He looked like our most dangerous player with the way he was able to handle 1:1 situations, use space and threaten outside the box. He had a hell of a tackle as well. He shined today.

He had a very good game but he does have to work on his defense. I haven't seen him enough in the MLS but he was caught up quite a bit. I guess he could switch to a MF role but that makes him a bit less valuable but either way, he seemed to be without a position for the Nats.

See my post on this topic. I don't think this is on Yedlin as much as the tactics. A player can't be expected to get to the baseline to cross a ball and get back on defense constantly. It is a recipe for disaster, unless you are the dominant team holding possession.Yedlin at RB should work in qualifying but if they want him as a rb to be the main supplier of crosses, they have to provide cover for him when he gets so deep.

Fair enough. Well hopefully the US can get a consistent formation going forward so they can settle the position. But I just think if he was a bit more selective in his runs, he could be very effective. I agree that he can't be expected to do it all but his value as a RB is a lot more than as a MF, assuming we can start to get possession.

Agreed 100%. He has a rather unique skill, hopefully they can figure out how to maximize it.

Perhaps a small tweak. Cherundolo did not have 1/10th Yedlins raw speed but he always served nice crosses but he did it early (like say from 30 yards out) which kept in a position to get back. If Yedlin can mix in early crosses with the hunger to get deep, that should help.

Evans is always covering for him in Seattle so he has almost unlimited chances to go forward.

This kid was not even a professional yet 18 months ago. His growth curve should excite everyone a bit.

Every player needs to mix up there attack, but isn't his biggest strength getting deep? Don't we want to play that more than limit it?

 

[flapgreen]

Sieg Heil!

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

If everything breaks right from a development/citizenship stand point, we could have a much more dynamic/technically skilled squad 4 years from now. Its just way too early to tell how far along the Junior Flores' of the world are going to be by then. (although he'll be 22 at that point. It will be pretty much put up or shut up time if he's going to be an elite player)

In 2018, we could boast an attacking core of Green, Fagundez, Flores, Nagbe, Johanson, Agudelo and Altidore (not to mention a guy like Bradley in the center of the midfield). Compare that to where we were just 5 years ago (when Connor Casey was starting world cup qualifiers).

That is a nice group of players you listed. The best thing about Nagbe will be that Bradley can move back to a deeper role in front of the center backs which should work out nicely.I hope Gedion Zelalem was watching Julian Green today. He could be Julian in 2018.

He'll be 21 in 2018 so if he commits to the U.S. and is as good as hyped he could be pushing for a regular spot by then.

I'm definitely going to have follow the team a little closer this cycle and learn more about some of our next generation.

Same here. I have followed since the 90s, but this is the most familiar and interested I have ever been. I'm in for the long haul now.

We track players like crazy in the soccer thread.

You guys will probably like watching the U17 and U20 WC's too during the cycle. The most recent U20 WC was the first time most people saw the potential in Yedlin.

 

[flapgreen]

To the football is dangerous and could result in less kids playing it idea, even if it dips 5% in enrollment and soccer can pick up part of that, it's a considerable increase in the chance of getting a Barry Sanders or Reggie Bush type of athlete to become an American soccer player.

Huge reach

 

[The Gator]

You guys will probably like watching the U17 and U20 WC's too during the cycle.

Great point, they're a blast. That's where I first got me man crushes on Isco and Verratti

 

[NewlyRetired]

I think the main thing to take out of today were how great Yedlin and Greene looked today and Besler throughout. Couple that with the potential of Brooks and I feel like if don't go a round further in 2018 we have a right to be disappointed.

I thought Yedlin was really exciting. He looked like our most dangerous player with the way he was able to handle 1:1 situations, use space and threaten outside the box. He had a hell of a tackle as well. He shined today.

He had a very good game but he does have to work on his defense. I haven't seen him enough in the MLS but he was caught up quite a bit. I guess he could switch to a MF role but that makes him a bit less valuable but either way, he seemed to be without a position for the Nats.

See my post on this topic. I don't think this is on Yedlin as much as the tactics. A player can't be expected to get to the baseline to cross a ball and get back on defense constantly. It is a recipe for disaster, unless you are the dominant team holding possession.Yedlin at RB should work in qualifying but if they want him as a rb to be the main supplier of crosses, they have to provide cover for him when he gets so deep.

Fair enough. Well hopefully the US can get a consistent formation going forward so they can settle the position. But I just think if he was a bit more selective in his runs, he could be very effective. I agree that he can't be expected to do it all but his value as a RB is a lot more than as a MF, assuming we can start to get possession.

Agreed 100%. He has a rather unique skill, hopefully they can figure out how to maximize it.

Perhaps a small tweak. Cherundolo did not have 1/10th Yedlins raw speed but he always served nice crosses but he did it early (like say from 30 yards out) which kept in a position to get back. If Yedlin can mix in early crosses with the hunger to get deep, that should help.

Evans is always covering for him in Seattle so he has almost unlimited chances to go forward.

This kid was not even a professional yet 18 months ago. His growth curve should excite everyone a bit.

Every player needs to mix up there attack, but isn't his biggest strength getting deep? Don't we want to play that more than limit it?

If they can figure out cover for him, most certainly. Every time he got deep, something positive came of it. The only cross he did not get off he still won a corner.

 

[Ilov80s]

To the football is dangerous and could result in less kids playing it idea, even if it dips 5% in enrollment and soccer can pick up part of that, it's a considerable increase in the chance of getting a Barry Sanders or Reggie Bush type of athlete to become an American soccer player.

Huge reach

Probably.

 

[sporthenry]

I think focusing on training and practicing 4-5 times a week might be a pretty good start for the system.

IMO, it would be the biggest.

If done correctly, kids would get 30,000-40,000 touches between games. If I had to guess now, I'd say the average practice around here has the kid getting less than 1,000 per week and then three games on the weekend.

Yeah, I mean I'm blind to the youth game b/c I've been out for too long but don't have kids so I have no idea what goes on anymore. I've just read about the academies and they seem to know what they are doing with the training/game breakdowns. But those are only for U13 and up and I guess from reading one of the articles, these clubs often skirt the rules of no outside games. But I imagine that eventually this will trickle down to the U8 and U10 games. But it seems like more and more people are catching on to this so it is only a matter of time.

Sorry but can't keep up with the posts. We aim for 2000 touches per session, 1000 just in warmups. Problem is its hard to get parents to commit to more than 2-3 sessions per week. When I played it was monday - friday 1.5 hours a day. I get dirty looks when I suggest even 1 extra session. Even football around here has cut to 3 days a week at the youth level.

Yeah, I don't know what the distance is for your team but I imagine that is the problem with the US geography. I know kids used to do 60-90 minutes for practice. So anymore than 3 night a week became near impossible. But if games are cut, weekend practices can probably be longer. But even beyond that, a lot of development has to happen outside of practice/team settings. You go to South America and all their basketball courts have soccer nets as well and good luck trying to play basketball. Again, its a bit easier to get a game going in a city especially without access to Play Station but as more and more kids start to fall in love with soccer, it can only be good.

 

[DiStefano]

So what horse do we pull for from here? Columbia?

Might as well. Particularly when they play Princeton.

 

[Premier]

Any chance the Copa begins to invite 6 CONCACAF teams going forward after 2016? Seems like if the US/Mexico were involved it would add a lot of financial value to the tourney.

It would just be great to have a Euro-level tourney to look forward to every other year. I think one of the things the US team lacks is the constant playing in these level of games. These European teams are constantly beating each other over the head with WC and Euro qualifying and the Euro tourney. We need more matches of that caliber IMO.

 

[msommer]

Thought Donovan nailed it. We need some players who are elite even in the context of the World Cup to go further than we have at this point.

Belgium ran us off the field for the most part, and their ability to string long passing movements together under pressure was the difference in quality between the two sides.

How do we get those elite players though?

J

Coaching at the youth level, right now it's a disaster. We can get physically superior players, but we lack all the technical ability.Kids are being coached by dad who only did it because the league didn't have enough coaches.

This.

If Messi was American, he would have never made it to the USMNT in the current setup.

Exactly, that's why i don't buy the "best athletes" angle. Jozy is physically a better athlete than Messi and we know where that goes from here...

Messi went to Spain at the age of 11 or 12. How many American parents would let young Brandon or Jackson turn pro overseas at such a young age?

Messi is a unique story b/c of his growth issues. The real question is whether they'd let their kids go to a Sounders or DC United academy where they live and train every day.

Lots of kids get signed when they are 15 and go through soccer school in a large club from then on. In Denmark four or five European powerhouses have training camps each year for kids down to 10. I guess they run those all over Europe. Talent scouting is what it is.

 

[msommer]

Any chance the Copa begins to invite 6 CONCACAF teams going forward after 2016? Seems like if the US/Mexico were involved it would add a lot of financial value to the tourney.

It would just be great to have a Euro-level tourney to look forward to every other year. I think one of the things the US team lacks is the constant playing in these level of games. These European teams are constantly beating each other over the head with WC and Euro qualifying and the Euro tourney. We need more matches of that caliber IMO.

Four teams qualify directly from South America IIRC. Can't see CONCACAF getting more teams than them

 

[Spartans Rule]

Yeah, we've been needing that #10 for forever. Granted he hasn't really played in 2 years but I think Holden was really missing and could have fit that attacking role with the final ball. The problem is that we're kinda at that point where we don't have enough possession so we have to go with 2 holding center mids but the best way forward possession wise is to probably get away from the 2 holding mids. But eventually, some of these prospects have to pan out.

I don't think two holding mids is bad if one of them is more from the Xabi Alonso/Mikel Arteta mold. Of course we really don't have a player like that at all that I'm aware of.

 

[Proust Loves Cake]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

 

[Eephus]

Yeah, we've been needing that #10 for forever. Granted he hasn't really played in 2 years but I think Holden was really missing and could have fit that attacking role with the final ball. The problem is that we're kinda at that point where we don't have enough possession so we have to go with 2 holding center mids but the best way forward possession wise is to probably get away from the 2 holding mids. But eventually, some of these prospects have to pan out.

I don't think two holding mids is bad if one of them is more from the Xabi Alonso/Mikel Arteta mold. Of course we really don't have a player like that at all that I'm aware of.

A lot of countries don't

 

[Premier]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

 

[Eephus]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

You registered just to post this

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Some good stuff being sent Howard's way right now.

 

[Stinger Ray]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

You're smarter than this.....the poster has two posts and you took the bait in a big way.

 

[The Gator]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

First rule of soccer threads...don't trust a poster who's avatar isn't shirtless

 

[Slapdash]

Some good stuff being sent Howard's way right now.

Most WC saves in almost 50 years? Yeah, we're not going to miss that.

 

[Stinger Ray]

Some good stuff being sent Howard's way right now.

He was incredible and a total class act.

 

[Eephus]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

You're smarter than this.....the poster has two posts and you took the bait in a big way.

Oi! Millwall backs down from nobody

 

[Premier]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

You're smarter than this.....the poster has two posts and you took the bait in a big way.

How would I know how many posts he has?On mobile, doesn't tell me.

 

[Premier]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

You're smarter than this.....the poster has two posts and you took the bait in a big way.

Oi! Millwall backs down from nobody

I had forgotten that name, gotta write it down

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Some good stuff being sent Howard's way right now.

Most WC saves in almost 50 years? Yeah, we're not going to miss that.

Most saves since 1966 -- but apparently they didn't record them before that.

 

[Spartans Rule]

Some good stuff being sent Howard's way right now.

Most WC saves in almost 50 years? Yeah, we're not going to miss that.

Most saves since 1966 -- but apparently they didn't record them before that.

That was way back before notepads and tally marks were invented.

 

[Ilov80s]

It was a good run, soccer. Back to not caring for the next four years.

There's the door.

You're smarter than this.....the poster has two posts and you took the bait in a big way.

How would I know how many posts he has?On mobile, doesn't tell me.

He had 1 too many .

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Just when the Americans seemed depleted, they rallied with renewed vitality. They displayed unyielding grit and doggedness and resilience.

I hope that in my lifetime, or maybe my kids' lifetime, the US is a true soccer power -- able to play like Belgium did today -- and that it has players like James of Colombia.

But if it never happens, I'll still be damn proud of how our team is currently known as well. To fight to the death and go out on your shield is all you can ask for.

 

[Politician Spock]

Is soccer back to sucking for another 47 months?

"Hey look at me, I am both arrogant and ignorant!"Do people even take a second to think before they post on how moronic, idiotic, ignorant, unintelligent, and just plain stupid they sound?

Not sure. I'm guessing you didn't think too much about calling him "moronic, idiotic, ignorant, unintelligent". Don't do that.

J

No, I thought long and hard about and I stand by it.If you think walking into a thread and trolling like that has even a shred of common decency or intelligence behind it I have to say I am 1000% in disagreement with you.

There is no place for that crap.

Honestly it's not trolling when his position has been correct time and time again. We've heard the same mantra from the likes of you for years. We've also heard you attack and name call those that disagree with you. Maybe you'll be right this time.

I'll save the you and the rest of the gang the embarrassment of calling me a troll or soccer hater. I've watched more soccer live in the last year than most anyone in this thread who isn't a ref. I've watched college, ODP, academy, state cup, regional levels, recruiting camps. My personal opinion is that the depth is good, but the best athletes are still playing football and basketball.

His position is that soccer sucks other than the World Cup. He isn't saying Americans won't watch, he's saying the entire sport sucks. How has that been proven correct?

I thought he was saying going back to sucking as back to obscurity. I didn't take it as saying the sport itself sucked. I haven't been in here much so it could be the other.

He is one of the biggest trolls on the sport. He seeks out any soccer thread he can find to make sure he lets everyone know what he thinks of the sport. It is really sad in a way but today was borderline disgusting.

In either case however, he is wrong, demonstrably so imo.

I seek out any soccer thread? Really?!?! Seriously?!?!?

I have not posted once EVER in the "official" soccer thread. And the post you personally attacked me for was my FIRST post in this thread.

Yes, I don't like soccer. But it's you that are at a football website. I wouldn't go to a soccer website and act like you do towards people who don't like football. There's likely going to be people there that don't like football.

 

[Eephus]

Just when the Americans seemed depleted, they rallied with renewed vitality. They displayed unyielding grit and doggedness and resilience.

I hope that in my lifetime, or maybe my kids' lifetime, the US is a true soccer power -- able to play like Belgium did today -- and that it has players like James of Colombia.

An overemphasis on last names is a major problem in US soccer at all levels.

 

[NewlyRetired]

Just when the Americans seemed depleted, they rallied with renewed vitality. They displayed unyielding grit and doggedness and resilience.

I hope that in my lifetime, or maybe my kids' lifetime, the US is a true soccer power -- able to play like Belgium did today -- and that it has players like James of Colombia.

But if it never happens, I'll still be damn proud of how our team is currently known as well. To fight to the death and go out on your shield is all you can ask for.

You are younger than I am so you may get to see it.

It is such a slow process though and we are not the only country trying to improve. Even if we improve slightly faster than the rest it will still take a long time.

I still think I will see a semi final though in my days. Even if it is not with a class team. If South Korea, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Turkey can make the semi's in a one off there is no reason we should not.

 

[TLEF316]

Just when the Americans seemed depleted, they rallied with renewed vitality. They displayed unyielding grit and doggedness and resilience.

I hope that in my lifetime, or maybe my kids' lifetime, the US is a true soccer power -- able to play like Belgium did today -- and that it has players like James of Colombia.

But if it never happens, I'll still be damn proud of how our team is currently known as well. To fight to the death and go out on your shield is all you can ask for.

You are younger than I am so you may get to see it.

It is such a slow process though and we are not the only country trying to improve. Even if we improve slightly faster than the rest it will still take a long time.

I still think I will see a semi final though in my days. Even if it is not with a class team. If South Korea, Sweden, Bulgaria, and Turkey can make the semi's in a one off there is no reason we should not.

Zlatan scoffs in your general direction

 

[NewlyRetired]

Any chance the Copa begins to invite 6 CONCACAF teams going forward after 2016? Seems like if the US/Mexico were involved it would add a lot of financial value to the tourney.

It would just be great to have a Euro-level tourney to look forward to every other year. I think one of the things the US team lacks is the constant playing in these level of games. These European teams are constantly beating each other over the head with WC and Euro qualifying and the Euro tourney. We need more matches of that caliber IMO.

Four teams qualify directly from South America IIRC. Can't see CONCACAF getting more teams than them

He is not talking about the WC Qualifying. He is referring to the Copa America which is separate from qualifying.

The Copa America is the South American regional tournament.

In 2016 it is going to be the 100th anniversary of the tournament.

As a special one off deal, the 10 South American teams will combine with the best 6 CONCACAF teams together for a tournament to be hosted by the US. It is going to be massive in popularity on TV (sold out stadiums are a given even with the expected huge ticket prices).

.