***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (6 Viewers)

[walnutz]

The skill set that Donovan possesses centers around speed and creativity. Most players either have that creativity or they don't and speed obviously doesn't improve as you age. But the idea that because Landon was so great at 16 that others should reach that peak is silly. Landon bloomed early and that's cool. But there are many, many more cases of players becoming dominant in their mid to late 20s, a point that the vast majority of our talent simply hasn't reached. I'm not trying to downplay LD's role over the last 10 years at all. I'm just trying to express that few world class players were world class at 16 or 19 or 21. And the idea that none of our guys are in that group does not mean none of them will ever achieve it.

you are misconstruing what many of us are saying.None of us are claiming any of the players we have been talking about peaked at 18 or were any where near their best. Landon himself is a better player today than he was 3 years ago IMO.

What we are saying is that there is no stand out player in the system right now. Not that the player has peaked, but that he is a recognized player who COULD some day become a top national team player.

I think one could easily argue that Ramos, Reyna and Donovan were all considered the stand out player of their generation, and all 3 made for top level (US speaking) national team players. I could even argue that these 3 were perhaps the best of the best in US history.

Freddy was to be the next player in that group, at least it looked that was 4-5 years ago. Now it has become clear that he won't be, nor is there any new player who almost anyone can look at and say "damn, he has a chance to be a great US national team player"

Sure, someone could come out of no where and shock us, but in following the US team in depth since 1989, those players are few and far between.

I am not completely ready to write Freddy off yet. For South Africa yes. I do not think he has any place in the roster right now. He is still young and provided he gets on a team where he can play regularly and truly applies himself he very well could reassert himself. He is still young. What is he maybe 21 now? I am not sure and am too lazy to look it up. I do believe he has field vision and creativity. However, he lacks the practical experience gained by playing every day to apply that vision and creativity. I am not saying Freddy will never be a star for the US.

 

[guru_007]

oooof United back is an absolute mess without Vidic and Rio. Great strike by Burnley though.

 

[Kendall]

Torres!!!!!!!!

 

[guru_007]

wow, wtf is with United not having ANYONE that can take a pk. Michael Carrick? Come on, what about Rooney there or Owen.

 

[TLEF316]

is the united game on tV? if so, what channel?

 

[guru_007]

I'm streaming it online. Kind of hard to find, first it was on justin tv, and then removed for copyright infrigement. Live footy is bogging down very badly.

 

[Kendall]

I'm really starting to like this Glen Johnson fellow. Liverpool 2 - Stoke 0 at half.

 

[prefontaine]

you are misconstruing what many of us are saying.

None of us are claiming any of the players we have been talking about peaked at 18 or were any where near their best. Landon himself is a better player today than he was 3 years ago IMO.

Landon is better than he was 3 years ago. I agree with this statement but not by much to be honest. He has a better work rate and he appears more professional. But it isn't like he has had exponential growth like others.

What we are saying is that there is no stand out player in the system right now. Not that the player has peaked, but that he is a recognized player who COULD some day become a top national team player.

I think one could easily argue that Ramos, Reyna and Donovan were all considered the stand out player of their generation, and all 3 made for top level (US speaking) national team players. I could even argue that these 3 were perhaps the best of the best in US history.

I think you may be misremembering things. Guys like Fehleiber, Bradley, Davies, Edu, Altidore, and Spector are all on a higher career trajectories than either Reyna or Ramos at the same age. Ramos never broke out of the second division in Spain where he first landed at age 26 and injuries ended up limiting him, particularly at a club level. Reyna was 26 before he even became a regular for Rangers and 28 before he went to the EPL. Both had obvious potential but neither was considered great at 22. If any of the aforementioned players develops like Ramos or Reyna, they will be the better than Donovan. Some I think are probably peaked already (Davies for instance) but some clearly have not (Altidore, Benny, Bradley).

Freddy was to be the next player in that group, at least it looked that was 4-5 years ago. Now it has become clear that he won't be, nor is there any new player who almost anyone can look at and say "damn, he has a chance to be a great US national team player"

Sure, someone could come out of no where and shock us, but in following the US team in depth since 1989, those players are few and far between.

I think you are dead wrong on this. I think there are multiple players under 24 who have a shot to be the greatest US national team player we've ever had...far better than Donovan. I'm not saying they will definitely reach that potential, but the talent is definitely there.

 

[Desert_Power]

City travels to Barcelona today for a preseason friendly. Should be interesting to see how the new City can stack up.

The new City needs to realize this is an exhibition match and stop fouling so damn much.

 

[The Z Machine]

If anyone was thinking that Agüero was going anywhere this year, that hope is dead.

My Atleti pulled out a nice away win at Panathinaikos 3-2. It will be really tough for Pana to win by 2 in Madrid. But the rojiblanco defense IS porous, so we'll see.

Unfortunately the game wasn't on FSC so i didn't get a chance to see it on TV, but apparently the big three attacking players all scored (Kun, Forlán, and Maxi). That bodes well for them gelling together as an offensive unit. While they aren't on the Messi-Iniesta-Xavi-Henry level, they are pretty formidable, and none of the other teams besides Real and Barça can match those three in terms of offensive talent.

Here's to another CL run for Atlético de Madrid!

 

[bentley]

Nice game by ManU today against Burnley.

 

[kupcho1]

Nice game by ManU today against Burnley.

Burnley, Birmingham, Wolves ...crazy week

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Galaxy continue their strong play, handling Chicago on the road, 2-0. Donovan was back from the flu and had the second goal, playing all 90 minutes. Beckham and Lewis were suspended for the match as well. They're in a dogfight for the playoffs, but they've been playing well for a good 6 weeks now.

 

[andy_b]

I think you may be misremembering things. Guys like Fehleiber, Bradley, Davies, Edu, Altidore, and Spector are all on a higher career trajectories than either Reyna or Ramos at the same age. Ramos never broke out of the second division in Spain where he first landed at age 26 and injuries ended up limiting him, particularly at a club level. Reyna was 26 before he even became a regular for Rangers and 28 before he went to the EPL. Both had obvious potential but neither was considered great at 22.

Reyna was captaining a Bundesliga side at 24 years old which was a couple of years before he moved to Scotland.As a side question, has any other US player donned the captains arm band for almost a full season in a top league over seas since?

I think you are dead wrong on this. I think there are multiple players under 24 who have a shot to be the greatest US national team player we've ever had...far better than Donovan. I'm not saying they will definitely reach that potential, but the talent is definitely there.

Multiple???Far better than arguably the best US field player ever??

Holy smokes. Well, no need to argue about this since its obvious that we are not even in the same galaxy on this topic.

What do others think? Are there several under 24 years old US players who have a chance to be far better than Donovan? And can you name them because I have obviously been underestimating them when watching the youth teams play and various MLS teams. Perhaps there are some overseas players of that age I am unaware of and have not yet caught the attention of the US youth national sides.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

If anyone was thinking that Agüero was going anywhere this year, that hope is dead. My Atleti pulled out a nice away win at Panathinaikos 3-2. It will be really tough for Pana to win by 2 in Madrid. But the rojiblanco defense IS porous, so we'll see.Unfortunately the game wasn't on FSC so i didn't get a chance to see it on TV, but apparently the big three attacking players all scored (Kun, Forlán, and Maxi). That bodes well for them gelling together as an offensive unit. While they aren't on the Messi-Iniesta-Xavi-Henry level, they are pretty formidable, and none of the other teams besides Real and Barça can match those three in terms of offensive talent.Here's to another CL run for Atlético de Madrid!

Caught the replay of that one yesterday after work. Very entertaining match. I particularly enjoyed the shot of Madrid fans after the 2nd goal. One guy flipped "the bird" towards the Panathinaikos fans, and they quickly cut back to the players on the field.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Reyna was captaining a Bundesliga side at 24 years old which was a couple of years before he moved to Scotland.As a side question, has any other US player donned the captains arm band for almost a full season in a top league over seas since?

Steve Cherundolo at Hannover 96?ETA - I coulda sworn he was the captain for a season or two, but all I can find are current articles where he's the vice-captain.

 

[Sammy3469]

so with Fulham now getting Greening on loan/transfer and the previous signing of Duff, where does that leave Dempsey. I assume Hodgson's looking to play Greening on the LW and Duff on the RW with Murphy as the DM. (Am I wrong on any of that?) Does that means Dempsey is going to get slotted at the top of diamond or a withdrawn forward?

I know they have a lot more efixtures this year, but their MF is starting to get crowded.

 

[prefontaine]

Multiple???

Far better than arguably the best US field player ever??

Holy smokes. Well, no need to argue about this since its obvious that we are not even in the same galaxy on this topic.

What do others think? Are there several under 24 years old US players who have a chance to be far better than Donovan? And can you name them because I have obviously been underestimating them when watching the youth teams play and various MLS teams. Perhaps there are some overseas players of that age I am unaware of and have not yet caught the attention of the US youth national sides.

Not really interested in arguing it anyway. Let's just say this, if we had a 22 year old Reyna and a 22 year old Ramos on the squad right now, you would still be bemoaning the fact that we have no future Reyna's or Ramos's or Donovan's coming along. Because, in an era with a far less talented NT than now, both get their first NT cap at age 22. Sort of like Stuart Holden. Or Jose Torres. Or Johnathon Spector. Or Charlie Davies. Or Benny Feilhaber. Or Maurice Edu. Or Robbie Rogers. Or...I'm sure you get the point by now. A guy that every one constantly bags on, Michael Bradley, has done far, far more in his career, both club and country, at the age of 21 than 2 of 3 of our greatest players ever. We are not devoid of future talent. At all. And the comment that we don't have another Donovan who is awesome at 19 is just pointless.

 

[Native]

Clint Dempsey scores from 30 yards out as Fulham beat Amkar Perm 4-2 in EUFA qualifying.

No video yet - sorry.

 

[Moe.]

Dempsey's goal. Not the best view, apparently he had an awesome game.

 

[bentley]

Got my sweet ### $30 direct-from-the-sweatshop authentic Gerrard shirt in the mail today. I'm very pleased with it.

 

[The Z Machine]

Got my sweet ### $30 direct-from-the-sweatshop authentic Gerrard shirt in the mail today. I'm very pleased with it.

Where'd you order it from?

 

[bentley]

Got my sweet ### $30 direct-from-the-sweatshop authentic Gerrard shirt in the mail today. I'm very pleased with it.

Where'd you order it from?

This website. Came complete with tags and everything. I read about it on another board that I frequent. Looks like folks have had a pretty good experience. Here's a link to that thread.

 

[andy_b]

Multiple???

Far better than arguably the best US field player ever??

Holy smokes. Well, no need to argue about this since its obvious that we are not even in the same galaxy on this topic.

What do others think? Are there several under 24 years old US players who have a chance to be far better than Donovan? And can you name them because I have obviously been underestimating them when watching the youth teams play and various MLS teams. Perhaps there are some overseas players of that age I am unaware of and have not yet caught the attention of the US youth national sides.

Not really interested in arguing it anyway. Let's just say this, if we had a 22 year old Reyna and a 22 year old Ramos on the squad right now, you would still be bemoaning the fact that we have no future Reyna's or Ramos's or Donovan's coming along. Because, in an era with a far less talented NT than now, both get their first NT cap at age 22. Sort of like Stuart Holden. Or Jose Torres. Or Johnathon Spector. Or Charlie Davies. Or Benny Feilhaber. Or Maurice Edu. Or Robbie Rogers. Or...I'm sure you get the point by now.

I guess I struggle with this notion of us having so much talent and yet our results at the youth level are worse than they were during Donovan's class. If our wealth of talent is so good, why are the results so poor?Also, I don't think you understand the difference between Europe in the 1990's and Europe today for Americans. It is night and day. It took players like Harkes and Reyna to batter down decades old issues with American players. Read some of their books and see what they went through in terms of incredible blockades that American players do not need to face today. Bradley in the early to mid 1990's would not even have received a sniff much less having the chance to play in Europe especially without his previous MLS experience.

Players of the quality of Ramos and Reyna both would have received their first cap WELL before a player like Robbie Rogers IMO. I think you completely forget (or simply did not follow the sport in depth at that time) that Reyna and Ramos both had to go through college. Today they would have been in the MLS at 16 or 17 (they were both the best players in the country at that age), and would have had pro seasoning instead wasting years in college like they had to back then.

 

[Bonzai]

Got my sweet ### $30 direct-from-the-sweatshop authentic Gerrard shirt in the mail today. I'm very pleased with it.

Where'd you order it from?

This website. Came complete with tags and everything. I read about it on another board that I frequent. Looks like folks have had a pretty good experience. Here's a link to that thread.

:(

 

[Native]

Rumor that Landon will be on loan to PSG in France after the MLS season ends in November.

This makes more sense rather than abandoning the MLS completely. Its a model more US players should follow. Lets hope he gets some PT there.

 

[Sebowski]

Rumor that Landon will be on loan to PSG in France after the MLS season ends in November. This makes more sense rather than abandoning the MLS completely. Its a model more US players should follow. Lets hope he gets some PT there.

I thought his Galaxy deal was up after the season. I'd much rather see a full time move for Donovan.

 

[TLEF316]

story on SI.com indicates that Edgar Castillo is openly campaigning for a shot at LB on the USMNT.

Surprised Bradley hasnt given him a shot at some point if this is the case. Gold cup would have been the perfect opportunity.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Got my sweet ### $30 direct-from-the-sweatshop authentic Gerrard shirt in the mail today. I'm very pleased with it.

Where'd you order it from?

This website. Came complete with tags and everything. I read about it on another board that I frequent. Looks like folks have had a pretty good experience. Here's a link to that thread.

Your avatar over there > your avatar hereTake some pics and post them when you get a chance...I'd like to take a look. Some of the jerseys those guys posted looked great, but that Babel one with the ironed on patch on the front is kinda bad-looking.

I have 2 blank jerseys - Portugal and Italy Euro '08 jerseys - and 2 lettered ones - Walcott ~06 Arsenal and Totti 2004 Euro Cup Italy - and they all ran me about $100 American.

 

[The Z Machine]

Thanks for the link bentely, However, I can tell the home Atlético shirt is a knock-off pretty easily. Atlético usually wears a red stripe in the center of the shirt (the last few years anyway). The number of stripes has varied over the years (although traditionally it's 9 across the front). The away black jersey is more closer to the real deal it appears. I may buy one of these.

 

[Native]

Nice interview with Gooch by the New York Times on the eve of the new Serie A season.

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/q...-oguchi-onyewu/

 

[bentley]

Thanks for the link bentely, However, I can tell the home Atlético shirt is a knock-off pretty easily. Atlético usually wears a red stripe in the center of the shirt (the last few years anyway). The number of stripes has varied over the years (although traditionally it's 9 across the front). The away black jersey is more closer to the real deal it appears. I may buy one of these.

The 08-09 one is for sale on the website. The "no center stripe" look matches the 08-09 kit I found at the following sites:

fanfootball.co.uk

Switch image project

Football shirt culture

 

[The Z Machine]

Ah. You're right bent. That's the year they went away from the red stripe in the center. I remember it was a big deal that they brought the red stripe back to the center since that's the traditional look. My bad.

 

[bentley]

Ah. You're right bent. That's the year they went away from the red stripe in the center. I remember it was a big deal that they brought the red stripe back to the center since that's the traditional look. My bad.

No problem at all. You're right to be skeptical. I was lucky to find that a lot of people had great experience with the Liverpool shirts (and they come with tags and everything) but that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone's will be equally good. The original source for the site was a Liverpool fan board where people are buying all gray market stuff to protest Hicks/Gillette ownership.

 

[Sebowski]

Thanks for the link bentely, However, I can tell the home Atlético shirt is a knock-off pretty easily. Atlético usually wears a red stripe in the center of the shirt (the last few years anyway). The number of stripes has varied over the years (although traditionally it's 9 across the front). The away black jersey is more closer to the real deal it appears. I may buy one of these.

The 08-09 one is for sale on the website. The "no center stripe" look matches the 08-09 kit I found at the following sites:

fanfootball.co.uk

Switch image project

Football shirt culture

What kind of material are these? When I am in South America I get jerseys for about $5 (3 USA, 1 Bolivia, 1 Tarija, 2 Barca (1 Messi), and got my freinds Ireland, Juevntus, , but the material doesn't breathe at all. Hard to wash too. I know these will probably be better, but how much better? I am going back to Bolivia in Febuary and would like to know what to look for. I know the guy I bought my $5 jerseys from also had $10 versions of some. I need an Arsenal jersey.

 

[Sebowski]

Nice interview with Gooch by the New York Times on the eve of the new Serie A season.

http://goal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/q...-oguchi-onyewu/

Q.

Who are the individuals you’ve been able to connect with most?

A.

Pretty much all of them. To be honest: everybody. I don’t speak Italian, obviously, yet. But Clarence Seedorf, he speaks English, I can speak with him. Mathieu Flamini, he speaks French, I can speak with him. The captain, he speaks English, Ambrosini. He’s always talking to me. Gattuso is a great guy; he’s always saying things. Ronaldinho, making jokes, he speaks French as well, he played at PSG.

Literally everybody, I don’t know if they do it on purpose or it is just their character, but they’ve made me feel welcome. I don’t feel any bit of an outsider.

Crazy how many languages are spoken between soccer players. I love it. It is great that Gooch says he doesn't speak Italian "yet".

 

[The Z Machine]

Thanks for the link bentely, However, I can tell the home Atlético shirt is a knock-off pretty easily. Atlético usually wears a red stripe in the center of the shirt (the last few years anyway). The number of stripes has varied over the years (although traditionally it's 9 across the front). The away black jersey is more closer to the real deal it appears. I may buy one of these.

The 08-09 one is for sale on the website. The "no center stripe" look matches the 08-09 kit I found at the following sites:

fanfootball.co.uk

Switch image project

Football shirt culture

What kind of material are these? When I am in South America I get jerseys for about $5 (3 USA, 1 Bolivia, 1 Tarija, 2 Barca (1 Messi), and got my freinds Ireland, Juevntus, , but the material doesn't breathe at all. Hard to wash too. I know these will probably be better, but how much better? I am going back to Bolivia in Febuary and would like to know what to look for. I know the guy I bought my $5 jerseys from also had $10 versions of some. I need an Arsenal jersey.

Those are the really cheap quality knock-offs. I bought one or two in Europe of those during the WC2002 run. They were terrible.These look like much higher quality. My fiancee bought me a nice quality knock-off Mexico jersey last year. It feels "almost" like the real material. Not quite as luxurious, but plenty breathable.

Also has anyone noticed that the Nike jerseys have really tight necks? It's so hard to get your head through. Both my Venezuela and Mexico jerseys are like this.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.

I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.

I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

 

[newbvick]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

GL on your coaching debut

 

[Christo]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.

I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.

I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

For those of us not familiar with youth soccer in the US, what's a "travel team?" From the name, it seems a little overboard to have 9 year olds travelling to play soocer.

 

[Kendall]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

Good luck. Be less focused on winning and losing and more on making the players better. That's about all I have to offer.

 

[andy_b]

For those of us not familiar with youth soccer in the US, what's a "travel team?" From the name, it seems a little overboard to have 9 year olds travelling to play soocer.

In general there have been two types of youth soccer teams, town teams and travel teams.Town teams only play teams from the same town. These tend to be all inclusive, anyone can play type of teamsTravel teams will play teams from other towns. These tend to be more select teams and can also play in tournaments in other states.Kind of simplistic explanation but that is the best way to communicate it.

 

[JaxBill]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.

I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.

I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

For those of us not familiar with youth soccer in the US, what's a "travel team?" From the name, it seems a little overboard to have 9 year olds travelling to play soocer.

I guess it varies according to region of the country but our soccer organization has two areas - rec and travel. The rec team still travels in the immediate area and plays teams from other soccer orgs. The farthest our rec team travelled last year was about a little over an hour. They have league play for the area. You can sign your kid up for fall rec or spring rec. The travel teams sign up for the year both fall and spring. They also have league play for the area. In addition to league play, the travel teams will generally play a couple of out of town overnight tournaments in the fall and and a couple in the spring.My son just made the jump from rec ball to U13 travel (B team). In the fall his 2 tourneys are Labor Day Shootout here in town and probably the Adidas tourney in Tampa in October. The spring is going to be nuts with a Savannah tourney, the Florida region cup and another unnamed tourney.

Some travel teams (not many) don't do league play and instead only play friendlies and play more travel tourneys.

U9 does seem a little young for the overnight tourneys but remember by that age, the baseball (t-ball) all-stars are doing the same thing.

 

[JaxBill]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

Good luck. Be less focused on winning and losing and more on making the players better. That's about all I have to offer.

I'd just like to add that at that age try to make sure the kids play different positions. Don't let them pigeonhole themselves only as a striker/halfback/etc. And have like 3 kids who can play goal and rotate. Parents like to see their kids burn energy and swapping at half not only lets the kid play a different position but also puts fresh legs out on the field.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.

I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.

I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

For those of us not familiar with youth soccer in the US, what's a "travel team?" From the name, it seems a little overboard to have 9 year olds travelling to play soocer.

"Travel", in the way that I'm using it, means a local-area club team.When I was younger, there were a couple of tiers of teams to play for.

1. "House" = lowest level or recreational. I'm from a town of 20,000 and we had a House league. Basically they'd split up all the kids who've signed up to play U10 (under-10, but I'm sure you figured that out) into like 8 teams. All games played at the same park on Saturday mornings, everyone from the same town. Our leagues were co-ed and started at 6 years old (U6), I'm not sure about others. Like Andy said, anyone can play on these teams. In Buffalo, these are summer teams only....you assemble a team, play like 10 games in the summer, and that's it. I used to ref this level at U10 and U12.

2. "Travel" = close regional travel. You try out against kids from your town, and the best kids make the team. So instead of 8 or 10 U9 teams from the same town playing, you've got the 1 best team from that town playing the teams from other towns. In my case, I played for this club (the one I'll be coaching) from U9-U19. It encompasses like three counties, the farthest away the team will travel is like an hour, hour and a half max. If your town is more centrally located, obviously it will be closer to most teams, but there are always fringe teams far away. Many of these players go on to play high school soccer, etc. ETA - these teams are typically year-round and play indoor seasons (it gets cold here...) as well as outdoors. Starts at U9 in the Buffalo area.

3. "Premier" and "ODP" are the next level. I used to play on Buffalo Premier, basically it's the top kids at every age group. This is the team that travels across the state, plays in regional (and occasionally national) tournaments, international travel, etc. Usually paid coaches who've coached/played in D-1 college. ODP is at a similar level (and we had many players who used to play both Premier and ODP at the same time), just a different "league", if you will.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.

I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.

I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

For those of us not familiar with youth soccer in the US, what's a "travel team?" From the name, it seems a little overboard to have 9 year olds travelling to play soocer.

I guess it varies according to region of the country but our soccer organization has two areas - rec and travel. The rec team still travels in the immediate area and plays teams from other soccer orgs. The farthest our rec team travelled last year was about a little over an hour. They have league play for the area. You can sign your kid up for fall rec or spring rec. The travel teams sign up for the year both fall and spring. They also have league play for the area. In addition to league play, the travel teams will generally play a couple of out of town overnight tournaments in the fall and and a couple in the spring.My son just made the jump from rec ball to U13 travel (B team). In the fall his 2 tourneys are Labor Day Shootout here in town and probably the Adidas tourney in Tampa in October. The spring is going to be nuts with a Savannah tourney, the Florida region cup and another unnamed tourney.

Some travel teams (not many) don't do league play and instead only play friendlies and play more travel tourneys.

U9 does seem a little young for the overnight tourneys but remember by that age, the baseball (t-ball) all-stars are doing the same thing.

When I say "travel", I mean what you're referring to as "rec"."Premier" is what you're describing with "travel"....our language is just a little different.

 

[Steve Tasker]

Good luck. Be less focused on winning and losing and more on making the players better. That's about all I have to offer.

I'd just like to add that at that age try to make sure the kids play different positions. Don't let them pigeonhole themselves only as a striker/halfback/etc. And have like 3 kids who can play goal and rotate. Parents like to see their kids burn energy and swapping at half not only lets the kid play a different position but also puts fresh legs out on the field.

I found that when I used to play, the kids pushed themselves to win more than the adults/coaches did.It's competitive to an extent, but it's nothing too serious. More like a pride thing.

 

[scoobygang]

My brother coaches his daughter's Under 10 travel team. He's a very occasional FFA poster, but I can see if he has any tips.

From what I've gathered, the parents take it pretty damn seriously now. A lot more seriously than anyone took it when my brother and I played.

 

[Pskov1420]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

With 8/9 year olds, I'd practice almost exclusively passing and close control and very little else followed by some 5-a-side games on quarter pitches to finish off sessions. Don't bother with tactics at that age because a) it is largely a waste of time with kids that young and b) it can be very detrimental if to the kids' development and enjoyment if you are overly worried about winning, which let's face it at that level means squat.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I'm not sure if anyone other than Acer coaches soccer, but I found out on Wednesday that I will be coaching a U9 travel team this season (fall-winter indoors, summer outdoors). Tryouts are actually tonight, so I get my first taste of coaching.I'm a little bit nervous cause I've never actually coached before, but I'll be working with a guy who's coached U9-U14 in the last 5 years. He's not really a "soccer guy" but a parent whose kid is on the team. More like a team manager than a coach. Apparently he and his wife just had a 5th kid, and he's looking for someone to take over a lot of the actual tactical training and gameplay aspects while he kinda does more of the team managing.I've #####ed for years in this thread about how the coaching at the youth levels in America is ####...when I played for this team, we just had random fathers who knew nothing about the game as our coaches for years. Maybe I can start to make a difference (albeit on a very small scale)

With 8/9 year olds, I'd practice almost exclusively passing and close control and very little else followed by some 5-a-side games on quarter pitches to finish off sessions. Don't bother with tactics at that age because a) it is largely a waste of time with kids that young and b) it can be very detrimental if to the kids' development and enjoyment if you are overly worried about winning, which let's face it at that level means squat.

When I said "tactical", I meant more of "how to pass" and "how to properly shoot" and not trying to install the flat-back 4 and triangle passing.