NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I love these predictions. They usually have the same 17 or so players and then try to predict the tough last 6 players.
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***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (3 Viewers)
- Thread starter jpeace121
- Start date
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
RFK and Foxboro both have had plenty of US games over the years. The Meadowlands has only had a small handful though. All games are going to be spread out more and more as so many of the new stadiums are asking for games.
The Z Machine
Footballguy
That's a good thing, although selfishly as I now live within an hour of RFK, I'd like to see some quality WCQ games there.
Yeah, I agree. They look so dominant in the attack as the cut through La Liga and Europe but they just cant do it in the Clasicos. Although part of this is due towards the change in tactics they employ, I think there is a lot of mental issues at play given how lopsided the rivalry has gotten recently (Barcelona has won 7 straight matches in the Bernabeu and only lost once altogether under Pep). This is probably why they lose composure so quickly when goals start going in for Barcelona. It has to be frustrating for those players who are used to winning.Despite all that, it is tough to see them stumbling enough in the league for Barcelona to overtake them.
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But the proof is in the pudding. The cynicism isn't working. They are still losing. And that's what makes it more pathetic.Do the other teams in La Liga do the same thing to RM & Barca? Play each other straight but then hack away against those two?
El Floppo
Footballguy
Totally agree with both of you.It was strange to see how many mental/skill mistakes RM players made yesterday- they looked like they couldn't trap the ball. Part of that is credit to Barca's incredible defensive pressure, but these RM guys are some of the best individual players in the world- had to be some mental demons gnashing away for them to keep popping the ball up and out on their first touches.And Slap- I know you commented earlier that Barca doesn't typically resort to the diving/histrionics- that's great to hear. I've seen them play a bit, but not week in and out. YEsterday, it was really just Busquets routinely going down and rolling around (shame, because I love how he plays otherwise- the lesser sung hero of that team, IMO). Sanchez went down a bit, but I can't blame forwards too much... and he was working his ### off. Actually, as I think about it- whoever plays up front for Barca has to kill themselves defensively for their defensive shape to work... and they all do. And they still find ways to work offensively to keep making the triangles with Messi and the MFs- just incredible the 10-man commitment to playing in that system and doing what they need to do across the field... and of course every guy is crazy-skillful. This team really is a once in a lifetime thing we're getting to watch.
El Floppo
Footballguy
Interesting... no Ream and no Gonzalez. And no Bunburry.And no Buddle.
I hope Boca can make it to Brazil... the back 4's shape dissolves without him.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
And no George John. Basically the writer predicts that our strongest depth position of center back will provide no new players to the WC2014 roster.Buddle will be 33 by 2014 which is pretty old for a WC striker.Interesting... no Ream and no Gonzalez. And no Bunburry.And no Buddle.
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I would say it is like Madrid's overly harsh tackling; way worse in the (recent) Clasicos than it is most weeks. The cycle of diving and hard fouling just intensifies with each perceived transgression. It is a shame because it is the most exposure non-Spanish fans get to the league. You may get an example or two from the worst offenders like Busquets and Pepe, but it won't be nearly as pervasive IMO. I'm continuously amazed at the ability of Barcelona to keep playing at this level. It helps a lot to have the right players and the pipeline from the youth teams is overflowing with talent. The real question to me is how much of an influence Pep really has on this, if these players would play with this commitment to the system and effort under another coach. I hope I don't have to find out, but he only will do 1 year contracts.
jonessed
Footballguy
They are still five points up on Barcelona. RM may have difficulty with the rivalry, but it doesn't really matter if Barcelona continues to drop points elsewhere. Barcelona isn't as deep as RM so while they may win these battles I think they will struggle to overcome RM and win the league.As long as RM can win trophies and leagues I see no reason why their brand would do anything other than rise. They are both fun to watch. And even if they weren't, in the end, winning can do a lot to smooth out any rough edges. Look at some of AC Milan's glory years.
Mostly teams seem to rely on the defend and counter-attack style against Barcelona at least. This can be successful if they commit enough people forward and keep attacking even when they are ahead. Very rarely do you see a team try to play straight and posses for large parts of the game but it can be successful for stretches. Usually a lot of intentional fouls near or in the box on both teams, but without the type of reckless hacking we saw yesterday. It seems Real scores a good portion of their goals on set pieces from tackles just outside the box
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
El Floppo
Footballguy
Buddle should be good to go at 33. He's perfect.'NewlyRetired said:And no George John. Basically the writer predicts that our strongest depth position of center back will provide no new players to the WC2014 roster.Buddle will be 33 by 2014 which is pretty old for a WC striker.'El Floppo said:Interesting... no Ream and no Gonzalez. And no Bunburry.And no Buddle.'Ted Lange as your Bartender said:
El Floppo
Footballguy
I've seen Barcelona play a lot of other teams than RM, fwiw. They dive against everybody- hard fouls or no.But yeah- RM flipped a switch yesterday once the Barca goal went in... the tackles started getting really ugly- especially against Messi. Too bad- because for most of the first half, IIRC, RM was just playing with a lot of high pressure with 3 guys chasing around Barca's back four and doing their best to deny the outlet pass to Busquets and then to Xavi. And it kinda worked without having to resort to the goonery. But they didn't do a good enough job of their own protecting the ball when they got it (and again, credit to Barca's defensive abilities) and Barca inevitably broke them down. And then they broke themselves down.'Slapdash said:
El Floppo
Footballguy
THanks for the link, Ted.
I've been saying for years that it's also a question of culture. With MLS still so young (basically one generation old) and regular soccer on TV so recent, there are very few Americans who have gotten to be immersed in the sport the way the rest of the world has.I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
I think there's a lot to be said for raising players in a youth system which all play a particular style. Not only are players on the same page on the pitch, but it's incredibly cost-effective to be able to avoid those huge transfer fees. Barca's obviously no Levante, but there's massive pressure on a team like RM that relies on expensive transfers to stock their team with world-class players.'Slapdash said:
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I am not big on commenting on kits as their appeal is so specific to the individual. N
That being said, I am intrigued that so many people have a similar positive response to LA's new uni's. I think they are quite sharp.
http://image-load-balancer.worldsportshops.com/Datafeeds/Graphics/Products/ImageCache/600x600/28755.jpg
That being said, I am intrigued that so many people have a similar positive response to LA's new uni's. I think they are quite sharp.
http://image-load-balancer.worldsportshops.com/Datafeeds/Graphics/Products/ImageCache/600x600/28755.jpg
El Floppo
Footballguy
I've always been a fan of the diagonal stripe- ever since seeing... I think it was Peru... on my Subuteo.Loved me some Subbuteo
El Floppo
Footballguy
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I played a bunch of Subbeteo as a kid. It introduced me to international teams and players in a similar but less detailed way that kids get introduced today via the EA FIFA video game series.holy ####- that's it.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Some interesting tidbits on the new Becks deal and LA as a brand
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
My first born son is due in the next couple of weeks. Is it wrong that I've already planned to build him his own Subbuteo stadium for Christmas when he's 7 or 8?I played a bunch of Subbeteo as a kid. It introduced me to international teams and players in a similar but less detailed way that kids get introduced today via the EA FIFA video game series.
El Floppo
Footballguy
How can something so right be wrong?and fwiw- despite playing it a ton as a kid... I never, and still don't, have any idea how to actually play.My first born son is due in the next couple of weeks. Is it wrong that I've already planned to build him his own Subbuteo stadium for Christmas when he's 7 or 8?I played a bunch of Subbeteo as a kid. It introduced me to international teams and players in a similar but less detailed way that kids get introduced today via the EA FIFA video game series.
SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
How can something so right be wrong?and fwiw- despite playing it a ton as a kid... I never, and still don't, have any idea how to actually play.My first born son is due in the next couple of weeks. Is it wrong that I've already planned to build him his own Subbuteo stadium for Christmas when he's 7 or 8?I played a bunch of Subbeteo as a kid. It introduced me to international teams and players in a similar but less detailed way that kids get introduced today via the EA FIFA video game series.
I've never played, I just have been looking at it online for quite some time. Figure father and son can learn together. I downloaded the Official Indoor Table Soccer rules. 
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
I sucked at it but I had one friend who was brilliant: he could cross like Beckham, string passes together like Barca and could crack free kicks harder than Ronald Koemen. We used to have to play him two players against one to even have a chanceHow can something so right be wrong?and fwiw- despite playing it a ton as a kid... I never, and still don't, have any idea how to actually play.My first born son is due in the next couple of weeks. Is it wrong that I've already planned to build him his own Subbuteo stadium for Christmas when he's 7 or 8?I played a bunch of Subbeteo as a kid. It introduced me to international teams and players in a similar but less detailed way that kids get introduced today via the EA FIFA video game series.
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SmoovySmoov
The Way of the Samurai
The greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
jonessed
Footballguy
We are incredibly lucky to have an indoor soccer stadium down the road from us. It's a fantastic way to develop skills and train. They have leagues from age 4+ to seniors. Local kids often play year round with winters spent in indoors. Ufortunately, my 8-year old, while a good player, really gravitated more towards the arts so soccer made way for drama/guitar. I should get a second chance next year with my 4-year old thoughThe greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
.They also have open nights every night. It starts generally around 10:00 and goes until 1:00 or 2:00. You pretty much go, pay $5, jump on a team, and play a 5 minute rotation. The timing obviously leads to lots of high school and junior college aged kids, but they seem to come from areas as far aways as an hour - an hour and a half so most nights there are anywhere from 20 - 50 players. Pretty amazing actually and a lot of fun.I did it for about three months when I was heavy into P90X. I would basically substitute it as a full day of training. The timing got hard though. Friday nights were obviously the easiest timing wise, but that's when they had the most players and these old muscles struggled with a lot of sitting between matches. As long as I can rotate quickly I'm fine, but I was finding that any sitting over 5-10 minutes and no sideline exercises could save me from muscle tweaks.
Anyway, it was great for staying in shape, rediscovering skills, and generally having a blast.
Hmmm... maybe I should try and make time again
.
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
We are pretty backward up here in Mass in terms of developing soccer players, but it has been almost a decade now since the young kids played 11 v 11. All the young kids play 5v5. I had assumed the rest of the country has also been doing this but I must be wrong from your comments.The greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
jonessed
Footballguy
I think it's either 5v5 or 7v7 here until they hit about 6 and then it goes to 11 on 11. That's still way to early, but I imagine it has more to do with personnel resources than anything else.We are pretty backward up here in Mass in terms of developing soccer players, but it has been almost a decade now since the young kids played 11 v 11. All the young kids play 5v5. I had assumed the rest of the country has also been doing this but I must be wrong from your comments.The greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Good lord I am out of touch. I could have sworn the majority of the kids played no more than 8v8 until they are teenagers. Something like this break outI think it's either 5v5 or 7v7 here until they hit about 6 and then it goes to 11 on 11. That's still way to early, but I imagine it has more to do with personnel resources than anything else.We are pretty backward up here in Mass in terms of developing soccer players, but it has been almost a decade now since the young kids played 11 v 11. All the young kids play 5v5. I had assumed the rest of the country has also been doing this but I must be wrong from your comments.The greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
http://www.mcleansoccer.org/page/show/39760
Some of the biggest youth soccer orgs in the country follow this it seems
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/doc_lib/small_sided_games_manual.pdf
This is how all of Penn. is handling the issue
http://fcfelber.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/youth-soccer-in-pennsylvania-8v8-11v11/
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NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Reminder that the US plays Venezuela tomorrow at 9:00pm eastern on Galavision/ ESPN3.
I think the game is in LHucks back yard. Good thing Buddle is not playing.
I think the game is in LHucks back yard. Good thing Buddle is not playing.
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Nice EPL TV line-up tomorrow:
Norwich v Chelsea ESPN2 6:45C
Everton v Blackburn FSC 9:00C LD Baby!
Bolton v Liverpool FSC 11:30C
Then throw in a little Italian action:
Atalanta v Juventus FSC 1:30C
Then back to the EPL on tape delay:
Wolves v Aston Villa FSC 4:00C
Good day to be snowed in in Chicago! :soccerball:
Norwich v Chelsea ESPN2 6:45C
Everton v Blackburn FSC 9:00C LD Baby!
Bolton v Liverpool FSC 11:30C
Then throw in a little Italian action:
Atalanta v Juventus FSC 1:30C
Then back to the EPL on tape delay:
Wolves v Aston Villa FSC 4:00C
Good day to be snowed in in Chicago! :soccerball:
We're moving in the right direction, but there are still vast tracts of the country which haven't got the message.Good lord I am out of touch. I could have sworn the majority of the kids played no more than 8v8 until they are teenagers. Something like this break outI think it's either 5v5 or 7v7 here until they hit about 6 and then it goes to 11 on 11. That's still way to early, but I imagine it has more to do with personnel resources than anything else.We are pretty backward up here in Mass in terms of developing soccer players, but it has been almost a decade now since the young kids played 11 v 11. All the young kids play 5v5. I had assumed the rest of the country has also been doing this but I must be wrong from your comments.The greatest thing we could do for US soccer is to ban 11 on 11 games until kids are 11. Have them play 5 on 5. That's how you develop individual skills. You think Maradona or Pele developed their skills at 4 and 5 and 6 years old playing for a club? Nope, they developed it playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the barrios and favelas. The same way basketball players develop their skills playing 2 on 2 or 3 on 3.THanks for the link, Ted.
I'm 43 and part of the first generation of US youth to grow up playing the game. But my dad's and my first game ever to watch was the first game I played in (at age 10). And it seemed like in NCal, at least, that story played out with all my peers. One year we were all playing little league baseball and basketball or football, and then blam- every kid started playing soccer. My dad took to the sport as I did, but knew zero about it. What I learned, I learned from a handful of local coaches who had actually played the game, and from playing myself- not from osmosis. No father-son kick-arounds. No going to games together. No watching games on TV together. No discussing game results or pro rivalries over the breakfast table. Nothing. Kids elsewhere are born into a culture where they understand the dynamics of a triangle pass the way we understand how to turn a double-play.
But with a generation of kids getting to watch MLS- live or on TV- and getting to see the EPL, La liga etc on TV (and hopefully live in the summer) and more importantly being born to people who know the game at least a little bit... the culture to sport soccer IQ is finally starting to fall into place.
Of course the coaching is important. And of course coaching the right skills is important. But if that all happens in a vacuum, I fully believe our players will plateau nationally. And even as I write about culture- I've realized that despite having played at a very high level, my own knowledge of that next level was still practically nill until I finally started to get to watch the top pros compete all the time. So in that way, it's really this generation of kids growing up watching and playing the sport 24/7 with dads who also played that should produce offspring completely immersed in a soccer culture. Hmmm... that makes it WC 2034 or so... hope I'm still alive for that.
http://www.mcleansoccer.org/page/show/39760
Some of the biggest youth soccer orgs in the country follow this it seems
http://www.usyouthsoccer.org/doc_lib/small_sided_games_manual.pdf
This is how all of Penn. is handling the issue
http://fcfelber.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/youth-soccer-in-pennsylvania-8v8-11v11/
Good Posting Judge
Footballguy
And then Arsenal/ManU on FOX on Sunday!
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
I'm not sure how it is locally these days, but when I was growing up (born in 1987), we didn't play 11v11 until I was 12, IIRC. We played like 5v5 until we hit U9, and it was like 8v8 or maybe 9v9 from then until U12, I think.ETA - this was local travel. Our premier [regional/national travel] teams were always 11v11, but I don't think I was on the team until I was at least 12, maybe 13, so I don't know how it was for the younger kids.
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Sebowski
Footballguy
I flipped on Premier League Fan Zone Arsenal-Swansea and for some reason, can't change the channel. Probably has something to do with the combination of the Arsenal guy trying to dominate the mic and knowing the result. Also, never seen this show before, and find it pretty funny.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
The Toronto LA CCL game, which was moved, to the Rogers Center has already sold 35k tickets. They should have a great chance to sell out at 45k
Steve Tasker
Footballguy
When is it?
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
March 7th.
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Steve Zakuani's long road to recovery still has a way to go. I find this so sad. His potential was as great as any young MLS player I have seen over the 16 years of the league
derek245583
Footballguy
Dempsey!!
derek245583
Footballguy
AGAIN!!!
NewlyRetired
Footballguy
Awesome!!He was just awarded US Soccer's Player of the Year this week. His second win, first was in 2007 I think.
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Steve Tasker
Footballguy
4-1 now.Tim Howard with a blunder that leads directly to a Blackburn equalizer :X
Ted Lange as your Bartender
Footballguy
Everton just got robbed twice - unlucky
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