We’re Not Going To Russia

In 2013 the USA men’s national team worked hard to qualify for the 2014 World Cup. When the job was accomplished, the American soccer community adopted the mantra “We’re Going to Brazil!”, well… except for Landon Donovan who was famously cut from the squad by then-coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Donovan was cast in a well watched commercial in which he slyly mumbled,”I’m not going to Brazil.”

After last weeks incredulous series of events the entire USA soccer community now must join Landon in not going to Russia. It’s the first time since 1986 that the USA will not play in the world’s most watched athletic event and the lack of numbers of soccer participants in the country cannot be used as an excuse any more as it was during the mid 20th century. Actually, if one were to DOUBLE the ENTIRE population of Trinidad and Tobago and then give EVERY single citizen a soccer ball, there would still be 400,000 MORE YOUTH soccer players in the USA than ALL of the soccer players there. And we still couldn’t find 11 players who could defeat Trinidad’s 11 when it counted.

Of course the fallout has been enormous, thousands have opinions as to the causes of the debacle. Among knowledgeable comments the range runs from Coach Bruce Arena’s “there’s nothing wrong with what we’re doing” to many calling for complete replacement of every person attached to the USSF . While it is true that while Omar Gonzelez’ misplay of a Trinidad cross was an error that a 10 yr old would be ashamed of, the way it managed to loop just over keeper Tim Howard’s outstretched hands and into the USA goal was rather shocking. Add Alvin Jones shot that he has never hit before and never will again AND both Honduras and Panama defeating Mexico and Costa Rica at the same time…..and the proverbial cold day in hell would be a common occurrence compared to the odds of all these events conspiring to knock the USA out of the cup.

Gonzalez’ misplayed ball drops into the USA goal

But the problems leading to this failure of American soccer have been noted by many long before this past week. While many critics are just jumping on the bandwagon now, others , including the Soccer Yoda, have been discussing issues that hurt our soccer performance for many months. So….rather than add to the new uproar, here are a number of problems that I have noted before in this blog, some going back a few years. These are issues in my opinion, many will not consider some of these to be problems at all…..others will say that some are so minor as to not to be worth discussing. But, after watching and participating in soccer in this country for decades and observing the sport at all levels first hand in more successful countries like Belgium and Germany, I believe I have legitimate insight into concerns ranging from very major problems to admittedly very minor ones. But they all add up to the failure of USA soccer to provide 15 players who could finish above Panama and Honduras, much less Mexico and Costa Rica while losing to the worst team in the tournament to drive the final nail in the American coffin. So here goes … from very large to very small…the Soccer Yoda’s major issues with USA soccer…all having been talked about in this blog previously:

Pay to Play  – In order for developing American soccer players to join large clubs and experience the game in an organized manner plus gain experienced coaching ( more about the coaching later), parents must hand over thousands of dollars to those clubs. I do not have anything against club directors for wanting to make soccer into a full-time job. I would have loved to have been able to support my family with soccer back in my employment days. But, there are a couple problems with this setup that combine to limit the development of youth players as the clubs drive to increase income. 1) What happens to the youth whose parents cannot afford to place their kids in these programs? Some clubs have scholarships but many have no form of financial assistance and others offer only token aid. This leaves tens of thousands of potential superstars without the means to develop their game. 2) In the attempt to increase the income gained from the sport, it is common for club coaches to work with two, three or even more teams at the same time. Coaching multiple teams absolutely diminishes the personal attention needed by coaches to bring each player to his/her full potential. If a club can’t find enough coaches for a “one coach – one team” philosophy, that club could reduce it’s number of players. Of course, that would decrease the total financial income and THAT would strain the full-time adults in the club. 3) In order to attract more families, clubs adopt a win-at-all-cost-now philosophy since unknowing parents don’t understand that developing players to top levels takes time and the willingness to endure possibly poor win-loss records while the caliber of play gets better.

Coaching Knowledge and Practices – Despite the increasing number of youth coaches who have played the game, the training practices of a major number of those coaches fails to provide their players with the means to become better players, both in their ball skills and in their tactical knowledge. Too many coaches employ practices like “agility training sessions” in which players don’t even touch a ball. Running laps does nothing to increase a player’s development…..also the amount of time spent waiting in line during practice is often is much greater than the time spent with a ball.

Our youth spend way too much practice time like this

Other countries find players who have developed their craft in the streets, USA soccer  hasn’t developed a “street game”  similar to other countries or to our own basketball culture, but we could imitate it and even improve on it in our formal training. At this time though, the number of coaches who understand that players must have the ball at their feet and in situations that simulate the game is far too small to build a base of young quality players. Our organization itself hindered youth development for years with it’s idea that technical ball skills must be developed before youngsters learn tactics. This failed to promote the learning of either in our kids. The fact is that young players can learn where to be and where to play the ball at very young ages and as they play with those “tactics” they repeat the needed ball skills over and over. Repetition is the means to ability and to confidence in that ability and it can be gained at surprisingly young ages. And speaking of tactics:

The game is played in more than one direction – American youth soccer generally neglects to teach youngsters the value of possession, of vision, of movement to support teammates and confuse defenders. Defenders tend to lack the knowledge to cover each other and to anticipate offensive play. The American game is often an exercise in tunnel vision and as players get older it becomes more difficult to change habits formed as youth. One bit of good news is that last year the USSF changed the rules and field sizes of our youth up to age 12 to encourage tactical awareness and play. Hopefully in the coming years we will see players who have learned to be as subtle as they are now direct.

The MLS – our adult players need to play…that is true. But, when capable, they need to stretch themselves and play at the highest caliber possible. Too many of our better players are in the MLS and not in Europe. Without a doubt, if Christian Pulisic had stayed in the US he wouldn’t be the player he is now and will be in the future. Our national organization needs to encourage our developing players to take advantage of any offers to play for European teams.

Minor Issues – Pride in Our National Jersey…..what National Jersey? – Germany, France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil….all major international powers….all with an identifying jersey that inspires pride in the national team….both in their followers and in their players. The USA seems unique too….in our constantly changing uniform for our national team. Yes, the USSF and Nike like to sell jerseys….but other nations manage to sell their wares while keeping a traditional look. Brazil is immediately identifiable by its yellow jersey and blue pants, Argentina has its sky blue stripes and of course Germany’s white and black strikes immediate recognition ( and fear?) among it’s foes. When does the USA decide adopt a look that we all recognize as our own?

Remember this?

Or this?

Or this?

We aren’t English – ok, this is really nitpicking……but, it has been said that only when the USA puts it’s own stamp on the game will we truly become the respected international soccer nation that we would like to become. Anybody in this nation watching footy on the goggle box whilst eating crisps? No? Then why do we play football on the pitch in our kits and boots? Nothing against the English, but why do we think we must talk UK when referring to the sport? We play soccer on the field in our uniforms and soccer shoes. We still carry an inferiority complex about our soccer    ( of course, failing to make the World Cup won’t help) but at least using our own terms in regards to SOCCER could help establish pride in our ability to play and impact the world’s game.

It’s a long way to 2022, hopefully all the discussion will prompt changes, both big and small, to the game in the United States so that we never miss out on this great event again.