Soccer Coaches Only

Soccer Coaches Only Edition:

USA Gold Cup, Player Development Review: Outside Defenders:

Dear Coach,

We need your thoughts here. Without interference / comments / blogs / interviews / tv commentary / from the Soccer Pundits who have not coached a young US player.

As a longtime youth coach who has studied techniques, tactics, training methods and grew up in the USA playing at all levels, underneath the US National Team level, here are my thoughts by position...(This week is defenders only.) Please help with your thoughts in order that we fix our player deficiencies.

GK: Tim Howard was not superman but is one of the worlds best so I really have no issues as I feel our US GK's are some of the best in the world.

Defenders: A very poor display of defending in this game. Our guys were no match in 1v1 situations with the Mexican attackers. Of course this group of Mexican attackers are world class so we must keep that in mind. Going 2-0 up and giving up 4 goals makes me wonder about the tactics employed. Seemed Mexico's goals came when our numbers were down in the midfield and back. But why were our numbers down and why so many Mexico counterattacks allowed when we had a 2-0 lead?

Our outside backs seemed weak. Cherundalow was great and his seasoning in Germany shows big! But why was he pulled so early? It seemed he could have played on.

There was not enough quality service and attacking runs from the other outside backs which is what our boys need in order to hold possession. When our midfield creativity and or skill is not world class then we better have support coming form the back. Also, our runs from the rear cause our opponents strikers to chase or pass players on which creates more stress on our opponent. So, having confident, skillful and dangerous outside defenders is key.

Serving / Crossing with accuracy, pace and a vicious bend is also a deficiency with the US Player. We must spend more time with our young ones on this skill! How many crosses are served in a game? How many teams rely on crosses as a significant part of their attack. Answer: All Teams at all Levels! So why do we spend so little time on this vital skill?

Are we developing these players at the youth level? Are we allowing our kids to attack freely from rear positions to develop those creative combinations with midfielders and strikers? Are they encouraged to attack in 1v1 situations on the flank? Are we using fun, dribbling and crossing exercises in our training of our young players?

Am I crazy or on to something! Talk to me Coach, lets get er done at the youth level!


- Posted by Jimmy, using BlogPress from my iPhone