Category Archives: soccer

Klinsmann’s Approach To Soccer In The USA

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Most of the current squad is playing in Europe, and MLS is getting better every year. So we can challenge the better nations of the world, if we play them eye-to-eye, keep a high-paced rhythm and enjoy ourselves as well.

(Source: Goal.com, Klinsmann says it’s no surprise the USA implements an attacking style of play – Part 4)

So far so good with Klinsmann. Maybe I missed it, but I don’t remember Bradley being so open to the media. I don’t mean with post-match interviews. Klinsmann has his own podcast, runs a Twitter account, and is generally available to the public.

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Pep, Barcelona, And A Game Of Strategy

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He tinkers, revises and, like a watchful gardener, seems engaged in a constant battle against the entropic imperative.

(Source: The Guardian, The Question: what marks Pep Guardiola out as a great coach?)

We watched this game yesterday and it was one of the most strategic games I’ve ever seen. You’ll have to appreciate the away-goal rule but the reaction of both sides after Messi’s first goal for Barcelona was stunning.
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How The Gym Is Like Cable TV

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I’m not a gym guy.

Not to say I don’t like to exercise. I do. But I’d rather get my exercise outdoors – walking through the city, jogging through the park, or playing a game or two of pickup soccer.

I sit at a computer in an office for way-too-many hours a day – why would I want my exercise to be indoors as well?

Alas, circumstances have forced me to join a gym.

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Really? You Couldn’t See It Coming?

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It’s very difficult to explain,” said the Scot. “We played some fantastic football. We were deserving of our lead and we weren’t even under pressure.

With a bit of care and better finishing we might have been three or four up at half-time.

You just couldn’t see a goal coming from them and maybe the luck they didn’t get against Bolton they got here.

(Source: BBC Sport, Mark Hughes says fightback will give QPR survival belief)

- Kenny Dalglish

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Finding Talent In Alternative Structures

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But, at the same time, we need to speak with more people in the alternative structures of soccer and maybe look into structures that have not yet been used for soccer in the USA.

(Source: Goal.com, Klinsmann says U.S. soccer has to reach out to find talent from new areas – Part 2)

 

I’m a big fan of what Klinsmann is doing with the US Men’s National Team. Big fan. He’s not targeting *just* today’s upper echelon players but also reaching out to “alternative structures” to find more talent.

Even if it’s raw, the feeling is if talent is available, he wants to know about it.

Putting into place a system – that works – to evaluate, manage, and expose the found talent will be another challenge.

I get the feeling that Klinsmann senses the USA is on to something big and having someone with international experience will help push the team to the next level.

I’m excited for this Summer’s qualifying games, but I’m even more excited to discover what talent Klinsmann’s process digs up for 2014 (and beyond).

 


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