I just remember discovering soccer and coming here for advice. I remember asking what soccer league was the best. I remember thinking it was like American sports where there's one league to rule them all. I remember being confused that there were multiple soccer leagues to choose from. I searched for that thread but I couldn't find it. For the record, I don't care which league may or may not be "better" because I've learned it's impossible to quantify. For me? And for the best balance of quality of play and fan experience? I claim bundesliga
For now, as I continue to learn. What is really hard for Americans to understand is there isn't "one league" - or at least it was hard for me. Yet I find that aspect so intriguing. And it's infinitely debatable which is AWESOME
A relegated bundesliga team is my fave. Rich history, amazing fans. They're the Blazers of Soccer haha 1. FC Nurnburg
This is a very astute POV. I'm a die hard NFL fan. Out of 3 hours of NFL football we get almost 15 minutes of actual game play. Getting so heavily in to soccer and the beauty that is no commercials and continuous play will likely make the American football season very difficult for me. At least at first.
Don't get me wrong..... I love American sports. But I am also half german so I was have that shit in my DNA. I means I was playing before I could walk. I mean why are so many American service kids born overseas like me (Brooks, Jones) on the national team? That's THE SPORT over there.
You know what first captured my love of soccer? Or perhaps intrigued me like no other sport? I was way more focused on not conceding a goal than scoring one. That was a revelation. All sports I grew up with were about how much you can score. This was a massive shift in thinking and then everything opened up
I hope USA beats Argentina, it would e amazing if we shut down Messi completely. I've been watching the EURO games in the morning, Croatia vs Czech Republic had a crazy finish.
Hopefully the extra two days of rest helps us. Still, I hope any success the US team has now does not overshadow the need for reform of the developmental system. Seems like most of our players develop in other countries.
Agreed. Although it seems to be getting better. I guess it depends on what you consider "developed here" to mean. Zelalem (arsenal/rangers), Pulisic (Dortmund), Hyndman (Bournemouth), Wood (Hamburg) are all products of our youth system. All went to Europe as teens, but that doesn't mean they weren't developed here. It does need to get better though. Not all kids have the chance (or passport) to move to Europe before 18. Take Zardes. He makes good runs, is decently fast and strong, can hit a one time shot, but cannot trap the ball. Herc Gomez (I think) was talking about him the other day. Saying he is good, but still developing, and that should have happened at 16, not in his 20s.
As a high school and college coach who's going through the licensing process, I felt like it was worth at least chiming in a little bit here. The developmental structure is getting completely overhauled. Some of it has already happened, some of it is currently being re-written, but I have concerns over how USMNT coaching changes may keep altering this in an unhealthy way. For example, Jurgen has wanted the 4-3-3 and the numerical system that corresponds with that to be distributed throughout the youth ranks so coaches and players alike can understand that system and what a '10' looks like or what a '6' is meant to play like. My concern is that we are re-writing everything and it feels that it's really being dependent upon Klinsmann as the figurehead. What happens if he gets fired in 3 months? What about if the next guy wants to go with a 4-2-3-1 like how much of the EPL has shifted to and he revamps everything as well? I guess I'd just like to see some consistency of message and teaching over an extended period of time in a curriculum that most definitely does need to be redone. All that said, they are placing a greater emphasis on coaching development, giving younger players more opportunities to JUST PLAY, and play in game realistic scenarios repeatedly rather than doing awkward drills that kids and young players have a hard time contextualizing into game scenarios. I personally think the 4-3-3 is great, but the teams I'm with aren't suited for that presently (and with high school you're at the mercy of your personnel on a whole different level). But despite that, I do really appreciate the way they're going about coaching education, because all coaches need to be able to coach teams in different formations and understand the underlying principles behind why you want to do things certain ways, numerical advantages, tactical styles, etc. As far as the USMNT, a big issue is like you mentioned the quote from Gomez...players in other countries are getting opportunities to play and learn at high levels in their late teens, to the degree in which by the time they're around the age of a Zardes, they're more or less known whether they'll be able to be beneficial on a national stage. Doesn't mean they can't develop in other ways, but if we keep the structure of clubs and college games and all of that the same, we may be at a disadvantage long-term. It'll be interesting to see who they trot out to replace the suspended players. Definitely not an ideal time to be missing players given who our opponent will be, but hopefully we'll get to see more of Nagbe controlling the pace of the game. Personnel wise it just comes down to if Klinsmann goes with familiarity of experience (Zusi-type players) or less familiar but higher potential reward (specifically Nagbe and Pulisic), and if that changes the formation itself.
One of the radio show hosts on ESPN radio was saying that Iceland beating England is the biggest upset in soccer history. Really?
I love trolling the South American girl at work. Just assume every country there is the same and shit. Not understanding the big deal about soccer, it drives her crazy haha
Oh yeah? Is she working the grill or the counter? Don't worry man, one day they'll move you up off the drive-thru.
