GAME BODY MIND OFF THE PITCH NEWS

Project 4,000

For the past couple of posts I have been focusing on the importance of youth development systems for the US to be able to compete on the global stage.  Last week I may have been a bit harsh on MLS, being that it is only 11 years old stating in my headline MLS’ non-impact on US Soccer or was I?  I know the league has made positive strides for soccer in this country but, that does not mean I nor you should forget that the league has had over a decade to ignite some serious youth development opportunities in the local franchise markets, some have and some have not.  I am glad the league is where it is today with investors vying for the opportunity to grab the limited franchises left.  More  importantly, the league understands pretty clearly that from a business standpoint their own facilities are a must to succeed, especially with adjoined youth facilities.

Yes, I know, it is easy to sit here and yak however; I would not be doing so with out some action behind the talk.  Since 1998, outside of my professional paying job, I have a non-profit soccer complex development charity for which we organized to build much needed soccer specific facilities in San Antonio, TX.  We have 42 acres, which now consists of 12 fields and a clubhouse under construction.  We unfortunately are still not done because the six or so of us that are involved do not make a dime in this and have begged borrowed but never have stolen to help build the facility.  And, we have one great man who has given his life to this project and we would not be where we are today without Mike Dennis . Forgive our site and the plug, all the money goes toward the maintenance and development of fields.

So back to professional youth development discussion, we need it in a major way!  Moreover, we need MLS to be a major contributer to the need and we all must voice this for the future of our youth today.  Project 40 is no longer acceptable, it had its time and place but we need to raise the bar in order to get better as a country.  If kids have the passion, desire and determination and given the opportunity we could have a serious US National Team problem on our hands - who do we pick?  Given the participation levels in the US, we should seriously be fielding several National Teams.  If the reported 3.2 million USYSA registered players, at less than 1%, had the opportunity to receive professional instruction early and were allowed to blossom, watch out world. I think we should be discussing Project 4,000 now especially when other professional clubs are locating here preparing to export talent when it could be home grown. 

Speaking of homegrown, I would really like to commend Brad Friedel for his vision by getting Premier Soccer Academies up and running.  We need at least 49 more of these facilities — at least one in each state — and we would be the World’s Futbol powerhouse.  Next week I plan to take a look at some of the successes attributed to National Teams based on Professional Youth Development Academies so stay tunned.

Brad, wanna buy 42 acres in Texas - seriously?

MLS’ Lack of US Youth Development

Bruce Arena faced a lot of criticism for the recent World Cup performance and rightfully so.  Although, compared to other coaches and players of national teams it was easy going.  Look, Bruce did a lot for US Soccer and helped raise the bar don’t get me wrong, however; I personally feel he did not have the team mentally prepared going into the World Cup.  Ok, fine, what happened is done with but, if he’d just step up and say hey I failed at this task and so did the players instead of just blamming the organization — US Soccer — my respect level would be greater for him.  We all make mistakes and I’m glad Bruce Arena was with the US program for so long - he accomplished many things and this should not go by the wayside.  I’m looking forward to seeing what he does with NYRB but we must move on.

In Grant Wahl’s recent article of Si.com "Entering a new Arena", Bruce touches on the need for stronger youth development systems within MLS and the need for MLS to put a better product on the field.  In support of Bruce, it would seem to me that if more money would be poured into youth development with in MLS this would certainly make a tremendous impact on the National Team.  With that, we need more labs so to speak, more players recieving professional coaching instead of really just one lab or organization in US Soccer.  And, our promosing youth players need this technical and tactical training early (4-7 yrs) in order to remain competitive with the world, in a fun environment of course.

America is commonly called the most Athletic country in the World (by other countries).  Then, couple that with the fact that approximately 300 million people live in the United States and we have the top sports leagues in the World (MLB, NBA, NFL).  So why not experiment more in the lab?  More chemicals generally result in something hazardous but in this case being hazardous is a good thing. We need to get on board with the rest of the world with professional club/youth systems. 

Bruce also touched on the capability or limitation with in MLS to create competitive advantage via player compensation/salary caps.  I strongly agree with his question, is’nt creating and developing competitive advantages what the game is generally about?  Therefore, how important is it for the league to change its salary cap and transition more of the decision making power and recruitment strategies to owner/operators? 

Any thoughts on this?

The Real Deal: Ajax America Understands

Continuing with discussion…so as we have seen this past weekend two MLS teams being tested by the best and the fans came out of the woodwork to see the stars.  Again, Randy Tinfow’s point is well taken in that, a quality product attracts a crowd.  However, should we sacrfice and limit American player opportunity to grow and achieve the heights of a Barcelona or Chelsea?

Question:  do we want the NASL back or can we wait for MLS to thrive?

Yes, it will take years and a lot of player development to reach the stage of a Barcelona but, are we as an American league ready to sacrifice American player development in order to pay higher salaries to non-American players?  Or, should we continue the track with MLS?

The current track seems to be:  build the infrastructure, make the business viable, create player development systems/clubs and continue to reinvest.  It has taken Ajax over a century (104 years) to become known as the World’s best youth development system.  Ajax itself understands the talent in America as it founded Ajax America in 2003 in Central Florida.  Recently, Ajax America took four promosing young American players to Holland for the ultimate test and they did very well apparently (Read more about Bobby, Kovi, Nicholas and Andrew here.)

Don’t get me wrong - it was great to see such amazing talent on American soil but, my interest is in seeing the best American boys play and take care of the Barcelona’s, the Chelsea’s and Real Madrid’s of the World.  How about you?  I have to believe there is a happy medium but, are we getting there?

Randy Tinfow continues Soccer Carnival

With my personal interest to keep the progressive conversation going about the state of soccer in America and how each one of us can make an impact, several soccer bloggers out there have expressed various viewpoints along with others comments and suggestions to their various posts, which can be viewed easiest on The Fools Prerogative Collection.

Well, Randy Tinfow of NYC had a few things to share in reaction to Pulling Together for Soccer below, which touches on our need to evangelize to help grow the sport.  In  regard to MLS, Randy, as many others throughout the blogosphere, focused on the need for putting a better product on the pitch and here are few of his comments:

Earlier this year I had the chance to see 12 year old selects play indoors at Rockland Community College, NY.  These kids were so good I had to gather myself to keep from openly weeping.  It was not just their skill and creativity that moved me, but their understanding of the flow and patterns of the game.  This age group in America compares favorably with the same age anywhere in Europe.  This gives me great encouragement that we will see an American hoisting the World Cup during my lifetime.  As to what happens to these kids after age 12, that’s an entirely different topic.

The fans will follow. My 11 year old niece, a passionate player, can’t get to enough games.  She has her walls plastered with Red Bull and WNT player pictures. 

Yes, I agree that the game needs to be explained and exposed.  I find that explanations of positional play always interests neophytes:  position switches, defensive midfielders, attacking midfielders, defenders overlapping on attack, tactics for breaking down defenses, running off the ball, drawing defenders, etc.  You have to watch off of the ball to see the real development.  Likewise, friends loved to hear explanations about Canavaro’s great defensive presence.  People understand when you explain that the game is often a war of attrition. 

Pulling Together for Soccer

Everyone in this country has their interests.  Those who will read this have a passion for soccer but, those who don’t never will.  Yet those people don’t necessarily have a passion for football, basketball or baseball either but, they will talk about it at the water cooler or over lunch.  These people or fans may not have played any of these sports either.  So, why is it that there is more chatter in everday conversation about football, basketball and baseball rather than soccer in America?  Something to think about, yes/no?

How many of you have had a discussion recently about the state of soccer with our country’s recent performance?  I’m sure many of you have.  The key question though is, how many Americans had the conversation about the disappointing performance of the U.S. who generally do not follow soccer?  Will they continue to follow American soccer and passionately discuss player performances, team tactics and coaching mistakes like they do with the NFL, MLB and NBA.  My assumption would be, probably not for long without something to keep them motivated.  So, an even more important question is - why do the other three sports have this following and intrinsic promotion or positive buzz? 

The NBA has been fostering and developing a fanbase since 1949 (after merging the BAA & NBL).  The NFL has been fostering and developing a fanbase since 1920 (after two years operating as the American Football Association).  Then MLB — the oldest pro sports league in America — has been operating and developing a fanbase since 1903.  Although, these leagues have been operating for sometime they are not free from times of contraction and struggle.  Now, the MLS, as you may know, was founded in 1993 following two failed attemps of professional soccer leagues in the NASL & MISL.  With the formation of NASL in 1968, this was soccers first professional league attempt not to mention that this is 65, 48 and 19 years after the formation of MLB, NFL and the NBA respectively.

The Football Association of England dates back to its formation in 1863, which is now one of worlds top leagues in the English Premier League.  The German Bundesliga was formed in 1963 and the Serie A in 1920.  Thus, you may see where I’m heading - there is a lot of history and experience behind many other sports properties both at home and abroad who have been working at this a while.  Well, enough about the history lesson.  How do we as soccer followers help to cultivate the growth of soccer in this country?  How do we help keep the chatter going and get those generalized sports fans to follow soccer?  I’m asking…I have my own opinion but would really like to hear yours but here is something to think about.

We have to evangelize for our sport.  We have to continue writing or blogging about it but more importantly, we have to expose our friends and co-workers to the game.  Invite some friends over to watch FSC with you when a game is comming on and better yet invite them to a match if you live in an MLS town.  Unfortunately, organic growth for the leagues mentioned above did not happen over night - it took fans to make them what they are today.  So, if we all pull together for soccer we might be able to see the growth of the game realized and develop some stronger relationships along the way.

 

Views on American Soccer

Well I wanted to join in the dialogue to keep this conversation going.  The Fool has assembled a great collection of posts and outlooks to the problems and assements facing US Soccer.  So, lets keep it simple stupid.

We all need to band together as soccer bloggers to help foster a grass roots voice for the community.  I have noted in previous posts a few issues I believe that can help to progress our sport in this country.  I have tried to reach out to some of you and this is another attempt and I will state it again, us soccer bloggers have the ability take make change if we do things together as a community supporting and speaking out.  Our team has a few folks that can help open some doors to a few places.

Therefore, I would like to personally invite all soccer bloggers to come and collaborate with me and my team as we are working on a project which we need lots of help to get it off the ground.  However, we need passionate soccer minds such as yours that have the assertiveness to speak out and do.

I have recommended to some soccer bloggers via email that we all should organize a national event to bring all minds together for the purpose of being a catalyst for change.  Everyone has thoughts, ideas, skills and a personal network for which we can put to work.  So what do you say?  Want to join me in my soccer crusade?

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