U.S. Soccer Parts Ways with Jurgen Klinsmann

[jterrell]

The problem with American players is not so much about bending the ball or fancy flicks. It's first touch. USMNT first touch is dreadful compared to top countries. I do agree with everything else you said though. I can't wait to see the day that the USA catches up to other top countries. 3k a year is an absurd amount to pay, wow.

If you aren't moving/bending/spinning the ball on free kicks and penalties by 12/13 I wonder what kind of coaching they are receiving.
I drilled daily as a kid for fun in the front yard. Mostly all ball control drills.

Agree about the first touch but no idea if that was taught or not.
Was just shocked when I asked why she kicked straight at a goalie and didn't even try for top corner and was told they don't teach that.
3k isn't at all rare. Club sports are really expensive.

 

[jterrell]

Interesting. Certain parts of Europe where football is expanding are full of Americans claiming to be coaches also trying to
monetize - taking advantage of the surge in interest. Different sports, but you can see the parallels. In my experience most of them are frauds - little more than snake oil salesmen.

Not sure why. Americans definitely can make more money teaching basketball/american football.
Who'd pay an American to teach them soccer? Guess maybe if they were only coaching option around.

I am a huge Chelsea fan and they have the top youth program in American club soccer IMHO. FC Dallas also has a really good one based within 50 miles of each other.

 

[daschoo]

MLS would be better using its overseas player budget to attract young talented overseas players rather than over paying for semi retired ex-Internationals. Get some hungry players in who'll improve the standard and push the American players. Surely MLS is a competitive option salary wise for a Championship or Segunda player or player from a smaller countries top division?

The problem with that is that over here the MLS is seen as a footballing backwater. Young talented Europeans are unlikely to go over there as they'll have ambitions of playing for bigger European teams or getting a move to the English premiership. They're more likely to catch the eye playing for a midtable German or French team or an Ajax or a Celtic than in the U.S. The guys who do take the money probably are going to be guys who don't think they're likely to earn a "big" move down the line and by definition not a marked upgrade that will improve the reputation of the league.
A bit of a Catch 22 with the odd exception like Giovinco

 

[BigD16]

The problem with that is that over here the MLS is seen as a footballing backwater. Young talented Europeans are unlikely to go over there as they'll have ambitions of playing for bigger European teams or getting a move to the English premiership. They're more likely to catch the eye playing for a midtable German or French team or an Ajax or a Celtic than in the U.S. The guys who do take the money probably are going to be guys who don't think they're likely to earn a "big" move down the line and by definition not a marked upgrade that will improve the reputation of the league.
A bit of a Catch 22 with the odd exception like Giovinco

And that's cause Giovinco gets shunned by the Italian team for playing in the MLS.

 

[LocimusPrime]

I trying to get into soccer. I live in Dallas. What teams should I follow.

 

[BigD16]

I trying to get into soccer. I live in Dallas. What teams should I follow.

Soccer is the one sport where I don't necessarily follow club teams as much as players. I just root for USA players abroad to play well (Christian Pulisic played a good match today for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid) and enjoy top level clubs playing one another in Europe (EPL and Bundesliga are my favorites along with the Champions League). The only team I'm passionate about is the USMNT.

However, if you want to get into MLS why don't you just root for FC Dallas. You'll be able to attend local games and once the tradition rubs off on you, you'll be hooked.

 

[LocimusPrime]

Soccer is the one sport where I don't necessarily follow club teams as much as players. I just root for USA players abroad to play well (Christian Pulisic played a good match today for Borussia Dortmund against Real Madrid) and enjoy top level clubs playing one another in Europe (EPL and Bundesliga are my favorites along with the Champions League). The only team I'm passionate about is the USMNT.

However, if you want to get into MLS why don't you just root for FC Dallas. You'll be able to attend local games and once the tradition rubs off on you, you'll be hooked.

FC Dallas it is then. I'll give it a try

 

[jterrell]

I trying to get into soccer. I live in Dallas. What teams should I follow.

I'd say pick a team in the EPL. Bob Sturm has covered this a few times.
If you pick a "big" club : Man U., Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Luverpool, Everton, Tottenham... you'll be able to see 75% or so of the games without much effort beyond a sports package and DVR.

The level of play in the EPL will make you a fan. It's fast paced but also physical. Their are tactics that are readily visible to even laymen.

I follow Chelsea and was quickly hooked. It's my second favorite sport now.

Added bonus: Games are often 8 or 9 AM Saturday or Sunday morning. So before Cowboys football or major college games.

 

[jterrell]

FC Dallas it is then. I'll give it a try

FC Dallas and the MLS offer a great LIVE experience and I;d encourage you to go to Frisco to watch it.
But it is well below EPL level. Can be tough to enjoy MLS if you watch EPL or Spanish/German leagues.

 

[BigD16]

FC Dallas and the MLS offer a great LIVE experience and I;d encourage you to go to Frisco to watch it.
But it is well below EPL level. Can be tough to enjoy MLS if you watch EPL or Spanish/German leagues.

That's very true. Once all you watch is European soccer, the MLS looks like it's in slow motion in comparison.

 

[CATCH17]

That's very true. Once all you watch is European soccer, the MLS looks like it's in slow motion in comparison.

I can't watch MLS hardly.

I'll watch a match or 2 after the world cup just so I can watch some of the guys that contributed to the team but it's not a good watch.


In fact I only enjoy the premiere league or a La Liga game with Barca, Real, or Athletico playing one another.

Premiere league gets me through the NFL offseason though and it's become my 2nd favorite sport. I was the typical American hater of the sport and around 2009 I watched it here and there, found a favorite player (Ronaldinho), and started watching and following and now i'm a big fan.

Somehow I landed on Chelsea as my team but I really just enjoy watching certain players perform and the story lines that happen throughout a season.

 

[BigD16]

I can't watch MLS hardly.

I'll watch a match or 2 after the world cup just so I can watch some of the guys that contributed to the team but it's not a good watch.


In fact I only enjoy the premiere league or a La Liga game with Barca, Real, or Athletico playing one another.

Premiere league gets me through the NFL offseason though and it's become my 2nd favorite sport. I was the typical American hater of the sport and around 2009 I watched it here and there, found a favorite player (Ronaldinho), and started watching and following and now i'm a big fan.

Somehow I landed on Chelsea as my team but I really just enjoy watching certain players perform and the story lines that happen throughout a season.

Soccer was my first love tbh. I was teased all the time for being a soccer fan/player. My passion is the USMNT but I live in South Texas and I'm hispanic so when I was about 8 years old I first loved the Mexican national team (still have a soft spot for them) and I became passionate about soccer during the 1998 World Cup. I grew up watching players like Jared Borgetti, Luis Hernandez (aka El Matador), Cuauhtemoc Blanco, young Rafa Marquez and Jorge Campos. I watched Liga MX for a while following America but grew distant after a few years when I started transitioning more towards the USMNT.

Nowadays I enjoy the EPL and Bundesliga more than La Liga just because I feel they are more fast paced and more competitive. However, La Liga is definitely the most technical league in the world. I'm not passionate about any one club (but there are certainly clubs that I favor and hate). Mostly I just follow USA internationals playing overseas. Chelsea actually have a USA youngster of their own. His name is Matt Miazga but he's currently on loan.