This report is 284 pages long and not something most will sit down and read through in one setting.
Click on the link below.
Enjoy!
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™
12 June – 13 July 2014
Showing posts with label 2014 World Cup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2014 World Cup. Show all posts
Wednesday
FIFA 2014 World Cup Technical Report
These reports are not always readily available or easy to find. They can be a bit, well, a bit technical. LOL. They are filled with statistics and analysis.
This report is 284 pages long and not something most will sit down and read through in one setting.
Click on the link below.
Enjoy!
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™
This report is 284 pages long and not something most will sit down and read through in one setting.
Click on the link below.
Enjoy!
2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™
Sunday
Decision Making
I have written a lot about decision making in general and specifically about players on-field or in-game decision making. I was talking with some friends last night when it occurred to me a coach's decision making is every bit as important as that of the players. Maybe more so in some regards.
Most people see a coach as the guy standing on the sidelines during games. This is the person who makes out line ups, makes substitutions and yells at officials during the game. What they don't see is the day to day activity behind the scenes.
Planning a 1.5 hour practice can often take me 1.5 hours. I care enough to get it right. There is analysis of where the team currently stands, specifics to be addressed, how to go about addressing these areas and planning for the needs to do so.
Training and game schedules.
Transportation.
Equipment.
Budgets.
Assistant Coaches.
Post game meals.
Video Taping practices and games.
These are but a few areas coaches have input in on decisions being made.
It goes even further than that though.
On the roster of a soccer team you will have players that learn in many different ways. How do you select or design an activity that reaches across all of these? Will you have to coach, instruct, teach the same activity in different ways to reach every player? One size rarely fits all.
Sometimes I think people forget a coach wants to win. While there is a contest taking place on the pitch there is also a bit of a contest taking place on the sidelines between coaches. Which coach will have the better initial game plan and which will make better half time adjustments to provide the players the best opportunity for victory.
When I go about setting a line up it can be a difficult task. It's definitely not about putting your 11 best players on the field so much as it is about putting the 11 who play best together on the pitch. This has been driven home hard in recent cub seasons as I have had a plethora of players who play center midfield for their high school teams. Some must change positions. Some may have to come off the bench as a substitute.
I have been following the teams that camped with us this summer and, of course, my son's high school team. In each case, I have found myself wondering about positions certain players have been placed in - not criticizing where a coach has decided to utilize a player. Just wondering what went into that decision making process trying to understand why the coach believes this is the way the pieces best fit together.
This is what I am getting at - most people know very little of all the decisions a coach must attend to nor do they realize the details of the process that take place far from the public eye. Parents tend to view a coach's decisions from the perspective of their child first and the team second. Whereas a coach must view things from a team perspective first with the individual players perspective being secondary.
Thus a player coming to his high school team after enjoying great success as an outside back for his club team may find himself playing center midfielder for his high school team. Or a more than capable club winger might be asked to play as a goalkeeper in high school. It's how the pieces best fit together in a given circumstance. As a coach I both understand and appreciate this.
Being on the other side of the pitch these last two fall seasons has been such a Blessing to me as I have watched the decision making process of coaches from a parents perspective, BUT with the inside knowledge of the vast variables a coach faces in making decisions. This has been of a tremendous benefit and influence to me as a coach.
In fact, this experience has provided me with the inner strength to make changes on the club level that I might not have had the courage to otherwise make. A prime example was my calculated move to take a center midfielder and move him to left back. There was some initial trepidation, even reluctance on the players part about making the switch. He bought into the move though. Asked questions and really studied and learned the position. Best left back I have ever coached and without a doubt in my mind the best left back in the area right now. He would have struggled to find time as a midfielder on our club team. Now, he should have college coaches clamoring for his attention.
A second example can be found in the demotion of a player to our second team. This players mother was extremely upset. She went so far as to try and convince another coach to take over the team so that her son could remain with the "A" team. She talked about me behind my back and was just generally belligerent towards me. I attempted to explain the reasoning but she could not see the logic through her anger, disappointment and hurt.
The player was a bit more receptive. I think he understood on a deeper level that in order to have a great senior year in high school soccer he needed to change some things about his game. He had been named to the varsity squad each of his first three years in high school only to be demoted back to JV in short order. A definite pattern had been established. This young man worked hard this past winter and spring. He did everything I asked ... and more. Not only did he learn to play at a higher level, he became a leader for our second team. He just blossomed as a player and a person.
Two great memories from this experience I will carry forward with me. The first was the day the player handed in his "homework" to me. It detailed the perspective of 5 different players taking part in an exercise and he nailed it in an extended response form. It was well thought out and on point. A far reach from his one word or short sentence answers of his previous homework assignments. The second was his taking over half time of a match. He was frustrated with a lackadaisical first half effort by his team, but he wasn't negative in addressing his teammates. He identified problems the team needed to solve, provided ideas about how to go about solving them and was very encouraging of his teammates. I remember standing aside watching and listening in awe wondering where this had been in previous years?
The answer was quite simple, in previous years he had deferred to others. He had been surrounded by teammates who were a little further along the development trail of leadership. Now, he had to step up and assume that mantel. He always had it in him, but had never been in the proper circumstance to allow it to shine forth. The by-product of all this has been a huge surge in confidence. This is a confident young man on the pitch. He's not a captain for his high school team, but he is a leader on the field.
It may well sound as if I am patting myself on the back for coaching decisions that have turned out well, but that is the furthest thing from the actual truth. I am not responsible for these players transformations and success. They are. I may have provided some tools or a venue, but these players put in the work and enjoy the success from having done so.
The point I have sought to make is that most people (players & parents) do not consider all that goes into a coach's decision making process. Nor do they appreciate the allocation of time and effort resources that are involved in making the decisions coaches do. Coaches can quite literally be exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally after a season concludes. The stress of constantly making decisions and balancing the interests of the program, the team and the individual player (in that order) can take its toll.
If only all we had to worry about was line ups and substitutions!
Most people see a coach as the guy standing on the sidelines during games. This is the person who makes out line ups, makes substitutions and yells at officials during the game. What they don't see is the day to day activity behind the scenes.
Planning a 1.5 hour practice can often take me 1.5 hours. I care enough to get it right. There is analysis of where the team currently stands, specifics to be addressed, how to go about addressing these areas and planning for the needs to do so.
Training and game schedules.
Transportation.
Equipment.
Budgets.
Assistant Coaches.
Post game meals.
Video Taping practices and games.
These are but a few areas coaches have input in on decisions being made.
It goes even further than that though.
On the roster of a soccer team you will have players that learn in many different ways. How do you select or design an activity that reaches across all of these? Will you have to coach, instruct, teach the same activity in different ways to reach every player? One size rarely fits all.
Sometimes I think people forget a coach wants to win. While there is a contest taking place on the pitch there is also a bit of a contest taking place on the sidelines between coaches. Which coach will have the better initial game plan and which will make better half time adjustments to provide the players the best opportunity for victory.
When I go about setting a line up it can be a difficult task. It's definitely not about putting your 11 best players on the field so much as it is about putting the 11 who play best together on the pitch. This has been driven home hard in recent cub seasons as I have had a plethora of players who play center midfield for their high school teams. Some must change positions. Some may have to come off the bench as a substitute.
I have been following the teams that camped with us this summer and, of course, my son's high school team. In each case, I have found myself wondering about positions certain players have been placed in - not criticizing where a coach has decided to utilize a player. Just wondering what went into that decision making process trying to understand why the coach believes this is the way the pieces best fit together.
This is what I am getting at - most people know very little of all the decisions a coach must attend to nor do they realize the details of the process that take place far from the public eye. Parents tend to view a coach's decisions from the perspective of their child first and the team second. Whereas a coach must view things from a team perspective first with the individual players perspective being secondary.
Thus a player coming to his high school team after enjoying great success as an outside back for his club team may find himself playing center midfielder for his high school team. Or a more than capable club winger might be asked to play as a goalkeeper in high school. It's how the pieces best fit together in a given circumstance. As a coach I both understand and appreciate this.
Being on the other side of the pitch these last two fall seasons has been such a Blessing to me as I have watched the decision making process of coaches from a parents perspective, BUT with the inside knowledge of the vast variables a coach faces in making decisions. This has been of a tremendous benefit and influence to me as a coach.
In fact, this experience has provided me with the inner strength to make changes on the club level that I might not have had the courage to otherwise make. A prime example was my calculated move to take a center midfielder and move him to left back. There was some initial trepidation, even reluctance on the players part about making the switch. He bought into the move though. Asked questions and really studied and learned the position. Best left back I have ever coached and without a doubt in my mind the best left back in the area right now. He would have struggled to find time as a midfielder on our club team. Now, he should have college coaches clamoring for his attention.
A second example can be found in the demotion of a player to our second team. This players mother was extremely upset. She went so far as to try and convince another coach to take over the team so that her son could remain with the "A" team. She talked about me behind my back and was just generally belligerent towards me. I attempted to explain the reasoning but she could not see the logic through her anger, disappointment and hurt.
The player was a bit more receptive. I think he understood on a deeper level that in order to have a great senior year in high school soccer he needed to change some things about his game. He had been named to the varsity squad each of his first three years in high school only to be demoted back to JV in short order. A definite pattern had been established. This young man worked hard this past winter and spring. He did everything I asked ... and more. Not only did he learn to play at a higher level, he became a leader for our second team. He just blossomed as a player and a person.
Two great memories from this experience I will carry forward with me. The first was the day the player handed in his "homework" to me. It detailed the perspective of 5 different players taking part in an exercise and he nailed it in an extended response form. It was well thought out and on point. A far reach from his one word or short sentence answers of his previous homework assignments. The second was his taking over half time of a match. He was frustrated with a lackadaisical first half effort by his team, but he wasn't negative in addressing his teammates. He identified problems the team needed to solve, provided ideas about how to go about solving them and was very encouraging of his teammates. I remember standing aside watching and listening in awe wondering where this had been in previous years?
The answer was quite simple, in previous years he had deferred to others. He had been surrounded by teammates who were a little further along the development trail of leadership. Now, he had to step up and assume that mantel. He always had it in him, but had never been in the proper circumstance to allow it to shine forth. The by-product of all this has been a huge surge in confidence. This is a confident young man on the pitch. He's not a captain for his high school team, but he is a leader on the field.
It may well sound as if I am patting myself on the back for coaching decisions that have turned out well, but that is the furthest thing from the actual truth. I am not responsible for these players transformations and success. They are. I may have provided some tools or a venue, but these players put in the work and enjoy the success from having done so.
The point I have sought to make is that most people (players & parents) do not consider all that goes into a coach's decision making process. Nor do they appreciate the allocation of time and effort resources that are involved in making the decisions coaches do. Coaches can quite literally be exhausted mentally, physically and emotionally after a season concludes. The stress of constantly making decisions and balancing the interests of the program, the team and the individual player (in that order) can take its toll.
If only all we had to worry about was line ups and substitutions!
Tuesday
The United States in World Cup 2014
The United States Men's National Team enter the 2014 World Cup ranked as the 13th team in the world. When the World Cup is finished they should be ranked in the same general area.
I Believe That We Can Win!
The US Naval Academy cheer taken as it's own by the American Outlaws has become a rallying cry if not the soccer anthem for US Soccer. Reports were the American fans in Brazil far outnumbered those from every other country save Brazil itself. ESPN and overnight Nielson ratings indicate the US matches were among the most watched sporting events ever with more viewers than the recent NBA playoffs, the Rose bowl and other noteworthy events.
In many ways, it appears the United States has finally arrived as a power on the world soccer scene. This is well illustrated by the commentary on an English Soccer podcast that has gone viral on social media.
From the loom of the team and the attitude they brought with them, I think they believe they belong as members of the world soccer scene and that is as important as anything else to take from this World Cup.
Many years ago the notion that America could not only compete with but win the World Cup was conceived. The belief that we can do so has blossomed before our eyes. The next step is to achieve that goal.
I do not wish to put a damper on all the great work done by US Soccer and specifically it's players and coaches, but in my opinion the USMNT still has a ways to go before it can realistically threaten to win a World Cup. We are much improved, good even, but not yet great.
The USMNT entered this World Cup needing great performances from its two best players - Tim Howard and Michael Bradley. You can make a case for other players importance, but these two gentlemen had to have not good, but great performances if the USMNT were to seriously challenge. Howard came through with flying colors. Bradley struggled throughout but played progressively better over the course of the US's 4 matches.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann made Bradley the center piece of his team. I Believe Landon Donovan was left off because Klinsmann wanted this to be Bradley's team. New coach, new culture. I understand that. However, while I am okay with Donovan being left of the team, I also believe Bradley struggled in part due to Donovan's absence on the pitch. Simply put, Bradley was not up to the task of carry this team on his shoulders by himself. He needed help, but understand what Klinsmann's intentions were - the USMNT needs a world class star in the worst way. Bradley was given the opportunity to ascend to that status. Given Donovan's age, it was a clear choice to make.
I think the same reasoning went into the single forward formations employed by the USMNT. This was to be Jozy Altidore's showcase. Klinsmann did not even roster a similar player. They were going to ride Altidore until he dropped. Unfortunately, Altidore dropped in the first match and Clint Dempsey was thrust into a role he just isn't suited to fill.
This highlights another area that needs shored up before the US can truly be considered established in the world soccer scene - quality depth. The USMNT put a quality 11 on the pitch but to say they were 23 men deep would be a stretch of the imagination. Consider that 5 members of the USMNT were dual nationals - United States and Germany. Klinsmann quite literally scoured the world to find players to his liking. Much of the talent we saw on the pitch was not home grown, per se.
And that is the challenge to be answered before qualifying for the 2018 World Cup begins - developing better home grown talent and uncovering the first world class American soccer star. DeAndre Yedlin or Julian Green anyone?
When I watched the USMNT this World Cup I saw a team that had learned to work far more intelligently and effectively than past US teams had. I saw a team that competed to an extent it probably overachieved in most matches. Klinsmann the tactician was brilliant for the most part - formations utilized, personnel deployed and the general systems of play. The USMNT played to its strengths while hiding its weaknesses fairly well. Possession play really suffered due to these strategies, but the USMNT was at its best defending and counter attacking. Possession soccer or slow builds to attacking play just is not something the USMNT does well namely because it lacks a world class star gal scorer... unless it's Altidore and we may have to wait another 4 years for that answer.
I don't believe the USMNT can afford to be satisfied with its performance although they played well and perhaps above realistic expectations. I understand their being disappointed in being knocked out. I can even appreciate being encouraged by making it through to the knockout round for two consecutive World Cups. There is still much to do before we can declare ourselves to have arrived though.
I am hopeful Klinsmann remains as coach for the next 4 years. I believe we will continue to see an infusion of youth into the USMNT as it prepares for 2018 World Cup qualifying. I think the future is bright. The next steps are to develop or uncover a world class American player the likes of a Messi or Ronaldo or Suarez while also deepening the overall pool of world class talent here in the states.
Time to take another step.
I Believe That We Will take that step and finally move from knocking on the door to kicking the door open as only Americans can to grabbed our spot in the world's soccer spotlight... in 2018!
I Believe That We Can Win!
The US Naval Academy cheer taken as it's own by the American Outlaws has become a rallying cry if not the soccer anthem for US Soccer. Reports were the American fans in Brazil far outnumbered those from every other country save Brazil itself. ESPN and overnight Nielson ratings indicate the US matches were among the most watched sporting events ever with more viewers than the recent NBA playoffs, the Rose bowl and other noteworthy events.
In many ways, it appears the United States has finally arrived as a power on the world soccer scene. This is well illustrated by the commentary on an English Soccer podcast that has gone viral on social media.
From the loom of the team and the attitude they brought with them, I think they believe they belong as members of the world soccer scene and that is as important as anything else to take from this World Cup.
Many years ago the notion that America could not only compete with but win the World Cup was conceived. The belief that we can do so has blossomed before our eyes. The next step is to achieve that goal.
I do not wish to put a damper on all the great work done by US Soccer and specifically it's players and coaches, but in my opinion the USMNT still has a ways to go before it can realistically threaten to win a World Cup. We are much improved, good even, but not yet great.
The USMNT entered this World Cup needing great performances from its two best players - Tim Howard and Michael Bradley. You can make a case for other players importance, but these two gentlemen had to have not good, but great performances if the USMNT were to seriously challenge. Howard came through with flying colors. Bradley struggled throughout but played progressively better over the course of the US's 4 matches.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann made Bradley the center piece of his team. I Believe Landon Donovan was left off because Klinsmann wanted this to be Bradley's team. New coach, new culture. I understand that. However, while I am okay with Donovan being left of the team, I also believe Bradley struggled in part due to Donovan's absence on the pitch. Simply put, Bradley was not up to the task of carry this team on his shoulders by himself. He needed help, but understand what Klinsmann's intentions were - the USMNT needs a world class star in the worst way. Bradley was given the opportunity to ascend to that status. Given Donovan's age, it was a clear choice to make.
I think the same reasoning went into the single forward formations employed by the USMNT. This was to be Jozy Altidore's showcase. Klinsmann did not even roster a similar player. They were going to ride Altidore until he dropped. Unfortunately, Altidore dropped in the first match and Clint Dempsey was thrust into a role he just isn't suited to fill.
This highlights another area that needs shored up before the US can truly be considered established in the world soccer scene - quality depth. The USMNT put a quality 11 on the pitch but to say they were 23 men deep would be a stretch of the imagination. Consider that 5 members of the USMNT were dual nationals - United States and Germany. Klinsmann quite literally scoured the world to find players to his liking. Much of the talent we saw on the pitch was not home grown, per se.
And that is the challenge to be answered before qualifying for the 2018 World Cup begins - developing better home grown talent and uncovering the first world class American soccer star. DeAndre Yedlin or Julian Green anyone?
When I watched the USMNT this World Cup I saw a team that had learned to work far more intelligently and effectively than past US teams had. I saw a team that competed to an extent it probably overachieved in most matches. Klinsmann the tactician was brilliant for the most part - formations utilized, personnel deployed and the general systems of play. The USMNT played to its strengths while hiding its weaknesses fairly well. Possession play really suffered due to these strategies, but the USMNT was at its best defending and counter attacking. Possession soccer or slow builds to attacking play just is not something the USMNT does well namely because it lacks a world class star gal scorer... unless it's Altidore and we may have to wait another 4 years for that answer.
I don't believe the USMNT can afford to be satisfied with its performance although they played well and perhaps above realistic expectations. I understand their being disappointed in being knocked out. I can even appreciate being encouraged by making it through to the knockout round for two consecutive World Cups. There is still much to do before we can declare ourselves to have arrived though.
I am hopeful Klinsmann remains as coach for the next 4 years. I believe we will continue to see an infusion of youth into the USMNT as it prepares for 2018 World Cup qualifying. I think the future is bright. The next steps are to develop or uncover a world class American player the likes of a Messi or Ronaldo or Suarez while also deepening the overall pool of world class talent here in the states.
Time to take another step.
I Believe That We Will take that step and finally move from knocking on the door to kicking the door open as only Americans can to grabbed our spot in the world's soccer spotlight... in 2018!
Wednesday
Exciting News for Grand Lake United.
Fielding spring club teams from the West central Ohio area has always been a struggle. More so in some age groups than others. This is why I am extremely pleased to announce we will be fielding two teams in the U18 /19 age group!
Our U17 team last spring had a very successful season going undefeated in the MVYSA league, winning our division at the Pacesetters Tournament and winning the Creek Classic. I have no doubt that the success of this team spurred interest within players looking to become a part of our success. The looming World Cup and the United States successful qualifying for it has generated some excitement as well. There's a bit more going on here though. The young men who comprise the team have been tremendous recruiters for our program and these teams. That only happens when teammates genuinely like and care about one another. This is a tight knit group confident in themselves and in their teammates.
I have seen this type of growth before in high school programs, at the college level and in amateur sports. It is the result of leadership within the player ranks. When the core group of players have "it" the opportunity for special exists. I have considered the best course of action for a coach when this occurs is to simply not get in the way so as to mess it up.
Yes, there will be some issues about assignments to the two teams. That is a good thing in my estimation. Everyone should want to play soccer with their friends and strive to be a member of what they perceive to be the best team. I understand that. Assignments to the teams will be one of the larger roles I play with this... program. I can offer no guarantee of getting it 100% right. I can only avow to do my very best in the context of Program, TEAM, Individual Player and prioritized in that order.
I would like to say I will coach both teams exactly the same but that will not be the case. Our core fundamentals will be the same with each team. Our systems of play will be similar, but we will play to the strengths of each team and the individuals who comprise the teams. Our formations may or may not be the same or similar. We will work to discover what works best for each team.
I'm excited. It looks like we will have 36-40 players to comprise these two teams. That is a tremendous player pool for our semi-rural area. An extraordinary number of players, in fact. I aim is to provide each of them with a quality playing experience in the 2014 spring season. Wish us Good Luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark together on this venture. And of course, I will keep you updated throughout the process!
Our U17 team last spring had a very successful season going undefeated in the MVYSA league, winning our division at the Pacesetters Tournament and winning the Creek Classic. I have no doubt that the success of this team spurred interest within players looking to become a part of our success. The looming World Cup and the United States successful qualifying for it has generated some excitement as well. There's a bit more going on here though. The young men who comprise the team have been tremendous recruiters for our program and these teams. That only happens when teammates genuinely like and care about one another. This is a tight knit group confident in themselves and in their teammates.
I have seen this type of growth before in high school programs, at the college level and in amateur sports. It is the result of leadership within the player ranks. When the core group of players have "it" the opportunity for special exists. I have considered the best course of action for a coach when this occurs is to simply not get in the way so as to mess it up.
Yes, there will be some issues about assignments to the two teams. That is a good thing in my estimation. Everyone should want to play soccer with their friends and strive to be a member of what they perceive to be the best team. I understand that. Assignments to the teams will be one of the larger roles I play with this... program. I can offer no guarantee of getting it 100% right. I can only avow to do my very best in the context of Program, TEAM, Individual Player and prioritized in that order.
I would like to say I will coach both teams exactly the same but that will not be the case. Our core fundamentals will be the same with each team. Our systems of play will be similar, but we will play to the strengths of each team and the individuals who comprise the teams. Our formations may or may not be the same or similar. We will work to discover what works best for each team.
I'm excited. It looks like we will have 36-40 players to comprise these two teams. That is a tremendous player pool for our semi-rural area. An extraordinary number of players, in fact. I aim is to provide each of them with a quality playing experience in the 2014 spring season. Wish us Good Luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we embark together on this venture. And of course, I will keep you updated throughout the process!
Sunday
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann has the roster for Friday's World Cup Qualifier against Jamaica to be held in Kansas City
GOALKEEPERS: Guzan, Howard, Rimando
DEFENDERS: Beasley, Besler, Cameron, Castillo, Evans, Gonzalez
MIDFIELDERS: Beckerman, Bedoya, Diskerud, Jones, Kljestan, Zusi
FORWARDS: Altidore, Boyd, Donovan, Johannsson, E. Johnson
Injured
Dempsey (hamstring)
Bradley (ankle)
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