What position do you play?

I often think about "Greg" who came to us as a varsity ready athlete as a freshman. It just so happened the varsity had an opening for a wing defender that year. Greg was physically gifted enough to man that spot. Through summer workouts and team camps Greg was worked with to prepare him for the role. He played as our left back during scrimmages and acquitted himself well.  If I recall correctly it was after our first regular season match that Greg came to the coaching staff and proclaimed "I'm a forward. That's all I have ever played and that's where I want to play in high school." Greg spent the next 3 seasons toiling away as a forward on the JV squad. As a senior he played forward for the varsity.I guess he was happy with his decision even as his coaching staff and teammates were not.

One might think "Greg" is an exception, but that really isn't the case.  I see this attitude on a regular basis.  In recent years I have had a goalkeeper who believed she was a center midfielder until it became clear to her that she was the teams 4th or 5th best option as a center midfielder.  I have had a defensive midfielder who insisted he was a forward. I have had a center defender who insisted he was a attacking midfielder. The commonality between all these players and others like them is a "me first" attitude.

Other players are more than happy to fill any role asked of them. Perhaps they have a different type of "me-first" attitude, one that serves the team. These are the kids that sacrifice the position they want in order to play and help their team by doing so.  In exchange they have almost always expanded their game and become better all round players. If one looks at the youth playing expeience of our national team players you will discover almost all have changed positions as they advanced through the ranks. I have to wonder about those who refused to change positions or stubbornly proclaimed they were "a forward" as Greg did all those years ago.

To paraphrase John F Kennedy, "Ask not what your team can do for you, ask what you can do for your team." 

It's such a great quote.  It speaks to sacrificing for the greater good. I think it is an indicator of the quality of "team chemistry" that is present in the individual and by extension the collective team. I believe it speaks to embracing opportunities instead of blaming obstacles. It speaks to an open mindedness instead of a closed mind. 

As a coach, give me the kid that wants to play. Period.  One of my favorite players of all time was a starting defender / center midfielder who when the need arose to train an emergency goalkeeper volunteered without hesitation to fill that role too. "Kevin" worked with the goalkeepers every day in addition to working as a center defender and center midfielder. His goalkeeping abilities improved to a degree that he would have sufficed in a pinch. Thankfully the need never arose, but I love, love, love the attitude and spirit!

My advice to players is this, if a coach asks what position you play, your response should be "I prefer _____, but am more than willing to play wherever you and the team need me to play"  and mean what you say.

FINAL: US MNT 0 Mexico 0

Playing a lot of young kids and unfamilar faces the US MNT went into Azteca and stole a point on the road!

Beasley was a warrior tonight. Not his best game and he struggled at times but rose to meet every challenge.  Besler and Gonzaes were superb. Cameron held down his side as well.  Guzan was really solid, very calm in support of the backs.

Thought Bradley was the key. His play and organization from the DM position were keys to the game, imo. Zusi provided the strong physical presence in support.

I am unsure what Klinsman was thinking in replacing Altidore with Johnson. he corresponding switch from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2  was a bit curious as well.  Thought the US had controlled the center channels well up to that point. They struggled to get numbers around the ball when playing in the 4-4-2.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing Klinsman - just not understanding his thinking with that move.  Perhaps he will enlighten us in post match comments.

Mexico will complain of the two non-calls that could have resulted in PK opportunities for the home side.  That's just sour grapes because they left a half dozen other scoring chances on the field. Convert on any of those and the potential PK's are renderedfar less relevant. Sometimes a little luck is needed and this time it shined favorably on the US MNT. 

Haven't seen the stats yet, but Mexico had more shots, more shots on goal and a staggering number of corner kicks.  The US MNT stood strong.  Poise, composure... they just didn't buckle and that is very encouraging.

New faces are emerging as starters and contributors. Players missing due to injuries or sabaticals doesn't seem to phase Klinsman and this group.  He's used a different line up in each game with an astonishing 59 players receiving caps under his direction.  That is going to establish a much deeper pool of players than the US has been accustomed to.  I am really impressed by the "next man up" approach of the US team as exemplfied by the young center backs to tonight.

Point well earned!

US MNT @ Mexico 1st Half

After a slow start the US MNT  began to sustain possession better. Jose Altidore's back to goal target play was a huge factor in this as he linked with Bradley a number of times. Was very impressed with the US patience in building attacks and the change of pace displayed once they hit Altidore. The lay backs and returns worked well.

I am concerned about Beasley's play at the left back. He has struggled and Mexico smells blood there. The two young center backs, Besler and Gonzales have held up fairly well. Some textbook examples of zonal flat back play with both stick and arrow in evidence,

The strength of this team seems to be down the middle of the pitch and that is where much of the latter part of the first half was played after the Mexicans dominated flank play early on.

0 - 0 at Half.  The US MNT is probably happy with that. The Mexicans, not so much.