The thread is about USA soccer and my post covered both but whatever. It is still a valid point.

rocky the dog said:

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How does one coach soccer?

Other than teaching children and beginners, it's gotta be the easiest job on earth. "Kick the ball." "Run." "Run while kicking the ball." "When inbounding, throw the ball over your head." "You can use your head but not your hands." That's about it, as far as I can tell.

There are no plays. If there are, they get disrupted by the opposing players. Otherwise, it's the monotony of running from one end of the field to the other with very little scoring. Rhymes with boring.

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I could go on and on…
First, hot take, at a certain skill and age level, coaches aren't coaching (teaching) anymore, they're managing. And that's planning strategy, handling personnel, etc. There are great managers who aren't great coaches, and vice versa.

But when I try to coach soccer, I focus on the fundamental skills of ball control first. Then lower level tactics: when attacking, you look to exploit space; when defending, you look to control space.

There are some opportunities for designed plays, from what are called set pieces or restarts. To the above point, they are usually drawn up to create space for specific players to go to. And you'll see misdirection, blocking opponents (similar to setting a pick in basketball), and so forth.

The flow of the game may seem boring, but it's more like a patient form of opportunistic play. The excitement comes from the scarcity of the opportunities.

The least interesting match of the tournament so far was Germany 7-1 over Curacao. Except for Curacao's one.

Edit to add, it sounds like you want a constant high level of excitement and intensity. Impossible for any team to maintain for 90-120 minutes. But if you watch the last ten minutes of a match where one or both teams need a goal to keep their season or tournament going, having only a general idea of how much time remains, the stress is on par with any other sport, as well as the resultant agony and ecstasy. To wit, last night's match between Turkey and Paraguay. The Turkish squad know that they're out if they lose, and as the watch is winding down, the desperation is palpable, and eventually too much to bear. The whistle blows, the dream is over, they can only collapse on the pitch.

aggiehawg said:

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Sid Farkas said:

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aggiehawg said:

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I have zero idea what is going on.

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We're layin' wood on these stiffs. That's what's happening

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I can read the scoreboard. I just didn't understand what was under review on our last apparent score. Commentators saying offsides? Which is hilarious to me with such a chaotic field.

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Because the field is chaotic is why having an official review aided by replay is necessary
Making it even harder the position of the attacking player when the ball is passed is the moment that is important.

rocky the dog said:

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How does one coach soccer?

Other than teaching children and beginners, it's gotta be the easiest job on earth. "Kick the ball." "Run." "Run while kicking the ball." "When inbounding, throw the ball over your head." "You can use your head but not your hands." That's about it, as far as I can tell.

There are no plays. If there are, they get disrupted by the opposing players. Otherwise, it's the monotony of running from one end of the field to the other with very little scoring. Rhymes with boring.

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You could make millions coaching! Just go to Europe and get a job!

Justwinags said:

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I've been telling my USA soccer bashing foreign friends that they are lucky our best athletes don't prioritize soccer over 'our sports'. Then I see a dude yesterday who was much more athletic looking than the others head one in and find out it was Antonio Freeman's son…I hope this continues! The soccer world would not enjoy a winning USA team…

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Yeah, I've said this for many years. If they ever did, we would dominate the sport or at least be in the top 5 national teams year in and year out. Too much money elsewhere though.

rocky the dog said:

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Even the Bee agrees with me...

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Then good go smell some grass and do something you enjoy. Its a free country but telling others the sport is gay, boring etc makes people look small. I only watch a handful of sports these days as I age, the rest of my time I enjoy myself on this earth.

World Cup has been great; will go down as the one of the most successful in history

However the rule that got the Paraguay player ejected yesterday for covering his mouth while he said something is ridiculous. And no one actually knows what he said except for the Turkey player who called him out on it.

Ref pulled out the red card and adios…

YouBet said:

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More people watched our first game than watched the NBA playoffs.

Therefore, US soccer is now more popular than the NBA in America.

#Americaspasttime

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I think this just shows how many people Biden let in from 3rd world ****holes

Bormuz said:

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World Cup has been great; will go down as the one of the most successful in history

However the rule that got the Paraguay player ejected yesterday for covering his mouth while he said something is ridiculous. And no one actually knows what he said except for the Turkey player who called him out on it.

Ref pulled out the red card and adios…

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Gay ass rule driven by FIFA's obsession with race. I wasn't aware of it until this but you can't put your hand over your mouth at all because FIFA is scared whoever is doing it is saying something racist. Thus, it didn't matter if he said nothing. You can't put your hand over your mouth or you are gone.

He would have been better off cussing the dude openly.

For the"soccer not gay" crowd....these comments ...

"We're blowing their asses out"
"We're laying wood on these stiffs"

Teslag said:

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YouBet said:

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More people watched our first game than watched the NBA playoffs.

Therefore, US soccer is now more popular than the NBA in America.

#Americaspasttime

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I think this just shows how many people Biden let in from 3rd world ****holes

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Probably contributed but it's also a natural progression of our team finally getting decent. We are #13 in the world.

Plus, our coach is a pretty famous and fairly successful European club coach.

It's definitely an easier sport to relate to for the world because it's absolutely the common/poor person's sport because it cost almost nothing to play it. All you need is a ball and four objects to establish two goals.

I grew up playing it so I personally enjoy it.

The Fall Guy said:

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YouBet said:

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Bormuz said:

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World Cup has been great; will go down as the one of the most successful in history

However the rule that got the Paraguay player ejected yesterday for covering his mouth while he said something is ridiculous. And no one actually knows what he said except for the Turkey player who called him out on it.

Ref pulled out the red card and adios…

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Gay ass rule driven by FIFA's obsession with race. I wasn't aware of it until this but you can't put your hand over your mouth at all because FIFA is scared whoever is doing it is saying something racist. Thus, it didn't matter if he said nothing. You can't put your hand over your mouth or you are gone.

He would have been better off cussing the dude openly.

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You sure do the word Gay a lot. Come on out of the closet. It is ok. How old are you 8 or 80. Lol

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I do? Probably the first time I've used it on here in a long time from what I recall.

Are you sure you don't have something to share with the group?

Sorry wrong guy. Though that was Tesla. Lol

I enjoy soccer, although I don't follow it nearly like I used to because it is -- as the kids would say -- "progressive coded."

The politicization of everything really affected US soccer -- both the national teams and MLS. But it's been fun watching this World Cup.

And yet ...

Two things make me roll my eyes.

One is the announcer in every stadium saying "Please stand, if you are able ..." or "please remain standing, if you are able." That's so incredibly 2026 and lame, as if someone in a wheelchair or some elderly person would try and stand if they couldn't because of some PA announcement.

"What happened to Pops?"

"Well, he wasn't going to stand but the stadium announcer told him to and he fell down the stairs."

The other is how everyone calls Turkey "Turk-i-ye" now with an exaggerated pronunciation of the middle syllable so no one thinks they didn't get the memo.

YouBet said:

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Justwinags said:

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I've been telling my USA soccer bashing foreign friends that they are lucky our best athletes don't prioritize soccer over 'our sports'. Then I see a dude yesterday who was much more athletic looking than the others head one in and find out it was Antonio Freeman's son…I hope this continues! The soccer world would not enjoy a winning USA team…

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Yeah, I've said this for many years. If they ever did, we would dominate the sport or at least be in the top 5 national teams year in and year out. Too much money elsewhere though.

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Freeman playing and scoring is not indicative of anything. He can't play any other outfield position. You guys are both misinformed. What's required of other American sports those athlete could not play futbol / soccer at this level or past HS. In the NFL only WRs and DBs could do it, in the NBA only PGs could do it, Zero baseball players could do it, hockey maybe a few wingers could do it. This is for outfield players, for GK many more could, obviously.

If you can go to an MLS game in Houston or Dallas or Austin, do it and get good seats. Or even just if you live in a larger metro area with high level youth club soccer go see a good U18 game. You will have a new appreciation and understanding of the game.

Jarrin Jay said:

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YouBet said:

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Justwinags said:

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I've been telling my USA soccer bashing foreign friends that they are lucky our best athletes don't prioritize soccer over 'our sports'. Then I see a dude yesterday who was much more athletic looking than the others head one in and find out it was Antonio Freeman's son…I hope this continues! The soccer world would not enjoy a winning USA team…

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Yeah, I've said this for many years. If they ever did, we would dominate the sport or at least be in the top 5 national teams year in and year out. Too much money elsewhere though.

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Freeman playing and scoring is not indicative of anything. He can't play any other outfield position. You guys are both misinformed. What's required of other American sports those athlete could not play futbol / soccer at this level or past HS. In the NFL only WRs and DBs could do it, in the NBA only PGs could do it, Zero baseball players could do it, hockey maybe a few wingers could do it. This is for outfield players, for GK many more could, obviously.

If you can go to an MLS game in Houston or Dallas or Austin, do it and get good seats. Or even just if you live in a larger metro area with high level youth club soccer go see a good U18 game. You will have a new appreciation and understanding of the game.

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What an ignorant soccer fan thing to say haha

You realize people train and develop their bodies differently for different sports, right? You're trying to say "gotcha! offensive linemen can't run marathons as well as stick figures so distance runners are better!"

Interesting perspective

Quote:

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The "Best Athletes" Myth Is a Lie. Here's America's Real Soccer Problem.

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https://t.co/x9E06LGrxP

— Paul Spacey ⚽️ (@PaulSpacey) June 13, 2026

BMX Bandit said:

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Interesting perspective

Quote:

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The "Best Athletes" Myth Is a Lie. Here's America's Real Soccer Problem.

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https://t.co/x9E06LGrxP

— Paul Spacey ⚽️ (@PaulSpacey) June 13, 2026

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Thats a pretty dumb write up. I stopped reading when it started talking about how a 4.3 40 doesn't matter in soccer. I just watched the last game and the most exciting parts were when a player pulled past another due to speed in a dash to the goal past a defender

Where did he say a 4.3 doesn't matter?

He said this, which is really undisputably true:

Quote:

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A 4.3 second forty does not buy you a first touch.

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BMX Bandit said:

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Where did he say a 4.3 doesn't matter?

He said this, which is really undisputably true:

Quote:

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A 4.3 second forty does not buy you a first touch.

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It was the only thing that mattered on first touch with a long pass down the field (pitch) so it is yet again wrong. Both players in a dead sprint to get the first touch. He tried to say Randy Moss would've been forgotten if be played QB.

Let's just make up baseless things to say how soccer is so much better and the country with the best athletes suddenly don't have the best athletes in soccer because soccer is too good for them hahaha. That's why people here don't care much for soccer types. Get real

You are making things up to fight strawman of your own creation. No one is saying soccer is so much better or the athletes are better. It's a completely different sport, that's what the article is saying.

I don't even necessarily agree he's right in all his conclusions, but I'm not make things up about what he's saying as you have.

By your own admission you have no clue what you're watching, but suddenly are an expert on what is needed to be successful?

Im far from a "soccer guy". I watch the World Cup US and big matches that's about it. Many of these games can be extremely boring to watch in my opinion.

BMX Bandit said:

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You are making things up to fight strawman of your own creation. No one is saying soccer is so much better or the athletes are better. It's a completely different sport, that's what the article is saying.

I don't even necessarily agree he's right in all his conclusions, but I'm not make things up about what he's saying as you have.

By your own admission you have no clue what you're watching, but suddenly are an expert on what is needed to be successful?

Im far from a "soccer guy". I watch the World Cup US and big matches that's about it. Many of these games can be extremely boring to watch in my opinion.

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A swing and a miss. The pro soccer piece you supplied is just so fraught with errors and piss poor hypotheticals. I know we have more than what is needed to be the most dominant soccer team in the world. The only issue is whether or not we want to be.

A 4.3 40 is the main reason that Mbappe is a world class player. He's faster than everyone else. Just about every NBA player that plays from a 1 to a 3 could play professional soccer if they had trained from day one. Being tall is a great advantage for defenders in soccer. Someone like amen Thompson could certainly run all day as needed and would jump a foot higher that everyone else and is already 4 inches taller than everybody. He made the right choice to play basketball and his family will have generational wealth.

Alex Freeman isn't even that athletic. He couldn't be a wife receiver like his dad because he doesn't have the athleticism. The USMNT doesn't have great athletes. The last guy I saw that could probably compete with NFL athletes out there was DeAndre Yedlin and that was a decade ago and he was never good enough at soccer to make it make a difference.

You flat out mischaracterize the article then claim it has errors.

He never said Randy Moss would would have been forgotten. He said we'd never know what happened. I don't see how you can argue with that.

There are thousands of amazing American athletes every year that never make it professional.

BMX Bandit said:

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You flat out mischaracterize the article then claim it has errors.

He never said Randy Moss would would have been forgotten. He said we'd never know what happened. I don't see how you can argue with that.

There are thousands of amazing American athletes every year that never make it professional.

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Disagree and think I'm pretty spot on. It's a really bad write up

Anyway, go USA. Hope we win but won't bother me if we don't.

Regarding that tweet by Paul J Spacey… A couple of valid points, but as I would tell my students, look at the author. He's a coach and trainer for hire. That blog post is written to sell himself and his services.

Bringing up Mbappe is absolutely valid. Look at the first part of France's first match. They were playing to Mbappe, and he had half a dozen moments where he just couldn't make a good touch. Athleticism put him in good position, but his handling was off. Until it wasn't, and he scored.

It's always a weird argument and discussion point, how we should do better because of our national advantage in athletics and whatever. There is no single "correct" answer. We would have found it by now, even by accident.

My opinion, as a player/coach/referee… I don't know. When you think you've found a Messi in the rough, make sure you encourage them to play and develop their strengths, while shoring up any weaknesses. I think there are too many shackles on young players, ranging from financial barriers to coaches' individual philosophies to winning being the most important thing.

All great points

Physicality, strength, and being able to take a beating are key athletic abilities. And it's why soccer players can never be considered among the best athletes in the world.

Jarrin Jay said:

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YouBet said:

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Justwinags said:

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I've been telling my USA soccer bashing foreign friends that they are lucky our best athletes don't prioritize soccer over 'our sports'. Then I see a dude yesterday who was much more athletic looking than the others head one in and find out it was Antonio Freeman's son…I hope this continues! The soccer world would not enjoy a winning USA team…

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Yeah, I've said this for many years. If they ever did, we would dominate the sport or at least be in the top 5 national teams year in and year out. Too much money elsewhere though.

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Freeman playing and scoring is not indicative of anything. He can't play any other outfield position. You guys are both misinformed. What's required of other American sports those athlete could not play futbol / soccer at this level or past HS. In the NFL only WRs and DBs could do it, in the NBA only PGs could do it, Zero baseball players could do it, hockey maybe a few wingers could do it. This is for outfield players, for GK many more could, obviously.

If you can go to an MLS game in Houston or Dallas or Austin, do it and get good seats. Or even just if you live in a larger metro area with high level youth club soccer go see a good U18 game. You will have a new appreciation and understanding of the game.

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I grew up playing soccer. I appreciate and understand the sport.

BMX Bandit said:

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Interesting perspective

Quote:

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The "Best Athletes" Myth Is a Lie. Here's America's Real Soccer Problem.

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https://t.co/x9E06LGrxP

— Paul Spacey ⚽️ (@PaulSpacey) June 13, 2026

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Here's one of the issues here in the US...

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Then look at the numbers, because the bodies at the top tell the story plainly.

Average height across the top leagues worldwide sits around six feet. The midfielders who run the game average 5'10". Almost 40% of Premier League players stand below six feet.

Goalkeepers are the tall exception at around 6'2" on average, and that is one position out of eleven.
Then look at one of the best teams of this era. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City had one of the shortest squads in the league, 5'11 on average, and triumphed in England and Europe while doing it.

Messi at 5'7". Maradona at 5'5". Xavi, Iniesta, Luka Modri, none of them built like a combine invitee.
N'Golo Kant stands 5'6". Two Premier League titles, a World Cup winner's medal, a career spent taking the ball off men half a foot taller than him.

Physical profile guarantees nothing in this sport. The American myth selects hardest for the input soccer rewards less. Athleticism is important, but it plays a supporting role in soccer, not a starring one.

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In the US, kids that size really don't play sports that much. And, growing up, that Maradona-sized player at 5'5" was probably 4'8" at 10-12, and the kids that actually went out for soccer were 5'7" at that age...

We live in a different world here in the US.

Smaller kids just don't really get into sports as much as the bigger kids here. They get culled in peewee leagues and things like that.

ETA: I just saw that I missed this:

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American youth soccer over-selects the big, fast, early-maturing kid. It under-develops the smaller, more skilled, later maturing one. In 20+ years coaching, I have watched it run on every sideline I have stood on. The coach picks the athlete and cuts the player.

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Quote:

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In the US, kids that size really don't play sports that much. And, growing up, that Maradona-sized player at 5'5" was probably 4'8" at 10-12, and the kids that actually went out for soccer were 5'7" at that age...

We live in a different world here in the US.

Smaller kids just don't really get into sports as much as the bigger kids here. They get culled in peewee leagues and things like that.

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Great point. American kids are larger, better fed, to grow more, just on portion size if nothing else. Further we have food storage for bulk buying, so food is always in the house and accessible.

Europeans don't have any of that. Very limited fridge/freezer space. Tiny ovens and microwaves. Also few houses have big enough garages, if they have a garage at all, for a second fridge/freezer and additonal shelving space for canned goods.

Soccer just isn't embedded in American culture like it is in most of the rest of the world. Football and basketball aren't skill sports the way soccer and say baseball are. (You can't just decide to pick up soccer or baseball or golf at a later age, and esp in a place where the skillset isn't endemic in the culture).

You gotta start young, live the sport (the way we do fb. hoops and baseball), and have intense competition all around you. Traditionally our male soccer players are college boys and not barrio-bred soccer heads. Our athletes living in lower class strata live in a hoops & fb culture. Except for a few latin american neighborhoods, there isnt a whiff of soccer till you get out to the burbs.