CONCACAF U-15 Boys Championship

[Anonymous]

This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

[Anonymous]

Cool story

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

Are they streaming matches?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

Sounds very subjective and not a pure objective soccer game review by a true football mind

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

Sounds very subjective and not a pure objective soccer game review by a true football mind

What was your analysis again?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

Are they streaming matches?

Yes all of them

[Anonymous]

Maybe they tactically decided to run more of a counter to the Saudis rather than possess the ball?

[Anonymous]

Soccer is at best a 4th tier sport in the US. It’s probably a good deal lower than that. As a result it will never get the kind of attention (read: money) that attracts the best players and coaches. The problems you call out are symptoms. The root cause is that soccer is not very popular here especially on the boys side.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe they tactically decided to run more of a counter to the Saudis rather than possess the ball?

Could be. But that would be so sad for a youth team that is supposed to have superior talent. And even if they did decide to employ that strategy, they were terrible at it.

[Anonymous]

Soccer purists would object, but the game probably would become more popular, in the USA especially, IF they relaxed the offsides rule and enabled more offense to happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer is at best a 4th tier sport in the US. It’s probably a good deal lower than that. As a result it will never get the kind of attention (read: money) that attracts the best players and coaches. The problems you call out are symptoms. The root cause is that soccer is not very popular here especially on the boys side.

Agree. Why becoming a world class footballer from the US is extremely difficult and you see that on full display in this tournament.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer purists would object, but the game probably would become more popular, in the USA especially, IF they relaxed the offsides rule and enabled more offense to happen.

No offsides in soccer but thanks for your input!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is must watch for parents with kids in the US soccer system, at any age really. PLEASE watch the US team and you will see on full display what is wrong with our system in the US and the way we both recruit and cultivate talent.

We have a team of players that have good physical attributes. That assessment can be reduced to either speed and/or size. Not size dependent totally as there are some smaller kids on the roster (we had the smallest player on the field at left back) but speed and power are clearly the priority. Against Saudi Arabia in the first match, we were not the better team in the first half against a smaller, slower, less physical but FAR more technical team. They had 3 or 4 really good chances on goal in the first half and it could easily have been 4-1 for them at half time. But the goals didn't drop for them. But they had the quality to get the opportunities. They combined and passed well. First touches were noticeably better than ours. Decision making was also better. They just didn't have the physical quality to withstand our dueling. We were up 1-0 at half time but it was a really dismal display for the US team.

We couldn't string together more than three passes in the first half and our striker LITERALLY didn't have one touch in the first half. Not one. Many errant giveaway passes, over dribbling, over faking and moves, just too much of all the wrong things. It looked like we didn't understand the game and how to move the ball from one end of the field to the other to score. We scored another goal in the second half on a good through ball and someone just outrunning the defense. The Saudi team got a red card and had someone sent off after the goal and we couldn't score when they had a man down. Largely because it would require better passing and control to beat a very low block. Something we couldn't execute technically. If you have a youth player in the US please take note of these issues and show your player.

What you clearly see with this US squad is a system that is failing these kids. They aren't learning how to actually play soccer. They learn how to run hard, tackle the ball (like American football) and dribble and shoot. The quality of their fundamentals is noticeably lower and almost none of them have quality on their non dominant foot. So much so that they were predicable even to the Saudi team. Decision making is also really poor. Chipping, trapping with all parts of body, shielding, off the ball movement both in and out of possession looked marginally better than what you see in regular MLS next games and that is not good enough for international football.

I would offer that there is absolutely no way this US squad will win this tournament and to be honest, I wouldn't be shocked if they lost to Costa Rica today. I write this because I was just shocked when I saw this game and the quality (or lack thereof) and thought to myself, something needs to dramatically change in our country. We have so many kids playing the sport in this country and you're telling me this is the best we can do?? Of course we could have a whole conversation about the politics of team selection and we all know it is political. Even still, it HAS to be better than this.

So which MLS academy did not take your DS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer purists would object, but the game probably would become more popular, in the USA especially, IF they relaxed the offsides rule and enabled more offense to happen.

Basically you're saying dumb the game down for an American audience that can't understand the game outside of goals being scored.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Soccer is at best a 4th tier sport in the US. It’s probably a good deal lower than that. As a result it will never get the kind of attention (read: money) that attracts the best players and coaches. The problems you call out are symptoms. The root cause is that soccer is not very popular here especially on the boys side.

It doesn't help matters that the ecosystem is designed more to enrich investors/owners than develop top tier players/national teams.