How Technical are the Girls?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The best college player in the women's game wasn't raised here and about a quarter of the women's players selected as 1st/2nd/3rd team all-American aren't from the US. Florida State had 4 intl players starting for them last year.

People can stick their heads in the sand but don't be shocked if the there is an ever increasing number of overseas recruits headed here. You think US College coaches will take BRYC girls over girls who've been brought up in European academies?

You must be new to the sport. 4 international players starting for Florida State is low. The # is usually much higher. Welcome to college soccer. It’s nice to have you, buddy.

It’s not much higher, but the difference is FSU is winning national championships with those intl players where they weren’t 10 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You called the Spanish arrogant? You? Accused the Spanish of being arrogant? You said that?

No he didn’t. He called the Spanish, French, AND English arrogant. And I agree. And I also agree with both of his posts.

And he isn’t arrogant?

Please. And so what if you agree. That would just mean that you both are wrong

I know for certain that the USWNT current and previous Head Coaches understand and have a whole lot more experience with soccer strategies and tactics than you can ever hope for. To boot, they have had a tremendous amount of successes with the way our USWNT plays and the players they selected. Hence, criticizing the way they play just make you seem......dumb.

I didn’t say a thing about the USWNT. You might want to learn to read before you accuse people of being dumb.

I did say that the PP was arrogant. I did say that simply agreeing with someone does not make either person correct.

But let’s go back to the arrogant part. The tone of the poster and the name calling does come of as both arrogant and childish.

Second, the assumption that how our USWNT players are both selected and trained need not be constantly reassessed is also arrogant. Every country has athletes and to assume that other nations teams will not become more athletic while still retaining the high level of technical and tactical style of play is being arrogant. What worked before is not a guarantee of future success.

We will always have a great USWNT but we may no longer be dominant in the way we have been. That will require changes to stay ahead.

If you want to see where this is heading feel free to watch the following Barca vs PDA U15 game. Please point out the success the more athletic PDA team had. Keep in mind that the PDA team had not lost a game in two years up to this point. I’ll wait.

https://youtu.be/YN94aS0q0To

Wow, PDA has athletes but also no idea how to press or defend. Decision-making on the ball was also on display and not exactly earning an applaud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You called the Spanish arrogant? You? Accused the Spanish of being arrogant? You said that?

No he didn’t. He called the Spanish, French, AND English arrogant. And I agree. And I also agree with both of his posts.

And he isn’t arrogant?

Please. And so what if you agree. That would just mean that you both are wrong

I know for certain that the USWNT current and previous Head Coaches understand and have a whole lot more experience with soccer strategies and tactics than you can ever hope for. To boot, they have had a tremendous amount of successes with the way our USWNT plays and the players they selected. Hence, criticizing the way they play just make you seem......dumb.

I didn’t say a thing about the USWNT. You might want to learn to read before you accuse people of being dumb.

I did say that the PP was arrogant. I did say that simply agreeing with someone does not make either person correct.

But let’s go back to the arrogant part. The tone of the poster and the name calling does come of as both arrogant and childish.

Second, the assumption that how our USWNT players are both selected and trained need not be constantly reassessed is also arrogant. Every country has athletes and to assume that other nations teams will not become more athletic while still retaining the high level of technical and tactical style of play is being arrogant. What worked before is not a guarantee of future success.

We will always have a great USWNT but we may no longer be dominant in the way we have been. That will require changes to stay ahead.

If you want to see where this is heading feel free to watch the following Barca vs PDA U15 game. Please point out the success the more athletic PDA team had. Keep in mind that the PDA team had not lost a game in two years up to this point. I’ll wait.

https://youtu.be/YN94aS0q0To

Wow, PDA has athletes but also no idea how to press or defend. Decision-making on the ball was also on display and not exactly earning an applaud.

Keep in mind, that PDA team dominated in our country at our highest level. Not losing a game in two years against the toughest competition we can muster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You literally said: Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, [b]while not big super fast guys[\b]

Not the OP, but I believe he meant that Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. all have skill, IQ and athleticism (pace/speed being one of the athletic traits). And that Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta are not big or super fast but had other athletic qualities in addition to world-class technical skill and soccer intelligence that made them elite.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You literally said: Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, [b]while not big super fast guys[\b]

Not the OP, but I believe he meant that Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. all have skill, IQ and athleticism (pace/speed being one of the athletic traits). And that Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta are not big or super fast but had other athletic qualities in addition to world-class technical skill and soccer intelligence that made them elite.

Messi is crazy quick. Full stop. That is why this “athletic” argument is skewed through an American lens of Football and basketball. Most players can’t get close enough to Messi to touch him BECAUSE of his athleticism not in spite of it. Try playing a game of tag with Messi and you’ll look stupid. He is an amazing, elite and generational athlete.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You literally said: Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, [b]while not big super fast guys[\b]

Not the OP, but I believe he meant that Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. all have skill, IQ and athleticism (pace/speed being one of the athletic traits). And that Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta are not big or super fast but had other athletic qualities in addition to world-class technical skill and soccer intelligence that made them elite.

Messi is crazy quick. Full stop. That is why this “athletic” argument is skewed through an American lens of Football and basketball. Most players can’t get close enough to Messi to touch him BECAUSE of his athleticism not in spite of it. Try playing a game of tag with Messi and you’ll look stupid. He is an amazing, elite and generational athlete.

Agreed. Many players are faster than Messi, but no one is as agile.

[Anonymous]

It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The axe to grind poster is the same guy that always harps about how technical skills are the only thing that matters on numerous threads. Clearly he has an athletic deficiency as probably does his kid, hence the defensiveness. The rest of us know from experience and observation that it all matters. Skill, IQ, and athleticism. Henry, Bale, C. Ronaldo, Drogba, Zidane, Mueller, Robbin, Mbappe, Pogba, Ronaldinho, Etto, etc. Even Messi, Pele, Maradona, Iniesta, while not big super fast guys, had great quickness, balance, and coordination (athleticism doesn’t always mean top level sprinting speed or size).

And to claim that the USWNT players don’t have great technical skill is laughable. Most consistently dominant international soccer team ever and some posters still criticize them. Wonders never cease. Then again the poster is probably English and is simply upset because his country hasn’t won squat in over 50 years. Men’s or Women’s. We’re all thankful for the countryman that invented the sport, but the game passed your country by long ago.

This post is wrong on so many levels. Starting out with your first two players—by claiming that Thierry Henry and Gareth Bale were not super fast shows how little you know overall.

But beyond that, your comment has nothing to do with girls soccer. Those elite male players are both fast and technically gifted. But the discussion here is about girls’/women’s soccer. The fact that a team wins and is “dominant” does not mean they are technically gifted. Have you watched the top US women’s college teams play? It is not a technical game. Instead it is a direct, athletic game. Same holds true for the USWNT. They are excellent athletes and they win. But the gap has been closing, and if technical skills are not emphasized more in the US they will be surpassed by European and South American women who are both athletic and technically gifted. The problem is this dynamic is going to be very difficult to change in the US given the structures and priorities that have been created.

First of all you don’t know how to read. The first list of players ARE all fast and very athletic. Dumb s$&t. That’s my point. You just agreed with me so case proven. Second, at the NT level winning is ALL that matters. But go ahead, look good and lose. That’s fine. Keep talking about “someday” and we’ll keep winning today. Third, I’ve played, watched and forgotten more soccer than you’ll ever know. But given that you missed my first point I guess you didn’t win any IQ awards. I will give you one hackneyed (look it up in the dictionary) point that the gap is closing. Of course it is. Yeah! for women’s rights in other countries. But we will adjust and will still be the best (women’s side). Our men will never win squat and it is due to one simple reason. Our elite, obsessed with excellence athletes don’t play soccer here. They play other sports. Btw. I will take Linsey Horan’s and Rose Lavelle’s skills over any other woman in the world. Period. Marta can dribble all day and waste her teammate’s time while we beat them again and again and again. Same with the little Japanese women, the oversized Norwegians and the arrogant Spanish, French, and English. Case closed. Facts matter and opinions don’t.

You called the Spanish arrogant? You? Accused the Spanish of being arrogant? You said that?

No he didn’t. He called the Spanish, French, AND English arrogant. And I agree. And I also agree with both of his posts.

And he isn’t arrogant?

Please. And so what if you agree. That would just mean that you both are wrong

I know for certain that the USWNT current and previous Head Coaches understand and have a whole lot more experience with soccer strategies and tactics than you can ever hope for. To boot, they have had a tremendous amount of successes with the way our USWNT plays and the players they selected. Hence, criticizing the way they play just make you seem......dumb.

I didn’t say a thing about the USWNT. You might want to learn to read before you accuse people of being dumb.

I did say that the PP was arrogant. I did say that simply agreeing with someone does not make either person correct.

But let’s go back to the arrogant part. The tone of the poster and the name calling does come of as both arrogant and childish.

Second, the assumption that how our USWNT players are both selected and trained need not be constantly reassessed is also arrogant. Every country has athletes and to assume that other nations teams will not become more athletic while still retaining the high level of technical and tactical style of play is being arrogant. What worked before is not a guarantee of future success.

We will always have a great USWNT but we may no longer be dominant in the way we have been. That will require changes to stay ahead.

If you want to see where this is heading feel free to watch the following Barca vs PDA U15 game. Please point out the success the more athletic PDA team had. Keep in mind that the PDA team had not lost a game in two years up to this point. I’ll wait.

https://youtu.be/YN94aS0q0To

Wow, PDA has athletes but also no idea how to press or defend. Decision-making on the ball was also on display and not exactly earning an applaud.

Keep in mind, that PDA team dominated in our country at our highest level. Not losing a game in two years against the toughest competition we can muster.

Does the PDA goalkeeper always take long goal kicks? From a US soccer standpoint, the parts of this game I have watched are so depressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

+1

Arrogance.

How do you prepare for never having the ball? How do you suddenly prepare for needing accurate passes? They are trained to play their way and their way got dismantled and then they were toyed with.

If you don’t know how to maintain possession you can’t just prepare for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

+1

Arrogance.

How do you prepare for never having the ball? How do you suddenly prepare for needing accurate passes? They are trained to play their way and their way got dismantled and then they were toyed with.

If you don’t know how to maintain possession you can’t just prepare for it.

Can you just please stop. When the PP said was correct. PDA was so dominant based upon the way they played. If two teams with equal ahleticism and technical play, the team was with better game plan (tactics) wins.

[Anonymous]

Seriously, why do people love arguing?

Messi is extremely quick and agile. He is does not have extremely straight line speed. He constantly shifts, change directions and croquettas away from defenders. Is he athletic? Yes, but he is small and not strong. But he also has incredible balance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

+1

Arrogance.

How do you prepare for never having the ball? How do you suddenly prepare for needing accurate passes? They are trained to play their way and their way got dismantled and then they were toyed with.

If you don’t know how to maintain possession you can’t just prepare for it.

Can you just please stop. When the PP said was correct. PDA was so dominant based upon the way they played. If two teams with equal ahleticism and technical play, the team was with better game plan (tactics) wins.

But they weren't close to equal. PDA couldn't keep the ball when they had it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seriously, why do people love arguing?

Messi is extremely quick and agile. He is does not have extremely straight line speed. He constantly shifts, change directions and croquettas away from defenders. Is he athletic? Yes, but he is small and not strong. But he also has incredible balance.

His nickname is the flea because of his size, quickness AND strength. He is very strong.

SMH at people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It is somewhat depressing and fascinating that this debate even exists in the USA about athletic v technical play.
Clearly you want elite athleticism and elite technical and creative play
It is not an either or.
Can an elite athletic team/player beat a technical one? yes
Can an elite technical team/player beat an athletic one? yes

Can you select athleticism an? Yes
can you teach technical play? Yes

The technical creative style of play vs athletic long ball and disruption is not really a debat : technical creative play is better and creates more success for ANY team
Athletic kickball is great for only a select few teams.

The USWNT plays a hybrid as they should. So far they have not had to play as technical but that is coming.

For youth teams, technical play takes time to develop it really is a question of when you start that reflects how soon it shows

Pele Ronaldo Messi etc are all technical and athletic. Their creativity based on their technical and athletic ability sets them apart

That PDA team was not properly prepared by their coach tactically. It was like they and he had never seen a passing style of play before and expecr d to high press to a win. I’m sure they simply never saw it executed with such poise.

+1

Arrogance.

How do you prepare for never having the ball? How do you suddenly prepare for needing accurate passes? They are trained to play their way and their way got dismantled and then they were toyed with.

If you don’t know how to maintain possession you can’t just prepare for it.

Can you just please stop. When the PP said was correct. PDA was so dominant based upon the way they played. If two teams with equal ahleticism and technical play, the team was with better game plan (tactics) wins.

Not only was Barca not as athletic they also had several playups on that team. Technical, tactical and enough athleticism completely embarrassed a previously unbeaten team.

How could PDA not be prepared for the possibility of playing Barca? How did they expect Barca to play? I mean, PDA kicked off deep into Barca’s territory as if forcing Barca to play out of the back was going to somehow throw them off their game of, I don’t know, playing out of the back?

I mean, what kind of lunkhead coach kicks off deep against a team that plays out of the back as easily as eating breakfast? I know, the same kinda of lunkheads here who think athleticism will always rule the day regardless of a ball bouncing off your shin 10 yards. Can’t control the ball worth a damn but you’re fast.