It's Not a Motorcycle, Baby. It's a Chopper.

Discussion in 'The Beautiful Game' started by Bill Archer, Aug 29, 2007.

  1. Bill Archer

    Bill Archer BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 19, 2002
    Washington, NC
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Not so long ago, you could pretty much rely on starting a 500 post all-out BigSoccer flame war that ended up with at least three guys getting the boot simply by bringing up the question of "style".

    While most of us don't particularly miss all that wildly creative abuse of the autocensor function, with the arrival of one savior (la Beckham) and the departure of another (Freddy, we hardly knew ye) it's puzzling to note that, if anything, we're farther away than we've ever been to figuring out whether there really is or ought to be an American "style" of soccer, and if so what it ought to look like.

    The irony of course is that, at the same time the quintessential symbol of British soccer has become -by default if nothing else - the face of "American" soccer, MLS is engaged in a mad scramble for South American players in an effort to inject a dose of creativity and flair into a league which is generally recognized as fast, athletic and largely devoid of skill.

    As Grant Wahl noted recently, this current influx is having a readily discernible impact on the "style of play" of many MLS sides, and I doubt if very many people would say that's a bad thing. Guys like Toja in Dallas, Angel in New York, Blanco in Chicago (yeah, yeah, he's not "South American; just work with me here people) Fred in DC and Schelotto in Columbus have put a real charge into this MLS season adding a style and a flair that, honestly, has been sorely lacking.

    Unfortunately, while all these guys and 50 more like them may very well be able to juice up MLS, they aren't likely to do much to change the way Americans play soccer, or at least not anytime soon. Because in America, soccer "development" - meaning how we teach and train our youth players - was hijacked by the British a long time ago.

    Go to any big tournament, particularly in the east, and a great many, sometimes half or more, of the coaches voices you hear ringing across the fields will have British accents. And those that don't all have USSF coaching licenses they earned in courses designed by, and using books written by, British guys. Guys like Bobby Howe and Clive Charles and a host of others set the course of how young American players were to be taught the sport years ago, and not much has changed.

    This influence is certainly nothing new; as Steve Holroyd noted in his comments on the New York Cosmos:

    "The South Americans on the team ignored Chinaglia, and passed only to Pelé. New York’s English contingent-Tony Field, Steve Hunt, and Keith Eddy, among others-played the ball in the air, which was not to Chinaglia’s liking..... Further, the three contributing Americans-Shep Messing, Bobby Smith, and captain Werner Roth-chaffed under the team’s suffocating British influence.... Messing complained bitterly of the league’s "English mafia," while Smith was indefinitely suspended by (British) coach Gordon Bradley after a violent locker room tantrum over Smith’s being replaced by a Brit in the lineup

    What's more, the soccer that's being coached and taught in America is actually old British soccer, dating from before the Premiership era. Teams in England don't really play that way any more. The influence of foreign players and foreign coaches on the EPL has by necessity changed their style of play, at least at the top levels.

    Of course a large part of the reason why American soccer has been thoroughly "Britainized" is a simple one: they speak our language. They come over to play, either in college or at various other levels, find they like it here and/or get married and often end up coaching youth soccer.

    As a result, American soccer, from the lowest levels on up, puts a premium on "work rate" and toughness and guys who are willing to "stick in" and ball crossers and long passers and coaches who holler "Well done, lads". We're teaching them Route 1 soccer and then wondering why, when they're 20, they aren't more "creative"

    Look around those same youth tournaments, and you'll find darn few, if any, Hispanic coaches. It's a shame and it needs to change. We all agree those guys play an attractive brand of soccer that we'd like our players to emulate, but then sign our kids up to play at clubs run by British ex-pats and wonder why, ten years later, the kids look like they grew up watching the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

    I love Old Blighty as well as the next guy, but if it's creative and imaginative soccer we're striving for in this country, then we have to find ways to teach American kids something other than a style they played in England circa 1975.

    Changing the face and style of play in MLS may be a relatively easy matter, but changing the way Americans play the game is something else altogether.


    The US Women's National Team has arrived in China for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

    Unlike last time, when a lot of the players were well known to even the most female-soccer-averse amongst us, this group might as well have just arrived from Saturn. Yet this team. top to bottom, may be superior to the 1999 version. They're coming into the tournament on an unbelievable 47 game winning streak, not having lost since November of 2004.


    And while the ladies may have somehow slipped under your radar, I'm willing to bet that the US Beach Soccer team has ever even registered.

    Yet this hard working group has just completed CONCACAF Qualifying, having somehow survived the suffering down at the Fairmont Acapulco Princess Hotel Beach in Acapulco (Say, you don't suppose Chuck Warner had anything to do with picking the venue do you?) going 3-0 and qualifying for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to be held in Rio de Janeiro in November.

    Led by hat-tricker Yuri Morales, they beat Mexico 5-4 to secure the spot, and he, along with teammates Anthony Chimienti, Zak Ibsen, Luis Montanez Francis Farberoff, Benyam Astorga, Bayard Elfvin, Joshua Nolz, Raphael Xexeo and Ronald Silva, vow to overcome whatever shortages of Captain Morgan or Hawaiian Tropic may come in order to make us all proud. Salud.


    Rather than help the Galaxy win games, it appears all that Beckham is accomplishing is demonstrating how lousy they are. Somehow, I don't thing that's what Tim Lieuweke had in mind.



    Meanwhile, there may be celebration afoot amongst the degenerates over in the quaintly titled WAGERING FORUM one of these days. The World Trade Organization, in response to
    a lawsuit brought on behalf of Antigua
    by an American, has ruled that the US cannot arbitrarily restrict online sports gambling.

    The issue of course is not really gambling per se but rather the political influence of the owners of major league sports. The last thing they need right now is more issues with gambling and they lean on Washington pretty hard. But the US may be forced to buckle on this one.

    Who knows: maybe one of these days you'll find MM10S in a little booth outside your local stadium, selling tout sheets.


    By now I'm sure all of you have seen This commercial featuring an oh-so-sincere Landon Donovan advising us to not "discriminate" (There are a couple other versions featuring different players, including a hilarious Frankie Hejduk version where he loooks like he just put down the bong)

    And while I'm certainly all in favor of not "discriminating", every time I see that ad I want to throw something at the TV. Yeah sure, the little kid can chip the ball into a goal. Great. If what they're doing is picking sides for a "ball chipping contest" then I agree: not picking him is pretty rude.

    But it appears that what they're doing is getting ready to play soccer, and if that the case he's never going to get the chance to chip anything except possibly a tooth. All of those guys have six or eight years and 60 pounds on him, and the first time he takes posession he'll be tackled into next week, at which point his parents will hire a lawyer and sue everybody in sight for letting some little kid play against teenagers.

    If they'd showed a Korean kid, or a Jewish kid or a kid with three eyes, the thing would make a little sense. But as it is, it just seems forced and lame. Surely they can do better.
     
  2. Beau Dure

    Beau Dure Member+

    May 31, 2000
    Vienna, VA
    But we have a twist on the AngloScot style here. We love defensive midfielders. We lovvvvvvvve defensive midfielders.
     
  3. NORML

    NORML Member+

    Aug 9, 2002
    Lake Wobegon, MN
    Club:
    NSC Minnesota Stars
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I approve of this thread and therefore kick it.
     
  4. Len

    Len Member+

    Club: Dallas Tornado
    Jan 18, 1999
    Everywhere and Nowhere.....I'm the wind, baby.
    I'm glad I'm not the only one. Each time it comes on, my embarrassement grows (and I pray that no one who actually lives with discrimination is watching). I keep thinking, hoping, praying that someone at the MLS office will actually see it one day and say, "Good God!" and then call someone....anyone....to get it off the air. Alas, I know I'll see it again, and again, and again.....

    Haven't seen the Frankie Hejduk one yet, though....
     
  5. dredgfan

    dredgfan Member+

    MLS
    Nov 5, 2004
    Denver or NOLA
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I remember the days when the only soccer camps in my area were put on by Brits. It was structured to hell and back and almost, almost made you wish it was still baseball season. (Southpark episode anyone?) Those brits killed the pick up games we ahd going on before they arrived, and made sure the end of session games resembled some sci-fi freaks idea of advanced pong.
     
  6. Claymore

    Claymore Member

    Jul 9, 2000
    Montgomery Vlg, MD
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I must have lucked out - I had English and Scots coaches on the club teams I played for in the late 70's/early 80s, and the "grid" was pounded into us incessantly; no Route 1 ball on those teams, one of which ended up winning the McGuire Cup in '83. If anything, we built from the midfield a little too much.
     
  7. Sachin

    Sachin New Member

    Jan 14, 2000
    La Norte
    Club:
    DC United
    Wait.. the big news from this thread is MM10S getting a real job!
     
  8. PJohnson

    PJohnson Member+

    DC United
    Dec 16, 2004
    South Dakota
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I would disagree with only one part of your analysis Bill. And that is the English game has NOT changed. English players have NOT changed. And the EPL is NOT an English league. Hell, there aren't enough Englishman starting in the EPL to draw a representative sample. Take a look at the Coca Cola League Championship sometime if you want to see "English" football. I think you will agree that not much has changed. Or better yet watch the English National Team. It's still Route 1 football.
     
  9. Steve Holroyd

    Steve Holroyd New Member

    Apr 19, 2003
    New Jersey
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Someone should tell Bill that Paul Gardner has hacked into his computer and stolen his BS identity...

    Otherwise, I pretty much agree with everything "Bill" said. I don't know if the solution is as simple as hiring Latin coaches--language and cultural issues, particularly with the game being played largely in the lily-white suburbs make this problematic. But American coaches can take the time to learn. I like to think I did--I started playing in 1973, and we were taught the 2-3-5 formation (obsolete everywhere else in the world by the 1930s), but as a youth coach I've tried to stress flair and style to my players with some success.

    (Oh--being cited is always a plus...)
     
  10. Eric B

    Eric B Member

    Feb 21, 2000
    the LBC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    While I'll agree the Pommies are not who we should be emulating, style-wise, would it have to be Latin? Could we compromise and import an ass-load of Dutch and German coaches? They tend to speak English rather well, too...
     
  11. Eric B

    Eric B Member

    Feb 21, 2000
    the LBC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Of course, it still ends up being a profession in which Native Americans are deeply involved...
     
  12. Dave Brull

    Dave Brull Member

    Mar 9, 2001
    Mayfield Hts, Ohio
    Club:
    Columbus Crew
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bayard Elfvin? Boy, US National teams sure have gotten addicted to keepers from Cleveland.
     
  13. The Devil's Architect

    Feb 10, 2000
    The American Steppe
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'd like to thank you and the rest of America's taxpayers for funding my "business trip" to Las Vegas on Monday. It was an excellent fact finding tour.
     
  14. Eric B

    Eric B Member

    Feb 21, 2000
    the LBC
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As long as we get to keep your most sacred lands, I'll take that trade...
     
  15. dredgfan

    dredgfan Member+

    MLS
    Nov 5, 2004
    Denver or NOLA
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    As usual, two men trading natives' lands withouth consulting the natives. Why does this trend continue.



    I say this as a federally recognized Native American.
     
  16. The Devil's Architect

    Feb 10, 2000
    The American Steppe
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Buddy, you can keep Arizona, Nevada and California.

    Who says one of us isn't Indian (feathers not dots)?

    :rolleyes: Letting the man give you a PC name. Sad.
     
  17. DoctorD

    DoctorD Member+

    Sep 29, 2002
    MidAtlantic
    Club:
    Philadelphia Union
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Bill, how about programs run by Americans with faux-English accents?
     
  18. dredgfan

    dredgfan Member+

    MLS
    Nov 5, 2004
    Denver or NOLA
    Club:
    Colorado Rapids
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I'm not being PC for the man. I'm half coonass, half indian. You sir, aren't ahlf as witty as you think you are. Or should I say 'buddy'?:rolleyes:
     
  19. solost22

    solost22 Member

    Apr 5, 2007
    Jersey
    Club:
    Juventus FC
    Nat'l Team:
    Italy
    this is my biggest peeve, There is a guy who played at Rutgers and now coaches a top 10 nationally ranked girls team and whenever he talks on the field be it playing or coaching he has an accent but if you call him out for it the accent disappears.

    good point about the Enlish coaches, I live in Jersey and the UK Elite and Rovers dominated my youth.
     
  20. Honore de Ballsac

    Oct 28, 2005
    France.
    Great point. I'm always surprised the point you're making still needs to be spelled out to people, but it sorely does.

    They came over here and blue collar Cockney/Geordie/Coal miner accents rang vaguely as high class with American bimbos. Me, jealous? Hell yes. Yet it was the overnight vault out of the British class system that was their real wet dream actualized, I'd bet. Didn't realize how heavy that yoke was until they had it off.

    I also think the eminence of the English language has traditionally blown everything about English soccer out of proportion. "Gordon Banks is the greatest goalkeeper ever," "Man United is the greatest club in the world," "England is better than Uruguay," etc.


    I'm all for bringing more flair players into the league, but I do share the worry it could exacerbate the development problem you illustrate. Americans may be bred to carry the water in this league. For every Etcheverry there's a Williams or two, Nowak/Armas, Valderrama/Mastroeni, Schellotto/O'Rourke...


    Seriously, If I had to choose who would be the godfather of my son, Uncle Vanole would certainly get the nod over Aunt Countess.


    It's the sheer banality that's most offensive. "MINORITY GROUPS ARE OUTSTANDING."

    [​IMG]
     
  21. Honore de Ballsac

    Oct 28, 2005
    France.
    P.S. I was going to say: "Hi I'm Landon Donovan. Killing dogs for fun is bad." But now that would be controversial.
     
  22. soccerdaddy

    soccerdaddy New Member

    Jan 12, 2007
    Soccer coaches

    My son has played several teams out of Chicago with Hispanic coaches. It is my impression that the Chicago area coaches are pretty multi ethnic having seen a lot of Hispanic, Italian, UK background coaches. In Chicago they have clubs which are known to be ethnic clubs. The St. Louis area just had a new club start up with a Greek immigrant in charge.
     
  23. The Devil's Architect

    Feb 10, 2000
    The American Steppe
    Club:
    Chicago Fire
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Chitimacha, Coushatta, or Tunica-Biloxi? Hell, you can call yourself the Obsidian Avenger for all I care as long as you're not claiming to be Washitaw Nation or Yamasee Moor Native American. I mean, we all do have to have some standards.

    Well that one more thing I'll have to worry about. Keeping the cajuns happy. Maybe I can send down a fresh box of crawdads since they all seem to have migrated up here with the storm surge.
     
  24. Sachin

    Sachin New Member

    Jan 14, 2000
    La Norte
    Club:
    DC United
    Neither of y'all are Indians.
     
  25. drew_VT_6

    drew_VT_6 Member

    Feb 22, 2000
    Orange County, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know man. Everytime I go play pickup lately all the American kids just want to pull out their Ronaldinho moves instead of winning the game. I'm often at the point of saying, "why don't you play a little more direct instead of trying to outdribble each defender twice."
     

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