On Saturday, February 2, US U-23’s (Olympic) squad defeated DC United in a scrimmage in Bradenton. Head Coach Peter Nowak, and former DC United Head Coach, winner of Major League Soccer Cup in 2004, answered a few questions about his new squad and the build up to qualifying for the Olympics. Head Coach U-23’s Peter Nowak - What did you think of the game today against your former squad, DC United? “Both teams are in their pre-seasons. We spent a couple of weeks with one group, and now we have the chance to look at this group of players for the week.” “There was some good progress. It was good to see that they executed things that we’ve been working on. There’s still a lot to work on, but it’s good.” “We have another camp coming up before we start qualifiers, so it’s going to be tough.” - What specifically did you see positive out of this game today? “I think the commitment. We were pretty much in synch. All eleven players in the first half, and those that came in during the second half, were all involved in all the play during the entire game. I wasn’t just one guy on the ball. There was a lot of off-the-ball-movement, which created many of our chances.” “The movement of the ball was pretty good. We’re still working on the tactical part of the game, and that could be better. But, overall I thought there was significant progress in what we’ve been working on in the last three weeks.” “It was good to finish the camp this way.” - Which players are standing out? Which players are leading the team on and off the field going into qualifiers? “That’s difficult to answer because we’ve still got a couple guys in Europe – they are still options. We have eleven days in March to prepare ourselves for the first game.” “I’m looking for the natural leaders. On the field, the games, that will show me who the real leaders is. On any given day is can be Sasha Kljestan, Nathan Sturgis, Freddy Adu, Jozy Altidore, it all depends on who will have the guts to play as a leader in that moment. Right now we’re working as a group, not really concentrating on the individuals, leaders or otherwise.” - How is this different than coaching DC United? “I think the day to day work is the biggest difference. Even with the senior team, when I was with Bob (Bradley), there is a significant difference coaching teams. When you meet for only three or four days, as a coach you have to be prepared. You have to know where the players are (coming from); you have to know what games and types of games they’ve played in the recent past; and what they need physically and mentally because some of them are playing regularly and some of them are not. You have to be very prepared for with every player that is coming into camp so that you can focus on what you have to accomplish in a very short period.” “In a club team, if something isn’t working, you have ten months to fix it. In this atmosphere you have just three or four days. If you can’t fix it, or can’t focus on fixing it because you aren’t prepared, then it is going to be very difficult.” “We’ve been working on the same things, the same (coaching) mentality, for all the age groups – the 17’s, 20’s, and 23’s. They are the future of US Soccer. We’re keying keeping the same mentality consistent with all the age groups.” - It looked very similar tactically as when you coached DC United . . . “No, No! We were playing a 4-4-2 (laughter)!” - Yes, I remember you always say, ‘Formations do not matter!’ That being said, are you basing your tactics on what you did at DC United – high pressure, quick counters, strong, total defense? “That blueprint is also with the senior team. We’ve discussed it with Bob (Bradley). The foundation is there and it’s for us to expand it - when to apply high pressure, when to drop . . . now we have to get more understanding than just the basic blueprint. You have different players with different characteristics, so now we create specifics for them in the blueprint.” “As I said, it’s not just this team. It’s me, Thomas Rongen, Bob Bradley and we are all together so that as players progress in age, they will know exactly what is happening in the next group age.” - Do you expect any “surprises” in bringing in players to the next camp? “There are still options with Danny Szetela, and Freddy (Adu). Freddy is coming to Houston. . . . . Benny Fielhaber. . . . Johahn Smith was with us in the last camp . . . . Sal Zizo was with us in China. We have options, but as I said, we’ve got to get releases from Europe or not. We’ve been working very hard trying to establish good relationships with their managers. But, it’s still their business and we need to respect their needs. Best case scenario will be we get them all together March 1st and get ready.”
What interests me is the consistency of approach for all the age groups... Hopefully it's the right consistency.