Note: Several members of the SA Editorial Staff have responded to these questions. PK = Managing Editor Paul Kennedy; MW = Senior Editor Mike Woitalla; DI = Senior Editor Duncan Irving; DW = Youth Soccer Letter Editor Dan Woog; PB = Online Editor Pete Bailey.

U.S. Olympic Team and Atlanta ’96

Alex Tunstall

Arlington, Va.

It appears the US Olympic team – with the exception of Gregg Berhalter and Jovan Kirovski and the three “ringers” – is going to be made up of recent college players with little or no pro experience. Has Bruce Arena overlooked other US players training or with foreign youth/reserve teams in Europe, or are players like Stephane Hilty and Maurice Ligeon et. al. just not as good as the collegians in the US camp? Similarly, what of U.S. players, specifically Latinos, who are good enough for MLS but did not play college soccer; (besides Nelson Vargas) Jorge Flores and Ramiro Corrales come to mind. Are they not good enough or does Arena have a bias?

MW: Bruce Arena won five NCAA championships with entertaining teams. He admires skillful soccer, and his coaching philosophy is one that suits skillful, creative players, who are prevalent in Latino-style soccer.

I doubt that Arena would omit anyone from his team who could help it succeed.

At this point, with only three months until the tournament kickoff, I believe Arena is concentrating on building a cohesive team with the players he has in camp. He is unlikely to experiment with new players. The only late comers will be the wild-card players and proven talents like Kirovski and Berhalter with whom Arena is quite familiar.

Gabriel A. Fuentes

The current U-23 team amazes me with its lack of vision. I can’t count the number of times (against Mexico) I saw a US defender or midfielder punt the ball up the field to no one. Why does the U.S. hate playing the ball through the midfield? How come we can’t hold the ball and show a little patience?

I guess my point is that the U.S. U-23 team looks like the U.S. national team of Bob Gansler. While still early, it doesn’t seem that Bruce Arena is going to change the style of the U.S. team like Bora did (and Steve Sampson has continued to do) with the full national team.

I would like your honest opinion on the state of our U-23’s — I think we need to change the style of playing (and hence the coach) — how about Clive Charles? I understand that we have not lost (except for the Mexico game) since January, but can you honestly watch the U-23’s play? It is so frustrating!

MW: In the case of the Mexico game, I think the U.S. players resorted to hopeful long balls because they had difficulty coping with the Mexican pressure. The U.S. players were unable — in most cases — to beat Mexican players one-on-one.

I don’t think these collegians were used to opponents with such skill and strength.

I am sure Arena prefers accurate passes to long balls, which only make life easier for the opponent.

I think Sampson has afforded U.S. national team players more freedom than any of his predecessors. His teams have played boldly against teams like Argentina, Mexico, Chile and Nigeria. The win over Saudi Arabia (Oct. 8, 1995) was one of the most entertaining soccer games I have ever seen.

Sampson, however, had the luxury at the 1995 Copa America of a roster that included 20 players who were playing professionally in foreign leagues. Arena hasn’t been fielding seasoned pros (the Mexican U-23 team has).

As for Charles: He is a coach whom I respect, but Arena’s collegiate record and the style that his teams played impressed me more than the Portland Pilots.

Grace Ngai

Baltimore

I have a question about the upcoming Olympics — now that Italy has qualified for Atlanta, could you please tell me where their team will be playing the first-round qualification games? I am a big fan of Parma and seeing that their Olympic team has 4 Parma players in it, I would love to go and watch them play if at all possible!

MW: The top European seed, which has not been determined yet, will be placed in Orlando. The entire schedule of the 16-team tournament will be set at the May 5 draw.

International

Marco Luciani

Toronto

Being from Canada, and the magazine being an American publication, I would like to hear your views on how the Canadian national team will do in their qualifying run for World Cup ’98. Another question would be what in your opinion would take to get a league going in Canada? The MLS is great, but I don’t think a lot of Canadians will be playing in this league.

DI: You’re right. There are a trio of players currently in MLS (Frank Yallop, Geoff Aunger, Mark Watson), but obviously they’ll need more than that to make an impression.

Players, such as Paul Peschisolido and Craig Forrest have given good acquittals of themselves in the English League and I think that they have a fair chance of qualifying for France ’98, given that the region will have three representatives there.

Mexico and the USA should start out as favorites to grab the first two berths and Canada, which I think belongs to the top of the second tier of the region, should have more than a fighting chance of grabbing the third spot.

What has troubled me about the Canadians is that they’re still too British in the playing and coaching philosophies and until they change that, they’ll be somewhat stuck out on a limb.

Montreal and Vancouver will be represented in the A-League, which remains only a Division II league.

And much will depend on MLS’s success. Will they want to expand if they’re successful? And if so, will they choose Canada? The answers are both political and financial, and sadly, they’ll put U.S. interests first.

Will a C-League happen? I don’t think so. The U.S. received a tremendous fillip in terms of money and interest from the World Cup, and until a similar event happens north of the border, I’m not optimistic.

MW: Few of us will forget when Canada competed at Mexico ’86, while the U.S. watched on TV. In 1990 World Cup qualifying, the Canadians were upset by Guatemala. The last time around, their second-place finish to Mexico in CONCACAF play meant a playoff with Australia, which prevailed on penalty kicks. Even if the Canadians had won, they would have had to overcome the powerful Argentines (who beat Australia).

But the road to the World Cup is much smoother for CONCACAF teams this time, with three teams qualifying from the region — and no interregional playoffs.

My favorites are the U.S., Mexico and Canada. Canada gained valuable experience from its 1994 qualifying attempt, and from the challenging series of friendly games against World Cup teams who toured Canada prior to the 1994 tournament.

I believe Canadian professional soccer would be best served if viable Canadian-based clubs become a part of MLS. Until that becomes a reality, I am sure we will always see at least a handful of Canadians in MLS. (Geoff Aunger and Iain Fraser of New England and Mark Watson of Columbus are among the Canadians expected to have an impact in the inaugural MLS season. See our April 8, MLS Preview issue, for more roster information.)

Canadians have been doing well in Europe for a number of years and if the salaries of MLS are accommodating, they will surely see the league as an enticing option.

Patrick McEneaney

Rego Park, N.Y.

The Mexican Football League is one of the best soccer leagues in the world. It is just south of the US border (as our current presidential candidates continually remind us) and its national team is the USA’s biggest rival. It also provides players for the new MLS.

Additionally, several (O.K., three) US national team players are currently on MFL teams.

My question is: Why does your site have no coverage of the Mexican Football League and why does your magazine have next to no coverage? I am a subscriber to Soccer America (I am assuming you are related) and I watch between 4 and 7 MFL games a week, but speak no Spanish and, therefore, have little access to MFL news.

MW: I agree with you, Patrick, that the Mexican league is entertaining and high level soccer. I watch as much of it as I can.

Soccer America does cover the Mexican league, although our coverage usually focuses on the U.S. players there — e.g. April 15 issue, page 17, “U.S. presence in Mexican playoffs” — and is often limited to the World Scores page.

We have increased our Mexican league and Mexican national team coverage in the past three years. We thank readers such as yourself who remind us that we should do even more.

PK: On our online site, we are concentrating on developments related to American soccer. We have had to prioritize areas of coverage, and the domestic scene is the one area where we have an edge. We will be providing, however, updates as the playoffs progress.

We are following the Mexican playoffs, particularly the teams with U.S. players (Tigres, Leon and UNAM).

David Thelen

Phoenix

I’ve read a lot about FIFA’s consideration of enlarging the size of goals in order to increase the amount of goals scored. Have they ever considered doing away with offsides? I, for one, would love to see this rule change since it’s often abused anyway.

DI: FIFA general secretary Sepp Blatter, wrote a German journalist, has 50 new ideas every day and 51 of them are bad ones, so I’d be flabbergasted if that idea hasn’t run through his head at one time or another. Or though a number of FIFA-sanctioned workshops and symposia for coaches, federation heads, journalists and players.

But the bottom line is that FIFA is a reactionary body — look how much effort it took to amend the existing rule to “even is onside” — and it won’t make anything other than the most cosmetic of changes most of the time.

I do think, however, that if you did away with the offside trap altogether, you’d see a lot of polarity on the field, i.e. five guys at the back hoofing the ball forward to five guys in attack. Fine if you like Wimbledon, not so dandy if you want to see the game played to feet — as it should be.

John Viault

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Who is your favorite to take the Copa Libertadores in 1996?

PK: You have the start with the five entrants from Brazil and Argentina. The two Brazilian teams, national champion Botafogo and Corinthians, on paper appear to be the favorites. Botafogo, though, just fired its coach, so it remains to be seen how it will do. Corinthians has Edmundo.

An outsider: Barcelona, from your hometown in Ecuador. It was the only team to win its first four games in group play.

DI: Corinthians of Brazil.

MW: River Plate.

PB: My favorites are Corinthians and America Cali of Colombia, but don’t forget defending champion Gremio (who just won the Recopa by defeating Independiente of Argentina 4-1). My darkhorse is Penarol of Uruguay.

Soccer on TV

Bryan Toh

Stillwater, Okla.

Are there any soccer highlights of the English Premier League on television? If yes, which channel and what is the time?

PB: Prime has a one-hour weekly English soccer show, featuring edited coverage of one or two “feature” matches, and highlights of the rest of the week’s Premier League action. Although the show is run 3 or 4 times a week, we usually watch it in the office on Thursdays at 2:30 PST. However, programs can often be “bumped” for local coverage of other sports events. Every week in the Up Front section of SA, we have a section entitled Games on the Tube, which lists dates and times for upcoming soccer programming (games, highlights, etc.) on ESPN, ESPN2, Prime, Prime Deportiva, RAI/USA, Telemundo, and Univision.

World Cup ’98

Mike Atwood

Trenton, Ill.

I attended a ’94 World Cup match in Chicago and I’m greatly interested in going to France in ’98. The problem is, I have no idea how to get tickets.

PB: The first batch of France ’98 tickets goes on sale May 4, but these seats are for clubs and licensed players in France. Another half million tickets will be given to FIFA (next year), which will distribute them to the 31 other nations joining France. If the U.S. qualifies, you’ll have a shot at some of these. Eventually, one would assume, the remainder of the tickets will go on sale to the general public in France, but there’s no word on that yet. For more info on prices, see the Up Front section of the April 8 issue.

College

Sam McDonald

Danville, Ky.

I am currently a sophomore in high school and I am interested in playing at the collegiate level. Recently, I heard that I need to register with a clearinghouse(?). Should I do this before my junior or senior year?

MW: In order to play collegiate soccer, you only have to be enrolled at a university that sponsors a soccer team and be eligible by NCAA rules. (Obviously, you have to be chosen for the team by the coach.)

By your junior year, you should be in the process of preparing for and choosing a college. Perhaps you have a high school counselor who will inform you of the required exams and how to acquire applications from colleges you are interested in. Your high soccer coach should be able to advise you on writing to soccer college coaches who may be interested in having you play on their teams.

I recommend that you first compile a list of schools that suit your academic and social needs, and then check which among those have soccer programs that match your level of play.

For a list of U.S. colleges that includes addresses, coaches’ names and scholarship information, I recommend the Soccer America College Choice issue. You can receive a copy by contacting the issue’s sponsor, MetLife, at 1-800-Met-Life.

Emily Flansburgh

Lincoln, Neb.

Do you think low pressure should be taught to more college teams instead of high pressure, which I see a lot?

MW: Skill should be the emphasis at all levels of soccer. Who cares how a team gets the ball if it’s boring once it has it?

The danger of the so-called high pressure game is that the coaches who advocate it may prefer players who can run to players who can play. Besides, skillful players can cope with high pressure. (If only the colleges would limit substitution.)

Youth Soccer

Michael J. DelVerne

Sylvania, Ohio

How many players on the men’s and women’s national teams were forced by their club teams to play only in their age group, even if they had the ability to play an age group or two older? I coach for a club that feels that it is better to purify their club teams by age group. I vehemently disagree with their stance, feeling that it will only serve to stagnate a player with potential. I would like to hear your thoughts.

DW: This is certainly a long-running controversy in every club. While I have no idea of the number of national team players who faced this issue, I do recognize that playing “up” is beneficial IF a player is ready — physically (both skillwise and sizewise), tactically, and EMOTIONALLY. Too many times, the reason a parent wants a kid to play up is to satisfy their own (parental) ego. I think below a certain age — say, 12 — the emotional benefits of playing with friends your own age, and developing socially with them, outweigh the benefits of playing up. At 12 and up, I think GOOD players should challenge themselves by playing up. But they have to be ready for it. It should be THEIR decision — not their parents’.

Steve Combs

Berea Ky.

I’m involved in coaching youth soccer. What areas of the game should I be teaching youngsters ages 7 & 8? What are some of the best drills/practices for teaching kids how to kick, pass, and dribble the ball?

DW: Forget DRILLS! Think GAMES — let your imagination run wild. The more “games” you can play with your kids — it can be as simple as “3 passes in a row equal a goal” or “knockout” (trying to knock the other players’ balls out of their possession), the more you’re giving them touches on the ball; the more you do that, the faster they’ll improve and the more fun they’ll have. You can have obstacle courses, relay races — you name it. The key is to avoid having kids stand around doing repetitive things or, worse, watching others do them. Soccer is a fun game — the practices should be too.

Marilyn Pettengill

Raleigh, N.C.

As the parent of an aspiring young soccer player, we would like more info on how top American players got to the “top.” Did they have personal trainers, did they go to high school overseas, was their family already in pro soccer somewhere, etc.? We don’t feel that our local select association and even our State ODP is providing adequate training. Or are the best just born naturally talented?

DW: Seek out the best opportunities. Challenge yourself. Get as many touches on the ball as you can have — in pressure situations. Don’t be satisfied with playing on a team that always wins if the competition is weak. Recognize that improvement is a long-range goal. Good luck!

Philip Moore

Roanoke, Va.

Recently, I read a blurb in your mag. about the new, shall I call it, “Tahuichi” method of play being used in South America. I have coached travel youth soccer for 20 years, usually employing the “Coerver Method,” depending on my particular team’s strengths. I like to keep abreast of new coaching methods and styles of play. This new playing strategy has piqued my interest, but I am unable to locate any lit. or info. on the subject. Can you help guide me to ANYTHING concerning new methods of teen youth play in South America?

PB: Tahuichi (a soccer academy in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, that has helped produce such stars as Marco “El Diablo” Etcheverry of Washington D.C. United) has added programs for American boys (and girls) interested in improving their games. For more information, call (770) 986-3692.

William Edwards

Renton, Wash.

I am looking any info on plyometrics and/or quickness training. I coach a U-13 girls team and I would like to stress these in my preseason conditioning. Can you help?

DW: Call Tony DiCicco’s Soccer Plus, which has done work with this in the past. The number is: (800) 533-7371.

Soccer History

Madeleine E. Jacobs

Ellensburg, Wash.

Where did soccer originate?

DI: A number of theories exist. In China in 1697 BC, emperor Huang-Ti invented a game called tsu-chu, which was a team game played to feet with a ball stuffed with cork and hair.

The Japanese had a game a millennium later, called Kemari.

The Greeks had a game called Episkiros, the Romans one called harpastum.

But for the origins of the game as we know it, look to England, which reputedly adopted harpastum (just to confuse things, they also had one of their own called Koura).

Football existed in a number of forms throughout the ages, but it wasn’t until 1863 that a definite division was made between a game you played with your feet (soccer) and one where you could use your hands as well (rugby).

Women’s Pro Leagues

Mark Grassman

Evansville, Ind.

Do you know of any plans from USISL or anyone to form a women’s pro soccer league in the USA? Will Soccer America cover any regular season games in the NIKE “W” League?

PK: There are no plans to form a pro league per se — women’s team sports have never made it here in the U.S. — though another group, disappointed with the USWISL, is talking about forming a competitive national league.

Realistically, we will not cover the USWISL very much in Soccer America. Depending on the space available and the ability to get timely information, we will publish scores and standings.

Broadcasting

Jim Shoopack

Stroudsburg, Pa.

I am writing in reference to a question that was posed earlier in the year dealing with the English broadcasting of soccer in the U.S.. I too agree somewhat that the announcers must make the game more exciting.

I speak fluent Spanish and was fortunate enough to be able to watch the World Cup on ABC, ESPN and Univision. I must admit that the U.S. broadcasters do know the game fairly well and did a good job at World Cup ’94. What I feel must be done is that the broadcasters must add more life to the game (i.e. not “It’s in the net or “a nice shot resulting in a goal”, but “GoalGoalGOOOOAAL!”).

This passion for the game is something that many friends of mine (non-soccer fans) have told me would attract them to watch more soccer. Do you think that this would help?

PK: As we have mentioned before, there really has to be something at stake for the announcers to come across as legitimate in their reaction to goals. The bigger the sport gets, the more enthusiasm announcers will have. It simply can’t be artificial.

MW: You can’t fake passion. I enjoy the enthusiasm of the Spanish-language commentators, but sometimes when they shout for 30 seconds and scream “golazo” after a tap-in, I wonder if they aren’t going too far.

English-language television needs commentators who realize that most of the time, the game speaks for itself. (We just want to know who has the ball.) And if the commentator loves the game, and gets naturally excited by it, then he or she does indeed makes the TV experience more enjoyable.

Area Leagues

Christopher Vollmer

New York

I am looking for an adult league in Manhattan for competitive weekend play (I played some at Berkeley in college), where I can still enjoy playing without a lot of weekday practices. I am also new to Manhattan. Any ideas?

PB: The Soccer America Yellow Pages lists area leagues in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. The 1996-97 edition will be out Sept. 9. To order a copy, contact Directory Projects Manager Renee Simmons (Email:
renee@socceramer.com; Phone: (510) 559-2206; Fax: (510) 528-5177).

Ask a Star

David Fiorito

Wallingford, Pa.

I have been a regular visitor to SA Online for several months. The site is great. It compliments the magazine quite well. Just one question – when do you anticipate utilizing the “Ask a Star” feature? Keep up the great work!

PB: We hope to begin “Ask a Star” in a couple of weeks — watch the IN THE NEWS section for more information.