MLS
Saad Alnabulsi
Englewood, Colo.
My local newspaper (The Rocky Mountain News) lists the MLS goal tallies for a shootout as one goal-for awarded to the winner, and a goal-against is awarded to the loser. This is on top of the regulation time goals. Is this correct?
RM: No. MLS started the season by adding one goal scored to a team that won by shootout, but it wisely dropped that idea. In MLS releases, only goals in regulation count in the goals scored and goals conceded columns. You will see a team winning 1-0 (4-3 in shootout), but that one goal should not show up in the goals scored column.
Peter Burgis
New York, N.Y.
A shootout win does not count as a goal, and should be reported in the results as a tie game (2-2, for example) and give the shootout result as well (8-7 for example). A 3-2 game with five regulation time goals is not the same as a 2-2 tied game that goes to a shootout, so PLEASE don’t report their scores the same way, as 3-2.
RM: We don’t agree with how MLS reports shootout results, either, but we do feel the paranthetical reference to the shootout result clears any confusion. Your stance is a valid one — but remember, reporting the score as a tie is also incorrect, since there are no ties in MLS. The shootout, flawed though it may be, does reward one team with a win, and in the interest of clarity, that outcome is reflected in the score of the game separately from the shootout result.
By the way, we’d like your opinion on the new MLS policy of incorporating shootout wins into the win-loss compilations — i.e., a team that has one win, one shootout win, and one loss is depicted with a record of 2-1.
Far Farshad
Pacific Palisades, Calif.
US television presentation of soccer games is very soccer-incorrect. Camera angles are too tight, too often to give the viewers any feel for what the player is trying to do. The use of replays before corner kicks totally misses on some dramatic moments. Too many quick cuts make the final product look like a music video rather than a game whose attraction is on it’s fluidity and build-up of momentum.
I saw the SJ/KC of 4/21/96 game on Univision where Andres Cantor had to repeatedly ask his in-stadium reprter for what was going on and then had the pleasure of watching the America/Cruz Azul playoff game where everything that went on during that game was masterfully covered. For example, the close-up field level view of all the fouls (superb), replay of offside calls, the look on the players and coaches faces during important moments of the match all made one feel to be right in the stadium.
All this tells me is that the TV people do not understand the nuances of the game. The quality of game coverage has to improve. So finally here is my question: How can we bring these people to task?
RM: Frankly, it would be hard to find a consensus among the Soccer America staff about how a game should be produced and presented. We all have different opinions.
A live sports TV broadcast is a far more complex process than most fans realize, and it takes time for people to gain experience and successfully capture the nuances of soccer.
However, your comment about the Mexican game reflects how foreign broadcasts have changed in the past decade, partially because of the influence of American sports broadcasts. Close ups, field-level slow-motion, crowd shots, etc. were virtually unknown in foreign soccer telecasts 15 years ago. Such innovations have been incorporated largely due to the vast penetration of NBA, NHL, NFL and other sports broadcasts. The sideline tracking camera used in English games, the camera in the corner of a goal seen in Spanish games, the behind-the-goal crane first used by German television, etc. Foreign broadcasters developed these innovations in part due to the wide dissemination of sophisticated American sports productions. The key is timing, as you mentioned, and knowing when to use gimmicks is a skill gained only by experience.
Jim Froehlich
Winter Park, Fla.
Mike Woitalla’s interview with Bobby Howe highlighted an issue that has upset me for some time. Why do the members of the US soccer coaching establishment avoid the major issue facing soccer in this country? Namely the overall lack of technical skill among our so-called top players — THEY CAN’T PASS, THEY CAN’T TRAP, THEY CAN’T DRIBBLE! In an interview with a Florida youth newsletter, Carlos Valderrama said it perfectly. He said that young players should concentrate on developing skills and not worry about physical strength. That will come. However, if you concentrate on the physical aspects early by the time you begin to worry about technical skills, it will be too late. Maybe the coaches should listen to this advice!
RM: They should, and as American players and coaches see more and more of players like Valderrama week after week, hopefully those influences will be adopted. But skills should be honed in unstructured play as well as formal training and drills — kids who prefer to play Nintendo in their spare time will never be great players no matter how much dribbling and juggling they do in practice. Somehow, we must inspire youngsters with the joy of playing skillful soccer.
Kevin Jameson
Lima, Peru
What is MLS’ plan to get real soccer stadiums with real soccer dimensions? RM: In a recent interview, commissioner Doug Logan stated within five years, construction will have begun on five stadiums with capacities between 27,000 and 35,000. As of now, only one is beyond the talking stage, and that is in Columbus. But this can’t be done by decree of MLS — it is up to the teams to work with local groups and businesses, to incorporate plans for a soccer stadium with community projects.
Alexander Peckel
Brooklyn, N.Y.
Does MLS have plans to sign more international players of Roberto Donadoni’s caliber, players that would make the league a lot more attractive to fans. We need more players like Valderrama, Ramos, Alvarez, Balboa. What about coaches? Where are the great coaches from Europe, Brazil, Argentina? We need the experience and tradition from those countries.
RM: Those coaches need a lot of money, which at present, most MLS teams don’t have. New England bargained with Ossie Ardiles, but he wanted — and got from Chivas — about 10 times what the Revolution ended up paying Frank Stapleton. And most top foreign coaches would be frustrated at working with so many American players, who are getting better but are still much less talented than their foreign counterparts.
It’s far more important at this stage to get the players, and yes, MLS will be signing more international stars this season and next.
Donadoni is supposed to play again May 12, but may miss a month of the season if he’s called up for Italian national team duty at Euro ’96.
Craig Starnes
Columbus, Ohio
I was wondering if MLS was thinking of changing around any of the teams because of the lack of success from the two major East Coast franchises? I would hate to see them mess up some of the other teams who are playing well just so they could get better teams in major markets.
RM: The MetroStars’ slow start (one point in four games) isn’t going to force a panicky MLS to move the Burn into the Meadowlands. And I don’t think Lamar Hunt will agree to the Crew pulling up stakes and heading for Washington.
Ron West
Walnut Creek, Calif.
Since the inaugural MLS season is turning out so well, do you see the league upping the salary cap next year to bring in some of the US stars such as Ernie Stewart & Reyna?
RM: Nothing one-sixth of the way through its first year has “turned out well”. Started well, yes. Ticket revenues are split 50-50 between the clubs and the league, and there is a five percent increase in the salary cap built into the business plan. The league won’t know for several months if income streams validate a larger increase. Stewart recently signed a three-year deal with a new Dutch club (NAC Breda), and Reyna is just getting into the Bayer Leverkusen team, so I don’t foresee them coming here just yet.
Also, is expansion in the works? Cities like Cleveland and Chicago could easily support franchises.
RM: No ownership group could be found in Chicago, and you’re the first person I’ve heard in 20 years say pro soccer can make it in Cleveland. The Browns left a great tradition in tatters, and the Indians have been in town for about 60 years.
Commissioner Doug Logan has said expansion within the next three years is unlikely, although he also said there is strong interest from Chicago, Miami, Minnesota, and Seattle.
The NASL helped destroy itself in 1978 by foolishly expanding from 18 to 24 teams. I doubt if MLS will make that same mistake.
Peter Higgins
Durham, N.C.
Given the arrival of MLS, and the restrictions of the NCAA, are more players expected to go pro early (I am especially wondering about the Duke men, who lost John O’Brien before he ever arrived, and went to the final game last year with the help of two stellar freshmen)?
RM: I don’t think many college players will decide to leave school early, since a lot more A-League players, not to mention other foreign players, will be available next year. And most of the best college players from the past two seasons are on the Olympic team, and already drafted by MLS clubs.
Now, if another Claudio Reyna comes along, he’d leave school early for an MLS chance. And many current national team players — Eric Wynalda, Marcelo Balboa, John Harkes, Brad Friedel — left early to sign with U.S. Soccer or pursue foreign options.
But keep in mind there are only 10 MLS teams, and hundreds of A-League, NPSL, CISL, and USISL players working for a chance with the big league. This greatly reduces the chances of college underclassmen making an MLS roster.
Of course, a player could be drafted and sent to a USISL club on loan (much like former University of San Diego star Guillermo Jara, a “developmental” player whom the Galaxy sent to the Sacramento Scorpions). That’s a lot different than leaving college for NBA millions. In the NBA, every year guys leave school early, and wind up in the CBA, or the USBL, or in Europe.
International
David Vitteri
Baton Rouge, La.
I like to watch international soccer matches on TV but I only get to watch them once in a blue moon because it is never available in the U.S. I do watch MLS matches on ESPN and only watch Mexican League matches when Cruz Azul plays on Univision. I guess my question is, When and are we EVER going to have access to international soccer matches?? Especially those from Europe and South America or we are just going to fork out money for Pay-per-view like we did for the last Copa America when the US team did so well,i.e. Argentina – US match and hardly no one saw it because it was only available on Pay-per-view. I really hopes it changes with MLS starting off so well.
DI: You’ll probably have to fork out for pay-per-view for the forseeable future, David. Gol network conducts some rather handy business from the Latino bar scene and owns the rights to the next two Copa Americas and CONCACAF Gold Cups. U.S. Soccer should shoulder some of the blame for dropping the ball on those two tournaments, but from a financial standpoint, they simply can’t compete in terms of purchasing rights to matches.
The 1995 Gold Cup was a good example of how Gol network does business. Interforever conducted the pr with next to no advertising in the anglo media, yet they cleaned up on closed-circuit TV and drew 88,000 for the final.
Sadly soccer, whatever the tournament, remains a minority interest sport and pay-per-view will be the way of the future for European and South American championships for some time to come.
Univision’s primary focus is on the Mexican league and MLS; ESPN and its subsidiary ESPN2 focus on MLS and show Champions’ League action (check out Ajax-Juventus May 22) and Telemundo shows a mix of Mexican league and international action.
But the big player is Prime Deportiva, the Spanish-language channel, which screens several matches from all over the world each week — some of them live — but is only broadcast in three markets: LA, Dallas and Florida. No complaints if you live there, but the rest of us will likely shell out $20 bucks a pop to watch matches in bars for some time to come.
College
Mike Schneider
Florissant, Mo.
There seems to be a new NCAA Division I women’s program started every day. How about an article discussing the new programs and how they are trying to get off the ground?
MW: SA covers women’s college soccer and its important issues —
e.g. the proliferation of women’s programs — on an ongoing basis. For an article specifically addressing new college programs, see the Aug. 28, 1995 issue, page 55.
Liang Ji
New York, N.Y.
One of my nephews, who is a professional goalkeeper in China, wants to be a college soccer player in the USA (He is 6’2″tall at age 20). I wonder if it is possible for him to be accepted? How can I help him?
MW: If your nephew has played professionally — or with professionals —
he is most likely ineligible for college ball. Here are pro leagues in the U.S. to contact if he wishes to take that route. MLS: 310-772-7505 or mls96@ix.netcom.com; A-League: 215-657-7440 USISL: 813-963-3909.
Nancy Thomas
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
How are Academic All Americans chosen?
PB: There are two Academic All-American teams. One is the GTE Academic All-American team for fall sports, (excluding football and basketball), the other is the ISAA team. From what I’ve been able to determine, the ISAA All-American team will now be under the auspices of the NSCAA, who are making a new set of rules that should be finished this summer. (For more info, call the NSCAA at 1-800 458-0678 or 1-913-362-1747.)
College Sports Information Directors nominate players for the GTE Academic All-American team. Nominees must have a minimum 3.2 GPA and be “starters or significant players.” A district GTE All-American team is chosen, and those on the district team are eligible for national All-American honors. Since there are numerous fall sports (soccer, women’s volleyball, cross-country, men’s water polo, and field hockey to name a few), earning even a district GTE spot is quite an accomplishment.
Bonnie Carr
Phoenix, Ariz.
When is the National Collegiate Soccer tournament this year?
PB: The Division I men’s tournament will occur in November and December of this year. First-round games will be played at various campuses the weekend of November 24, and second-round games will be the weekend of December 1. The quarterfinals (again at campus sites) will be the following weekend. The 1996 Final Four will be held in Richmond, Va., with the semifinals on Friday the 13th of December, and the championship game on Sunday the 15th.
The 1996 Division I women’s tournament opens with first-round games at campus sites on the weekend of November 17. Second Round games will be the following weekend (November 24), and quarterfinals the weekend of December 1. The women’s Final Four will be held at Buck Shaw Stadium on the campus of Santa Clara University. The semifinals will be Friday December 6th, and the championship game will be Sunday the 8th.
High School
Danny Gillins
Elko, Nev.
Why don’t you have more articles on highschool soccer? You cover almost every other part of soccer why not this one?
PK: As we’ve mentioned before, high school soccer has little national appeal. We do run the Umbro national high school rankings, the all-America lists and do spring recruiting stories. Any interest that exists beyond that is strictly local.
Soccer in St. Louis
Stephen Fineman
St. Louis, Mo.
I just moved to St. Louis and learned we lost our USISL team. But the NPSL is big, and so is SLU college soccer. What are our chances at getting some outdoor soccer in the near future?
PK: If you’re talking about an MLS team, you’re not likely to see a St. Louis team in that league any time soon. Forget the issue of MLS being reluctant to expand. (1) There is no place for a team to play that’s big enough. (2) St. Louis, for all its soccer tradition, has never supported pro outdoor soccer. By the time the NASL got big in the late ’70s, the Stars were gone.
Youth Soccer
Geno Garrett
Virginia Beach, Va.
I currently coach a U-15 Girls Travel team. Our club has tryouts the first week of June each year for the following year. This year I anticipate as many as 50 girls trying out. I have not been completely happy with how tryouts have been run in the past. Do you have any recommendations for how to run tryouts? Or do you have any recommended sources to research? I sure would appreach your help!
DW: In my experience, the only legitimate tryouts are those in which the players PLAY. You can’t tell anything from running, drills, or anything else. Divide them into groups of 4, 5 or 6; have ’em play short-sided games, switching every 10 minutes or so; then have them play full-field. Let them choose their own positions. Take as long as you need to determine who can play and who can’t; make 2-3 cuts if necessary. That’s the way I’ve finally learned to run my tryouts, and it works.
Terry Hayes
Oconomowoc, Wisc.
What books or informational sources would you recommend for our soccer association to become involved in 3 vs. 3 soccer.
DW: The best source is Tony Waiters, former Canadian national team coach. Contact: World of Soccer, 545 Clyde Ave.,suite 220, West Vancouver, BC V7T 1C5 Canada; phone 604-921-8963. Tell him Dan Woog sent you!
M. Goodill
Greenwood S.C.
I have an eight year-old who has been playing for four years. I need to know what I can do in a little town like ours to make sure that he continues to accelerate in soccer and doesn’t get bored with the level available here.
DW: The important thing is to not overdo soccer. Let your child play for enjoyment’s sake — which means emphasizing not high-level teams and winning —
believe me, that’s the quickest route to burnout — but instead playing and having fun because the game is fun. Let your child play with friends and peers for pleasure; for challenge, find a team one or two years older on which he or she may not be the star, but improves. Seek out a good camp for one week — no longer — in the summer. Encourage your child to kick around with friends in the yard. And expose your child to other sports too. At that age, balance is the key. Don’t overdo soccer now, and the rewards will be great later on; over-emphasize it now, and you’ll have an ex-soccer player tomorrow. Trust me on this.
Byron Cantrall
Eugene, Ore..
I currently coach for a local high school and have had pretty good success. However, the kids seem to be losing interest, no matter how fun practices are. Is this becoming common throughout high schools accross america? It seems to be the trend at all but one of the six high schools here in Eugene. And, do you have any suggestions on different practice ideas that I may apply to our daily routine?
DW: Yeah, kids are different today. They’ve got the attention span of fruitflies, and about as much school loyalty. I should know — I coach at the high school level myself. What works best is to make training sessions as game-related as possible — pressure situations, 6-vs.-6, that sort of thing —
appealing to players’ sense of competitiveness. Forget drills; forget standing around. Make it game-related — and make it fun!
Wayne A. Holmes
Loveland, Ohio
Are there any good sites for summer youth soccer camps. I’m especially interested in camps that aren’t 100 percent soccer. Our team burnt out last year at Miami University because it was too much soccer for five days. I’ve heard about a possible West Virginia camp that has some mixed activities. Any information would be helpful.
DW: There’s a great camp in northern California, called Two Rivers, mentioned in a recent Youth Soccer Letter. They advertise in Soccer America regularly, probably in the upcoming camp issue too.
Ronald Elison
Allentown, Pa.
What is your opinion on small sided soccer for ages U-5 to U-12? How many players would you place in each age group?
DW: ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY — it’s the best. More touches on the ball; energetic workouts; better perception of the true nature of the game (2-v-1, 1-v-1); field size better for young players’ conceptual abilities; greater chances for decision-making; more time spent in pressure situations; increased technical skills; greater awareness of supporting players; more chances to score; less emphasis on winning and more on “competing”; more fun. For coaches, the advantages include smaller groups making for easier, less intrusive instruction; players learn to call their own fouls, and practices can take place anywhere. See Tony Waiters’ info in the answer above for more.
John Larioni
Clarks Summit, Pa.
Although I have not played soccer in any organized fashion, I help coach a U-10 boys team. I would like to have described the proper techniques for an instep kick.
DW: Angle the run slightly, so you’re more relaxed; Lock the ankle; kick THROUGH the ball (not at it); follow through in the direction of the pass or shot — and make sure the foot is extended, so it exposes the largest area of the foot.
Practice Exercises
Howard C. Larky
Ann Arbor, Mich.
I am playing on a men’s soccer team where everyone has played competitively in the past. We are starting to practice but we really lack some good exercises to get a cohessive unit.Are shooting is quite poor. For instance, our last practice consisted of 6v6 two touch on a small field and weak shooting drill. We want to be competitive and have a good time at the same time. Can you recommend any good excerises for a practice or a book comprising good practice materials. We have no coach. Thank you.
PS: I’ll run you through a good training session for shooting my team recently had.
After stretching and some 5v2 take two or three laps around the field while doing limbering exercises: ground touches (left, right, both), knee lifts, ankle touches, headers, sidesteps etc.
Stretch.
Then break into an offense vs. defense scrimmage — with the defense defending a regular-size goal, with a goalkeeper, and the offense defending two small goals separated on the opposite end of a shortened (depending on how many players you have) field.
This drill allows for a lot of shooting for the offense and makes the defense play the ball wide. Stress to the defense that the idea is to switch the ball to either side of the field in an attempt to attack the small goal that is most vulnerable.
Variations include: having the offense only score on headers (without a goalie) and having the defense only be able to score on first-time shots, or vice-versa.
The two-touch can also be instituted as it makes players concentrate on their first touch, later progressing to unlimited touch.
Next go to a shooting drill.
The simplest one is just to line the players up a little inside the half line with the balls and have them deliver sharp passes to a player situated just outside the box. That player lays the ball off to either side for a first-time shot.
Next go into a crossing and finishing drill.
Put a player, preferably one of your wingers, on each side of the goal close to the endline and the sideline to cross balls into the box. The other players line up in two lines a bit outside the box and alternate running in to meet the cross and put it into the goal via a header or volley.
A varitation would be to have the players deliver the ball to the wing, before making the run.
Next go to a small-sided game, this time splitting up the offense and defense. Start with two-touch, or even one-touch if you feel up to it, progressing to unlimited touch.
Finish with some sprints and more stretching.
This is a simple but effective practice session.
In addition, the National Soccer Coaches Association of America has information on all kinds of drills and exercises. They can be reached at: 1-800-458-0678 or 1-913-362-1747.