In recent weeks I have written about the USMNT and how the results and changes amongst the youth of the country matter much more than the results of Jurgen Klinsmann's men, and also about scouting through the prism of Stoke City, how youth and coaching should be linked through style and future consideration. This week I combine the two topics a little, and discuss the future of the USMNT from youth level up, and how managerial changes and style may need to be undertaken in the near future.
Hard working. Fit. Lack of ego. Willingness to follow orders. These are the ways you hear people describe American footballers. Technically gifted. Possession minded. Tactically inventive and malleable. These are not things you ever hear when discussion of American players arises. Why is that?
Not that long ago, when I was a kid, youth soccer was played 11 v 11 on full sized pitches. If you touched the ball a few times a match you felt rather excited. Coaches ranged from parents who were begged into taking the position, or more often than not, people who had little to no knowledge of the game itself. Basic rules were barely understood, and tactics bordered on basketball or gridiron philosophies of "you give it a go, then we will give it a go".
Luckily times have advanced a little since then. 6 v 6 on smaller pitches is now much more common in under eights, coaches normally have a grasp of the rules, even if the game is itself still a bit foreign to most of them, and some coaches even are attempting to develop technical skill. One issue we still have (all the way to the top) is the faulty belief that a foreign accent means quality in coaching, ignoring the deep youth issues places like England, Scotland, and Ireland have found themselves in over the past several decades, but for the most part, progress has been made since I was a kid.
Where we are still falling down is development of youth technical skill, in particular ball skills and decision making while under pressure. While the common perception currently in the game is that every nation and every youth set up should mirror that of Barcelona or Spain, reality is that most countries are not set up that way from youth on, nor should they be. There are many ways to play winning and/or pleasing football. So while technical gifts and footballing brains under pressure need to be addressed from youth up in the States, we also must consider what best is the way forward for the US character and national identity.
The USMNT itself has come a long way since my youth. Our philosophy used to be "If it moves, kick it. If it keeps moving, kick it again." Our style was physical and pesky, if not strong and dirty. Set pieces, long balls, and luck were an important part of our game. As Landon Donovan emerged, the US changed course some. What used to be Tab Ramos or Claudio Reyna and 10 brutes became Donovan and semi-skilled players still aware of the physical side, but also much more reliant upon an actual tactic, counter attacking at pace. This is where I believe we should continue to develop the US national identity.
Even the more skillful of US players aren't known for their skill at pace. While many have pace, and some have technical gifts, few if any have ever been able to apply those gifts into a package. Run down the wing with your head down at pace, and when you can, swing the ball into the box the best you can. When the Americans can perform skill at pace and under pressure, then we will become a footballing country to be taken notice of.
The question becomes how do we challenge our youth without discouraging them? Many kids these days have too many options when it comes to entertainment. The simple idea of my youth of going out to play is often a thought of the past. Getting youth players to put in the effort is a major stumbling block. But more importantly when that bridge is crossed, how do we test their developing skills while under pressure or at pace? In many countries children play in streets, alleys, doorways, or wherever they can, with balls of socks, empty cans, or anything that will roll. Close control is learned under pressure from your friends or neighbors desperate for the ball themselves snapping at your heels. In America, the game is still seen as expensive and elitist. It's been replaced by Lacrosse or Polo by the more wealthy, but it is still mainly a game of the upper and middle classes, and surely not the poor. When you take kids used to getting their own way, used to every entertainment option, and used to being coddled and protected, putting them under pressure and making them fight for every touch and every control can harm their delicate young ego.
Another issue we face is that often at youth level the sexes are combined in sport due to boys not being physically overpowering yet. While this may be part of the reason our girls develop well and are amongst the elite, it may very well be a hinderance to the boys. Again, delicate little egos come to play. I've seen boys shut down on the pitch when tackled or dispossessed by a girl, sometimes after their fathers ignorant taunting. I've seen many young boys go in hard and heavy against other boys, but attempt only the mildest of pressure when facing girls. Even at young ages, boys understand roles differ between males and females, and the way you treat a girl differs to that of how you treat other boys.
It is my belief that from youth up the US needs to put an emphasis on doing everything under pressure and at pace. Technical skill, set pieces, and counter attacking needs to be the mandate to our coaches who instruct those 12 or older. Separation of the sexes needs to be considered whenever possible. As these young players develop and advance through the youth ranks, our coaches should also develop and advance. The style of our U17's should be the same as our U21's, U23's, and senior national side. Coaches should be given opportunities to advance, hiring from within the system should be considered of paramount importance. A culture of growing our own should be undertaken. Hiring MLS or foreign managers should become a thing of the past. Style would remain consistent, which is as important as our technical development.
In a perfect world, the US would build a national youth center to rival those of the French, Spanish, or Germans. Coaches and players would all learn and develop together. Some day possibly even a national stadium could be built akin to the Azteca, with the option still there for matches across the country when need arise. When particularly talented players arise our tactical and technical outlook would be tweaked. Coaches not willing or able to join the modernization of the game in the country need to be put out to pasture. The game needs to change in America, and it needs to start now.
Well, that's my two cents worth anyway. Until next time, I'll see you Off The Woodwork.
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