Photo: Paul Rudderow
Philadelphia Union
At the Delco Times, Matthew De George writes, “The crux of the Union’s issues center on how little of the ball they’ve had in matches, a systemic issue contributing to underwhelming results and overly laborious performances even when the Union are on the right side of the ledger…The issue isn’t structural or due to Jim Curtin’s game plans. It lies in execution, and while the Union roster isn’t composed of many gifted passers, the numbers still shouldn’t be this bad across the board.”
At The 700 Level, Dave Zeitlin links to that very nice Cristian Maidana goal before adding, “Pretty sweet, huh? Ok, now follow these instructions carefully: don’t watch anything else involving that game.” Zing! hey, wait a second…Ouch!
Maidana’s goal, by the way, didn’t make the cut for this week’s Goal of the Week nominees at MLSsoccer.com but the tally from NYCFC’s Mehdi Ballouchy in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at Yankee Stadium did.
Zach Pfeffer received an honorable mention in MLSsoccer.com’s Team of the Week,
At Brotherly Game, Barry Evans looks back at the game changing moments in the NYCFC and New England games.
More power rankings: At Soccer America, the Union remain at No. 19. Same at SI. At SBI, they move up one spot to 18th: “[T]he Union have looked much improved since swapping goalkeepers, as the team’s confidence, and even a bit of swagger, does seem to be returning.”
Sons of Ben: The Movie
Sons of Ben: the Movie film’s director and producer Jeff Bell, SoB co-founder Bryan James, and founding member Corey Furlan were on CBS Philly’s The Sports Zone on Sunday night. You can now buy tickets for the June 10 Philly premier of the movie at the Ritz East as well as the SoB only screening of the film that is taking place at the Trocadero the same night. More on the film at Buzz on Broad.
Local
Lancaster, Pa. has a new pro team, AFC Lancaster Lions, which will begin play in the new ASL beginning in August.
CBS Philly reports University of Delaware goalkeeper Paul Defeo was arrested on Sunday and charged with “rape and strangulation of a student.” More at NBC 10.
MLS
By an overwhelming 61-4 vote, the Minnesota state senate has voted to block a state tax break on construction materials or any state funding of the proposed downtown soccer stadium for recently announced expansion side Minnesota United. More at Minneapolis Star Tribune, Pioneer Press and MinnPost.
Soccer America reports, “MLS average attendance is on course to smash the league record set last year and top the 20,000 mark for the first time.” The Union is currently averaging 17,691 per game, up 2% from 2014. More on attendance numbers at Business of Soccer, which has the Union’s average thus far at 17,552.
US
US U-23 MNT head coach Andi Herzog has called up 20 players for Wednesday’s friendly against Mexico at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif. (11 pm: UniMás and Univision Deportes). MLSsoccer.com looks back at the USA-Mexico Olympic rivalry.
At US Soccer, Herzog and assistant coach Matthias Hamann talk about their scouting efforts as the team readies for the Olympic qualification tournament in the fall. More from Herzog at SI.
At the LA Times, Kevin Baxter has an interesting read on Jurgen Klinsmann’s efforts to create “a unique and uniform American style of soccer” that stretches from the youth level to the senior team.
At US Soccer, USMNT head coach Klinsmann discusses takeaways from last week’s win over Mexico in San Antonio.
Other national team camp call-ups were announced on Monday for the U-23 WNT, which will be training in Lakewood Ranch, Fla., April 26-May 3, and the U-18 MNT, which will be training in Bosnia & Herzegovina, April 22-May 1.
Former USMNT defender Steve Cherundolo has been named an assistant coach at Bundesliga side Hannover 96.
Fox News Latino on the Year Zero Soccer initiative, which is aimed at “giving players from less affluent families a chance to circumvent the prohibitive costs” associated with club soccer.
This just in from the Department of Well Then, That’s Sorted: Pele has backed the US to host the 2026 World Cup.
Elsewhere
The AP reports, “FIFA president Sepp Blatter says politicians who are unhappy with Russia hosting the 2018 World Cup should ‘stay at home’ during the tournament.”
AFP reports, “Qatar plans to accommodate some 12,000 football fans on cruise ships during the World Cup in 2022, a spokesman for the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) said on Monday. The proposal for ‘floating hotels’ is a revival of an idea that was initially rejected two years ago.”
Reuters reports, “Norway’s chances of winning the women’s World Cup are being hampered by a problem with their new kit. They were looking forward to wearing the strip made by Nike, who took over as kit supplier in January…But Nike has not yet produced a strip designed for the female figure and the players were provided with what were described as ‘unisex’ tops.” Team captain Trine Roenning said, “We know they have done their best and that they haven’t had much time but it is a bit unfortunate that we should walk around with strips that look like tents.”
The LA Times article is funny. Gave me a chuckle. What system exactly are we playing here Jurgen, in the US, that you intend on having as uniform across the spectrum? What is the template? We talk an awful lot about it (the style) and that is a good thing I believe – but I just would like to know what it is – I’d like it spelled out or demonstrated – and don’t give me the buzz words: size, speed, strength, athleticism.
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How is it being taught at the 10 year old level and up through the teen age years and the early national team years and the first team. How is it corresponding to the vision for our females? talk talk talk talk talk talk.
Talk is alot more than we had in the past, with the whole “We’re america and our way is awesome even though we can’t produce a single top tier soccer player.”
Right now its just talk but thats exactly what we need. Baby steps.
our style has to suit the American athlete and culture……..adopting from Europe and South America isn’t going to work…….we can take pieces from them….but have to make it our own. Kind of what Germany did with the Spanish model.
We are imperialist peace keepers – our game should resemble that. Whatever that is.
We just need to incorporate sanctions…
Yeah…..love it!
Joel, look how screwed up the world is when we aren’t imperialistic peace keepers……what, you want to trust the Saudi’s, China, and Russia to do the right thing…………….damn hippies! Lol!
The American athletic culture is completely different than soccer. In American athletics, being a physical freak can be more than half the battle. Being the fastest or strongest or biggest goes a LONG LONG way in all of our sports, mostly.
In soccer is the complete opposite. We NEED to adopt for the rest of the world until we realize what it takes to create good soccer players. Then we can worry about adding out own spin.
This is a good start. I watched Brian Kleiben’s U14 Chivas team play Barcelona in the MIC Tourney and the starting CAM for Chivas was maybe 5′ tall. Slight little kid. Technically adept. Quick thinker. Against Barca he didn’t stand out, for obvious reasons – but I impinge he is quite a gifted footballer. I’m sure the coach sees a skill set in him and an understanding that too often gets completely overlooked around the fields and clubs of America.
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They often talk about Iniesta… and if Iniesta was an american player, it is likely he would have been missed completely: generally mild tempered, small, unremarkable to the eye, nothing particularly flashy.
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The caveat of this argument of course is if Iniesta was an american player the qualities he possesses are not notable in the american game. The point I think stands though.
again disagree here. I think its just popular to say that right now here in the states. Sorry, I’ve played with MNT players and coached YNT players…..all of them were 5’8 tops. Quality is quality…and athletes are athletes….regardless of size. Again, I laugh that people don’t think guys like Iniesta and Xavi aren’t athletes…………please be my guest….go for a run or workout in the gym with one of those two……see how far you get…….
I think possession, tiki-taka, are all popular catch phrases right now in the States…….and American parents are lapping it up hook, line , and sinker. The truth is….go around the world…..there are many ways to play the beautiful game….not just one. We need to understand that….
There are many ways … and they all usually involve things like good first touch, an understanding o the game, knowing how and when and where to move. Finding space. Exploiting space.
AKA, none of the things we do or currently (or used to) teach our kids.
wrong, wrong, and wrong. Guess what? Those guys we watch every weekend in Europe………are incredible athletes. Just because Messi is 5’6…….he’s not an athlete? Have you looked at the size and body types of the guys that play in the Prem, La Liga, Bundesliga, etc. Your completely misguided here, every county that is good at footy….plays “their” way. The Dutch, Brazilians, Germans, Spanish, Mexicans, and Ghanians all have their own style that reflects their culture……..we can easily do the same.
MY comment from your other comment responds to this too:
There are many ways … and they all usually involve things like good first touch, an understanding o the game, knowing how and when and where to move. Finding space. Exploiting space.
AKA, none of the things we do or currently (or used to) teach our kids.
then move clubs James…….there are clubs that try to do it the right way….they do exist.
Isn’t the American style . . . kick the ball as far as you can then have the fastest kid chase it?
thats what you are made to believe…………does it happen? sure. Is it universal? That would be stupid thinking…….
Great points throughout this string alicat215. Spot on
In typical fashion, I call a player to task for not playing very well, Zach Pfeffer, and that player gets a cue for MLS Team of the Week. One of us is misreading things. Wonder if they actually watch the games.
I was thinking the same thing. I blasted him…and stand by my criticism.
Andrew Wengers missed head ball had no effect whatsoever on Sunday’s game!
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I kid I kid, just stirring the pot back up. Seriously the possession issue is number one for me. I get counter attacking as a very useful tool, but it can’t be he ONLY thing you do, especially with a struggling defense and rookie keeper. We have some guys who should be able to play possession fairly well, right down the spine of the team. It must just be the message from the top down, which I just don’t understand. I found myself becoming bored watching us lose the ball or boot it upfield over and over again.
a$$hole!……….I kid, I kid
I don’t get how Minnesota was chosen over Sacrmento for expansion. I mean I understand the location, since Cali has a number of teams already, but really? Stadium issues again?
Not sure if the MLS were clever or idiots here. The other group (Wilfs, the owners of the Vikings)trying to land the Minn franchise already has all the stadium money. Look for the Minnesota United ownership group to try and move their franchise to a city that will shell out.
United’s ownership has stated repeatedly that the stadium will be privately funded by them.
They’re only asking for a couple million in tax breaks. Seems like they’ll ask to see what they can get, if they can’t get anything then they’ll just shrug and move on. They have the money
Something is up with that Minny story that we aren’t privy to. Minneapolis just built a new stadium for the twins, one for the Wild/T-wolves, and are currently building one for the Vikes. In the last 5 years, they built a new football stadium for the U of Minn, though I don’t know if that was financed by the University or state. Now a soccer team has suggested a couple of piddling tax breaks for a privately financed stadium and they pre-emptively vote 61-4 against it? Some shady shenanigans right there. I wonder if the Wilfs called in some legislative favors in response to losing out on their own MLS bid?
“Possession? We don’t need no stinkin’ possession!”
I was laughing about the possession article with a couple coaches this morning….who do you think we are, Barca? There isn’t a single MLS club with the technical ability (maybe LA) to play that way. Could we string a few more together during play…..of course, but I’m not sure what people expect…..their expectations might be a little hard to reach in our lifetime! The MLS is what it is….and should be enjoyed as such….to expect La Liga is just completely unrealistic. Jim is playing a counter system…..we aren’t going to possess the ball. We want the other team to do that…..not well…then we break them down and counter. Do we need to possess more to kill matches….yes. But are we going to be a club that pings the ball around the oppositions half the whole match……an emphatic no!
We will never be Barca…BUT, we could pick our heads up and take a look, once in a while. We don’t do that.
215….. I don’t expect Barca or Bayern or Juventus. I do however expect passes to the strong foot of the player you are moving the ball too. A recognition of the next logical progression. Time and again we bog down in the areas of play that should be automatic responses. I expect Andrew Wenger to field the ball. The game is not new in this country…..
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….I do expect players to beat a defender one on one. I do expect us to recognize the game is a bunch of little games within the game – which still is lost on many of our NT players- which is what my original comments above were towards – what is the emerging style of play JK is moving us to. Has it been put to words? Where?
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To be fair with our league – I’ve made an effort to watch more MLS games this season and generally I think the level of play is improving. There is no doubt. We are glacially moving in the right direction…..I hope. But there are fundamental issues within our own league to guarantee proper growth with the style and american molded player.
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I still feel we over value size and speed. You may have played and coached MNT YNT players and I acquiesce to your level of understanding – but it seems to me by the highest levels the small guys are weeded out still (largely because we don’t play a game yet that suits their skill sets)- an example right off the top of my head would be Hercules Gomez. Got a chance or two or three – played pretty well then ‘poof’ vanished into the fun house.
Joel, I agree that we should expect some of these things from our guys…..and from the league in general…..as far a passing and technical ability…no doubt. I honestly think its dangerous from the American perspective to think you can play this game …….and not be an athlete…..thats crazy to me. I think the rest of the world is starting to value strength, pace, and size more. I give you the CL semifinal from two years ago. When Bayern flamed Barca 7-0 ( I think?) on aggregate. Just when the two sides walked out onto the pitch…….Bayern looked intimidatingly bigger, stronger, faster, and more fit than Barca….and they played that way….they blew Barcas doors off……that is when footy people said, huh? maybe athleticism, matched with skill and technical ability….can beat Spanish Tiki-Taka
I said to my cousin at the game that the pendulum has swung too far in the other direction. Hack encouraged possession, but it was much too passive with no impetus to score. The current squad is, and I know this sounds odd, too eager to score. We get the ball and think “We have to score NOW.” Instead of trying to work at getting off a good shot or scoring chance, we take poor to okay shots because there is too much panic out there.
Wait, we have a possession problem??? When did that start?
. . . when were The Sons of Ben formed?
I could not disagree more that the possession issue is not part of the plan. Ceding possession is definitely part of the strategy. Are there execution problems? Absolutely. Is it all on purpose no. But to suggest that a professional team can’t get more than 40% of possession if they wanted to is silly. It’s part of the counterattacking strategy. See possession for FC Dallas as another example.
So, our inability to string three POSITIVE passes together is by design??
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Yes, we are a counterattacking team…a TERRIBLE counterattacking team.
The Design is to attempt more risky passes in an attempt to get up the field quickly. Even Dallas has a relatively low completion percentage. I’m saying if the Union wanted to string 3 shorter passes together that they could but it would be a different style of play and they’d be slower working it up the pitch as a result.
Aside from LeToux; who gets up the pitch quickly? Our ‘risky’ passes are blind long-balls out of the back…sent with a prayer, that it ends up close to one of our guys. If that is by design, our ‘designer’ needs to be released.
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I think that a slow approach might be the way to go…because, we are a really slow team.
Yeah let’s not kid ourselves here. For the 3rd game in a row the ball was touched to start a game or half and dealt to Edu … who hoofed it up the field on blind faith something would happen. When in possession this is a microcosm of the way the team plays…. kick it far and hope.
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In transition I would argue yes we attempt risky passes to beat the other team which I am fine with – in transition. In possession there IS NO PLAN – except to give the ball back as fast as possible to further our guilded counter attacking strategy.
“Hot Potato!!!”
I was not assessing the quality of the play, and I agree the execution stinks. I was just making the point that some of the possession problems are by design which MDG said was not the case.
I don’t even need positive passes TBH. Lateral and backwards works for me too.
More passes need to go to the guy wearing the same shirt as the passer.
I assume that Maidana’s free kick was left out as one more little kick to the gut while we’re down?! I mean, come on. He should be in the running. Martins should win, but he should at least be a choice. Thanks MLS, don’t worry, we don’t need anything to feel good about around here… we’re fine.