The Yanks in South Africa – Epic Fail

By Michael Houdasheldt
for SoccerMyLife.com

Published: July 8, 2010

Granted… Landon Donovan’s goal in the twilight seconds of the group stage match against Algeria was one of the most exciting and memorable moments of my entire life. This is true. Michael Bradley’s game-tying blast against Slovenia did showed the world that the American’s did indeed have a “never say die” attitude. And, our fight to the end against Ghana was only fitting for a roller-coaster of a ride in South Africa…

…I’m not buying it. I am a huge soccer fan. I have played and coached the sport my whole life. I know what I’m talking about, and what I am saying is this: The Americans failed, and failed miserably at the World Cup. The mere fact that we failed in an entertaining fashion is no reason to give false hope to a nation that is in dire need of a fan base. Our play was sloppy, our mindset was pessimistic, and our strategy was just downright non-existent. If we, as a nation, ever want to compete at the highest level in the sport, we first need to dispose of the “quarterback to wide receiver” scoring philosophy. This simply does not work in soccer. Patience, sound technical skills, and simple geometrical concepts are the basic components necessary for winning a soccer match. Put simply: It is hard to lose a soccer match if you possess the ball the entire game. Take the Spanish team currently making a run at the finals. All knowledgeable soccer fans out there know that the Spaniards will be in the finals, if not win it, not because they have the best players in the world; no, but because they have the smartest players in the world. They understand this key concept. To hold the ball, move as a unit, and capitalize on your strengths makes you an almost unbeatable team.

Time and time again I found myself in sheer agony while watching the US play their matches. One half of every possession we had resulted in a “boot ball” from the defender to the corner flag, completely disregarding our midfield and wearing down the core of the team. It was disgusting. Our set plays had no “set” whatsoever. They simply lined up at the last defender and floated a cross in. Not once in a football game does a quarterback huddle up and say, “just do something and see if it works.” If we want to compete, we need to drop the scoring mentality in relation to football, but start teaching the game like football. Practices should be held in classrooms. Soccer philosophy should be drilled into the minds of the youth. Teach motion offenses, timing of runs, movement as a unit, pump fakes, hitch-and-goes, etc.

Never in my life was I taught any of these things on a soccer field, but I played this way, and often attempted to relay it to my teammates. If we want to stand a chance, I need to be offered a job as a coach, and do away with all of these bitter, couldn’t-hack-it-as-a-pro foreigners who have come to the US to “teach us something.”

…I’ll be waiting, you can call me at home.

Michael Houdasheldt
Site Author and American Soccer Visionary
http://www.KnoxvilleFootball.com

Author: Michael Houdasheldt
Article Source: EzineArticles.com

Random Posts

The Yanks in South Africa – Epic Fail

Random Posts

Related News Headlines

Random Posts

SoccerMyLife Latest