We have a cultural football (soccer) problem in the United States. Most of our players do NOT love the game. If you go to places around Europe or South America. These cultures live, breath and repeat football every single day. It was the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where I got my 'AHA' moment and truly fell in love with the game. 

For young players, you need to find your moment so that you love the game. That way you dedicated your life to wanting to be successful in it to make your dream a reality. Without that burning passion, you will struggle to make the dream a reality. 

Parents need to encourage your players to find that moment because when they do, it will change their work ethic and mindset. They will have a passion and drive to want to train on their own and get away from FORTNITE or any other video game. 

You know what I am talking about, the club tryout and they are RIGHT around the corner. Do your research and be prepared. 

The biggest disaster probably in youth soccer. Players get lined up, put pennies on, do a quick warmup and then scrimmage the remaining duration for an hour and 20 minutes; while all the coaches stand there with a clipboard and discuss internally and share a few laughs. 

Vince Lombardi said, "Winning isn't everything, but making the effort to win is." The same principle applies when hosting tryouts. Show and make an effort by doing the right thing. I also provide you with my CLUB CHECKLIST for when evaluating clubs (this is designed for players who want to play PRO).

I also discuss the better format when running club tryouts and why. 

Many young players talk about wanting to BECOME PRO. In this episode, I break down the 6 CRITICAL Characteristics a player needs to become a PRO and to play with their IDOLS - The Messi's, Ronaldo's, Neymars. 

1) Technique

2) Tactical

3) Physical

4) Mental

5) Discipline

6) Charisma

You read that right. The DA has pulled a Star Wars Episode 9. Emporer Sidious died in Episode 6 but return in episode 9. He created the Empire in 4, 5 and 6. It collapsed. He rebuilt under a new umbrella called the First Order and then re-released into the Final Order. The DA is following the same path. The Development Academy has collapsed and 5-minutes later the MLS announced a new league that will include MLS academies and TOP non-MLS programs in this league. You don't believe this has been in the works for a while?

This is a STEP in the right direction assuming that everything works out for the benefit of the players; because the DA was flawed from the start. Starting with older age groups and working down didn't deliver the results they wanted. The DA's goal was to DEVELOP World Class players, and this never happened. No player went through the DA from U13-U18 and from that point was at a high enough level to compete in the Champions League week in and week out. 

IF MLS needs my consultation for how to properly start this new MLS Super Youth League. I am available to help steer the ship in the right direction.

Killed in Action. The Development Academy or better known as the DA is closed. Many principles about the DA were fantastic, however, there have been rumors circulating for about a week the DA is closing. There have been talks for about 2-3 years about necessary changes to the DA, but now with the CoronaVirus (COVID-19) - no official announcement as of yet has been made, but if it's true - the DA failed. 

The Objective of the DA was to develop WORLD CLASS PLAYERS - which is the main message on their home page. Yet, the DA never delivered.  No player went through the DA from U13-U18 and became ELITE - to go on and play week in and week out in the Champions League. But again, it was flawed from the start. 

Listen to my IMMEDIATE segment on the circulating rumor the DA is closing. 

My biggest challenge I see now is that the ELITE level of boys soccer is finished, what will be the standard set. At least within the DA, it required clubs to have 4 practices a week. No other league had that requirement. Most clubs will probably return to only offering 2-3 a week. This means more money of yours will have to spent outside again..... Unless everyone within US Soccer comes together to make radical changes which I am setting out in my U.S. Soccer Mandate that will be released shortly.

http://www.ussoccerda.com/home.php

Ah yes. This topic. One of the greatest and well-discussed problems in youth soccer. Let me be honest, clubs WILL NOT make a change because if they centered on the development of players, they would LOSE money. The average parent believes winning is what is necessary for development. While winning is important, it's not the only detail that matters.

In fact, in my opinion, there are 6 qualities a player needs to master to reach the highest level of the game.

Technique, Tactical, Mental, Physical, Discipline and Charisma. Listen on to find out more :)

In this episode, I discuss everything wrong with 'FANCY' and how we seemingly have this obsession with the LOVE of the ball and not the LOVE of the game. Players rather spend time or are spending time doing TONS of skills work with repetition of skills, skills or move skills. The whole purposes of the a skill is 1 of 2 things:

1) Beat an Opponent

2) Get away from an Opponent

Too many players are trapped by doing skill work, skill work and more skill work, but they do NOT learn STEP 2 and STEP 3 of the skill development process. 

1) How to implement skills in a game against a direct opponent (1v1)

2) How to implement speed in the game (attacking space, attacking a defender, speed of the skill)

Even Cristano Ronaldo discussed skills and when he first started at Manchester United he did an abundance of skills, but didn't score too many goals. Later on in his career and winning over 5 Ballon D'ors - he shared his secret. GOALS are more important than skills. 

https://www.givemesport.com/1163308-cristiano-ronaldo-explains-why-he-does-less-skills-at-real-madrid-than-at-man-utd

I wanted to DIVE into why America has been a SUPER POWER of Basketball. What you maybe did NOT know as well is that basketball is directly related to soccer (football) and futsal. In my research, I found that there were four(4) primary reasons for the success of American basketball. 

1) SSGs - ALWAYS under 5v5

2) Accessability to play in the STREET

3) Competitive Drive

4) FUNDAMENTALS

The first 3 lead to the LOVE of the game. American basketball players LOVE the game. They spend time every day playing, training and pickup games. Basketball has that culture that football needs for us to reach the highest level of the game. Mike Dunlap - a former NBA Coach highlights this during a FIBA Basketball Course in Italy - https://youtu.be/Ljbq-yeEYFk - It is 1-hour long, but you can watch the first 5-10 minutes and really see the difference and why FUNDAMENTALS are so important. In this hour session, they did 30 minutes of fundamental training.

This is my MOST HONEST and BRUTUAL EPISODE YET...US ⚽ Grassroots is FLAWED and is DESIGNED for you to fail; that is if you want to play at the highest level in the world. There are 3 main reasons for this:  1) American Clubs develop players for the MLS a (TOP 20 league) and NOT TOP 5 Leagues (PL, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A, Ligue 1) 2) $$$$$  3) Clubs across the country are NOT delivering  As of now, if you're goal is to play at the highest level in the World. You're best chance to have a SHOT at making it (especially after 12 years old) is to get to Europe or South America.

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