D1 college soccer under threat
- Thread starter jpeter
- Start date
Which way is in accordance with the LOTG?
foreveryoung
SILVER ELITE
What I see is that in the US, soccer is played like football, which makes sense as that is the predominant sport here. We choose soccer players that are big and fast and we like to send long balls down the field like a quarter back to a wide receiver. We use size and strength to beat opponents versus skill. You are right in that there’s nothing “wrong” with this, except that the game of soccer has evolved over the past 20 years to a more sophisticated style and we will not be able to compete internationally if we don’t also evolve our play, starting at the youth level.
On a personal level, I find US soccer boring to watch and find international soccer much more entertaining.
LOTG as written, or as interpreted? They don’t match.
I have no problem with long ball. It is an essential part of keeping the opposing team honest as they pressure.
But a significant fraction of “direct” or “physical” soccer is really just a euphemism for running into the other players and shoving people around. To me, it’s clearly against LOTG, but seldom called.
MacDre
PREMIER
I liked basketball as a kid. US soccer has the same problems as this small town basketball team in Hoosiers.
Hoosiers (film) - Wikipedia
MacDre
PREMIER
Is Tobin Heath considered world class? Is it uncommon to see players like Heath? I’ve heard the term Coever monkey used for kids that are skillful but don’t know how to apply the skill because it wasn’t learned in the proper context-Do you think this term applies to Heath? What are your thoughts on Heath’s world cup performance? What am I missing?
Simisoccerfan
PREMIER
Perspective. She won three NCAA Championships. Two Olympics. Two World Cups. Two NASL Championships. Countless other lesser events. Two time US Soccer Female Athlete of the Year. Runner up MAC Hermann Award. I’d say that qualifies as World Class.
MacDre
PREMIER
Deyna Castellanos was nominated by FIFA in 2017 for the best player award. I also heard there were problems with awards in the NWSL this year so those trophies don’t help much.
I’m looking for personal views not just jumping on the bandwagon!
Kicknit22
GOLD
You’re missing everything! Geez! Are you kidding me?
Tobin Heath is a World Class Soccer Player. She has great skills, can beat players one v one, can make accurate passes under pressure, and is able to get back to defensively. If you watch her play, you will see that she plays goal to goal. Now, does she make mistakes? Yes. Are there times she made the wrong decision or whiffed the ball? Yes. Check out Messi and CR, they both lose the ball more times than they score. They both have whiffed the balls multiple times on 1v1s against goalies. Does that make them less of a player? no.
You seem to be on both sides of this argument.
Long ball to a person makes sense to stretch the defense.
What does that have to do with encouraging your CM to play like a wrecking ball?
MacDre
PREMIER
Thanks. And for the record, I’m not talking trash about her. I have heard great things about her. I was just disappointed by her world cup performance. I also think I lost credibility with my kid because we specifically went to Lyon to see Heath and were both disappointed with her overall performance.
I am also new to soccer so I am not sure if I am evaluating Heath using the proper metrics. I get that players go in and out of form.
Are players like Heath rare? What distinguishes her from other wingers? Is there a game w/Heath that you could recommend I watch?
Why is an advanced winger/forward playing “box to box?”
MacDre
PREMIER
No, it’s a serious question. I’m new to soccer and I don’t understand. Just seeking clarification. I am no expert buddy.
vegasguy
GOLD
Laws of the game are interpreted match to match by the HR and his staff. They are guidelines to follow to keep the game moving in a proper manner. Think of it as a speed limit. Some cops give you leeway at 10mph over and others stop everyone that goes 3mph over. Referees are the same thing. Howard Webb was a great ref. He was disciplined when needed but let the game manage itself for the most part.
Direct is not the same as physical. Two different things. A team can play direct and yet still not be physical and a physical team can also be very possessive. Direct also does not imply you 6 or 8s are wrecking ball although it can be more of the duty of a 6 to take a professional foul to stop the counter. Happens all the time in all the leagues.
MacDre
PREMIER
So why the disgust with Neymar? His antics seem like an appropriate response to professional fouls.
Kicknit22
GOLD
The problem with most people is this perception that the game of soccer is supposed to be played one way.
Okay, McD. Now......I’m sorry. This last statement of yours clears up a whole lot, with regards to most, if not all, of your previous posts.
vegasguy
GOLD
Simple answer is yes you are missing historical context. It is like asking if Paul Scholes was world class. Some can argue he benefitted from being with the MNU 94 class and was small talented on the ball. Ok scorer but missed passes and sitters for England NT. The other side of that is ask Xavi his opinion. He once called him the greatest midfielder he played against. See what those who know say. My opinion she had a piss poor world cup. But I thought and still think we hold on to glory to long on the womens side. We have so much talent and depth but we hold the previous team to esteem and give them their due. We are doing it now with Heath and Lloyd. Just my opinion. Spain has fallen into this trap and are trying to dig out. Germans too.
Heath is World Class a goal for kids to emmulate. By your thought process you may have a tough time saying Messi is World Class. Watch his last two World Cups. He had good games but man he made a ton of errors.
MacDre
PREMIER
Elaborate. Share your perspective. Tell me why.
I;m new to dude. I came from hoops and baseball. This sport is nothing like I grew up in