(no subject)

[lollardfish]

When I was a kid playing soccer, my coaches (including my dad) had a few rules on defense. Kick towards the sidelines. Don't dribble the ball around your penalty box - get it out of there. Clear it out of bounds if there's any risk, especially if you're back alone.

Both of Ghana's goals in the first half came on plays that violated these basic rules, as did the second Czech goal.

Comments

[neogrammarian.livejournal.com]

I'm glad someone else is noticing this about our team. I blame it on the sport being too new in America, still, but, at the same time, you're right, we knew better as kids.

[lollardfish.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I really thought the days when the U.S. team looked like the junior varsity guys were over.

I have to feel some of this is the coaching, and that it's time to move on from Arenas.

The sport is new to America, but the players have been playing it their whole lives, and play professionally in real soccer-playing countries (mostly).

I just don't get it.

[sleigh.livejournal.com]

I only saw a bit of the first half due to other obligations, but I saw the first Ghana goal... and yep, I was thinking the same thing: "Why the hell are you dribbling the ball right in front of the goal?" And yep, he had it plucked away...

Basics.

The US team looked very bad most of the time: in the Czech game, and even at time in the Italy game (where they actually played well most of the time), and now again in Ghana. I think you have to blame the coach, one way or the other. They certainly don't play as if they're well-coached, and if the coach has been telling them these things, well, he's not getting the message through.