The Stretford End again, as we’re all still hungover. Such a go-getter, this guy…
One of the things that frustrates me about U.S. soccer is the disconnect between the popularity of the game on the youth level and the talent pool that reaches the USMNT. True, the pool is deeper than it’s ever been, and as Lando and others are proving, U.S. footballers can be good players on the top levels. However, in the United States, soccer is mostly seen as an activity rather than a pursuit.
Which brings me to Michelle Obama’s trip to a soccer camp for kids. I laud the U.S. Soccer Federation for throwing these camps for children, and I am happy that the first lady was there to bring attention to soccer as a worthwhile exercise tool. As many of us know, soccer is great for fitness, agility and coordination. What we need to remember is that there is more than just running around playing AYSO bunch ball. Eventually, I think we will.
But enough ranting, let’s get to the event itself.
Mrs. Obama said Malia plays – Sasha prefers hoops. Michelle even took part in drills. First off, she tackles better than Paul Scholes, and that 8 year old kid will never get past her. Second, she needs to work on the agility drills. She needs to be moving through those flags. Third, why is she wearing Puma? She strikes me as a Nike woman. Maybe adidas. But Puma? Weak.
Finally, who the hell let kids into a soccer camp wearing jeans? If it’s cold sweats are OK, but jeans? Come on, USSF. Find some sweats for the chunky kid.
If this camp were held in England, every kid would be in proper gear. Each kid would be doing drills and thinking about what pro team they could play for. Here, it’s just another YMCA-type function. As far as we’ve come, we still have a long way to go.
As an AYSO coach who’s also played the game for over 30 years, I take exception to your “AYSO Bunch Ball” comment. While the younger age groups certainly play “bunch ball” the upper tier age groups play coherent, disciplined football.
Sure, AYSO isn’t club soccer, that’s not its point. Its greater goal is that EVERYONE PLAYS.
So in the perspective of your argument, should “serious” football players shun AYSO and let the game continue to languish behind hockey in the national sports scene? Or should an organization that exposes more players and parents to the game be embraced?
In my opinion, one of the reasons that the beautiful game’s growth has been stunted in this country is the over-regimenting of our youth teams. It’s no wonder we produce un-thinking automatons incapable of grasping the intricacies of the international game when we take free-flowing play out of the equation at such an early age.
Remember, “the more, the merrier.”
@Tom: I also grew up playing and later coaching in AYSO. I just wish the U.S. parents/admins could find this balance between just have fun and go for the glory. My commentary wasn’t aimed at AYSO. It was aimed at the kind of teaching you target in your penultimate paragraph.
I agree with your assessment of the way we teach kids to play. I have my USSF “D” license, and it’s not until you get to “D” or “C” that you start really learning how to teach the full game.
I could watch the lovely FLOTUS do those agility drills all day.
Well a goat isn’t all that picky of creature…
[...] reading here: Unprofessional Foul Share and [...]