Serious Face
Since we’re talking about the end of England and the USMNT, the theme music this week is Morcheeba’s “Everybody Loves a Loser.” I think that says it all.
In this episode, Precious Roy, James T, Ian and I talk about what happened with England and the USMNT. We also spend time talking about the post-Bradley world and what will happen with Capello.
We also spend quite a bit of time ragging on James T for being English, just on general principle.
Enjoy, and remember to do the rest of them, too. And yes, we’re still in iTunes limbo. Curse you, Apple.
Damn you apple.
<3 Apple.
Apple ~<3 UF
Apple 3< UF
@TFA: Either that’s Apple s**tting on UF or UF titf**king Apple. I can’t decide.
I was thinking more of apple raping UF’s butt.
Apple is teh suck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FL7yD-0pqZg
That was a really amusing 40 mins. Thanks guys!
@anon: apple s**tting on UF would look more like this:
Apple ))<- UF
Hearing you guys talk about Klinsmann, it doesn’t really sound like you’re describing him in a manager role. I wish there was another position we could give to him, and put a real tactical guy in the manager’s role ( NOT Schmid, or Nicol, or Kinnear though!)
The new Harry Potter trailer is awesome. Just sayin’.
@Ryan
Good point, though these guys gush over Klinsmann like a pre-teen waiting for the new Twilight movie
@JT: or you when tactics are discussed.
Still need to listen, but was wondering what people thought about Trecker’s suggestions to hire Kinnear or Nicol for two years to develop some young talent and then bring on a big name coach after Euro 2012.
Trecker can be really annoying, but I actually kind of like that idea.
corky- We talked about this in the pod. The “getting a pitcher at the trade deadline” move to bring in Hiddink if the federation really wants to go all out for a World Cup.
@corky: That sounds like a decent idea, but how do we know that Kinnear or Nicol can develop talent? I’d imagine Kinnear would give some Dynamo guys a shot – and to his credit he’s done well in the MLS draft- but this is a totally different dynamic. Has Nicol developed any good young players during his time in New England?
@ian — I’ll listen when I get home. My interest is piqued!
@Ryan — With Kinnear, I think Trecker would cite Holden, Clark, Cameron, and Ching. He’s also bringing Cruz along rather nicely. As for Nicol, it’s more about his ability to find overlooked talent in the draft and on the cheap. Obviously, Dempsey was one. Also, he has turned Shalrie into a monster (if only he hadn’t accepted Grenada’s offer — he would have started for us this WC). Also, look at Alston and Barnes — two guys who became automatic starters who both might have NT futures. Under another coach, they might ahve died.
@corky: Fair enough. Reading my comment, it come across a little more confrontational than I intended to. I was honestly asking if either of them had developed anyone, as I admit I don’t pay a whole ton of attention that side of MLS.
On the other hand though, I think talent development is wayyy longer than a 2 year process, and not necessarily down to being the manager’s job.
I really like Kinnear. I just don’t know if I like him as manager of USMNT. Not even sure why. He’s better than Bradley. I’m not sold on Klinsy.
After the job he did for Newcastle, I’m for Kinnear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKGIA0pdJQ8
@Ryan. I didn’t think that was confrontational at all. Kinnear’s an interesting case — I wish he would choose a position for Cameron. Dude is really talented, but he’s now played center back, defensive midfield, and attacking midfield. Most think his future lies at centerback. Hell, Jen Chang thinks he could have been an EPL quality CB (may still be). Put him there and let him develop.
@PR. I’m not sold on Klinsy either.
OK. Just listened. Here are my thoughts on Klinsy. What he said about the US’s structural problems are things that have been said by the soccerati for ages here. Pay-to-play, too much focus on game competition instead of skill development, and lack of retention of players due to competing sports are all problems. Most serious soccer people know these, so it doesn’t really impress me that he stated that. What’s his plan? How does he counteract this? I’d like to hear him talk about that in an interview (are you reading, Grant?). What needs to happen is actual change led by the Federation — maybe the hiring of Reyna is the start.
Where the US is going to improve is more kids sticking with soccer. Let’s face it — if more US children see soccer players getting rich, more US kids will try and play it. It’s a numbers game, and the numbers are starting to go in our direction (especially with immigration). We’ll get there — until that time, we need a Federation that improves coaching and education at all levels.