Hello Blog-lodytes! For some reason my post from yesterday did not post. My fault.....not too swift in the technology department....so, I will try to re-create it below. Thanks for your patience.
OK, you've made it through another week. Congrats! It's time for Here's What I Think About That... Thomas Rongen and Farrukh Quraishi fired at Tampa Bay Rowdies. HWITAT--Both Rongen and Quraishi are TOP men in soccer in the USA. The owner of the Rowdies, some guy named Bill Edwards, posted on a Twitter video this morning saying, "We had a difference of opinion...They had a 5 year plan I had a 1 year plan." Whaaaaaaat? What owner of an expansion team has a 1 year plan??????? Edwards said he is 70 years old and doesn't have time for a 5 year plan. With all due respect, Mr Edwards; if you don't have time for a 5 year plan, perhaps you should look elsewhere for your 'mad money' investments. NCAA D1 Women's soccer kicks off: HWITAT--Good luck to all collegiate players, coaches, and parents for the Fall 2015 season! There is nothing like the fun of watching your daughter play college soccer in the Fall. Enjoy every minute of it! Players: remember that only 1 team finishes the season happy. Enjoy the journey. Youth Club GKing begins again: HWITAT--I always enjoy getting back into the grind of Youth Club soccer. I work with 3 Clubs, and it is always refreshing to get the GKs cranked back up in training sessions. I have long told young GKs that there is no secret to becoming a good GK....it is simply how hard you work and how much time you are willing to invest in your training. I have said for years, and I will repeat...."Keep Keepin''! BPL and Bundesliga continue: HWITAT--How great is it that we get to watch top level pro soccer fro England, Germany, Italy and Spain LIVE each week?!? How cool is that! We (soccer) have come a long way from once weekly 'Soccer Made in Germany' on Public TV. (Toby Charles was the BEST, though!) Enjoy! OK, until next week...... May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team shoot everything right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide! All the Best--EV The perfect way to get the new soccer season started
The European 2015/16 soccer season hasn’t even really started, but there’s already reason to celebrate! Traditionally almost every European country starts the season off with the Super Cup, the match between last season’s National League winner and the National Cup champion. With Fernando Muslera, Gorka Iraizoz and Guy Haimov three Reusch goalkeepers attended the finals and left the pitch as champions! Muslera and his team Galatasaray Istanbul won the Turkish Süper Kupa with a 1-0 against Bursaspor and so started the new season just like the previous one ended: with a trophy! Guy Haimov assured his team Hapoel Kiryat Shamona the Israeli Super Cup against Maccabi Tel Aviv. With two saved penalties in the final shoot-out Haimov turned into the hero of the day. The probably most unexpected Super Cup winner is Athletic Club Bilbao with Reusch goalie Gorka Iraizoz. With two great performances (4-0 and 1-1) the Basque team was able to defeat the big FC Barcelona and so surprisingly won the Spanish Supercopa! I had the opportunity last night to attend a Coaching Clinic for Coaches led by an outstanding Coach from US Soccer Federation.
Most of the Clinic was about playing out of the back and involved coaching 'tips' for getting all age groups to improve playing out of the back. Last night we worked with U-12 Boys and Girls and U-13 Boys and Girls. It was interesting to watch as this was most certainly the first time 4 teams of players in these respective age groups had worked specifically on building out of the back and the patterns of passing and runs in order to do so. We were introduced to many 'formulas' for making these sessions viable and useful for our Youth players. Word quickly spread throughout the Coaches in attendance that this was part of the Klinsmann 'blue-print'. To be honest, the training was set up to be almost robotic in trying to achieve the end-goal of getting the ball from the back third to the middle third to the attacking third. And I kept thinking as I watched this...... "This is very German; and would be so much better if German kids were the U-12 and U-13 players......but we're in America." Don't get me wrong: there was a lot to appreciate about the training subject, and it was expertly presented, but I kept getting the feeling that A. it was way over the heads of these Club players from Tennessee; and B. these kids weren't enjoying training. Yes, it was German, and yes, it has been proven--for Germany--but as I've advocated before.....we are the USA. Our idea of tactics is, like in most of our American DNA....ATTACK! Go forward. Go forward quickly, and keep going forward until the opposition gives. One would think that Klinsmann realized this during his 2 successful friendlies against Holland and Germany respectively. In both matches we went FORWARD and continued to ATTACK and won both matches late in the game when we (the US) continued to 'press the issue' for the full 90 minutes (plus stoppage time). Building from the back is great! And it should be taught and implemented into all training as our kids get older and more serious about playing....but we cannot--I repeat, CANNOT-- ignore our deep psyche of attacking coupled with the use of our athletic abilities. I am probably shouting into the Canyon.....and I may be wrong.....but I don't think so. What do you think? May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team (build from the back--methodically) and shoot straight at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide. All the Best--EV It's Friday again, Blog-lodytes--and Here's What I Think About That
Jose Mourinho vs Chelsea Medical Staff: HWITAT: Jose, you are such a TURD. Player injured, asks the med Staff to come on. Player has to exit game. Chelsea is down to 9 men. Nothing happens, match is drawn 2-2. Jose blames Medical Staff. Turd. Small man Turd. Bundesliga on FOX: HWITAT: Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 and Fox Soccer Plus will begin coverage of the Bundesliga today--and continue throughout the season. EXCELLENT! Best of both worlds! Premier League (with Jose the Turd) on NBC Sports Network and Bundesliga on FOX! Sweeeeeeeet! The new Reusch catalog is out: HWITAT: The 2016 Reusch catalog is out. The 2016 range is really GOOD! REALLY Good. If you would like to receive a free 2016 Reusch catalog, email me at [email protected] and we will US Mail one out to you. Be sure to supply your US Mail address! US Open Cup Final: HWITAT: Philadelphia will host Real Salt Lake in the final of the US Open Cup. US Open Cup is a wonderful tournament that should command a LOT more coverage than it does. US Soccer and MLS need to actively pursue and sign a long-term naming-rights sponsor for this oldest open soccer competition in the USA. NCAA teams begin pre-seasons: HWITAT: All divisions of the NCAA begin collegiate competitions within the next 3 weeks. Pre-seasons are beginning across the country as we speak. Be sure to go out and watch some college soccer this Fall! It is maybe not the best level of football/soccer in the world; but it is wonderful to watch young people who truly enjoy playing and competition, and the college atmosphere is always fun. Support the game. MLS is in their sort of "Dog Days of Summer": HWITAT: As the MLS season begins to slow down and teams begin to queue up for Playoffs, we begin to get that August/September lull in MLS excitement. We're not really close enough to the Playoffs to enjoy the last-minute battles for the remaining Playoff spots, and the early season excitement of the teams has kind of dwindled. The atmosphere and feeling around these days of the MLS season is when I feel like MLS really needs to look at joining the football 'World Calendar'. Just sayin'. Got Gloves???? HWITAT: Be sure to visit the Reusch USA website at www.reuschusa.com for a great selection of top-level GK Gloves and GK technology. When you order, the gloves will be shipped to you from the nearest Reusch Dealer with the gloves in-stock. Orders are usually delivered to your door within 3 business days. May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the opposition hit every shot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide. All the Best--EV Once again, across the US, Soccer season begins in August.
Youth Club Soccer is beginning to crank up (we started with Tennessee Soccer Club this week and I begin my weekly trek to Ohio for Northern Warren County and Ohio Galaxies next week.) College soccer has begun the annual 'Sprint to December' at all levels--D1, D2, D3 and NAIA as well. So, what does the serious GK look for in the beginning of a season? I believe it is a 4-step process: Step 1. The beginning of training and getting 'GK Fit'. Pre-seasons are generally somewhat grueling and for the GK, it can be downright painful. GKs have to get their legs back, their strength up to par, and their 'eyes' and timing back. Legs: strength and movement are keys here. GKing is a position of explosive movement. Everything is full-speed for short bursts of time. Sometimes those bursts of time are extended in goal-mouth scrambles. Early preseason training prepares the legs and body for that. Eyes: A vital part of GKing is seeing the ball. Lots of times, the GK is not really watching the ball and slowing it down. Preseason training, through repetition, helps the GK to see shots, crosses and serves clearly, and enables smooth catching and collecting of the ball. This can only be achieved through repetitive training and concentration. Timing: Developing the ability to time movement and catching is key to the successful art of GKing. Preseason repetition (again!) enables the GK to move to save balls with determined quickness and fluidity while not over-expending energy or movement. Step 2. Early season. Games begin in 3 weeks. The GK will need to be in best shape possible, while at the same time, knowing that early season games provide the opportunity to sharpen the above skills. All the training in the world will NOT prepare a GK for real-time match play. Early season games are where the GK hones his/her edge in preparation for the 'meat' of the season schedule. Make your silly mistakes in early season matches. Learn from those mistakes and move forward into the meat of the schedule being aware of displaying sharp, clean, Goalkeeping. Step 3. Maintain your level. As you enter the meat of the schedule, you should become more and more proficient in goal with each and every game. Sure, you may make the occasional mistake or blunder in goal, but that's part of being a young GK. The main thing is, at this point in the season, you want to strive for consistency. You want to hit a level where you are playing the same, game-in-game-out. This consistency allows your team to play and move forward knowing that the GK behind them will clean-up and cover most of their mistakes. I always tell my GKs, "Give me 1 or 2 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win a lot of games." Step 4. Playoffs. Now that the regular season is over, the '2nd season' begins. Playoffs! These matches are 'Win or Go Home' matches; and although the pressure is slightly higher, these matches are usually more fun for a GK. The challenge is much higher and of course the rewards are much greater. I always tell my GKs during Playoffs, "Give me 2 to 3 saves per game that you're NOT supposed to make--along with handling your usual GK duties decisively and cleanly--and we Win Championships!" Watch any sport with a Goal, and the team that wins the Championship has a Goalie that was consistently solid, and at times, superb during the Playoffs. What we as GKs train for during the season, is to be the Goalie that is consistently solid, and at times, Superb, during the Playoffs. Good luck to you and your team during this New Season! May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the other team shoot everything right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide. All the Best--EV Marcelo Barovero is a legend! The decision is here, the finals are over: Marcelo Barovero and his team River Plate from Buenos Aires (ARG) are the winners of the Copa Libertadores 2015! After two intense finals against UANL Tigres (MEX) with Reusch goalie Nahuel Guzmán between the sticks, River Plate has climbed South America’s soccer-throne. Reusch is proud to be part of such an unbelievably enthusiastic and passionate sport that electrifies the masses in South America and all over the globe. Thank you Marcelo and Nahuel for these thrilling finals! With this victory River Plate has qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2015. We can’t wait! Get yourself an impression of the atmosphere in "El Monumental" just before the starting whistle of the final: goose bumps! Hello, Fellow Reusch followers!
Let us introduce ourselves; we are Peter and Deana Horvath, parents of Ethan Horvath, professional goalkeeper currently playing in Norway at Molde FK. Reusch has asked us to tell you our story, so this is our perspective of the process we went through in order to help our son realize his potential in the footballing world. Step 1: Send your son, as the youngest player ever taken, on a European Select tour. See what he thinks of the experience; have him seen by professional scouts. Look at each other and say, “Let’s see what he can do”. Step 2: Listen to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the head coach at Molde FK in Norway, and everyone who has told you since your son was 11 years old, about how good he is and the potential he has if he were to move to Europe for better training. Look at each other and say, “No way!” Step 3: Make the decisions to sell your house, take a sabbatical next year from your teaching job, pull your son out of high school in the middle of his junior year, home school him the rest of the way, look at each other and say, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 4: Put your son and wife on a plane destined for Manchester, England, for an undetermined amount of time, with the sole purpose of getting different, better training opportunities. Look at each other with tears in your eyes and say, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 5: Skype at unusual hours when you can, keep the house spotless during the selling process, reassure yourselves that your son is still getting a proper education, skype some more. Sell the house, skype some more. Look at each other and say, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 6: Pick your wife up at the airport, drive to Los Angeles for a US National Team camp so you can see your son in person for a few days for the first time in 3 months. Afterwards, put him on a plane destined for Germany, not really knowing what his ultimate destination is. Look at each other and say, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 7: Take a call from our son’s agent while he is still en route to Germany and have him tell you that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants your son back in Molde. Pack up everything you own and rent out a storage unit, sell your cars, move into a Marriott Townplace Suites for 3 months, and somehow finish off the current school year. Look at each other and say, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 8: Skype some more with your son. Fly to Molde, Norway to meet with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Richard Hartis, the goalkeeping coach. Listen to them tell you in person how good your son is and how much potential he has. Look at each other and say, “No way!” and “Are we really going to do this?” Step 9: Travel to Chicago with your son and wife to visit your brother because your son’s 90 day limit to be in Europe has passed and his passport is also about to expire. Head to downtown Chicago, spend a small fortune to have your son’s passport renewed in 1 day. Dilema, your son cannot go back to Europe for 90 days, per the Schengen Agreement. You are forced to drive to Syracuse University in upstate New York to drop your son off with people you haven’t even met, but are close friends of the goalkeeping coach at Molde. Meet the coach and assistant coach who will be responsible for housing and keeping your son training at a high level until his passport allows him to return to Europe. Again, tears. Say good bye to your son as you return to Chicago, look at each other and say, “Seriously, what the hell are we doing?” Step 10: Fly back to Molde, Norway with your wife, knowing you don’t have a job and start the process of securing a work permit; learn more about immigration laws than seemingly anyone else who actually works in the Norwegian government. Thanks to your Master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, get a job with a cleaning company as a custodian. Move into a 750 sqft 2 bedroom apartment that has a young player and his girlfriend living above you in an even smaller apartment. “Welcome to our mouse hole”. Step 11: Welcome your son back to Norway after his summer spent at Syracuse University. Lay in bed, thinking of your 17 year old son in the next room as you listen to the loud and very frequent “activities” of the housemates in the apartment above you. All we can think of is how to incorporate it into his homeschooling! More well-known looks of “I love you, but what the hell are we doing!?” Step 12: Get up at 4:30am at least 6 days a week, sometimes 7, for a year. Enjoy your time together as a family. Watch your son grow and develop into a professional footballer. Look at each other a lot and say, “I love you!” Step 13: Make the decision to take another year sabbatical from your teaching job and hope your principal can keep your position for you until you return. Continue your lovely custodial duties and all that implies; enjoy the family time you have together. Tell your son that he has finally completed his home schooling and has officially graduated. There is no party, no fanfare, just “Good job, you’re done!” Watch your son sign his first professional contract. Be so proud of the fact that he does everything that is asked of him, realistic or not; it is all part of the learning experience. Watch him grow and develop as a person, not just a footballer. Look at each other and say, “We can’t stay here and do this job forever”. Step 14: Say goodbye to your 19 year old son and leave him in Norway to pursue his dream. Facetime and iMessage like you never thought was possible, now thousands of miles away, all the time saying, “What the hell are we doing?” Step 15: From half the world apart, watch a live stream of your son as he steps on the field for the first time as he replaces the #1 keeper who just got hurt. Look at each other with tears streaming down your face and say, “I wish we were there!” Step 16: Sitting in your family room, watch a live stream of your son starting and playing in his first complete professional away match. More tears, look at each other and say, “We are so proud, but wish we were there!” Step 17: Have your son tell you through a Facetime session that the #1 keeper has just been sold and he is now the new starting keeper! Again, now what seems a whole world apart, you watch a live stream as your son takes the field and starts in an away match as the team’s new starting goalkeeper. Again, tears as you look at each other and say, “Why the hell aren’t we there?” Step 18: Travel back to Molde, Norway, and in front of over 9,500 fans, watch in person as your son’s face show up on the jumbo screen as the team’s starting lineup is introduced. With tears streaming down your face, see your son walk out holding a small child’s hand for the pre-game handshakes. Look at each other and say, “He can do this. This is why the hell we did what we did!” So, in a nut shell, that is our story. We don’t recommend it for the faint of heart. As Ethan would say, “Keep it clean”, P & D Sooooooo......
We've reached another Friday, and of course it's time for Here's What I Think About That. CONCACAF reviewing referees: HWITAT--Ya' Think!?!?!?!? Mark Gieger had an absolute NIGHTMARE against Panama. And of course the Panamanians cried "foul"--and rightfully so. However, in looking at the whole Gold Cup; the officiating was pretty awful. Clearly, there needs to be the advent of video replay into soccer. Having said that, however, video replay will be a very LONG time in coming, so don't get all excited. Plus, with all of the FIFA corruption noise surrounding the sport right now--and with CONCACAF being sort of the poster child of corruption for many decades--there is naturally a conspiracy theory feeling to the last Gold Cup. But, alas, it's the same old thing.....there will be reviews of the referees, but then--as usual--nothing will be done to change, improve, correct the referees. Jaime Penedo leaves LA Galaxy: HWITAT--Penedo tweeted out that the is leaving LA 'for principle', and that probably means he thinks he is being underpaid. And most likely, playing in MLS........he IS! In the past, I have not rated Penedo as a top level MLS GK, but in the past yearor so, he has proven me wrong. He is a very good GK, and certainly is one of the top GKs in MLS. Time will tell on this, but I am guessing that he tried to re-do his contract after his performances of late--including Gold Cup--and MLS and the Galaxy told him no way. Not surprising. For some reason MLS is willing to pay HUGE money to 35 and older European stars on their last legs, but not wiling to pay--and secure for the future--players that are truly on-the-rise and solidifying their team(s). We shall see how this whole thing unfolds. Drogba to Montreal: HWITAT--I think Didier Drogba is on the back-end of his career, and I think simply signing aging players to MLS contracts is a mistake. Drogba will scored some goals, and Montreal might actually get into the Playoffs, but simply offering old European players a "401K" contract is short-term thinking at best. On the other hand, Pirlo was Superb: HWITAT--Pirlo stepped on last week for NYCFC and promptly orchestrated 3 goals in a 5-3 NYCFC win over Orlando City. So, I guess there is a place in the League for a guy who still 'has it'. I hope he continues his mastery here in the MLS. Pirlo is a pleasure to watch. Let's hope that he can maintain his magic! BPL starts next week: HWITAT--Sweeeeeeeeet! Can't wait for this season. I think Chelsea wins it all again. Man U is on the rise, and Arsenal is much improved. Should be a great season and very entertaining to watch. Fox Sports 1 and Fox Sports 2 to televise the Bundesliga this year: HWITAT--Sweeeeeeeter! I love watching the Bundesliga, and GolTV didn't really do a good job of showing the Bundesliga. Looking forward to watching top-flight fussball from Deutschland! Have a great weekend and good luck to all of the High School teams across the nation who are beginning to get 'cranked up' with pre-seasons. Be sure to take time to watch HS soccer if you get a chance this Fall! Great fun. May the ground beneath your dive be soft. May the forwards always shoot right at you. May your goalposts be 3 feet wide. All the Best--EV |
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June 2016
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