It's just a game!

Over the past couple of weeks I have seen and heard some things that have been rather shocking. Especially when it is happening in U12 soccer.

Last Saturday my team had a game that I was unable to attend (I was given box seat tickets to watch Real Salt Lake Vs FC Dallas). Our other coach took the reigns for the game and did a wonderful job. I made sure to have my dad send me text updates on the score among other things. My team went up 2 - 0 in the first half, which I was very excited about. Then I got a very strange text message. We won 2 - 0 but the referee had called the game 12 minutes into the second half.

At half-time of the game I was watching I called my dad to find out the details. It turns out that the young girl that was an assistant referee for the game told the center referee that she would not finish the game because the opposing team's fans were calling her all sorts of names that I will not repeat on this blog. So the center referee called the game and awarded us with the win.

The topic of language came up again last night as we played our final game of the regular season. We played a hard fought game and ended up losing 2 - 1 (but we are still going into the tournament in 1st place). After the game was over there was obviously some tears, as is usually expected when passionate boys lose a tough game. But then I came to find out that some of those tears were not because of the loss. Our boys who were playing on the side of the field near the opposing team's fans were being yelled at and called names that, once again, I will not repeat on this blog.

I absolutely cannot believe that there are adults out there who are not ashamed to act that way towards a child. My question is, what should be done in a situation like this? Obviously, if I had know it was going on during the game I would have spoken with the referee, but I knew nothing about it until after the game was over. Do you speak to the opposing coach at half-time, or the opposing fans? I hate to start controversy or make the fans more upset, but this type of thing is something that I will not tolerate.

I can't imagine how upset I would have been with my parents if a game I was playing in got called half way through because they wouldn't shut their mouths. We've got to remember that it's just a game and the kids are there to have fun. I'm sure it's the same with other kids as with mine, but they enjoy themselves a lot more, even when they lose, if the parents are positive in their cheering.

I know for sure that if I ever had a parent on my team that acted this way toward any opposing player or a referee they would no longer be welcome to sit on my sideline.

So my plea is this, parents, please forget yourselves and your egos and remember that it's just a game and the most important thing is for your kids to have fun.

Televised games - Week of 5/19

This week you can watch 2 MLS games, and the biggest nationally televised soccer game of the year so far, the Champions League Final.



Manchester United Vs. Chelsea
Wednesday, May 21 at 2:25 PM Eastern Time on ESPN2

This is it! The Champions League Final! In the English Premier League Manchester United finished 1st and Chelsea finished 2nd. Chelsea will be out to prove that they are the better team but Manchester United will be led by the greatest player in the world right now, Cristiano Ronaldo. This will be a great game to watch. Don't miss it, I know I won't.

Players to watch

Manchester United:

Cristiano Ronald
Wayne Rooney
Ryan Giggs

Chelsea:

Didier Drogba
Frank Lampard
Michael Essien



Houston Dynamo Vs. San Jose Earthquakes
Thursday, May 22 at 10:30 PM Eastern Time on ESPN2

These two struggling clubs are looking to improve their form going into the summer. Houston had a big win over the weekend and will look to take that momentum to San Jose on Thursday.

Players to watch

Houston Dynamo:

Dwayne De Rosario
Brian Ching
Ricardo Clark

San Jose Earthquakes:

Kei Kamara
Ronnie O'Brien
Ivan Guerrero



New York Red Bulls Vs. Chicago Fire
Sunday, May 25 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time on Telefutura

Another great spanish language broadcast. Chicago had a disappointing loss over the weekend and New York tied on a late equalizer from Danleigh Borman. Followed by the greatest goal celebration in MLS (see the video below).

Players to watch

New York Red Bulls:

Danleigh Borman
Juan Pablo Angel
Dave van den Bergh

Chicago Fire:

Cuauhtemoc Blanco
Chad Barrett
Justin Mapp

3 Touch Passing Drill

I recently had the opportunity to kick the ball around with a former professional player and college coach from South Africa. As we were passing the ball around he proceeded to tell me that if you can become proficient at the 3 touch method you can play in any soccer league in the world.

So without further ado, here is the drill that I have come up with to work on the 3 touch method.

Equipment needed:

2 cones
1 ball

Setup:

Place 2 cones 10 - 15 steps apart. Separate the team into 2 groups and have them line up on each cone, facing each other. 1 line has the ball to start.


The Drill:

The first player with the ball passes to the player across from him or her, then sprints to the back of the opposite line. The second player receives (traps) the pass, then taps the ball into space, and finally plays a pass to the next person in line across from him or her and sprints to the back of the opposite line.

Each player should have an opportunity to trap, tap, and pass multiple times. The ball should stay close to the feet (no more than 12 inches) on the trap, the tap into space should be 2 - 3 feet out and the pass to the opposite line should be solid but under control.

If your players can master the 3 touch method, and use it in games, the flow of their play will amaze you. This method will help your team move the ball up the field with ease and will quickly tire the opposing team.

Televised games - Week of 5/12

Here are this week's nationally televised games.


Real Salt Lake Vs. Colorado Rapids
Thursday, May 15 at 9:30 PM Eastern Time on ESPN2.

This is the first of 3 meetings between the Rocky Mountain rivals. This should be a great game to watch as games between these 2 teams are always full of passion. Colorado shares 1st place in the Western Conference and are coming off a loss to Houston over the weekend. Real Salt Lake is 1 point behind Colorado in the standings and had a big win against FC Dallas (who shares 1st place with Colorado) on Saturday.

Players to watch

Real Salt Lake:

Kyle Beckerman
Javier Morales
Kenny Deuchar

Colorado Rapids:

Christian Gomez
Omar Cummings
Jacob Peterson

Update: Goals from Omar Cummings and Christian Gomez gave Colorado a 2 - 0 win over Real Salt Lake. Colorado is now 1st in the West while RSL remains in 4th.



Los Angeles Galaxy Vs. FC Dallas
Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time on Telefutura

This week's spanish language broadcast is not unlike Thursday's ESPN2 broadcast. It has a team sharing 1st place taking on a team sharing 2nd place. Both Dallas and LA has disappointing losses over the weekend and will come out strong on Sunday.


Players to watch

Los Angeles:

David Beckham
Landon Donovan
Alan Gordan

FC Dallas:

Kenny Cooper
Arturo Alvarez
Pablo Ricchetti

Update: An own goal, a hat trick, and a huge win for Los Angeles. Landon Donovan had 2 assists and David Beckham had 1 in LAs 5 - 1 thrashing of FC Dallas. Kenny Cooper did have the assist on Dallas' lone goal.

Crossing Drill

Here is a great drill that works on a variety of different game tactics. The tactics covered are, quick passing to the corner, crossing, and making runs on a cross.

Equipment needed:

2 cones
3 or 4 balls

Setup:

Place 2 cones about 10 steps back from the 18-yard line and about ten steps apart. These will be line 1 and line 2. Choose 1 player who will be crossing and have that player take the balls out to the touchline and about 10 steps behind line 1 and 2. Choose another player who will be making the 2nd pass and have them line up across from line 1 and line 2 and about 5 steps infield from player 1.

The Drill:

Player 1 passes to player 2. Player 2 makes a 1-touch pass up the field for player 1 to run to. Player 1 plays a cross into the penalty box. Line 1 and Line 2 begin running into the box once player 2 has made his pass and they try to head or shoot the ball into the goal.



If you already know who your best crossers are they should be player 1 and player 2 with everyone else on the team in line 1 and line 2. If you don't know who your best crossers are yet, this is a great drill to find out who they are. Just rotate each player out to take a few crosses.

Players in line 1 and line 2 should make sure that they are about 5 steps behind the ball when it is crossed so they can run on to the ball.

Passes from player 1 and player 2 should be quick 1-touch passes to simulate quick play in a game.

If you have any questions on this drill please feel free to contact me.