| "We are not training enough...Three trainings per week can not compare to six – eight sessions" |
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| on 07 Feb 2008 | |
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Copa Chivas Blog # 7 Tournament Wrap- up / Lesson learned Written by Andrew Ziemer, Tecnico Asistente , Chivas USA Sunday, Feb 3 , 2008 – Guadalajara , Jalisco, Mexico Copa Chivas Website - http://www.copachivas.com/ Thursday, was a free day, so we ate breakfast a bit later and took the bus to San Juan de Dios, a big market place downtown. The boys walked around and bought some gifts and several of us visited the Cathedral of Guadalajara. We came back and played a bit of Voetvolley. We just found a small park near the hotel. We made two courts and were playing a two versus two tournament until some guy from the city came and kicked us out. After dinner, we went bowling. It was great for the team building to laugh at each other and try something that we were not that good at. Friday, we played a friendly game against Japan’s U17 National Team. We were very banged up and tired. They were very quick and fast. We moved players around to different positions and played players who had not had much playing time. It was not our best game and we decided to cancel the friendly game on Saturday with the US National team. We had trained on the previous Friday and played games 5 days in a row, took one day off and played again against Japan. It was too much. Saturday, was a great day for futbol. The technical staff went to Verde Valle to watch the semi-final Saprissa vs Real Madrid and then to a lunch party at Max Prieto’s house. Thomas Rongen and his staff from the U.S. National Team , the entire Chivas USA coaching staff plus Tony Chavarria and Wouter Westerhof, son of former Ajax Youth Director, Chivas youth director and Chivas head coach Hans Westerhof were present along with Max, his son Alejandro and his partner Chava. We had a great time just hanging out and talking about the tournament, futbol and just telling stories. The time flew by and then it was time to go to Estadio Jalisco for a 5:30pm kickoff for the Copa Chivas Final between Chivas Guadalajara and Atlas. The boys had come with the bus and they were sitting behind the goal with all the other foreign teams from the tournament. There were at least 5,000 fans and the game was like a professional match. Although both teams were tired, they still played very well and hard. Chivas dominated in Ball Possession and played the ball together very well and made Atlas run. When Atlas did have it, they played pretty direct and were not that dangerous. The “Hulk” (Salazar) scored the 1st goal on a header. A few minutes later Chivas scored a beautiful goal off a corner from a near post ball that was flicked far post and nodded in. In the middle of the 2nd half, the “Hulk “ struck again to give him 13 goals in 7 games, which made him the leading scorer and the top player of the tournament. We could not leave the stadium and get back in for the Chivas first team against Morelia at 9pm. The next few hours were a blast just hanging out in the stadium with the boys and laughing and getting what we could not get in the U.S. “A Total Soccer Culture”. We were very surprised that most of the other teams from Copa Chivas left because they did not want to wait in Estadio Jalisco for two hours. For Sacha, myself and the boys it was not even a question and we would not miss a Professional match for any reason. If we are going to change the game in the U.S. the coaches need to be the example and help the kids to appreciate the game. Our kids need to seek out ways to live and support the game at all levels. This was a chance for us to pass on to the players what we had been given previously to us. Sacha being Dutch and myself living in Germany , Holland and both of us traveling the world and experiencing the “World’s Game”, has given us a incredible appreciation for Futbol. Another key person in the whole Chivas U18 team is Cuco the assistant coach. He was born and raised in Guadalajara and played for Chivas. Cuco now lives in Los Angeles and added the total Mexican flavor to the team. He did whatever the team needed the entire trip and being a defender added many key coaching points on the defensive side throughout the entire tournament. Sunday we got up and had breakfast, packed and boarded the bus for the airport. The boys are now a true team, playing jokes on each other, helping each other out and as we watch them interact, the coaching staff can not help but reflect on a experience of a life time. We flew to Los Angeles, got of the plane and met our family members. As we all hugged each other good bye, we all knew that we had grown immensely and will be sure to draw from this experience in the future. Reflections !!!!!!!! Life at the top – While in Guadalajara, the press (T.V. , radio and newspapers) treated this tournament like a huge ordeal. One game each day was shown live on Sky Sports (played in Estadio Jalisco), many of the players were interviewed and all around the city, people were taking photos and talking to the boys. At night they had highlights on T.V. We stayed at the Hotel Fiesta Americana, a 5 star hotel . During our stay, there were many famous actors / actresses and the hotel was the host hotel for Chivas Guadalajara (they stayed the night before their games). The boys got the royal treatment and got to see how it is at the top. Making friends , or groupies _ The second day of the trip, 4 boys started to hang around the hotel and talk with our boys. They quickly befriended them and every moment the boys were not at school, they were hanging with Chivas USA team. Our boys gave them nicknames : Pinky, Bravo, Mario, and Giovanni. The came to our games on Saturday and Sunday, played footvolley with us, went bowling with us and the last day went on the bus to the Chivas – Atlas final as well as the Chivas – Morelia game. The last day, as we were leaving to the airport, it was great to see our boys all giving gifts to them including, shorts, socks, shirts, pins, stickers, hats. It was sad when we left as the Mexican boys came on the bus to say good bye. Everyone exchanged e-mails and the boys claim they will be in Los Angeles within 3-4 months to visit. For a while , there life will be missing something, their new friends from the U.S. Traveling as a pro team – From the moment we left Los Angeles to the moment we landed in Los Angeles, it was about the team. Some of the parents did come, but they were on their own schedule and did not interfere. Most youth tournaments in the U.S. have only the games together and the rest of the time everyone is off on their own with their family. The time on the bus, at meals, in the locker room and all the time in between is invaluable an very important for “Team building”. A true Chivas Fan – Ortega 9110 There was a guy sitting next to us at the Chvias – Morelia game. He was on fire. Everytime Chivas scored he want crazy and got everyone excited around him. He had on a Chivas uniform with his name Ortega on he back with his 9110 We would yell to him after Chivas scored and he would blow us kisses and put both hands in the air as if he scored himself. Tony Chavarria got several pictures. I will send them as soon as I get them. Chivas U18 Boys – Where do we stand in relation to foreign teams of the same age? What is missing in the U.S. that was evident from the involvement at Copa Chivas? Our boys were not far off individually (Chivas Guadalajara is interested in 8 players) , but as a team, we are not as close. The other teams have been exposed to much more high level Futbol and see and play the game collectively much better. Some observations!! On the field – 1 – The overall intensity, desire and commitment to play the entire game with 100% effort and commitment was much more consistent with the foreign teams. We put together good halves or good periods, but not entire games. It was if the other teams were playing for survival or a chance to make it as a professional player and our boys were playing for fun. 2 – The Chivas USA players did not have enough experience in high level games. It showed that all the other teams played a 10 month season with a game each Saturday that meant something, whereas our boys had not been in many or any games at the level of the tournament games. 3 – Most of the teams had tactical discipline. There were many different systems and styles of play, but the foreign teams made very few costly mistakes and were disciplined within their individual roles/functions within the team. 4 – Almost every player outside of the U.S. has above average ball control and passing ability. Even in tight spaces, they were able to have their head up and not panic and get out of situations and keep possession of the ball. Our players often panicked or made bad choices which sometimes lead to a counter attack or loss of possession. 5 – The teams outside of the U.S played at a different level physically. Even the smaller players used their body, had great body positioning and often drew fouls by merely getting in the proper position. 6 – Our intelligence and discipline for the entire 70 minutes was not close to that of our rivals. 7 – What I call the nasties – fouling at right spot on the field, diving and drawing a free kick, quick kicks, wasting time, holding players, tricks to lose a man or create an advantage for the team. At the end of the tournament, our boys started to improve on these things. 8 – Most team made the most of chances on goal that they received. We had many quality chances, but often missed the target or did not score. When we made mistakes, the other team made us pay. On the other side, we were less deadly to prey on the mistakes of the opponent. Off the field – 1 – Structure – we need to have a long season with games each week that mean something 2 – Training – we are not training enough. Three trainings per week can not compare to six – eight sessions by the foreign teams. 3 – Club structure – U.S. clubs need to have a 1st team that all players are trying to reach. Players must have the first team dream. Smaller clubs must also have 1st teams so that players like Chivas USA that do not make it in the pro’s can still make it at another level and play amateur or lower level soccer. This keeps more players playing in the integral years from 18-25. Many youth players in Copa Chivas already have a contract and are getting compensated to play. 4 – Our players need to have the opportunity to play with older players (adults). Many players from the other teams have already played / trained with Pro or reserve teams. The older players teach and mentor the younger players. 5 – Chivas USA players were all stars at their former clubs. Some have never been to a tournament like this in which substitutions were limited and this meant often some players did not even play. This was hard for players and in the U.S. we need to prepare players for the next level and help them to realize that the reality is that the best play the most and it is all about performing. Our players grew a lot this tournament in this way, sometimes reacting in an immature way when they did not play much, but later realized it and improved their attitude. This is still a big area for our players to work on. 6 – The U.S. players need to feel like someone can always take their position. We are not used to having competition for positions. In most other clubs, there is someone from a smaller club or lower team within the club who wants to take your position. This prepares players for the Pro’s. 7 – Our players lacked a proper former education in soccer before coming to Chivas. This includes many areas such as movement without the ball, reading the game, weak side of the body and many details that make the difference in top level soccer. Closing – I do not want this to be too negative, but we need to be realistic about where we stand. Player for player, we had what it took to get out of our group. Chivas USA did not get blown out and were in every game. Many of our players have been playing for top clubs in the Los Angeles area, many have been in the U.S. National teams. Within the current structure in the United States, we are not producing many complete players. Every one of our players lacked something important in their game. For age 17 or 18, top players should be one step away from professional soccer. If you look at the amount of time, energy and money being put into youth soccer in the U.S, and you look at the amount of players participating in organized soccer, it is clear if you look at the structure and level of coaching we are far behind other countries. The game has been very Americanized and too much focus is on travel and competition and not enough on skills development and playing countless hours with the ball (training). In my opinion it starts with you and I, the Youth Soccer Educators!!! We need to step it up. Be more open minded and become more educated in how to teach soccer. Most important, we need to serve the game and do what is best for the players, not ourselves. This may mean making some changes!!! The question is, who is willing to take a look in the mirror and take a good honest look at their soccer involvement. Furthermore, who is wiling to progress when you can get by just fine the way it is. The Soccer Educators have little or no standards placed on us by our Federation, League or Board of Directors. We are lucky to make our living full time from the youth game (in many other countries this is not possible). Why is it that America is the best in the world at almost every sport? We do whatever it takes to achieve this? Why are we so mediocre at Soccer? Who are we shortchanging? As I re-read this final Copa Chivas blog, I ask myself, who am I to write this about Soccer in the U.S. I am no one special, just a son of a German immigrant who has traveled extensively to study Futbol. I am humble, I remain open, I criticize us and myself and I hope one day, I can experience the passion of Soccer in a way that I can only get outside of the U.S. at this moment. Until then I will keep my chin up and help to spread the “Greatest Game in the World” to the best of my ability. Together we can do it!!!!! Yours in Soccer, Andrew Ziemer Semi final results – Atlas 2 – Real Madrid 0 Saprissa 1 (7 pk’s) – Guadalajara 1 (8 pk’s) 3rd Place results – Saprissa 1 – Real Madrid 0 Final results – Guadalajara 3 – Atlas - 0 |
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