Top 10: Soccer Dives

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

Diving is a great sport... And some soccer players really should have taken that up rather than playing ‘the beautiful game’. There is no room for it in soccer, but unfortunately it does still happen; some players just can’t stay on their feet! Flailing around, tripping over invisible legs, rolling over nineteen times because somebody stands on their little toe... Let’s be honest, when it comes down to it some players should win an Oscar. But what are the worst soccer dives ever? Here’s my list, let’s see if you agree!

#10: Jens Lehman & Didier Drogba
Chelsea v Arsenal, December 2006
A great double act...

#9: Thierry Henry
Arsenal v Wigan, February 2007
Not so va va voom…

Part 2: U.S. Soccer makes players choose high school or academy

Contributed by Alan McClintock.
Associate Director, USA Sport Group.

Back to Part 1

OK, so now for the student athlete hat (it’s been a long time since I was a student athlete, or an athlete at all!). Some people say a change is as good as a rest. I think this can be applied to an academy player who wishes to play and enjoys playing high school soccer in the fall. High school soccer ticks many different boxes than club/academy soccer; different coach, style of soccer, teams mates, level of play, competition, focus and certainly a different schedule. The enjoyment of playing for your local school team where all your peers play is something which cannot be measured. Most people would say the soccer is not great but I personally have seen a big improvement in the level and style of soccer since I started coaching HS soccer a few years ago. High school players love hanging out with their friends everyday and competing with them in a sport that they excel in. Imagine a big local-rival varsity soccer game being played at 4pm on the school turf and being the academy player who has to leave all his friends and the big soccer occasion to go and train with his academy team (sometimes not locally either), rather than be involved in the local derby. Not a good feeling I bet!!!

Part 1: U.S. Soccer makes players choose high school or academy

Contributed by Alan McClintock.
Associate Director, USA Sport Group.

There are many interesting articles and forum discussions about US Youth Soccer announcing a 10 month season, thus essentially making Academy level players choose between club/academy soccer and high school fall soccer. US Youth Soccer are doing this for many reasons, I believe one of the reasons ties into player development, creating a positive and progressive learning environment for players. High school coaches are not too impressed by it, some parents of multi sport athletes and full time soccer players are also aggrieved.

Here at United Soccer Academy, we develop players within our organization; they may be a 3-5 year old in our Soccer Squirts program, a Summer Development player aged 7-14, a player who attends our High School Team Week, or a player who we train through the various recreation, travel and soccer camp programs we run throughout the year.

Rangers FC Face Administration

Contributed by Andy Pearce.
Coaching Manager, USA Sport Group.

As a boyhood Celtic supporter my attentions were turned to news this week that our cross-city rivals, Rangers FC, have entered into administration and are “subject to an insolvency event”. While a part of me found it amusing that the team who had apparently bought their way to many titles throughout the 1990s and into the 21st century, the less callous side of me began thinking about the effect that not having Rangers in the Scottish Premier League would have on the league (and indeed on my beloved Celtic FC).

Administration has become a dreaded word that has crept slowly but surely into British football for the past 15 to 25 years. It has been typically associated with smaller clubs who have over stretched themselves in an attempt to force their way up the leagues. However, seeing Rangers now enter into this plight indicates that every club (including mega-rich money bag clubs like Manchester City and Chelsea) have to start looking over their shoulders as more and more money gets pumped into the sport.

Top 10: Worst Soccer Jerseys

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

A lot of soccer players like to look their best. Unfortunately, shirt manufacturers don’t always remember that when designing their kits. Especially, it seems, in England during the 1990s. There have been some shocking shirts made in recent years. I mean, look at poor old Mexican goalkeeper Jorge Campos, I’m not sure why he’s looking so happy wearing that... But what jerseys are the worse than that?! Here is my list, let’s see if you agree!

Jorge Campos

#10: Chelsea Away Kit, 1994-96

#9: Arsenal Away Kit, 1991-93

Top 10: Premier League Winter Transfers

Contributed by Emma Booth.
Regional Director, USA Sport Group.

The English Premier League winter transfer window has now come to an end and managers have been bringing in players to strengthen their teams for the business end of the season. With the likes of Thierry Henry and Robbie Keane being loaned out by the MLS to Premier League teams for a couple of months, they could single handedly change the fortunes of Arsenal and Aston Villa respectively, and it is players like this that can make or break a season. Whether it is a player who made a big impact at a club, or just a smart bit of business by the boss, there have been some great winter singings, but what are the best winter transfers of all time? Here is my list, let’s see if you agree!

#10: Brede Hangeland, 2008

FC Copenhagen to Fulham, £2.5m

Joining a struggling Fulham side in 2008, Norwegian Brede Hangeland has been a defensive stalwart for them. Since helping retain their Premier League status, he has become regarded as one of the best central defenders in the league, and is a Fantasy Soccer favorite.

#9: Emmanuel Adebayor, 2006

Monaco to Arsenal, £7m

A controversial character, Emmanuel Adebayor was a bargain at just £7 million when he moved to Arsenal in 2006. Scoring 46 league goals for the club, he was then sold to Manchester City for an estimated £18 million profit. Not bad business, Mr Wenger.