Soccer Referees Under the Spotlight

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

I sit and watch the professional game these days and cringe at the lack of flowing football/soccer. My main gripe is when the referee blows up for what looks to be a little bit of contact. A fifty fifty challenge these days is reviewed on television multiple times, slowing it down and evaluating if it was studs up or overly aggressive. 90 minutes of football ends and all that is focused on are the decisions from referees to give, or not give, a foul or a card!!

I was told recently whilst watching the Super Bowl that the NFL change the rules regularly to reduce the amount of player injuries, like when players can kick the ball right off the field instead of risking a punt return.

Top 10: FA Cup Giant Killers

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

With the only potential giant killers, Leicester City, ceremoniously dumped out of the FA Cup this weekend, it is the Premier League teams who dominate the semi finals, but it isn’t always that way... The FA Cup is potentially the greatest competition on earth. It is where part time players who work on construction sites or in a bank for a day job come face to face with some of the greatest players on earth. And in soccer, anything can happen. But what are the greatest FA Cup giant killing stories of all time? Here’s my list, let’s see if you agree!

#10 Harlow Town 1-0 Leicester City, 1980

After coming back to draw the reverse tie 1-1, a replay was required with Second Division leaders Leicester City. Non-league side Harlow Town were handed the victory by striker John McKenzie, to allow them to progress to the fourth round.

#9 Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Everton, 2003

Shrewsbury manager, Kevin Ratcliffe, was Everton’s most successful captain in his playing days, but his side showed no mercy against his former club. A massive 80 places lay between them, but Shrewsbury bundled the Premier League team out of the third round.

What is success in soccer?

Contributed by Tom Lake.
Area Manager, USA Sport Group.

Throughout my time coaching soccer in both America and back in England, the word ‘success’ has been banded around far too many times to even remember, but what exactly is success?

Success has several forms, a team winning tangible goods is success, a player scoring a career high goals tally is success, however I believe there are three main elements to this word:

Luck - Achievement - Belief

The Revolving Door of Chelsea Football Club Managers

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

In June 2003, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took control of Chelsea Football Club with the aim of taking the club to the heights that Manchester United and Liverpool had reached previously. Their trophy collection has certainly grown substantially since that day and all credit to Roman, he does put the money into the club, but his patience with managers seems to be disappearing steadily. Last weekend, André Villas-Boas was sacked after just 9 months in the job.

Since 2003, Abramovich has gone through a total of nine, yes NINE, managers. Let’s have a look at the managers that have been given the Chelsea hook during Abramovich’s reign. 

Claudio Ranieri

September, 2000 - May, 2004

Lasted 11 months after Roman bought the club. Abramovich never appointed Ranieri, so there was no surprise that he was sacked once a manager of the Russian’s choice agreed to terms. 

Do we want our youth soccer players to be aggressive or skilful?

Contributed by Justin Marriott.
Director - Soccer Division, USA Sport Group.

In an article written by Paul Gardner in his Soccer Talk column published in Soccer America on Tuesday, March 6th, he relates the current “bounty scandal” in the NFL to violence witnessed in boxing, NHL hockey and soccer.

As a current youth soccer coach and United Soccer Academy Director, I often hear parents ask how we can make their son or daughter more aggressive on the soccer field. Well, what does aggressive mean?

Inside Youth Sports: Unequal Playing Time in Youth Sports

This is a great article about unequal playing time in youth sports that we're sure many soccer coaches/parents will have to deal with.  Well worth a read.

Inside Youth Sports: Unequal Playing Time in Youth Sports

Top 10: Youngest Soccer High Flyers

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

When you think of young high flyers, the names Wayne Rooney, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo would probably have sprung to mind a few years ago when they first hit the world's soccer stage. However, none of these actually make it into this week’s top ten, but I felt obliged to mention them, so this is why they are in my opening paragraph. Anyway, I have compiled a list of the greatest achievements by the youngest ever soccer players, but which are the most impressive? Here’s my list, let’s see if you agree!

#10: Aaron Lennon

Youngest... English Premier League Appearance

Aaron Lennon was only 16 years and 129 days old when he made his first appearance for then Premier League side Leeds United in August, 2003. Although he has his critics, Lennon is so quick, he never misses the bus.

#9: James Vaughan

Youngest... English Premier League Goal Scorer

Coming on as a substitute for Everton against Crystal Palace in 2005, James Vaughan overtook Wayne Rooney as the youngest Premier League goal scorer, aged 16 years and 271 days. It seems Everton like to start them young!