Soccer: Storybook Cup win will hurt in long run

If the United States wins, it will validate an increasingly outdated style of play: one that values speed and strength over skill and imagination. And that would be awful for American soccer.

Remaining married to those qualities – from the youth levels on up – is going to continue the United States women’s steady backsliding over the last decade. Soon, they will be in the same position the men find themselves – hopelessly overmatched against the world’s elite.

It is already happening....

This is not a condemnation of this United States players or coach Pia Sundhage, whose temperament is a perfect fit, but of the system and a culture that gave birth to it. The first time most of the players kicked a ball, it was probably in front of parents who cheered when little Johnny or Jane booted the ball far down the field.

Youth coaches pick the fastest and strongest players because they’re the ones that will help them win tournaments. (It’s easy to imagine Lil’ Messi or Xavi being left on the sidelines as kids.)

And, too often, developing the problem solving that is required at the world-class level is a casualty of trying to win. (Example: kicking the ball out of bounds under pressure robs players of the trial and error of figuring away out of their predicament.)


http://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer/womensworldcup/story/us-women-world-cup-victory-will-hurt-in-long-run-071511/?gt1=39002

U.S. women going for their third World Cup title and that is bad??

Ah well, it came from Fox, where football no doubt is a "foreigner" sport.

they are called coach.

In general your top athletes are strong, speedy and skilled.

Youth coaches pick the fastest and strongest players because they’re the ones that will help them win tournaments.

because the world cup is not a tournament? Foxsports given you great incite there.