Last week I had the pleasure of meeting with Rachael Bruketta and Joshua Pierce to chat about inner city soccer programs in Buffalo. After chatting for a few minutes, it was obvious that both Rachael and Josh have a passion for bringing soccer to the inner city of Buffalo. I needed to get on board with them and of course wanted to help.
In 2009 I developed the Fresh Kick Project but shelved the project for another day. That day is today, as I couldn’t think of two better people to help take the project to the next level.
Landon Donovan’s goal in the 91st minute against Algeria changed the face of US Soccer forever.
US Soccer has had two prior iconic moments in its short history. First, was Joe Gaetjen’s goal against England in 1950, which shocked the world and led to Gaetjens rise as a folk hero amongst soccer supporters. Second, was Paul Caligiuri’s goal against Trinidad and Tobago to propel the United States into the 1990 World Cup and starting a resurgence in US Soccer as a whole.
All of those events are absolutely ingrained in the annals of sports history. The only problem: None of them happened during ‘my generation.’
Technically, I’m a Gen-Y’er, or a Millennial — born between 1980 and 1995 (more specifically August 29, 1983).
My parents were not born in 1950, and in 1989 I was 6 years old and probably playing Legos in my living room, unaware the USA just qualified for the World Cup in a do or die grudge match.
Don’t get me wrong, those moments were absolutely important in US Soccer history. However, I was not a part of them. I’ve only come to know their importance through those who still remember where they were when it happened and can relive the feeling as if it were yesterday.
Landon Donovan’s goal is our iconic moment — a goal for our generation. We will show his six yard finish to our children in 16 years while we prepare for the 2026 World Cup, telling the story about where we were, who we were with and what it felt like.
His finish will be reenacted in backyards and on soccer fields across the United States. Two years from now one of you will score a similar goal in your Sunday league game and say, “You looked just like Donovan.” Better yet, everyone will know exactly what that means.
His goal is for all of us 20 somethings who were the guinea pigs in the development of an American soccer culture which is still growing today. We were shuffled around by soccer moms in Minivans attending State Cups, ODP tryouts, travel games, and attending MISL matches in the winter. We were 11 when MLS was founded and gladly shelled out $15 for a New York Metrostars hat that faded quickly in the summer sun. We remember watching Roberto Baggio boot the ball over the net in ’94, but didn’t yet realize the magnitude of what had happened.
We’ve heard from our coaches “You guys are the next generation in soccer in the United States.” In 10 years, we will be running youth clubs, coaching our children, filling important positions in Major League Soccer, and taking the game of soccer to new heights in the United States.
Donovan is our Joe Gaetjens, our Paul Caligiuri. No matter what happens in the next round, we will always remember his goal which put us there.
And we’ll always remember exactly where we were when it happened.
i find it hard to tell whether the pros they use their toe or the traditional laces shot when kicking across the ball.
say the player is running down the right wing, and fires a shot into the top left corner. not too sure whether the player would use his toe or top part of the shoe. shooting across the ball with the toe seems very difficult and doesnt seem to generate much power
what shot choice do you recommend?
Seeing how players shoot in futsal is difficult, especially since the action happens so fast. It’s also a difficult coaching point for futsal coaches who are new to the game. Hopefully Episode 7 of Talk Futsal sheds a little light on the subject.
Do you use the toe poke in Futsal? How do you teach it and when do you think it should be used?
One of my favorite LinkedIn discussion groups is the National Soccer Coaches Association of America group. Every week coaches from around the world chime in with thoughts on formations, tactics, training topics and club management. A few months ago I started a thread to talk about futsal. After several replies Christopher Wimmer (from VA Soccer [...]
Talk Futsal is back with the long awaited Episode 6. In the welcome back episode I briefly give an overview of my time spent in Ireland and England at Grassroots Football Live 2010 as well as some insight into @futsal and other Futsal programs around the globe. We also thank David Knopf for writing an [...]
Greetings from 35,000 feet, South of the tip of Greenland and out over the Atlantic Ocean! Day 1 and I’m on the move, en route to Dublin to spend Wednesday on my own exploring the city before Mark picks me up bright and early Thursday morning for the ferry and drive to Birmingham, England for [...]
Tomorrow I begin my week abroad as I head to Dublin, Ireland and Birmingham, England to take part in Grassroots Football Live. As part of my work with Statzpack and Mark Roberts, we will be exhibiting at Grassroots from Friday June 4th to Sunday June 6th.
When I first decided to run a inner city soccer program, Mike Herman from Compton United was the first guy I talked to. One minute into our first conversation I could feel Mike’s passion for the game and for helping the kids in Compton to strive for greatness.
As a coach, when was the last time you coached soccer that didn’t focus on a grass field with goals and everyone wearing spikes and numbered jerseys? When I was growing up playing pick-up soccer on Remington Drive, we played a lot of versions of soccer. The version of soccer we played was based on [...]
