U14 Boys

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Hm.. I wonder if Mr. Skills-over-athleticism would have picked David Luiz to be on their team...

Hmm I wonder if Mr. Athleticism-over-skills and intelligence would have put Larry Bird on his team..... Oh wait that's right according to you he was an athletic specimen compared to everyone else in the NBA ;)

[Unregistered]

Where has this athleticism over skill gotten us? We are way behind in soccer compared to the rest if the world and you can argue not all the best athletes play soccer but guess what the rest of the world can now compete with us in basketball too. Time to look for skilled athletes and develop their understanding of the game.

[Unregistered]

Hmm I wonder if Mr. Athleticism-over-skills and intelligence would have put Larry Bird on his team..... Oh wait that's right according to you he was an athletic specimen compared to everyone else in the NBA ;)

Maybe he was, 'back then'. :-D

[Unregistered]

Ya like them apples?

It is neitha athleticism nor skill, it is how way wicked smaat they aaaah. Dude, I saw some wicked awesome kids playin socca in the jordan maash paakin lawt. That was soooooo sweet. They had it up stays, totally soopa smaat.

[Unregistered]

Messi is not an "elite athlete" by definition. He is the best player in the world but never would have gotten there on his athleticism alone. If it wasn't for his amazing skills and high soccer iq we wouldn't even be talking about him.

This post is just not smart, low skill, and certainly weak athletically. (Just Kidding, making light of it)

Nobody claimed that Messi did not have amazing skill or soccer iq. Of course those pieces were critical to him becoming the player he is. But make no mistake, he is an elite athlete, and that is also why he is the best player in the world - because he has the total package. I will repeat, Messi does things athletically that very few athletes can do. He is a freak of nature when it comes to his balance combined with raw quickness and speed. Those traits were athletic traits given to him by God. I am in awe when players hack at his legs, and he somehow manages to stay on his feet, juking, jiving at a frantic speed. That is not a skill or intelligence. It is pure athleticism.

[Unregistered]

Not me

we get it! your kid lacks athleticism. it's fine. not everyone was born with it. if you don't got it, you must rely on skills and smarts alone... which can still make you a very good player... just not a great one.

[Unregistered]

Me either. It is now so obvious why the US is so far behind. We need to spend more time developing skills and less time simply looking for athletes. All the best players in the world have mastered their skills and understand the game yet all are not athletically gifted.

sorry to burst your bubble but the rest of the world has their best ATHLETES playing soccer. it just so happens that they work on their skills and smarts too. this really is not up for debate. The rest of the world has their best athletes playing soccer. Period.

[Unregistered]

Hmm I wonder if Mr. Athleticism-over-skills and intelligence would have put Larry Bird on his team..... Oh wait that's right according to you he was an athletic specimen compared to everyone else in the NBA ;)

i might take Bird. he was one of a kind. But i would Jordan, Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Magic,.............. first. you catch my drift?

[Unregistered]

we get it! your kid lacks athleticism. it's fine. not everyone was born with it. if you don't got it, you must rely on skills and smarts alone... which can still make you a very good player... just not a great one.

I am sorry... I know you have been very frustrated that your kid can't even settle the ball due to lack of skills and must rely on speed alone...which can still make you a very good player in "Oregon".......just not a great one.

Perhaps next year club tryouts should be based on track & field meets......seriously??

[Unregistered]

we get it! your kid lacks athleticism. it's fine. not everyone was born with it. if you don't got it, you must rely on skills and smarts alone... which can still make you a very good player... just not a great one.

Most.Idiotic.Comment.Ever.

[Unregistered]

I am sorry... I know you have been very frustrated that your kid can't even settle the ball due to lack of skills and must rely on speed alone...which can still make you a very good player in "Oregon".......just not a great one.

Perhaps next year club tryouts should be based on track & field meets......seriously??

Po ss ess ion. Any other chatter besides that subject is sheer lunacy.

[Unregistered]

I am sorry... I know you have been very frustrated that your kid can't even settle the ball due to lack of skills and must rely on speed alone...which can still make you a very good player in "Oregon".......just not a great one.

Perhaps next year club tryouts should be based on track & field meets......seriously??

I was thinking the same thing. My guess is most of these comments are from young parents with either quick kids or kids that physically developed faster than anyone else. If those same kids don't work on skills they will be left behind. Intelligence will play a much bigger part the older they get.

[Unregistered]

sorry to burst your bubble but the rest of the world has their best ATHLETES playing soccer. it just so happens that they work on their skills and smarts too. this really is not up for debate. The rest of the world has their best athletes playing soccer. Period.

Many of our best athletes play basketball and the world has caught up. There is no excuse for the US. Tiny countries with a third of our population and very little funding can beat the US on the field. Players with way less size and speed.

[Unregistered]

I was thinking the same thing. My guess is most of these comments are from young parents with either quick kids or kids that physically developed faster than anyone else. If those same kids don't work on skills they will be left behind. Intelligence will play a much bigger part the older they get.

Thanks for calling me young! Luckily my fast and athletic kid is working on skills and studying the game too.

[Unregistered]

Many of our best athletes play basketball and the world has caught up. There is no excuse for the US. Tiny countries with a third of our population and very little funding can beat the US on the field. Players with way less size and speed.

I can hardly listen to this nonsense for one more second. Athleticism matters in soccer. It matters a lot. Those with weaker athletic ability will slowly fade. It's just common sense. Duh.