The USA national team has had a rough go for a long time. When Jürgen Klinsman came in to change the program and do things the German way there was a lot of heads shaking and a lot of lost games in the beginning. Then the players started to listen and play his system. I recently read an interview with him and he had this to say, "When you get to 50-50 games, it's the mindset that beats them, like a strong belief in yourself and staying calm when it gets really hostile in Central America. That's why the U.S. built a strong position against Mexico, even if Mexico won the previous two Gold Cups. You know, they don't really like to play the U.S. They know we have a certain edge of toughness. Argentina knows when they play Germany that there will be constant grinding. Are the Argentineans better players? Yes. But we'd steal their ball. Your toy is gone; now do something about it."

Not the best English, he's a German give him a break, but he's got a great point and track record. Today our toy was stolen (three times), we did nothing about it and the game was over, mentally, in the first five minutes.

I know we want to win, but I'm not sure we know how. I'm not sure we know that it takes the right mindset and a lot of trust in fellow players to win games. One problem I have with my mind is that I don't forget things very easily and when things get in there they have a tough time getting out. Here are some quotes from the last couple games that concern me:

"Why can't we play easy teams?"
"Let's schedule preseason games with Maeser Academy."
"When nobody else was talking, I stopped."
"There were two guys coming at me, I got scared."
"I've flopped and got plenty of penalty kicks."
"After the second goal, I was done."
"I seriously didn't say anything the whole game."
"I just don't trust so and so, he just boots it."
"Dude, did you kiss her?"
"Why can't I play soccer? Seriously, this is so dumb!"
"It's because so and so isn't talking!"
"We don't give it all in practice because they are so long!"

Here are quotes from the other team today:
"You put me in I'm going to score - I need to score."
"Come on guys, let's put another one in the net."
"I'm going in and I'm scoring." (which he did, #14)

Blaming, easy way outs, lack of intensity, lack of concentration, self deprecation and the list goes on. Our problem is not skill, formations, fitness, etc., it's having a winning attitude. I called up a couple of coaches I respect and admire and they all agreed that "you can't coach intensity, that's the one thing you just can't coach." I hope they are wrong because I think there is a way to awaken the little voice inside of you that tells you to give it your all for 80 minutes no matter the circumstances. The error of my coaching today was starting and playing the best players but not the best team.

I truly believe we are capable of winning region and state if we change our attitudes and truly be "all in".


Player of the game:
Ian Berlin - talked, hustled, gave it his all the whole game no matter where I put him on the field. Kudos again to Tmonney and Vince for playing their hearts out. Your bodies will grow into your hearts.

Thanks Aaron for filming the game, thanks to those who carried the canvas, thanks Ryan for the granola bar, thanks calculus kids for helping each other out and thanks Korbin for keeping stats.