This weekend decided the FA Cup Finals with Manchester United and Chelsea both claiming rights to lift the silverware. Man. U continued their overpowering dominance by defeating (4-1) Watford while Chelsea slugged out another victory (2-1) against an inspired Blackburn side that looked poised to spoil Mourinho’s pride in extra time. 

Usually the FA Cup is about a cinderella team making a name for themselves, but this year the FA Cup is really what it is about–The 2 top level teams of English Football progressing through the rounds and now striving for honors. This finals is by far the most impelling in recent history and could be the most damaging in terms of overall success. Remember if something never gained, then something never lost (or something like that).

With both Man. United and Chelsea proving their pedigree, this is the first of several possible final square offs between the 2 English giants, but the others remain to be seen. As for now we must be content with the FA Cup, knowing that both teams will be equally deserving of silverware.   

By the way, look for Man. U to take the spoils though as they will progress the game too far (3-1) for Chelsea to claw back! Ballack will be needing to do a better job if he wants to remember his own name next time around.

To read Apr. 14, 2007 Edition, Click here

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It is Friday the 13th, and if you have your eyes open, spooky things are happening. This question is for the cerebral soccer minds out there. It seems Friday the 13th has brought some funny happenings into view. Weird enough in the soccer world things are happening in threes.

Here are some of the threes that have mystically appeared in the soccer world recently.

Three English semi-finalists have appeared in the Champions League. Wow, that, in itself, is super spooky and probably will not happen again for at least 10 years with Serie A coming back into alignment next year.

Next Spooky happening—three Spanish semi-finalists are in the UEFA Cup. Hmmm, not super crazy, because Spain can always produce a good product. I remember a few years back, they had the two finalists in the Champions League.

Now my question to all you savages out there—what is another spooky three that has appeared, or will appear in the soccer world?

For the Mongoose, the next three that I see appearing is Pachuca hitting the treble, by adding a Mexican League and Champions Cup title to already being Copa SudAmericana  Champions.

Let us know what three your mind can see. We will publish it, if it is good!

This weekend plays host to the Grand Clasico of Argentine Football—Boca vs. River Plate. Boca needs a victory to push back to the top (San Lorenzo was victorious on Saturday) and will be looking to continue their winning ways.

River Plate needs a victory to just keep pace with the leaders and are in danger of staying stagnate in the table if they lose. With two defeats in the first nine games, River need to put one to their old foes, in La Bombonera of all places, to stop the slide.

Boca seem much stronger and steady this time around without La Volpe at the helm while River, having already been bounced from the Copa Libertadores, have to reassert themselves if they look to get anything out of this Clausura tournament.

The fireworks are in the making! Who will provide the spark?

Chivas USA opened their 2007 MLS season with a 2-0 victory over league debutants, Toronto in confident fashion. True Palencia has returned to Mexico, and it was the first game of the season; however, I can’t stop from thinking that this could be the Mexican experiment’s breakout year (to bad Blanco is on his way to Chicago)!

With Preki at the helm, MLS has for the 1st time a true quality servant of the game. Sure you could make the claim for the Chicago Fire stalwart, Peter Nowak (now with a hand in our American setup), but his philosophy is built more on hard work and resistance while Preki brings a swagger and cultured interpretation to the game. In the long run, truer coaches of his quality will actually be more nurturing for the league then the punch-drunk star-quality of select loan players.

Preki’s own strike efficiency was evident in the two goals taken by Chivas–both opportunistic and unerring, which will surely feed the confidence of this young, new nucleus side.

The 1st one was courtesy of the forgotten man Razov, who was played in and finished off nicely after a neat one-two from a wide position. The youngster Kljestan finished off a deserved strike from distance in the 2nd half as his touches throughout the game had showed promise.

Of course it is too early to tell, and Chivas USA will have a tough test in Houston this Saturday as they face reigning Champs, the Dynamo (who could only fashion a nil draw with the Galaxy on Sunday [on the heels of their disappointing departure from the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup at the feet of Pachuca]).

My eyes will also be on the Colorado game as the Rapids pulled a suprise victory over Eastern power DC United and sit level with Chivas in the Western Conference. They face the Chicago Fire; the only team in the East to win all 3 pts. after the 1st Round of MLS action.

The part of the game that can’t be taught, only instructed. Don’t get us a wrong—it can be addressed in training and foundations can be constructed, but it is the player that ultimately makes these “decisions” in the game.

Of course fitness levels and levels of skill will always play a role in a player’s decision making process, so developing these areas of a player’s game will aid in making a player’s decision making skills more effective.

When you talk about soccer decisions you start to get into that 3rd realm of coaching where playing philosophies and tactical understandings come in to play—where a lack of vision, experience or ability from either the player or the coach, can hinder the overall decision making process of a player, who otherwise has the athletic talents to compete.  

When everybody on the team is working together and making the correct decisions on the field than the team will be able to maintain composure and continue playing their game. At this point, their decisions within the game are not due only to the opponent’s demands, but also to their own demands.

So the question still remains “how do you teach decision making?”  Having a seasoned and knowledgeable coach wouldn’t hurt! A mentor, or a player’s coach, that understands the game from a player’s point of view. Of course that is easier said than done.

So what can you do in the meantime? As a player or coach, you can take advantage of Virtual Soccer Trainer and educate yourself on certain soccer constants that every player must know and perform to keep progressing at their playing level.

The network capabilities of this online training facility will not only provide the nuts-and-bolts to training, but it also provides a unique communication element that can assist in the streamlining of your long term coaching methods. 

This will provide a higher level of communication between what coaches want and what players need to do. Proper decision making doesn’t come in an instant, or sometimes even after twenty practices. The more players are exposed to some standards and precepts of making decisions, the more immediate they will be able to make those decisions in the moment.

Click here to learn more about Virtual Soccer Trainer, or contact a soccer consultant at training@4skills.com to learn more about 4skills.com’s soccer training tools.

Mongoose must have had some insight coming into the critical quarterfinal return legs of the Champions League as both Chelsea and Man. United made it one step closer to an all English Champions League Final. He also shouted out an all Mexi final in the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup (but didn’t everybody?), so it seems like he is in rich form himself.

But it was really the form of Man. United’s incredible result (7-1) over AS Roma at Old Trafford that leaves me guttless the most, as my darkhorses reverted into donkey fashion when it mattered the most. Perhaps Totti had tempted the Roman gods when he articulated that Sir Alex would remember his name. Once again Sir Alex has ensured that high levels of excellence run throughout all his teams.

Well I must admit that I got it all wrong too as Chelsea turned the tides once again–this time on the road against Valencia. The Spanish opened the scoring as in the 1st leg; Morientes got the opener, latching on to a Juaqin cross and sliding the ball past Cech. Sheva leveled matters for Chelsea in the 2nd half from a set piece–a reward for Chelsea’s constant attacking dominance–nipping in at the back post after Ballack and Drogba wrecked havoc in the box.

Apart from their two goals, Valencia never really looked as if they could close the deal, and they had their keeper Canizares to thank throughout the game as he made incredible saves against Drogba and Ballack to keep Valencia in sight of the semifinals. Unfortunately, in the 90th min. the stark blond keeper was beat at his near post as Essien powered in a near post strike that spoiled my dreams.  

Still my Italian favorites AC Milan are still in, as I predicted, as they made light work of Bayern Munich in the return leg in Germany. Behind 2 quick strikes in the 1st half from Seedorf and Inzaghi, the Italians cruised into the semifinal round where they will now face Man. United. Seedorf made the difference as he skilled up (after linking with Kaka) on three Bayern defenders and then finished past the stranded Ollie Kahn. The Dutch midfielder, just minutes later, then played a sweet back heel to Inzaghi who turned and fired expertly past Kahn.

Of course Liverstinks round out the seminfinalists as they defeated PSV 1-0 at Anfield thanks to Crouch’s lone tally; Robbie Fowler set the plate for Crouch on the door step, and the tall, slanky striker finished off the job that started last week when they defeated the Dutch side 3-0 on the road. Next up is a tournament rematch with Chelsea, and both teams will feel it is their turn for victory.

San Lorenzo dropped their 1st 3 pts. this past Saturday to Estudiantes, paving the way for Boca to surpass the early leaders. Boca faced their old coach, La Volpe, and Velez Sarsfield, knowing they could take 3 pts. from the manager, who steered them last term trophy-less.

It didn’t take long either as midfielder Cardozo struck in quick fashion in the 3rd min. to the chagrin of La Volpe, as Boca looked hungry, on the road, to restore amends for last tournament’s failure. Boca stretched their lead and dominance in the 27th min. through their rat-tailed striker Palacio.

San Lorenzo finally pulled one back in the 2nd half through their defender Pellegrino in the 79th min., but the padawan (Palacio) showed up again, just one minute later, to restore Boca’s two goal lead and remind La Volpe of the old wound.

With one ghost slayed, Boca will now face (this coming Sunday) their old rivals and the Argentine Classic against River Plate, who are wavering a few spots and 6 pts. off the mark.

To read Apr. 06, 2007 Edition, Click here

To learn more about Aerobic Soccer Training, Click here

Americans, did you know we were in the middle of a cup? Come on, you haven’t heard of the “CONCACAF Champions’ Cup?” It still has its new car shine.

We find ourselves in the Semi-finals, where, by strength, two MLS teams are playing against two Mexican Teams for the spoils. It stood DC United vs. Chivas Guadalajara and the Houston Dynamo vs. Pachuca, with the finalists being decided over two games, home and away.   

As the semi-finals are over, the MLS couldn’t even produce a finalist. Although D.C. United looked fried from the outset after playing horrible at home, there was a chance with the Dynamo to re-lift a cup as they led with a 2-0 margin, but the 2nd leg game ended yesterday with a complete shelling of the old San Jose Clash.

Pachuca put on a flex session as they executed and pushed forward with calm, pace, and encouragement. In every forward movement, they looked like they were going to score. Only a shoestring plea by Houston was saving the MLS Champions from a full on wood chipping.

Houston tried to stave off this onslaught through the Italianesque striking of Brian Ching, who has continued to show that no matter the field and how high the level gets, he can close his mind into one thing, finish to the back of the net. I can hear Serie B calling if he wants to go to Europe.

Houston’s service was more hopeful balls and chance forays as they were fully outclassed in a packed hostile environment. Free was the ticket price, so Pachuca was the event. A handful of Houston supporters showed up as Mullins and Ching hit the net (too bad this tournament does not honor the away goals rule!).

Pachuca was rolling though with complete fury. Their team was one of belief, where they were prepared to get four goals on the night, at least try until the final whistle. Being 2-0 down on aggregate, Pachuca ended up 4-2 at the end of regulation. It took everything from Houston’s Goal Keeper Wells to keep the MLS squad from utter embarrassment.  He had to pull out an average National Team level performance to keep Houston afloat.

But alas, the strike came that broke poor Well’s back in overtime. A dipping volley that deposited itself in the near post 90 from an out swing; it planted Wells even though he was in position to save an average strike.  

So, the final should be good, but the U.S. versus Mexico has already been decided, and the class of the Mexican will be able to turkey carve up the continent.
 
My only question I have for the Savages is, “If Toronto F.C. surprises somebody and qualifies for this tournament, will that be Canada’s first entry into the continental scramble?”