Reflections on the World Cup Part 2

US v Ghana game - did the US team selection make the difference?
3. Coaches can make a negative difference - by overreacting to the referee!
A lot has been written on how many of the expected stars of the World Cup have failed to turn up to the event What has struck me though has been the impact of coaches failing to get the most out of their players. Dunga losing his self control on the Brazil sideline transmitted a message to his players in the loss to the Netherlands. In the second half Brazil seemed to me more focused on criticizing the referee, who I thought had a good game, than beating the Dutch. Dunga being upset every time Robben was fouled gave the impression to the players that Robben was diving. From the benefit of my high definition slow motion reply perspective, Robben was certainly being fouled but he was hitting the deck as though he was shot rather than kicked. Brazil's implosion and lack of control was picked up in one BBC blog and it reminded me of several games I have refereed for Stoddert or watched at NCSL where players pick up on the body language of the coach and blame the referee as an excuse for things going badly on the field. As the same blog points out, getting a team selection wrong or not having a back up plan to adjust to the dynamics of the game can outweigh all the talent on the field - see Maradona and Argentina.
4. Germany's success has been based on six years of planning. Jurgen Klinsmann has written an eloquent piece on how Germany's success is based on a radical plan in developing a new playing style He writes from the perspective of what the English FA needs to do but there are some important lessons there for US Soccer. Where are the US creative and impact players coming from?
5. This World Cup has had plenty of upsets. Ghana beating the US, Netherlands beating Brazil, New Zealand drawing Italy, South Africa defeating France, Germany scoring 4 against England and Argentina. Many teams have their reputations enhanced and several have had them tarnished. What chances a brand new World Cup winner this year in Holland or Spain? Will the new look Germany show that an old powerhouse can reinvent itself?

- I'll post more tomorrow -
The most miserable fans I met were by the way the Danish! although I have to admit I did not go to any England games!

Greetings from the World Cup Part 1

US fans left at Ellis Park before the Slovenia game.
As the World Cup semi finals kick off tonight I am writing from Southern Africa following a 10 day sojourn for the World Cup in South Africa. Unfortunately the rural settings we were lodged in were not blessed with great internet coverage so could not post while I attended games with my 16 year old son Dominic. Here's the first of a couple of blog posts to share some initial reactions of the 10 most memorable things from the World Cup.

1. South Africa has done a fantastic job in hosting: Concerns about security, organization, transport and infrastructure have been almost entirely unfounded. We managed to get to our seats on time for five games in two different cities, covered 2000 km in a hire care with only one minor traffic incident. We were greeted by total strangers with nothing but warmth and friendship. The organizers have set a high standard for Brazil to follow. Congratulations to Sepp Blatter Danny Jordan and everyone involved.

2. What a global experience: We met and interacted with fans from South Africa - wearing all sorts of colors, US, Slovenia, Uruguay, Mexico, Argentina, England, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Japan, Spain and Honduras and saw fans from many other countries. With one exception (I bet you can't guess!) all were good natured friendly and getting in to the spirit of a really joyful World Cup. Dominic left had a mostache drawn on with a sharpie by Uruguay fans at the Mexico game. The total interaction of fans was a real joy and enriched the whole experience.
I'll write some more tomorrow when I'll reveal my least favorite fans.