[Xulu]

The following is a tactic based around the concepts of the US National Team Development Curriculum. Jürgen Klinsmann has devised a system that he hopes to see ideally implemented within the US National side and the MLS within a generation or two, and he is my take on how that should be constructed. As an aside, former USWNT coach and current coach of the University of North Carolina Ladies Team Anson Dorrance has noted that the US does not have a specific tactical tradition like most nations; such a lack of a clear preference means that the US can be molded into a vision should it choose to.

The following is a tactic that is slick in possession and composed without. It seeks to dominate the ball and play proactively, but occupy a middle ground between directness and tiki-taka. It requires technical players all across the pitch, but will also require determination and effort to fully succeed.


US Soccer Curriculum

GK – Sweeper Keeper (Variable)
DS – Full Back (Automatic)
DC – Central Defender (Defend)
MCS – Central Midfielder (Support)
MCC - Variable
AMS – Defensive Winger (Attack)
STC - Variable

Run With Ball – Rarely for all outfielders
Long Shots – Sometimes for all outfielders
Through Balls – Rarely for DF/MCS/MCCd, Sometimes for MCCa/AMS/ST
Cross Ball – Sometimes for DS/AMS, Rarely for all other outfielders
Hold Up Ball – No for all outfielders
GK Distribution – Defender Collect

Philosophy - Fluid
Strategy – Attacking
Passing – Shorter
Creative Freedom – Default
Closing Down – Press More
Tackling - Default
Marking - Default
Crossing – Drill Crosses
Roaming – More Roaming



Notes from a conversation with ChrisOrmie of FM-View:
To be honest, I am completely fine with Shooting and Risk Taking. I always encouraged Intermediate players (12-17) to shoot if they had the chance. Risk taking is a little harder to pin down with kids, as knowing the risks means reading the game and reacting. In a 4-1-2-3, training that Holder is so vital. On my University 5-a-side intramural team I play as the holder, and I notice we play so much better if someone is cleaning up the messes and giving the others a chance to take risks. When I go forward, we are so much more vulnerable because few others drop back. Granted that may be more a product of a lack of chemistry and understanding the game, but I think the general principle remains the same. I destroy and create from my withdrawn position, and give the front three a chance to move and gamble.

Otherwise, one can only hope that the training becomes more and more engrained in the US culture. I have my doubts as to this being a truly national thing (the size of the country, for one and the tactical culture for another), but I do hope that by the time my children are 15 that the game will have progressed in the States to a point where many of these things could become a reality. The sheer number and quality of amazing American athletes should hopefully produce a team and national pool that is not only technically proficient, but has the physical capabilities to dominate against any opposition.

Will it happen? We shall see.