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The U.S. must implement one style of play for all levels, according to Claudio Reyna
The USA, starting with the national team, must abide by one style of play. That's the message from youth technical director Claudio Reyna.
Jul 20, 2011 2:13:00 AM
By Zac Lee Rigg
Jeff Zelevansky
MILWAUKEE – According to USSF youth technical director Claudio Reyna, the United States needs to find a national identity in style of play and implement it at all levels.
Following his retirement, the former U.S. international took over his role in providing a vision and structure for developing the youth of America. His plan hinges on establishing a nation-wide style of play.
“You first have to build a vision or else you are driving with no lights on,” Reyna told Goal.com's J.R. Eskilson exclusively. “You have to have that; it's a must. All the leading nations have one style.”
Reyna cited Spain, which has conquered all in the past handful of years with its distinct tiki-taka, and the Netherlands, with its reliance on Total Football. He also mentioned Germany, which under Jurgen Klinsmann shifted from an efficient, steel-hardened defensive outfit to a smooth-flowing counter-attacking team.
Currently, no clear style has been identified to contain the diversity of styles and ethnic backgrounds in the United States.
“It is still relatively general, but we are looking for teams to trying to keep possession and play better, to create offensive teams and players,” Reyna said. “We want to reward teams here [at the Development Academy Finals Week] for playing well, so a style of play is very important to that. And clearly the national team is always the leader in that as the reference point on how we want to play.”
Delays in coordinating the entire national team program will only waste the current generation of young players, according to the 38-year-old.
“The kids are the ones who suffer when there is no clear vision or direction,” he pointed out. “That is why it is very important that we develop and have a basic vision first and what we are aiming for.”
As he took in the games during Finals Week, Reyna saw positives, but admitted that he still expects much more.
“I have to always expect more in my position and set a higher standard,” he said. “The world is our competition. So if I were to say this were [a competition] among the top nations in the world, I would have to say no, we aren't there yet in terms of clubs, players, and talent.
“It is important that any program that is created by U.S. Soccer is always analyzed and not just sitting there without a critical view.”
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com's
page.
Following his retirement, the former U.S. international took over his role in providing a vision and structure for developing the youth of America. His plan hinges on establishing a nation-wide style of play.
“You first have to build a vision or else you are driving with no lights on,” Reyna told Goal.com's J.R. Eskilson exclusively. “You have to have that; it's a must. All the leading nations have one style.”
Reyna cited Spain, which has conquered all in the past handful of years with its distinct tiki-taka, and the Netherlands, with its reliance on Total Football. He also mentioned Germany, which under Jurgen Klinsmann shifted from an efficient, steel-hardened defensive outfit to a smooth-flowing counter-attacking team.
Currently, no clear style has been identified to contain the diversity of styles and ethnic backgrounds in the United States.
“It is still relatively general, but we are looking for teams to trying to keep possession and play better, to create offensive teams and players,” Reyna said. “We want to reward teams here [at the Development Academy Finals Week] for playing well, so a style of play is very important to that. And clearly the national team is always the leader in that as the reference point on how we want to play.”
Delays in coordinating the entire national team program will only waste the current generation of young players, according to the 38-year-old.
“The kids are the ones who suffer when there is no clear vision or direction,” he pointed out. “That is why it is very important that we develop and have a basic vision first and what we are aiming for.”
As he took in the games during Finals Week, Reyna saw positives, but admitted that he still expects much more.
“I have to always expect more in my position and set a higher standard,” he said. “The world is our competition. So if I were to say this were [a competition] among the top nations in the world, I would have to say no, we aren't there yet in terms of clubs, players, and talent.
“It is important that any program that is created by U.S. Soccer is always analyzed and not just sitting there without a critical view.”
Visit the U.S. national team page on Goal.com for more and join Goal.com's
page.
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