Robbins Sports Blog

Wouldn’t you just know it. Just when things have been rolling along smoothly for the Real team and just when they are in position to go to the top of the MLS (which could have happened last night if they had beat the Seattle Sounders rather than just tie) they have started to experience some unwanted roadblocks. It appears as if some of the wheels are coming off of their well oiled machine in the way of players missing games because of mounting injuries. The timing is most unfortunate as Major League Soccer is heading toward the end of the season. Fabian Espindola did not play against the Sounders due to a hamstring sprain, nor did Ned Grabavoy, who is nursing an injured knee. As if that weren’t enough to hamper the efforts of the Utah team, another teammate, Nick Rimando was also out of action for the meeting due to injury and Jamison Olave sat it out because of too many yellow card violations in the previous game.

Given all that “bad news” it is commendable that RSL came out with the kind of heart they did and played with an increased intensity that allowed them to come away with a tie. Coach Jason Kreis stated that he could not be prouder of his team and the effort they put forth in this match-up against Seattle. The Real currently are in a three way tie for the lead in the MLS.

Nancy Smith is one of the owners of RobbinsSports.com, an online retailer specializing in Basketball Uniforms and Portable Scoreboards

With the insane amount of hype surrounding David Beckham’s debut in the MLS and America, everyone has been mezmerized by Beckham’s international stardom. Furthermore, with his lovely wife, Victoria, by his side, I don’t see how anyone could be anything but ecstatic by their arrival. However, as a result of all this, one question has been left unanwered, even by the most cynical critics. That question is whether or not the MLS’s inclusion of David Beckham is a good thing. Here’s what I think:

For Soccer:

David Beckham coming to the MLS is great for soccer. Some say that losing such a great player and star will somehow hurt the European soccer scene. But that is not going to happen. Not only is the best soccer still being played in Europe, but also the number of superstars in its respective leagues is rising daily. Yes, Beckham is a force to be reckoned with, on and off the field. But with players like Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldhino Gaucho, Lionel Messi and Steven Gerrard filling Beckham’s shoes, there are still plenty of quality players to captivate the soccer’s viewing public. So, no, Europe is not going to suffer. Just think if Barry Bonds left the MLB. Is he a great player? Of course! But the league wouldn’t be all that different if he were to leave. The other superstars would pick up the slack.

On the other hand, the MLS is going to benefit beyond anything it could possibly imagine. Not only is Beckham a great player on the field, but his rockstar-like popularity off of it will bring hoards of new viewers to the MLS. Opponents of this notion may say that international superstars have come to the MLS in the past, making very little impact on the progress of the MLS in America. Very true. But, usually international players who make the transition are very much past their prime. Take for instance Youri Djorkaeff, Roberto Donadoni and Lothar Mattheus. Every single one of these players was a great player in his day. But when they were in the MLS, they were over the hill. None had stellar performances in the MLS and each retired soon after arriving. Conversely, Beckham is still in his prime. Last year, due in large part to his efforts, Real Madrid won the Spanish La Liga championship. Also, in his absence from the English national team, the Three Lions suffered tremendously; something that went away upon Beckham’s return. His picture perfect cross to Peter Crouch in England’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Estonia is a skillful reflection of just how good Beckham still is. You would be hard pressed to find anyone that can deliver a cross like that. So, this move is great for the MLS. They are getting a player with absolutly brilliant skill who will also bolster the league with his fame.

For Beckham:

The MLS is undoubtedly going to benefit from this move, but will Beckham benefit as well? Well, yes and no. His wallet is definitely not going barren anytime soon, what with the 5-year, $250 million contract he signed with the LA Galaxy (something that has not gone unnoticed by his wife “Posh Spice” who is known for living up to her ritzy name). Moreover, his children will probably benefit as well. While England is by no means a country in dire straits, the US is the most powerful country in the world and offers its citizens countless opportunities. Growing up in America will allow the Beckham children every chance they could ever want.

However, in terms of his career, David Beckham made the wrong move. As previously mentioned, Beckham is still as skillful as ever. And let’s face it, the MLS is an inferior league to the giants in Europe. So, I feel, as do many serious soccer fans, that Beckham’s introduction to the MLS is sort of a slap in the face. It is just sad. He is simply too good for the MLS. Imagine if Michael Jordan had left the NBA after his 6th successive NBA title to play in the Italian basketball league. Murmurs of “say it ain’t so” would be heard all around the country. A similar situation is unfolding in Europe. European soccer fans cannot believe that Beckham would stoop to the MLS’s level. Honestly, it is kind of pathetic.

So, is Beckham in the MLS a good thing or a bad thing? Both. It just depends on how you look at it. It is great for the MLS. And it is even good for Beckham to a certain extent. But, as far as his career is concerned, David Beckham’s swan song has come prematurely.

Nishan Wilde is VP of Sales at Robbins Sports and Athletics, an online resource for Track Uniforms, Basketball Uniforms, Gym Bags and Portable Scoreboards.

Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to watch the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea. It was a fierce game in which Chelsea eventually proved victorious. And even though I am a huge United fan, I enjoyed the game immensely. Why? The talent level was so high. The players on these two massive clubs are so good at what they do that anyone who watches them can’t help but be impressed.It got me to thinking, how can a player become so good? I have been playing soccer for over 20 years, but I am no where near their skill level. So, what is the difference. Well, the following are a few things that professional players possess and I lack. Below, you will see a short list of skill sets that make players great and how to develop those particular skill sets.

1. Ball Handling: Upon watching professionals, it seems as if the ball is literally glued to their feet. Where they go, the ball goes too. This skill set is developed by becoming comfortable with the ball at your feet. To do this, a player must get as many touches as possible each day. When I played in high school, our coach made us get 1,000 touches on the ball before practice would even begin. You can do this by doing the following:

- Juggling. This can be done alone or with a group, but keep the ball in the air. Don’t let it touch the ground, ever. But, unlike traditional juggling, to get a better feel for the ball, juggle while moving. Find a grassy nook and juggle the ball from one end to the other. Also, instead of using your strong foot (almost everyone prefers one foot to the other), try to keep the ball in the air using your weaker foot.

- Roll Overs: Whether you are going side to side, backwards or forwards, roll overs will help your control. Find a field of some sort and practice rolling the ball with each foot. However, instead of just rolling the ball and watching it, use each step you take to roll the ball again. Essentially, you should be running and rolling the ball with the sole of your foot at the same time.

2. Passing. Whether it is a cross-field pass or a 5-yard pass, professionals are right on the money. They pass the ball to a specific spot as opposed to a general area. To mimic the accuracy of professionals, there are one or two main drills you can do to increase your skill level.

- Keep Away. Playing keep away can help you in just about every way imaginable. But if you want to develop precision passing, play keep away with small goals of 1-2 feet wide at either end of the field. If you play keep away with a regular sized goal or no goal at all, the play tends to take place on the outskirts of the playing field. But by setting up small goals, each team is forced to pass the ball within the confines of a small area in order to get close enough to the goal to score.

3. Field Awareness. In order to play at a high level, you must know exactly where your teammates are. Many times, when a player looses possession, he or she has taken too long to pass the ball to another player. But, if players know where their teammates are before they need to pass the ball, possession will be retained on a more consistent basis. The best way to become more aware of the field and players around you is as follows.

- One- or Two-touch passing drills. It doesn’t really matter what type of drills you do in this case. However, the way you perform the drill is extremely important. The rule is you cannot take more than one or two touches on the ball before passing it. This seems a little hasty, but if you do not have many touches to use, then you are forced to pick your head up and take a look around you. By doing this, you will develop the habit of looking around you before receiving the ball so you know where you are going to pass beforehand.

There are many reasons why professionals are professionals. But, the aforementioned skills are necessary for anyone to play soccer at a competitive level. Performing these drills will help you become a better and more influential player.

This article was written by Nishan Wilde at Robbins Sports and Athletics

To get the latest in Soccer Jerseys, shop at Robbins Sports and Athletics.

A 50-yard sideline to sideline pass, a splendid ball played down the line to a bolting runner, a cross perfectly swung in by the winger, and finally, a calm and collected finish, headed into the top corner of the net.

Such is a typical play in the top soccer leagues around the world. 22 players absoutely flying around the field, showing superb control and finesse with their feet. Excuse the pun, but this a feat which is almost impossible to find anywhere else. And yet, even though this type of athletic achievement is so rare, Americans just do not get that excited about it. Usually when something is rare, Americans pounce on it. Just think of diamonds, highend clothing, and undercooked meat (ok that was a stupid joke). But still, for the most part, Americans appreciate things which they themselves cannot do. However, when it comes to soccer, we just don’t get it. If the aforementioned play were to take place in a European or South American soccer stadium, there would be a buildup of anticpiation from the start of the play to the finish, by the end of which the intensity would be so thick that the crowd would begin to grow restless, awaiting the culmination. One can literally feel the pressure build up. And when that goal finally comes, there is an thunderous explosion of applause that would put any volcano to shame. However, when such aplay occurs in a stadium in the United States, the attention and ovation comes only near the end of the play or when the goal is scored. There is no buildup. It seems as if in America, we either cheer or we don’t cheer and it depends on whether we score or not. There is no buildup of anticipation. No sitting on the edge of your chair, waiting, yearning for something to happen. For this reason, most Americans view soccer as boring and too low scoring of a game.

As a soccer fan of over 20 years, I constantly ask myself why we don’t seem to appreciate what the rest of the world deems as the most beautiful and electrifying game around. I finally came up with what I feel is the answer to that question.

WE ARE AN IMPATIENT PEOPLE.

The United States of America is filled with a myriad of peoples and cultures, each differing from the rest in one way or another. However, as a whole we are a very low-context culture. We say what we mean and we are very blunt. For the most part, there are no hidden meanings in what we say. Along with this low-context aspect of our culture comes the incessant desire for istant gratification. WE WANT WHAT WE WANT AND WE WANT IT NOW!!! Despite the old addage “patience is a virtue,” Americans simply cannot just sit around and wait for something to happen. We are go-getters. And the sports we have come to love reflect just that. Take basketball for instance. Each of the two teams competing can score well over 100 points. Every play is fast-paced, end-to-end stuff. Also, in football, almost every play is excting. Either the offensive team rips a play for 20 or more yards, even scoring a touchdown, or the defensive team lays them out with a bone-crunching tackle. Even in baseball, which to most is somewhat of a boring, drawn-out game, there are plenty of exciting plays; homeruns, strikeouts, double plays, diving catches, etc… Ever since childhood, we have grown up thinking that if something exciting doesn’t happen right here, right now, we should not be impressed. It must be derived from the notion of the American Dream, making something happen right now. It seems as if Americans are more interested in the destination than in the journey. Everything is simply a means to an end, and the end is what we want, now matter how we get there.

But, soccer is not that type of game. Whereas in basketball and football you have ali-oops and hail mary passes, in soccer you have subtle passing schemes and precision control. Don’t get me wrong, soccer is exciting, more so than any other sport in my opinion. But you have to be an astute viewer and a dedicated student of the game to notice the beautiful intracacies. I honestly feel that if we Americans would place more emphasis on the journey rather than the destination and watch how a play unfolds, not how it ends, we would be more in tune with the spirit of soccer. We would understand its beauty. We would see what the rest of the world sees.

This article was written by Nishan Wilde at Robbins Sports and Athletics

For the latest in Soccer Jerseys, shop RobbinsSports.com