This section of the website is devoted to helping our DSC coaches become more knowledgeable about the game of soccer.
Our first article provides an introduction to Rudy Pompert, our new Director of Coaching.
My favorite club is Ajax Amsterdam in the Netherlands. But I love all soccer teams that try to play beautiful soccer with lots of quick combination plays and creativity. Teams such as Barcelona, Arsenal, Holland and Argentina. No I do not mention Brasil. I believe that Brasil has not been the same since they lost 2-3 to Italy during the World Cup in Spain in 1982 and Zico, Socrates, Cerezo, Falcao formed a magic midfield. When you are honest about the Brazilian national team since ‘82 they play counter attacking soccer with defenders who are not creative, at least 3 defensive minded midfielders and at least one counter attacking forward. That’s how they won the World Cup in 1994 and reached the finals in 1998 when they hung with 9 players around the penalty box when they played Holland in the semi’s. Just analyze Brasil honestly without yellow and green goggles on your nose in 2010 and you will see what I am talking about.
As a goal keeper I had the luck of being on the same team as Holland, AC Milan and Man. United superstar defender Jaap Stam. Playing with him showed me how unbelievable good you have to be to become a world class player.
When I worked at Ajax in the beginning of the 1990’s I had the fortune to see young players like Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Kluivert, Edgar Davids, Frank and Ronald De Boer, Edwin van der Sar, Clarence Seedorf, Jari Litmanen and Marc Overmars break through. Every day when I went to work I saw those guys practice and play. Not a bad gig.
Even though they have totally different personalities Dennis Bergkamp and Diego Maradona are my all time favorite players. Go check them out on YouTube and you understand why.
I am a soccer connoisseur who can always find something beautiful. Sometimes it’s one touch, one quick combination play or a short pass. Even during a bad game it’s there. You just have to look for it. See it. Solid, rigorous defenders can be beautiful to watch. Or a perfect pass over 60 yards from a GK’er.
You just have to look for it. See it.
