I’m proud to present the newest contributor to Springfield Soccer, Coach Alf Bilbao. Coach Bilbao is the head coach for the Drury Panthers and he also coaches SpringHigh Select, a new boys club in Springfield. The U16 and U18 boys are headed for Memphis this weekend with hundreds of other squads in their final tune-up prior to the Missouri State Cup.
For those of you who have been paying attention, there’s another tournament fast approaching. World Cup 2006 from Germany. The US Men’s National team has three friendly’s lined up as their final tuneup, the first of which is this evening at 6pm on ESPN2. I’m setting the VCR since I wouldn’t miss a Kickapoo vs Glendale derby but Coach Bilbao is going to offer a viewing guide prior to each of the three friendlies leading up to the World Cup. So if you are a player, or want to learn more about the game, I’ve got the tools you need right here. Take it away Coach:
After two weeks of preparation in Cary, NC the Men’s National team will finally get to see where they are as the pre-world cup matches begin. It seems as though they had a very intense training camp, according to Head Coach Bruce Arena. At Sunday’s final practice, Arena reminded his players numerous times not to take each other down fighting for the ball. He wants them to save that aggression for the games. Obviously each and every player wants to make a lasting impression on the coach.
All three tune-up matches should present different styles of play for the Americans. The first match versus Morocco should present a similar feel to what the TEAM will see on June 22nd in its final group stage match in Nuremburg (against Ghana). One of the major factors in being successful, that I tell my players at the club and college level is how well your team can keep their shape throughout the match when opponents play different styles against you. I believe the United States team shape will be a critical factor in the outcome of this match.
I would expect the Moroccans to play a free and open match on Tuesday evening (ESPN2 6 PM). Not knowing the tactics of the team going in, it will be interesting to see if Bruce has a more defensive line up, or if we will play with more attackers. He has a short time to get the starters selected and most likely we will see quite a bit of possession. Try to see if the US has numbers around the ball when they attack as well as defend. Will we keep a holding midfielder in front of the back three or four to provide cover? Will we get stretched all over the field? Will the team get caught chasing the Moroccans? These are all questions that will be answered in a positive way if we can keep our shape throughout the match. The US plays disciplined for the most part, and I believe this match will show all of us how important it is for a TEAM, on any level, to keep their shape.
Coach Bilbao will be back on Friday with a game review as well as a preview of the Venezuela match being played that evening. If you have specific questions, or comments, leave them here by using the Comments link above. In the meantime, here’s some background information on my new contributor from the Drury website:
A native of Hillsboro, Ore., Bilbao is a 1993 graduate of Truman State in Kirksville, Mo. where he earned his degree in exercise science. His teams at Truman State University compiled a 96-28-10 overall record in his seven-year stint as the Bulldogs’ head men’s soccer coach. He was named the NSCAA Central Region Coach-of-the-Year in 2003. His TSU teams regularly qualified for the NCAA-II men’s national soccer championships and they have been ranked in the Top 25 in the nation in five of his seven years with his 2003 team being ranked as high as #4 in the nation. His teams have also been outstanding in terms of academic success as every team since his taking over as head coach has had a grade point average of over 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). Prior to his coaching at Truman State University he coached at Central College in Pella, Iowa. Before that he coached at the high school level in Lake Zurich, Ill. and Des Moines, Iowa.
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