Video summary
The video explores what lessons the United States can draw from Spain's recent World Cup victory while acknowledging significant structural differences between the two nations. The speakers argue that simply copying Spain's blueprint is not feasible because of America's vast geography, multiple time zones, diverse climates, and varied cultures, which make replicating a unified playing style extremely difficult. Instead of trying to duplicate the Spanish model or the French approach seen in their own win, the discussion emphasizes that the U.S. must develop its unique identity and establish its own distinct formula for success on the international stage. This involves recognizing that while other countries have specific advantages, such as Spain's consistent professional league structure or France's ability to integrate diverse backgrounds into a cohesive team, America needs to find solutions tailored to its own reality rather than forcing an external mold onto its players.
A central theme of the conversation is the importance of player development and understanding within academies, where coaches stress that technical proficiency alone is insufficient without deep game intelligence. The speakers highlight how Spanish teams excel because their players share a common language regarding tactics and decision-making, allowing them to execute complex plays seamlessly even if individual athletes lack traditional physical attributes like speed or size. In contrast, the U.S. often faces challenges with under-developed technical players who struggle when placed in high-pressure environments due to a lack of collective understanding among teammates. To bridge this gap, the dialogue suggests that American academies must foster an environment where young players learn not only how to control the ball but also how to think and see the game holistically, ensuring they can adapt their skills to fit within a cohesive team dynamic rather than relying solely on individual athleticism.
Beyond tactical development, the transcript addresses broader issues regarding leadership, organizational structure, and the future of American soccer following the tournament's success as a host nation. While the World Cup brought unprecedented viewership, attendance records, and global attention to Major League Soccer, it also exposed gaps in depth within the national team roster, particularly with many key players entering their thirties. The speakers express concern that without creating new pathways for younger talent to emerge from MLS and other domestic leagues, the U.S. may struggle to maintain competitiveness in future tournaments where qualification becomes more challenging again. They call for greater collaboration among coaches, league officials, and technical directors to create a unified vision for how the game should be played at all levels, ensuring that commercial interests do not overshadow the quality of play and player development needed to sustain long-term growth.
Ultimately, the conversation concludes with an optimistic yet realistic outlook on America's potential in global soccer, acknowledging both the massive progress made since 1994 and the hurdles remaining ahead. The hosts reflect on how the tournament transformed American football culture by captivating casual fans and elevating the sport's profile domestically, even as debates continue over entertainment elements like halftime shows versus maintaining focus on pure gameplay. Despite these changes driven by business realities, the core mission remains to prioritize the quality of the game itself while adapting necessary rules such as hydration breaks or quarter formats that may become standard globally. As the current generation ages and new stars emerge from college programs and MLS clubs, the challenge lies in building a sustainable pipeline of talent capable of competing against established powers like Spain and France, requiring sustained effort across all levels of American soccer to achieve future World Cup glory.
Read the full video transcript
Let's go to Spain, big picture.
First time that
one nation is holding both the men's and
the women's World Cup at the same time.
So, clearly they are doing things right
in Spain. It's probably simple, Bruce,
to be like, "Well, they've got a
blueprint. Let's borrow it." Um and and
I know that's super easy to say, but
what elements
of what Spain is doing right now can the
USA hey, let's borrow some of these
concepts and implement them?
>> We're different. You know,
geographically, the size of our country.
Uh their professional league is
outstanding.
Uh they they they have a method of how
they play.
But, uh you know, we've talked about
this for years. The US is different.
Geographically, our country's 2,600 mi
wide. Uh we have three different time
zones. We have different climates.
We have different cultures. You know,
uh as a country to have a style of play
like you might say Spain has, I think,
is very difficult for us to duplicate.
Uh if you don't mind me saying this, in
in 19
99, Sunil Gulati and I were in Barcelona
for the
Champions League final, Bayern Munich
and and Manchester United. And I met
with Houllier. And we discussed the
France plan and and he explained to me
how France operates. They have eight
regions, and then centrally they get
together at different points. And you
know, they they keep it pretty
consistent. And uh and he was writing
this down on a napkin with a sharpie for
me, showing me this. And then I said to
him, "Do you know the United States at
the size of it?" And, you know, and I
again I said, "We're this wide, 2,500
mi,
three different time zones, different
climates, different cultures." He took
the napkin, he rolled it up, he threw it
at me, he said, "You got a problem."
And, you know, and to this day I don't I
I think it's always going to be
difficult for us as a country to have a
style of play. Even though I think Bob
and Greg would agree that we've had a
certain DNA with our national teams, but
it's difficult to to to to try to
duplicate what Spain does or France
does. You know, we're we're just
different and we're going to have to
find a way
uh to accomplish uh
being better at the international level.
And and that can be done. But we're not
going to do it using the the uh
the formula that Spain has or France has
or other countries. We have to
establish our own. And I think it starts
with the league as well. Uh that we have
more domestic players playing in our
league, or national team coaches have
more options. So, you know, that's my
opinion. I'm I'm sure Bob and and Greg
might think otherwise.
>> I I agree that
it's not like the day after the World
Cup we should all take uh the winning
team and just look at them and say
that's our answer.
And and if France had won it would be a
different answer. But if you look at the
whole thing uh and step back a little
bit, uh when you look at Spanish
football, there still is an
understanding for me that when they
develop players, they're they're very
good at understanding that players have
to learn to be able to understand the
game and think the game and see the
game. And and so they they have been
able to build that in. Could Should that
be part of of our thinking in in our
academies and in different places? Sure.
And it is in many places already. That's
not something that that all of a sudden
we should send out like a new memo
tomorrow because there are a lot of
people that do recognize that decision
making and understanding the game is is
And and yet Spain has done that well.
And when they do that, they also then,
when they identify talent, they might
identify talent in different ways. So,
that
it's not simply big, strong athletes.
There's players that understand the game
and And the I I think when you look at
any academy, and I've said this at every
club I've ever been at,
um one important detail is that when you
look at young players, that they don't
come
all in the same shapes and sizes.
Um that you see players at young ages
that have different profiles, and you
understand how to work with those
players. So, that's Spain. If we jump to
France for a second, they quickly have
done such a good job with the fact that
they've got diversity, and they have so
many players with different backgrounds.
And those players get opportunities. And
so, there were 99 players in the World
Cup that were born in France. And I
think 56 of them were born
uh in that little section on the
outskirts of Paris, all right? And we
don't have a section like that. But,
certainly the idea that we also
understand that we've got young,
athletic kids with different
backgrounds, and we are making sure that
we are giving those kids opportunities
and helping them move along. So, for me,
we have to look globally a little bit,
figure out what works in the country,
but we can take little bits and pieces
that we see in other places, and make
sure that we understand some of those
details.
>> I agree.
Yeah, I I completely agree with Bruce
and um and Bob on this one. You know, we
can't just go out and and copy Spain.
And, you know, what happens in in our
academy system is we may have an
under-developed player that's that's
really technical, and we say, "Okay,
this is a special player."
Um
but the game that he's put into
makes it very difficult for him. So,
whereas in Spain, the players are all
playing the same game.
They understand that you know, they're
all when you look at the profiles of the
Spanish team, Kubarsi, Rodri, you know,
some of these guys you like that they
don't even look like athletes, you know,
Pedri, like they're they're really
skinny, they're you know,
Rodri's a little bit bigger, but not so
fast, not so quick, but with the ball,
they have this technical ability that's
exceptional. And when they play
together, it makes this this environment
that they all understand each other. So,
for us, it's it's I think there there
needs to be some type of understanding
of how we want to play the game first.
And I'm not sure, you know, it's
mandated, but I think like we need a
collective understanding of what we want
this game to look like.
>> So, let me ask this question.
>> Yeah.
>> And I wanted to ask this this whole time
in this call.
Who has the voice in this country
to lead the technical charge?
Who do you Who do you talk to at US
Soccer? Who do you talk to at MLS?
Who's going to lead the charge?
>> has the Everyone has the voice, right?
>> Yeah, but to Bruce's To Bruce's point,
uh it's impossible in an hour here, Rob,
as good a job as you do, for us to
really get into detail
on on everything that needs to happen
around our country or even in our clubs,
right? But behind the scenes,
there needs to be real discussions.
And those discussions
need to have the right people in the
room, and also sometimes you need to
make sure that certain people honestly
are not in the room. Because the ability
to get into some real details, and and I
think all of us during our times as
national team coaches were in these
meetings. I remember one where I was
asked, "What are the stages of
development?" And I hadn't thought it
through,
but very quickly I I came up with
something and I said, "There's the part
when you start the game." And so call it
from age four to eight, I don't know,
but
around the world in those ages, kids
the the ball is there. The game is
around them. And and there's this
initial stage in the game. Then you get
to like age eight and now some version
of call it organized football is going
to start. And from age eight to 12, what
does that look like? All right? And then
yes, we can talk about how many are on
the field and we can talk about uh the
mix of games and trainings and and and
everything but the game. And how does
that look? And of course, while all this
is going on, is the only football that
kids play in training or is there other
places to play football? And then you
get to like 12 to 16 and now things
start to
happen where there's a little bit more
where they have to understand, with
whatever qualities they have, how does
it fit into a game, right? If you're
good with the ball, do you have an idea
how to play with somebody else or do you
just do things on your own? And some of
those things start to get challenged.
And then you get to 16 and now we start
talking about you become a pro. Uh
and again, that could be pro meaning
you've signed a contract. That could
still mean you're 16 and you're playing
on a club team and you're going to go to
college, but you're serious. And then
what kind of playing opportunities and
pathways exist? And so it's in all of
this that
to Bruce's point, who's in these
discussions right now, right? And and
where are we going so that there are
some real measures being taken that now
we see some improvement in in all these
different ways.
>> I've asked the US soccer on a few
occasions that they should get a group
of
coaches together, and people in the
game, and discuss where we're going. And
I've been ignored every time.
And
>> Well, that's great that you asked.
>> You know, we need greater leadership in
the sport.
You know,
we we have a business plan, I think, but
we don't have a technical plan.
>> The legacy of this tournament in the
United States, you know, what what will
it be, Bruce, and what does it need to
be projecting it down 5, 10, 15 years
down the line?
>> Well, we saw what '94 did. '94 brought
us MLS and and the start of professional
soccer in the country and and and
gaining respect for the sport. I think
this World Cup
uh
gained a greater audience than '94. I
think more people in this country
understand the game now, support the
game, and it has a great future. I I
think it's it's going to be fantastic
for Major League Soccer.
>> [snorts]
>> And hopefully the sport continues to
grow. I think
just the logistics of the World Cup in
this country was fantastic. Obviously,
greatest television ratings, greatest
attendance,
the most goals scored in World Cups.
Everything was right. The facilities
were fabulous.
Uh we did we did an outstanding job as a
host. Uh
The next challenge is can we do an
outstanding job as competitors as we
continue to
move up the ladder in in in in this
sport that's truly a global sport. And I
think Americans are beginning to realize
that our sport is a little different
than being called a World Championship
in NFL or baseball or basketball, that
this is truly a global sport. It's
incredibly challenging and still to this
day only eight countries have won a
World Cup. And we'd like to get there
one day, but uh you know, countries have
probably 50 years of of an advantage on
us in terms of the development of the
sport in their countries. And we're
getting there. We're getting closer. I
think uh this World Cup's going to allow
for some other players to come here
that'll help upgrade the quality of
Major League Soccer. And I think there's
a great future. So I think the World Cup
has been incredibly positive positive
for the sport in our country. And we did
a great service for the sport globally.
I think it was just a fantastic World
Cup and to see the different uh
cultures come into our country and enjoy
it. And you know, the parties around the
World Cup was just fantastic. If anyone
can duplicate this again, I challenge
them to do that.
>> I got a slightly different point of
view. I want to hear you guys take on
it. Um
we kind of opened up Pandora's Box on
like
soccer as entertainment.
You know, like the halftime show,
showing celebrities, you know, the whole
time during the game. Like we turned the
World Cup almost into to a show. Whereas
before it's always been about the the
soccer, what's happening on the field.
You know, the water breaks, adding
adding extra commercials into it. So
like that's where I think the World Cup
is headed into this more like showtime
type of environment. Do you guys like
it?
>> I didn't like the 27-minute halftime.
Nor was I crazy about the
>> you understand having a halftime show at
a World Cup, right? I To me I I was
saying I can't believe we haven't had
one yet. And yes, it might have been too
long, but this is the direction things
are going in, right? Like the Super Bowl
is the event that everybody wants to
replicate, right? Everybody wants their
own Super Bowl. And and I understand the
place at a World Cup final has, but to
me a halftime show is was no sweat off
my brow. Didn't bother me in the least.
The only thing that maybe bothered me
was the time of play,
the time of day that it started to
accommodate, you know, so many other
nations that are that are up and wanting
to watch this game. I wish it was pushed
back, I don't know, 2 hours, right? 2
hours might have made
a little difference for Argentina, on
the day, but that was my only beef. The
hydration breaks, yeah, we'd become
quarters,
and I think that's going to be up to
UEFA to fight more so than FIFA at this
point. You know, like the Euros in 2
years, are we going to have hydration
breaks? Are we going to have hydration
breaks at the Gold Cup next year? Is MLS
going to be the first to implement
hydration breaks? You know, credit to
MLS, they've been on the forefront of
some of these rule changes and these
alterations and leaning into things. I I
don't love it, but, you know, that's
clearly the way a lot of things are
going, and some of this stuff I do think
we need to embrace.
>> I I think Greg postgame show.
>> Go ahead, Bruce. I'm sorry, I missed
that.
>> I'm saying, let's have a postgame show
instead of a halftime show.
>> [snorts]
>> That's my opinion.
>> That's fair.
>> that That's a good thought.
Uh
to everything that's been said, uh there
are reasons that the game goes in this
direction, commercial reasons, business
reasons, and and as coaches,
I I think we don't always agree with
those thoughts, but we learn that you
have to
adapt and adjust. So, in the midst of
all that, the challenge that we have as
coaches is to still make sure that the
game
somehow comes first, and that the
quality of the players that we work
with, and what the the game looks like
wins out. And and so I would still say
that with all of the great things that
took place in this World Cup, we all
wanted a final where the football was
better, right? And and
you know, when when we watch Champions
League, especially as you go through the
group play,
one of the things is that the games are
all at night
and there's no issue about the field
being dry because the ball moves quickly
and there's never shadows on the field
and we see football and teams and
players where the level is incredibly
high. I don't know if it's possible for
all sorts of reasons to get that out of
World Cup, but I think as coaches,
that's still our mission. And and so we
take the fact that there will be
changes. Yes, maybe hydration breaks,
maybe quarters, whatever, but then we've
still got to work hard to make sure that
the game continues to be the winner and
and I think we saw some of that. The
fact that Spain won the World Cup, for
many people watching the game, that in
and of itself was a win given what we
saw
in the final and throughout the World
Cup and and I hope that that we can all
find ways to to push the game further.
>> No, I mean I think that was that was you
know, some of the comments is that, you
know, it turned into entertainment which
is great. I think it you know, we
captivated America which is great.
Um, you know, the casual fan got into
soccer which is amazing and it's just
taking some time to to understand what
the new World Cup is, right? 40 48
teams, the tournament really starts in
the round of 16 where it gets really
competitive and and you know, and as it
sinks in, you know, we'll start to get a
hold of what this what this new format
is and um, you know, I thought the
quarterfinal match-ups were amazing,
semi-final match-ups were amazing. You
know, we got to a really good point. The
final, as Bob said, was was a letdown.
But, you know, between the round of 16
and the final, there were some really
good games, really competitive games,
and it really captivated, you know,
everyone around the world.
>> Yeah, and the second half of the third
The second half of the third-place game
was great.
>> [laughter]
>> Uh it's 48 nations for now.
Right? There's chatter already about
advancing it to 64, which is just March
Madness crazy type numbers. All right,
we have a a couple minutes left. Um
we'll go down the line. Greg, I want to
start with you. You know, the next World
Cup, 4 years out. You know, what do you
want to see the US do between now and
then?
And what has to take place for US soccer
to get
>> I think it's going to be Yeah, I think
it's going to be an interesting point
with our player pool. You know, the the
core of the group is going to be in
their 30s, um and it's who's coming
next. That's going to be the question.
You know, I think, having worked with
this group, you know, there was a lot of
hope that, you know, this World Cup was
going to be the year because of the, you
know, the every player was going to be
in their prime, or the core of the group
was going to be in their prime. Now that
they're a bit older, into their 30s,
it'll be interesting to see who comes
next. And, you know, we need to do a
great job in MLS of of helping to
produce these young players. Um they
need to keep developing at their clubs
if they're in Europe. And we
I think the most important thing is is
we widen that player pool. You know, I
didn't think there were enough players
that the coach counted on in out of the
26-man roster that could have played.
When you look at Argentina, Spain, you
know, they're mixing and matching their
players throughout the tournament, and
they're still strong. They're bringing
subs in, and they're still just as
strong. They don't lose a beat. And that
wasn't the case for us. So, how do we
how do we um increase the depth of our
player pool? And what are what are the
players, you know, who are now in their
30s, you know, what type of shape did
they come into the World Cup in?
>> I don't I don't want to be a downer
here, but I I think this World Cup was a
missed opportunity for our national
team.
You couldn't have had it any better.
Seeded team. Uh the group was not
strong.
And we had
all the opportunities to try to be a
quarterfinalist and and fell short
there. Next time around now, 4 years, we
have to qualify. We have to establish a
new pool of players. It's going to be
very challenging. And uh we need to
start literally now, start identifying
players. Obviously, we have the Olympics
in in 2028. Uh but it it's going to be
different. We never
I mean, we may never again have this
kind of opportunity. Hopefully, the
World Cup does come back to the US
a little sooner than later, but now that
the challenge is can we have enough
programming where we can develop a new
pool of players? Can we get through
qualification and qualify for the next
World Cup and make the next step? It's
going to be a lot more difficult. This
was the time to do it, and I think we
fell short.
>> Well, Bruce, why do you say we need a
new pool of players? Only Tim Ream,
>> Well, you just you stated Well, in you
stated some of these players will be in
their 30s.
>> You know,
>> Yeah, but
>> And started two 19-year-olds.
Yeah. You know, we we need to we need to
get some younger players in our pool.
And uh
you know, our attacking players have to
be better. Defensively, yeah, I mean, we
can get better in every area. You know,
goalkeeping used to be a strength. Who's
our next goalkeeper for the next World
Cup? You know, all those things are
you know, it's going to be challenging.
And you know, how many of the players
that that played
uh in this World Cup will be
you know, in our first 11 in the next
World Cup if we qualify.
>> Well, a lot of them have the potential
to be.
>> Okay, well, that
Are they good enough? Whether that's a
good thing or a bad thing.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I think a lot of them Tim
Ream obviously won't, but then everyone
else will be, you know, just a little
bit all in their 30s, but you know,
Balogun still young. Um, you know, Pepi
still young. So, they you know, there's
some you know, I I I think that the
player pool will be mature mature for a
World Cup team.
>> and who are the next group?
>> Yeah, that I mean, that's that's the
point.
>> That's the rub. Bob, bring us home.
>> Yeah, no, to the to the points that have
been made. Um, whether Pochettino stays
or a new coach comes in, uh,
when a World Cup ends, you look hard at
at what just happened. You look at your
squad. You look at all the players, and
you start to think
uh, of what needs to happen uh, in the
next cycle, and that includes the
addition of new players. I I think one
of the strengths of this team was
our athleticism.
Uh, I would imagine moving forward that
that will still
be a strength, but even when you have an
athletic team, I know for me, there was
still always this thinking of from a
football standpoint, how can we get a
little bit better?
And that means who are players that add
something different, and that might mean
an attacker who can go by somebody a
little bit more. That might be a
midfielder who uh, in in his choice of
passes adds something that we don't
have. And and I think that that's a
normal process. Even when big countries
finish World Cups in slightly
disappointing or very disappointing
ways, like England and Germany, they
look hard at everything that's going on
in the game in their country, and then
they ask what needs to happen next. And
so, I see that all being incredibly
important. And and of course, then we go
back to
the question to end our show, who leads
all those discussions?
>> Exactly.
Big question mark on that one. Here's
one thing we do know, the soccer
continues. And if you want to continue
to support American soccer, there's many
ways to do it. One of them, of course,
is watching the great product that all
four of us care about, Major League
Soccer. Greg, your Chicago Fire on the
road in Miami. They're
probably won't be Messi available on
Wednesday, so enjoy that break. Bruce,
you are home to Orlando,
and we might see Antoine Griezmann make
his MLS debut. Also, Greg, we might
finally see Robert Lewandowski make his
MLS debut, as well. Uh gentlemen, it has
been a pleasure to spend the summer
talking soccer with you guys. Bruce,
Bob, Greg, absolute American soccer
coaching royalty. Thank you guys for
joining us, and thank you FanDuel, and
thank you for everybody out there who
watched and listened Coaches' Corner
throughout the course of this World Cup.
>> And And Rob, thank you. You did a great
job.
>> Thank you, Rob.
>> Bruce. Thank you, Rob.
>> Thank you, guys.
>> Bruce, you were not easy. Thanks.
>> They already turned off the mics, guys.
None of these compliments are making the
cut.
>> All right.
>> Hey, see you guys.