david beckham???

He was still born in Ghana, thus he is still an import.

 

But no doubt, you use the word import to insinuate he's not an American grown talent, and that he learned his skills in europe, but the fact is he learned his soccer skills here. So no, he's not an import. He's an American soccer player.

 

I imagine he learned most in Africa actually.

 

You think he learned most of his soccer by 8 years old. Seriously.


Of note, they said at the game tonight that 4 million american youths are playing youth soccer, and not only does that lead all other sports, but that leads the world.

 

Eva Longoria and Victoria Beckham and Katie Holmes all in the same box. Damn they look fine at the game. That is one hot box tonight. Beckham is bringing out the girls.

The game definately has a buzz about it.

Nice crowd too.

 

these guys flop worse than ginoboli.

 

Most of the basics, which is most of the sport. So yes.

Quality, not quantity.

Comprede? Soccer will never be the most played sport in the USA and the USA will never amount to much as a team.

 

yeah yeah yeah, the shine will soon be gone and an over the hill Beckham won't change the mediocrity of the sport in the US.

 

Here is the list of physical development for a 6-8 year old according to wickipedia.

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
skilled at using scissors and small tools
development of permanent teeth
enjoys testing muscle strength and skills
good sense of balance
can catch small balls
can tie shoelaces
enjoys copying designs and shapes, letters and numbers
can print name
long arms and legs may give gawky awkward appearance

Now seriously. He could tie the shoelaces on his soccer cleats and run. You don't develop your soccer skills at 8.

Now, here are the soccer specific skills from six to eight...the wonder years:

Attention span is a not at a "competitive" stage

Inclined towards small group activities.

Always in motion: scratching; blinking; jerking; rocking....

Easily bruised psychologically. They will remember negative comments for a long time. Shout praise. Give "hints".

They want everybody to like them.

Developing physical confidence.

Starting to imitate older players or sports heroes. Want the same "gear" as them.

Lack sense of pace. They go flat out until they drop.

Skeletal system growing rapidly. Often results in apparent lack of coordination.

Cardiovascular and temperature regulation system is not developed. Their heart rate peaks quickly and they overheat quickly. make sure that they get adequate water breaks.

Limited understanding with personal evaluation. "If they try hard, they performed well" regardless of the actual performance. Thus, they need to be encouraged constantly, and asked "Now, can you do this?"

Better at recognizing when the ball is out of play, and remembering what goal they are going for... but, in the heat of battle, they will sometimes still forget. They still find it difficult to really be aware of more than one thing at a time.

 

I learned how to kick a football when I was 3. And that is much harder to do than kicking a Soccer ball.