One of the great aspects of the game of soccer is that it is a global sport. Soccer is played just about everywhere. I enjoy watching the different flavors that each country offers. On the local level, you also see great differences in the way different clubs and high schools play the game.
Internationally, many fans love the English Premier League. If you want fast-paced action, you should sign up for Fox Soccer Channel and check out this league. The pace of the game is absolutely insane. The ball moves up and down the field like a ping pong ball. Players sprint, crash and fly like acrobats as they wage an all-out attack as if each game will be their last.
When you are in a mellower mood and wish to watch a more controlled game, tune into an Italian soccer game. Italy's top league, Serie A, features stylish play.
The Italians engage in a dance as each game evolves. They tend to build each attack from the back and move the ball around, searching for an opening in an opponent's defense.
On finding one, they attack with speed and try to exploit it. As they displayed in winning the last world cup, Italian defenses are tough to penetrate. Their defense is well organized and often thwarts the incursion. Upon winning possession of the ball and the dance begins heading in the other direction.
Latin American soccer is fun to watch if you are looking for individual flair. Yes, there is teamwork in Latin America, but fans love the game for the individual creativity of the players. And the players seem to delight in being unpredictable. For example, players from Brazil and Argentina, such as Ronaldinho, Pelé and Maradona have made fans' jaws drop with their clever and unexpected moves.
One of the aspects of the game that is exciting to me is when you can watch two different styles confront each other and see which triumphs. For instance, in the 1990 World Cup the Germans and their powerful and direct play defeated the crafty Brazilians in the final game of the tournament. On the other hand, in 2002 the Brazilians displayed incredible artistry in making it to the finals and getting revenge by beating the Germans.
As another season of high school girls soccer looms in front of us, I look forward to the action on the field. After a winter of being cooped up, it is always a great feeling to get outside to play and watch the game.
As fans, try to train your eyes to watch for new things. Instead of focusing on just one player or the ball, try to identify the overall style of play.
Ask yourself if the team is kicking long balls or trying to link short passes? Are they dribbling the ball up the field or passing? As you watch the games, try to identify each team's style of play and see if it is working for them. These are some of the elements that are hard to see, but are helpful in understanding why one team might be successful.
Let me give you some examples using the different styles of some of the local girls high school programs. For years, Pleasant Valley has had great success playing a direct style of play. The Bears moved the ball forward quickly and looked to get early balls to their speedy forwards. Last year, I saw something different with their new coach. There was more building from the back and interpassing on the way forward. That is, the style went from German to more Italian.
If I am not mistaken, Lehighton won more games last year than ever. Lehighton did this with an extremely direct style. It was decidedly un-Brazilian. The emphasis was not on clever moves by individual players. They defended hard and aggressively and then they sent long balls straight forward and everyone charged forward into the attack. It is a different style of play than Pleasant Valley used, but it was effective in winning some games for them.
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080309/SPORTS/803090341
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