GAME CHANGERS

The Beautiful Game

WORDS BY SEBASTIAN EMANUEL

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Normally a summertime spectacle, the FIFA World Cup has moved from its usual month-long display to the holiday season to be displayed for the first time in the Middle East, in Qatar.

Sixty-four games will decide the winner of the 18-karat gold trophy that was hoisted by the French National Team in 2018.

One major nation that missed out on the tournament was the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT), who failed to qualify from CONCACAF play with a brutal loss to Trinidad & Tobago in October 2017.

Going through the grueling pains of having to wait another four years to try to qualify for the World Cup, the USMNT is back on the global stage.

Grouped with England, Wales, and Iran, the USMNT kicks off its World Cup campaign against Wales at 2 p.m. Nov. 21.

Local high school boys soccer head coaches Bobby Brockman (Glynn Academy) and Enrique Power (Brunswick High School), shared their views of the World Cup being out of the norm from a viewership standpoint and what the United States needs to do to get out of the group stage.

“The first time the U.S. plays, we are on break,” Brockman says. “So, I’m really pumped to be able to watch the game that Monday and that Friday. Those are two days that I will be glued to the T.V. It’s great because we won’t be in school that day.”

With the first two games of Group B being played during Thanksgiving break, it won’t be hard for the two coaches to sit down and watch the U.S. play, but once they return to their classrooms the other games will be recorded.

“It’s definitely going to be different,” Power says. “It’s different to not have them right over the summer, instead having it over the winter in Qatar. It will be interesting, very interesting.”

As coaches, it can be hard to watch games as a fan and enjoy the moment as it unfolds, wanting to be part of the action and schematic changes to help the team win. “It’s just amazing to watch those guys and what they can do. It’s just one of those things like seeing an actor in a tremendous movie,” Brockman says.

Power adds, that being a soccer coach, he likes to watch how the plays develop and how goals can be scored off a great build-up play or a mistake from the opposite side.

“With how elite soccer is now, one team could literally be defending for 90 percent of the time, but they find the back of the net one time and they just shut down (defend) for the rest of the game because that’s all they need,” Power says.

“That’s why it’s called ‘The Beautiful Game’ because anything can happen and every team has its own momentum that anyone can beat anybody, and I think that’s what’s so great about it.”

On the international level, the top players from the best countries take over the spectacle of showcasing their talents to billions of viewers across the world. The two local high school coaches see ways of trying to implement pieces to their teams.

“At that level, they are the guys on the cutting edge and set the example. One year it was Greece that played a sweeper stopper, which is unheard of,” Brockman says. “Most people play a flatback four. In the World Cup, they would have two defensive center midfielders where you used to only play with one. You kind of watch what they do and that can kind of set the trend for what high schools and clubs do.”

Power plans to use the games as an opportunity to create team bonding before the season starts, even telling his guys that one way to get better is by watching games and learning.

“I told the guys before the season started that anyone that is interested in playing soccer, we are going to get together a few times,” Power says.

“Maybe even after school, and watch some games in my classroom where we

have the big projector where everybody can watch. Everybody can learn as a team, realizing when it’s a good play or a defender made a mistake. Sometimes those mistakes cost a goal and the game.”

The USMNT has the opportunity to make a deep run in this World Cup, giving hope for fans to see the country hoist the trophy on home soil in 2026.

A few concerns come to mind from Brockman and Power, with one being the most reliable the last 30 years.

“We have just got to be really sound defensively,” Brockman says. “I’m a little concerned about the goalkeeper situation. I’m worried about that and I’m worried about our center forward, our No. 9. Other than that, we have really good players and young players that are really, really hungry and that’s good to see. I think this World Cup actually will be a building block for the next one, which will see the majority of games held in the U.S. with some in Canada and Mexico.”

Power sees a realistic opportunity for the USMNT to go further than they have ever gone before, with many of the players having the experience of playing in marquee games weekly in Europe against the top talent.

However, like Brockman he worries about a majority of the team being new and performing under the brightest lights of the world’s game.

“There is no doubt that the men’s national team can score goals,” Power says of the explosive forward line the USMNT brings.

“The thing is, can the midfield keep up and the defense keep up with everybody else and be strong mentally. More than half of that team is very young, and since the U.S. missed the last World Cup, I think a lot of those guys are not going to have World Cup experience. For most, it will be the first time playing. I think mentality and being ready for whatever obstacle comes. For all the players that they have, I’m sure they are going to be able to score goals, but my doubts are in the midfield and the defense. Can they keep up with the rest of the teams?”

When both coaches get the opportunity to sit down and watch the FIFA World Cup on their television, they will have other rooting interests besides the United States because of their love for the game.

“Aside from the U.S. obviously, I do root for England,” Brockman says. “And I won’t root for them when they play the U.S. I do like Belgium a lot, and those will be the three favorites that I will watch.”

Being a midfielder himself during his playing days with the Pirates, Power plans to keep his eyes glued to a midfield duo from FC Barcelona.

“I have really enjoyed watching the young guys from Spain. Pedri and Gavi, those two guys are 18 and 17. Those guys are going to be so phenomenal for playing at such a young age, they could literally be my high school players,” Power says. “It’s crazy to think about it that these boys are playing in a World Cup for a very good nation. I’m also rooting for the South American teams like Uruguay and Brazil. I’m a big Brazil fan and watch Neymar, Raphinha, and Gabriel Jesus. They are so good and talented.”

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