Comments on: Why Do They Play That Way?

By: Dmitry

Dmitry — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 19:42:04 +0000

This is a great post. It’s always fun to project a country’s national history on to their style of play, particularly when that country faces off in the World Cup against a nation where some thorny political history may be shared. From the latest World Cup, we had Portugal-Angola (former colonists vs. colony), Germany-Poland (no explanation necessary), Australia-Japan (battle for Asia-Pacific dominance?). But your post dives into the real history behind the way a country PLAYS and examines the motives behind these developments. Good stuff.

By: terzatempo

terzatempo — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 13:11:34 +0000

This same issue has come up in Canada as well. Being a melting pot of many different cultures I realized that it would be foolish to think that our style of play would simply just be a mixture of all. Soccer takes many years to develop. Not just in individual players, but in the societies that develop the players. First, countries like Canada and the U.S. will need to produce a stable society, one devoid of racism and other culture boundaries. With the influx of immigration still high in both countries, it is safe to say both countries are still experiencing a high level of change and growth. After a few generations of that, the country will be more in tune with itself. From that, a style will emerge. But I do feel it is quite some time away.

By: Daily Dose 1.28.08 - World Cup Blog - African Cup of Nations 2008

Daily Dose 1.28.08 - World Cup Blog - African Cup of Nations 2008 — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 14:21:47 +0000

[...] Why your team plays the way it does (Culture of Soccer) [...]

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 01:29:25 +0000

I like to think that America does have a style; that of a conundrum. We despise divers, but love it if we score off it. We don’t encourage dribbling and technical skills, but we love to see freddy adu do something exciting. The fact of the matter is were generally confused with identity, which is the nature of America in a nutshell. We are historically referred to as a melting pot, which also coincides with our national play. One can never know what to expect. One day we can look organized like England and the next were fast paced with quick passing like Argentina. Thus my point is that our national characteristic in futbol and in life is that we have no one ideal that defines us. Were unpredictable on and off the pitch. Were a conglomeration of everything. Thus American Style is that we actually have no style; theres some food for thought.

By: d

Fri, 25 Jan 2008 20:31:10 +0000

I think an american style is one that values fitness over technique, since most players are very athletic from cross training but haven’t played soccer in the street since they were four.

By: Jason.Burke,Murphy

Jason.Burke,Murphy — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:03:16 +0000

As for American style, we seem to produce outstanding keepers. That may well be a product of our athletes’ other sports, which seem like good prep. Rugby would be as well but there seems to not be so many people that play both.

Our US team has a style that stresses teamwork and seems to score its goals in the run of play. Diving is despised in our soccer culture, though that doesn’t mean it never happens.

The coverage of sport would also be affected by the cultural background. All the dance metaphors used in Brazilian descriptions of the game wouldn’t pop up in a culture where dance isn’t seen as particularly masculine.

The role of masculinity in soccer interpretation is fascinating.

US coverage is often swamped by reaction to soccerphobic jackasses. Gridiron football announcers often describe passes as “pretty”. You wouldn’t hear this from Eric Wynalda, who has Jim Rome’s voice in his skull.

By: Micah

Micah — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 22:07:39 +0000

Is there an American style of play? I would answer “no”. Perhaps there is and I, like you, simply have no clue what it is.

By: djl

djl — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:39:00 +0000

I’ve heard it said that our obsession with American Football makes our Futbol style one that’s more ’set play’ oriented and less ad-libbed on the fly.

I don’t know that that’s necessarily the case, but it’s an idea I’ve heard floated.