The World Cup is now over and I’ve watched more soccer on TV in the past month than I have in the past four years combined. I really enjoyed watching these exceptional athletes compete on the world’s biggest stage.
Sunday’s final was about as exciting as it gets for a nil-nil score after two hours of play. Spain ended up winning 1-0 but the Spaniards easily could have had four or five goals if not for the exceptional play of the Argentina goalkeeper.
I’m amazed at not only the skill these players have, but the condition their bodies are in. As you know, it’s been hot the past month and there are few breaks in the game of soccer. For the most part the participants are running for 45 minutes save for a short “hydration break” or when a goal is scored or there is an injury. Compared to other team sports it’s probably the most grueling, and you’ll notice I didn’t count individual stuff like cross country and tennis.
Let’s take a look at our most popular sports in this country. In football you have short bursts of effort, then a break. I know those bursts are difficult, but at least you have time to catch your breath.
Basketball is another grueling sport, but other than college men’s games you have four quarters, and there are lots of timeouts and substitutions. Plus, you get a blow during the many foul shots in a game.
We won’t even get into baseball. I recall John Kruk relating how a fan yelled at him from the stands, “Hey Kruk, you’re a disgrace for an athlete,” to which Kruk replied, “I’m not an athlete, I’m a baseball player.”
Motor sports can be draining, especially for the long races, but at least you’re sitting down. Pro golfers have a long walk but they have someone to carry their bag.
As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a far cry from an expert on soccer. The closest I got to playing was recess in elementary school, when the teacher rolled the ball onto the field and 30 nine year olds all started kicking at it at the same time.
With that in mind, I’ve reached out to folks who I consider to be experts at the game. I put four questions to high school boys’ coaches David Atkins of Salem and Josh Jones of Glenvar and Roanoke College coaches Ryan Phlugrad(men) and Phil Benne(women) for their impressions of the World Cup. The following are the questions and their responses. We’ll do this again in another four years.
A)-Did you watch a lot of the games and did you enjoy them?
JONES
Yes, I am watching every game that I get a chance too. I have enjoyed watching the games, especially the knockout games.
ATKINS
I am watching as many games as I can and have really enjoyed watching this World Cup.
PHLUGRAD
As many as I can, which fortunately has been most.
It’s been amazing. For me, it’s been the most exciting World Cup in my lifetime. The games have been unreal. The amount of late goals that have been scored, the big time goal scorers like Messi, Kane, Haaland, and Mbappe producing, and some of the smaller nations getting big results have made it super exciting and entertaining.
Obviously supporting the US run has also been great, and I was impressed by our team. It’s also always interesting to follow the nations of some of our international players that we have at Roanoke College, and currently we have DR Congo, Norway and England natives so I have been pulling for them after the US.
BENNE
I probably watched 90 percent of the games, maybe missed a few bit because of work or they were at midnight. I went out of the Salem bubble and saw Cape Verde play Spain in Atlanta. It was great because I saw other Salem people there, too.
B)-What is your impression of the skill level?
JONES
The skill level is top notch, especially from the top teams in the world such as France, Spain, England and Argentina.
ATKINS
The skill level of the players is incredible. Love seeing this high a level of play, especially with the expanded field further this World Cup.
PHLUGRAD
Extremely high. It’s phenomenal really, especially the play in the final thirds, both defensive and attacking . The precision and creativity in the attacking play is so impressive, there are times when the defending is committed, compact and it seems almost impossible for a team to get a goal scoring chance created, but then a moment of attacking magic is formed and the attacking team finds a way through.
BENNE
You are watching top level matches and legends of the game in Messi, Mbappé, Ronaldo and Harry Kane. Haaland and Yemeni Yamal, not to mention the US players.
C)-Did you pick up anything that might help coaching your own team?
JONES
As far as picking up things, there is a ton to pick up. The set pieces are always interesting to watch as we are always looking for new and creative set pieces(free kicks and corner kicks). I also think it is always good to watch how the teams build up their attack on goal.
ATKINS
I think the thing I’ve watched most for my own coaching purpose are the set pieces (freekicks and corner kicks). I like watching the creativity of teams and how teams defend these plays.
PHLUGRAD
Yes, absolutely. Watching this whole tournament could be characterized as professional development.
For me, I feel this tournament has reiterated how important resilience is in soccer. There have been an absurd amount of late goals and comebacks. The amount of late goals, which I call “critical moments goals” and also comebacks shows the team that can stay the course can succeed late.
It’s a mentality lesson to bring into our team. Additionally, I’ve enjoyed learning by watching the several teams’ different approaches to breaking down low defensive blocks. I could go on forever on the many different things I’ve taken from the tournament in this phase.
BENNE
I might pick up some set pieces but really the game is simple and there are so many different levels so it’s hard to compare. I hope my team is watching the game and just learning.
D)-Do you feel having the games in the United States will be a big factor in growing the game in our country?
JONES
I do think having the games in the US is great for the sport. It has brought a lot of excitement for soccer and people who don’t usually watch are now paying attention. I have seen soccer on ESPN now more than ever. The fact that games are being played during the daytime and at night is awesome, it’s like soccer is always on TV. It also has exposed some of the best players in the world to people in the US which is really good for the sport as well.
ATKINS
I’ve been to several watch parties and have enjoyed seeing people who normally don’t watch soccer enjoy a game. Some of the US game crowds were amazing!
PHLUGRAD
Absolutely. We just ran one of our youth soccer camps and the excitement and knowledge of the players and the teams from the young campers was outstanding. I remember how much it grew after 1994 the first time we hosted, and I think it will continue to explode now. I was fortunate enough to go to some games in 1994 and it was an amazing experience, but my feeling is the volume of people following in the US is even greater this go around.
BENNE
The World Cup is a huge success. We are putting on the games safely and all the stadiums are sold out. It’s a big world out there and soccer continues to grow in this country and I am proud of our countries showing in the games.
