US Soccer on Sports Illustrated Cover: Progress or Status Quo?

One of America's oldest sports journalism institutions is Sports Illustrated. Its covers have chronicled the interests of the American public and have made household names of sports stars of no less renowned than Michael Jordan, Nolan Ryan and Tiger Woods.

So when today's copy of Sport's Illustrated hits newstands featuring US Men's National Team members Clint Dempsey, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard on the cover, one may be tempted to announce that soccer has finally arrived in the US. But the truth is, SI has a respectable history over the past three World Cups of highlighting the USMNT's efforst in the tournament.

2010


Today's cover comes on the heels of two other soccer covers (the most for any year since the magazine was first printed in 1950): a preview of the World Cup on May 29 and an overview of "The Beautiful Game" on May 24.

2006


The USMNT's success in Japan and Korea in 2002, left the American sports scene at attention and wondering if the US had actually arrived on the international sports scene. Were we actually good at this sport the rest of the world seemed inexplicably obsessed with? Unfortunately for US soccer fans and the popularity of the sport, the US hadn't quite arrived and bounced out of the tournament's Group of Death.

2002

If 2010 is the year of US soccer's maturation, then 2002 was its coming of age. Going into the tournament less than favorites and in the same group as European stalwarts Portugal and Poland and with the energetic hosts, South Korea. Yet after a dynamic win against Portugal and a well fought draw against Korea, the Yanks were into the knock-out rounds.


And so the US Men's National Team grabbed the attention of the American public by the hair and propelled themselves into the knock-out round. After an emphatic victory against their CONCACAF rivals, Mexico, and a heart-breaking loss to Germany in which even the Germans admitted the US had been the better team, the US exited the tournament in their best finish since the start of the tournament in 1930.

1994

The 1998 World Cup was a disaster for both the US team and its media exposure. Chalk it up to an uninspired team unable to score more than one goal or to the fact that the tournament was hosted in France, it just never made the media's radar in the States. The 1994 World Cup, however, was hosted in the USA and is generally accepted as the spark for the modern revival of soccer in the United States. The fact that the US was hosting the tournament meant that Sports Illustrated featured the US team on its cover for the first time.

The bottom line? If Sports Illustrated covers are any indication of a sport's popularity, then soccer is certainly making strides into the American sports consciousness. On the other hand, the number of articles on soccer written for Sport Illustrated has grown exponentially over the past 40 years. It is growth, but it's the kind of generational growth that only happens through excruciatingly small intervals.

All covers (c) Sports Illustrated.

Soccer 101: That Damned Offside Rule

Bum, dum, DDDUUUUMMMMMMM! The offside rule in soccer is - after Cristiano Ronaldo - the hardest thing to explain to new fans. It involves what every novice enjoys: A long, fumbly explanation with a lot of qualifiers. Just when a new soccer player thinks they understand it, the person explaining it adds "But only if ..." and inevitably has to resort to visual aids. But have no fear, I shall be clear and concise with my explanation.

THE OFFSIDE RULE

Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney
attacking while defenders protest for offside

In its simplest form, the offside rule exists to stop an attacking team from gaining an unfair advantage. With only 22 players on such a large field, it would make for an uninteresting game if a team could just plant one player without the ball two yards from the goal and play long balls up the field to him. In other words, the offside rule attempts to ensure the attacking team cannot have players without the ball closer to the goal than the opposing team's defenders.

Play will be stopped for offside if the situation meets two criteria:

1. A player without the ball is in an offside position when the ball is intentionally touched or played by another member on his team
2. The player is deemed to be "active" by the referee (often on the advice of his assistant)

Note that it is not strictly illegal for a player to be in an offside position, only if he is both in an offside position and active in the run of play (often determined by touching the ball).

Offside position
A player is in an offside position, if he is closer to his opponent's goal than BOTH the ball and the second to last defender (the often goalkeeper being the final defender).

A player is NOT in an offside position if:

• He is in his own half of the field of play, or
• He is level with the second to last defenders, or
• He is level with the last two defenders
  

Being "active"
A player may be considered "active" by the referees if he is:

• Interfering with play, or
• Interfering with an opponent, or
• Gaining an advantage by being in that position

Please note that a player may be level with the second to last defender when the ball is played by a teammate and then receive the ball in an offside position, but will still have not broken the offside rule.

Exceptions
To complicate matters further, a player cannot be offside if he receives a ball directly from a goal kick, throw in, or corner kick.

How it normally looks during the game
Many teams operate an offside trap at least once during a match. When operating the trap, the back four defenders keep a straight line across the field and step up right before the attacking team attempts to play a ball into space behind. This action often renders the recipients of the through ball in an offside position, and if the timing is correct, play will be stopped and the attack quelled. On the other hand, attacking players work hard to time their runs off the ball in order to receive a ball behind the defense without committing an offense. Far too often, it is a matter of inches, and the officials have only seconds to decide whether or not a player has violated the offside rule.

Got all that?

No?

Well, crap. That wasn't as concise as I would have liked it to be. Oh well. If you're still confused, watch this video. It has fun music, pretty pictures, and a Scottish narrator.

Tomorrow on Soccer 101: Why is that Guy Rolling on the Ground?

Soccer 101: The Officials

Just like any other sport, the team of officials in a soccer match can have a drastic impact on its tone and even its outcome. However, unlike many games, the soccer referees have a kind of organic, real-time control over the game, often with a certain freedom of interpretation and discretion. Most importantly, however, there is no instant replay for the refs, no matter how many times ESPN wants to show you a slow motion clip.

SOCCER OFFICIALS

The professional soccer matches you see on television will have a team of four referees on and around the field officiating.

The Referee (The Guy with the Whistle)


The referee is the only official on the field with the players. His is the final word during the game. And while he may consult with his three assistants, none of them may use video evidence of any kind to influence their decision. Ironically, this includes replays on a stadium's television.

The referee calls fouls and infractions, starts and stops play, keeps the official time for the game, and determines how much stoppage time is to be added at the end of each half. He can grant free kicks or penalties and he can caution a player with a yellow card or send a player off for the remainder of the game with a red card. When a player receives a red card, his team is forced to play the rest of the match with 10 men (or 9 men if two players receive a red card, 8 if three players do, etc.).

A yellow card is given for:

• Unsporting behavior (including simulating or faking a foul)
  
• Dissent by word or action
• Persistently infringing the laws of the game
• Delaying the restart of play
• Failing to respect the required distance of a corner kick or free kick
• Entering or re-entering the field of play without the referee’s permission
• Deliberately leaving the field of play without the referee’s permission

A red card is given for:

• Serious foul play (eg., a violent foul)
• Violent conduct
  
• Spitting at anyone
• A deliberate handling offense to deny an obvious goal-scoring opportunity by any player other than a goal keeper in his own penalty area
• Committing an offense that denies an opponent an obvious goal-scoring opportunity (eg., "professional fouls")
• Using offensive, insulting or abusive language or gestures
• Receiving a second caution (yellow card) in one game

However, a referee's primary role often puts him in control of the tempo, flow and dynamic of the game. If the referee is a strict disciplinarian, he may stop and start play for fouls constantly, thus disrupting any free-flowing play that may have otherwise developed. On the other hand, if the referee is more willing to tolerate physical challenges, the game may take a more open but outwardly physical nature. Typically, you can learn the most about a referee's style by the type of foul for which he gives his first yellow card of the match.

One last note to make is that a referee does not have to immediately stop play when a foul has occurred. He can opt to allow play to continue if the team committing the foul would otherwise receive some sort of advantage (often defensive) from play being stopped. This is known as the Advantage Rule or Play On.


Assistant Referees (The Guys with the Flags)


The referee is accompanied by two assistant referees who occupy the opposite touchlines of opposite halves of the field. All of the assistant's decisions are advisory to the referee. He may use his flag to signify if a ball has gone out of bounds, if a foul has been committed, or if a player is in deemed to be off sides, but it is the referee who decides whether or not to stop play for any of those situations. For the most part, a referee will defer to an assistant referee in matters of off sides and balls going out of play.


Fourth Official (The Guy With the Lite Brite Board)


The fourth official acts primarily as an administrative assistant to the on-field referee. He ensures that substitutions (each team is allowed only three in a match) are carried out efficiently and communicates the amount of stoppage time on a lighted board. The fourth official may also act as an additional set of eyes for off the ball infringements or infringements that take place during confusing times of the match. For example, while the referee did not see Zinedine Zidane's infamous head butt during the 2006 World Cup final, the fourth official did and advised the referee in his decision to send off Zidane with a red card.

Tomorrow on Soccer 101: The Dreaded Off-Sides Discussion

Soccer 101: The Players and Their Positions

One of the hardest things about understanding a new sport is learning the positions the players occupy on the field. You can watch cricket all day, for example, and still have no idea what's going on if you can't assign the proper commentary to the bowler, batsmen, wicket keeper, silly mid-off, fly slip, cover point and so on and so forth. The same applies for soccer. If you don't know what positions the players occupy, then it will be hard to understand the flow of the game.

PLAYER POSITIONS

As mentioned in the Rules and Overviews post, each side in a soccer match fields 11 players, with one goal keeper and ten field players. Below are the most common positions found in modern soccer teams.

Goal Keeper
The goal keeper is charged with defending the team's goal. He is the only member of the team allowed to touch the ball with his hands. However, he is only allowed to touch the ball with his hands inside the penalty box. The position is a highly specialized one, making it rare for modern keepers to ever play another position on the field.

Center Backs
The center backs are a team's defensive foundation. Their primary roles are to stop attacks by the opposing team into their penalty area and to win aerial balls in that part of the field. Most teams employ two center backs who will either defend a given area of the field(zonal defense) or defend a specific player on the opposing team by closely marking that player (man-to-man marking).

Wing Backs / Half Backs / Full Backs
Call them what you want, full backs, wing backs, half backs, these positions occupy the outer edge of the defense. The exact name of the position differs according to the player's tasks and the team's overall strategy. However, in the modern game, the players on the wings of the defense are responsible for stopping the opposing team from distributing the ball into the penalty area and assisting with counter attacks up the field.

Center Midfielders
Center midfielders can have a wide range of roles and responsibilities depending on their strengths and the team's strategy. They will both defend and attack, depending on the flow of the game and which team has the ball. Their primary goal is to take pressure off of their back four defenders (known as the back line) by giving them someone to pass to and then distribute the ball to the wingers or attackers.

Wide Midfielders / Wingers
The flanks of the midfield are often staffed by the fastest and most technically skilled players on the team. These players assist primarily in the attack and are expected to distribute (or cross) the ball into the opponent's penalty area. If these players have dynamic attacking skills and cripplingly precise vision, they can draw a well-formed defense out of position in attempts to shut them down, thus opening opportunities (an space) for the attacking players in front of goal.

Attacking Midfielders
Depending on a team's midfield configuration, they may utilize a player caught in the Hole between the attackers and standard midfield line. These players often act as the attacking pivot for the team, linking up with the strikers to create goal scoring threats. They will often display good decision making, knowing when to feed the front line and when to take a shot on goal.

Forwards / Strikers

There are semantic differences between forwards and strikers, but for your reference, these are the guys responsible for scoring a good portions of their team's goals. A forward may be responsible for keeping possession of the ball with is back to goal while his team gets forward to attack, while a striker is tasked primarily with making well timed runs to beat defenders.

FORMATIONS

The way in which a team takes the field is known as its formation. When formations are discussed, the numbers of players are listed in defense, midfield and attack, with the keeper being omitted as an assumed position. For example, England has traditionally taken the 4-4-2 formation (left), with 4 defenders (two center backs, two full backs), 4 midfielders (two center midfielders, two wingers), and 2 forwards.

The team's formation says a lot about their strategy, tactics and strengths. For example, the 4-4-2 formation allows the two central midfielders to control the flow of play and distribution of the ball with the wingers and full backs moving up and down the wings to support the attack or defense as needed. This formation allows for coordinated defense and quick-breaking counter attacking football, both of which are highly valued in English league soccer. Portugal's formation, on the other hand, employs a 4-4-1-1 which gives the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo room to roam up front as a second striker and terrorize defensive lines.

Other common formations are 4-1-2-1-2 (the diamond formation currently used by Chelsea and utilized vintage Manchester United), 4-3-3 (used by Spain and the Netherlands in the 2006 World Cup), 4-2-3-1 (popular with French sides) and 4-5-1 (a defensive formation used to absorb pressure and grind out results or preserve existing leads).

Tomorrow on Soccer 101: The Officials.

Australia vs. the US Men's National Team: On Saturday, My Head Will Explode

With only a week left before the Republic of South and Africa and Mexico officially kick off the 2010 World Cup, teams and fans are scrambling with last minute preparations. On Saturday, two of my favorite national teams face off in their final preparation match: Australia and the United States (alphabetical order, for your information). My loyalties will be tested, and in the end, I think I'll be cheering for no one to get injured.

I was born in America, but my father shared his passion for all things Australian with me growing up. When my father died, I was left with an interest in and an undying curiosity for the Land Down Under. So when I graduated from college and it came time to make my way in the world, what did I do? Well, when the going gets tough, the tough go to grad school. And I went to grad school in Australia.

Truth be told, Australia and the United States have more in common than you may first think. Both are countries based on a fierce sense of egalitarianism and self determination. In terms of soccer, both are countries in which the Beautiful Game is a popular afterthought, placed behind two or three mainstream sports. And both are emerging soccer powers who rely on an "ugly," scrappy game patched together with a few international class players.

So when the Yanks meet the Socceroos on Saturday (8:30 a.m. EDT, ESPN 2), I'll be cheering for both teams to get past their pregame jitters and work through the kinks in their strategies. I want both of these teams to do well and I damn well hope they'll get out of their respective groups by the end of June.

But heaven forbid one of them wins their group and the other places second. That would set up a Round of 16 match between them ... and that's something I don't know if I could handle.

Australia vs. United States, Pre-World Cup Friendly, Live from Ruimsig Stadium in Roodepoort, South Africa, 8:30 a.m. EDT on ESPN 2 and ESPN 2 HD

Soccer 101: Everything You Never Wanted to Know About Soccer

This post is for those of you who may enjoy soccer casually but have forgotten the ins and outs of the game ... mainly the rules. In the next seven days leading up to the World Cup, I will be examining and explaining the finer points of the Beautiful Game so you may find yourself respectably prepared for the world's biggest sporting event: the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

RULES AND OVERVIEW

Soccer (or Association Football) is played by two teams of 11 players on a rectangular field. The object of the game is to put the ball in the opponent's goal without the use of your arms.

The field: What are all these lines?

The field (or pitch) is typically between 110-120 yards long and 70-80 yards wide. It is divided in half by a white chalk line. The length of the field is denoted by two touch lines. Two goals are centered on the opposite goal lines, running the width of the field. Each goal is bounded by a six yard and an eighteen yard box (known as the goal and penalty boxes, respectively). The rest of the lines are recognized only during specific situations and typically denote the minimum distance players must stand during a particular event (eg. The arc at the top of each penalty box denotes the closest players not involved in taking a penalty kick may stand while the kick is being taken, the center circle denotes the closest players on the team not partaking in a kick off may stand to the kick off).


The Goal and Scoring: Ok, so how do you win this game?

Each team defends a goal 8 yards wide and 8 feet high. A goal is scored when the ball has completely crossed the imaginary plane created by the goal line, two vertical goal posts and the horizontal cross bar. Each team receives one point for each goal scored.


Time Keeping: The clock is counting UP?! When does this game end?
A soccer match consists of two, 45 minute halves. The clock starts at the beginning of each half with the referee's whistle and does not stop for anything until the end of the half. If, during the course of a half, events such as injuries, substitutions, goal celebrations or outside factors have stopped or delayed play, the referee may add, at his or her discretion, more playing time on to the original 45 minutes. This is known as stoppage time.

Each half begins with a kick-off at the center point of the half-way line.


Out of bounds: The ball crossed those white lines, now what?
A ball is considered out of bounds when the entirety of the ball has crossed the entirety of the imaginary plane created by the touch or goal lines. When a ball goes out of bounds, the team who touched it last gives up possession to the other team. If the ball crosses one of the touch lines (or side lines), a throw in is given. If the ball crosses a goal line (but does not count as a goal) and is touched last by the attacking team, a goal kick is given to the defending team and taken from the edge of the six yard goal box. If the ball crosses the goal line and is touched last by the defending team, a corner kick is given to the attacking team.

Tomorrow on Soccer 101: The players

World Cup Predictions: Group H

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras, Chile

Players to Watch:
Xavi (Spain)
Alex Frei (Switzerland)
David Suazo (Honduras)
Matias Fernandez (Chile)


Match to Watch:
Chile vs. Spain
June 25, 2:30 P.M. (ESPN)


Predictions:

Honduras vs. Chile
June 16, 7:30 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
After the final day of CONCACAF qualification, Honduras is just happy - well, estatic really - with being in the World Cup Finals. But if I was being honest with all of you - and you were being honest with yourselves, as well - that is where their joy ends. Chile, on the other hand, is riding an incredible wave of momentum from CONMEBOL qualification. Expect La Roja of Chile to have a break-out tournament and to start with this game.
Result: HON 0 - 2 CHI

Spain vs. Switzerland
June 16, 10:00 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
The Swiss are known for many things: Fine chocolate, world class clocks, discrete banking practices, Roger Federer. They are not, however, known for being a traditional powerhouse in European soccer. Spain's insecurities of their inability to perform when it counts the most, when the world's eyes are turned upon them may factor into this game. And a slip-up from the glorious Euro 2008 champions may not be completely unexpected, but in the end, I believe this is Spain's year and Switzerland will not be able to stand up to the dynamic attacks of this group.
Result: ESP 2 - 1 SUI

Chile vs. Switzerland
June 21, 10:00 A.M. EDT (ESPN)
This match is a story of forgotten children. Both Chile and Switzerland have respectable sporting histories to their names, but are never listed as forces to be reckoned with on their respective continents. Not to mention both have been demanding a little more soccer respect from their neighbors over the past six years. Chile will prevail, though and sew up qualification for the next round.
Result: CHI 1 - 0 SUI

Spain vs. Honduras
June 21, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN)
I haven't decided if it's in good taste to make a Conquistador joke here or not. Either way, Spain will take the three points.
Result: ESP 3 - 0 HON

Chile vs. Spain
June 25, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN)
Cue the epic music, because this match has all the trappings. Chile will be looking to nick top spot from Spain, thus making Spain's path to the World Cup much more difficult (the second place team of this group will likely meet Brazil in the second round). I fully anticipate a high-scoring draw to result.
Result: CHI 2 - 2 ESP

Switzerland vs. Hounduras
June 25, 2:30 P.M. EDT (ESPN 2)
An essentially meaningless game, Switzerland will take the points and escape with their dignity in tact to fight another day ... namely at Euro 2012. Honduras will leave the tournament with lessons learned and homework to do.
Result: SUI 1 - 0 HON


Final standings: