With Spain’s Extra time goal, the World Cup has concluded and Spain etched their name in history. It was a worthy World Cup final – albeit a bit of a tough one out on the pitch. As a wrap-up, the NSCAA, on its blog today, interviewed three former US National Team Coaches (Bob Gansler, Steve Sampson and Bruce Arena) on their take for the changes in the game. You can read the interview below and see – from their perspective – how the World Cup has changed. Here’s what I took away:

• Defense is being emphasized. This means that players need to be more creative with better ball skills to penetrate the defense. It also means that understanding the soccer tactics of time and space on a soccer field become even more important as the field becomes tighter.

• The year round schedule has impacted players at the highest levels. Fatigue was cited for a lack of creativity on the field. Soccer in Europe will begin in less than a month!

• The overall importance of domestic leagues in fostering and cultivating a “soccer culture.” As Gansler says, until 1996 when the MLS sprung up, the US did not have any place for its players to play at a high level. This will continue to be important. I mean, think about it, the MLS has only been around for fourteen years! According to Bob Kraft, owner of the NFL Patriots, it took 25 years for the NFL to take hold in this country.

• I still love Bruce Arena’s smart humor. Read between the lines and you can just tell.

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The National Soccer Coaches Association of America contacted former U.S. Men’s National Team head coaches Bob Gansler (NSCAA National Staff), Steve Sampson and Bruce Arena to get their thoughts on how the World Cup, and in particular, the U.S. Team’s performance in the tournament, has changed since their time at the helm. Check out their responses to our questions below. Do you agree with their views? What changes have you noticed? Tell us in the comment section!

1. How has the World Cup changed since you were at the helm?

Bob Gansler (FIFA World Cup Coach – 1990, Italy)

“The game continues to become better. There are higher demands physically and technically. We [the United States] have taken more substantial steps than most countries because we have had of lot of stepping up to do. Overall, soccer continues to get better.”

Steve Sampson (FIFA World Cup Coach – 1998, France)

“The World Cup is much more demanding. The club demands on the players is much greater than before and therefore is much more challenging physically to prepare for the World Cup. There are no weak teams. Every game requires great organization defensively and special players to score goals.”

Bruce Arena – (FIFA World Cup Coach – 2002 and 2006, Korea/Japan and Germany)

“From my perspective, very little has changed from the 2002 and 2006 World Cups that I was involved in as a coach. However, my observations of the first round games in 2010 were that a large majority of teams approached the first two games in a very conservative manner. Therefore we saw fewer goals scored and the fate of many teams was not decided until virtually the last games of group play.”

2. How does the team compare in skill level?

Gansler

“The game is being played faster. It is more technically refined, and physically, we are better. The biggest difference is Major League Soccer. Prior to 1996, we had no professional league and were only able to play competitively at the Federation Camp. The vast majority of the players now start in MLS or with another professional team, so they have a chance to hone skills and augment what they improve upon then.”

Sampson

“I believe the team in 1998 was equally as skilled as the current team. Keller, Friedel, Ramos, Reyna, Wynalda, Moore, Stewart, Jones, Preki and others were very skilled.”

Arena

“The teams in 2006 and 2010 were similar in many ways; however, the U.S. team in 2002 had a rare blend of skill, athleticism and experience and therefore has been the most successful team to date.”

3. What new developments and tactics do you see with this team?

Gansler

“The formation has changed. In 1990, it was a 3-5-2 formation with a sweeper, man markers in the midfield and two up front. Now there are four playing zonally in the back with two holding midfielders, three attacking midfielders and a target center forward. The game remains the same – figuring out a way of moving to create opportunities. There are not a lot of changes tactically, but the game is played at a higher pace.”

Sampson

“I believe the current team has had the advantage of playing more top quality opponents outside the United States to help them prepare for the World Cup. The Confederations Cup was very helpful. Tactically, I did not see anything significantly different in this World Cup; however, it is becoming very apparent that collective defending with 10 or even 11 behind the ball is becoming the norm. Having players and a team understanding that is good enough to penetrate organized defenses is becoming more difficult.“

Arena

“I did not notice any new developments and tactics and I think the 2002, 2006 and 2010 were similar in many ways.”

4. What is the transition from being a coach to a spectator like?

Gansler

“Coaching is a great thrill, the only thing better is playing. I still watch all the games and consider myself a lifer. I no longer coach but keep my hands in the game with scouting, educating, and working with soccer clubs. Soccer is an everyday kind of endeavor, I will continue in a limited way while not trying to overdo anything.”

Sampson

“National coaches have a unique understanding of what the players and coaches are going through. We can visualize along the way their unique challenges. Being a spectator is never as rewarding as being a coach or player, however, to watch a match for the pure joy of the event is unusual and fun.”

Arena

“I have to admit this time around I enjoyed the responsibility of being a spectator and acting like a know-it-all. The pressures on me personally were reduced significantly.”

5. What are other significant differences that you have noticed?

Gansler

“The environment then to now, the landscape is different. The significance of hosting the 1994 has trickled down. The MLS was founded in 1996 and since the experience of the players, coaches, and administration has improved. The money has also been accumulated and been wisely invested. We have seen that academies are how players develop, and with the US Soccer academies, opportunities for young players is now night and day what it was. Now there is nationwide competition and leagues that have helped us put good players against each other, and that is how you get better.”

Sampson

“Players seem to arrive at this World Cup much more tired than in Germany 2006. FIFA might want to consider one more week of preparation before the Cup. I also think that FIFA now must consider video replays on the goal line. Too many decisions by the referee have proven to be inaccurate. Now is the time for FIFA to come into the 21st century. The speed of game is too fast for video replay not to be considered.”

Arena

“What I did notice was that the game has not changed much over the last three World Cups. The game continues to be played at a fast pace, and for the most part teams place tremendous priority in how they defend as a group. A number of national teams have been negatively impacted by their domestic leagues. For example there are a number of major clubs in England and Italy that rarely utilize their domestic players and this negatively impacts the competitiveness of their national teams. Lastly to end on a sour note, officiating and technology in this area must improve.”

Credit: http://nscaa.com/blog/