Busch displayed a stellar consistency this season, helping to lead the Chicago Fire to the MLS playoffs. Posting the leagues highest best saves percentage of 122 out of 156 shots faced (78.2%) and 10 shut outs for the whole season. Here is the video that shows Jon Busch at his best for the Chicago Fire in 2008:

Now on the flip side (thanks to Steve Amoia for his recent post here), did you ever wonder if President Barack Obama secretly had a love for the World Game? He’s actually a West Ham United fan, and barracks wildly (no pun intended) for his daughter’s soccer team in Chicago as evidenced in this video:

Recently I’ve been asked about goalkeeper’s and height. Some of our readers feel that because of their height they are limited in their ability to play at a competitive level of football. Jon Busch is a fantastic example of what can be achieved by short goalkeepers playing at an elite level of soccer. Busch stands at only 5′ 10″, much lower than the global height standard for goalkeepers in elite competition. So what have you got to fear?

Shorter goalkeepers have the advantage of a lower center of gravity, and the ability to pack a punch in the agility department, something vouched for by MLS goalkeeper coaches like Mike Toschack in a recent interview conducted with Keeper Skool. So can shorter goalkeepers play at an elite level of football? In Barack Obama’s word’s…”Yes We Can”! Jon Busch just proved the point that a shorter goalkeeper can excel in the MLS, as can any goalkeeper who has the will to win at the top level of competition, no matter how tall you are.

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Busch wins the MLS goalkeeper of the year and Barack Obama wins the Presidential race!

When we speak of the use of performance enhancers, it is usually taboo, and possibly thought of as a once off occurrence in an Olympic event. Performance enhancers have been widely used since at least the 1950′s at a competitive level (don’t quote me on that number). We usually refer to these substances as anabolic (growth) primers, or corticosteroids in popular literature.

In recent years, with the advancement of sports science, we have seen that even at a recreational level of competition, the use of nutritional supplements have become the basis for a multi million dollar fitness industry. In international competition, the level of sophistication around masking certain performance enhancing agents has become an art form.

Football clubs are one of many sporting institutions, whom utilize and invest in high end research and development facilities to constantly test, measure and enhance their players performance. Many of these scientific institutes house sports scientists that work around the clock to maximize the output of a top tier footballer.

In a forthcoming interview that Keeper Skool had conducted with one of the leading goalkeeping schools in Spain (out next month), we probed one renowned youth goalkeeping expert about the La Liga club he trains, and their scientific department’s methodologies. We were left with a limited knowledge around how they go about their business of performance enhancement.

Clubs certainly do pay high amounts of money in taking their players to the next level, and clearly they want their testing and training protocols under very tight wraps. Anyone got the formula for Coca Cola? You get my drift. One recent study (thank you Steve Amoia for pointing this information out), pointed to the overarching use of drugs and nutritional supplements by World Cup footballers.

The New York Times discussed it in their weekly email newsletter: Prescription drug use and vitamin supplements at the last two Wold Cups.

Objective: To examine medication use in male top-level football players prior to and during international tournaments.

Design: Prospective survey.

Material: 2944 team physicians’ reports on players’ medication intake.

Methods: Each team physician was asked to document all medication and nutritional supplements taken in the 72 h prior to each match.

Results: A total of 10 384 substances were reported (1.8 substances/player/match); 4450 (42.9%) of these were medicinal and 5934 (57.1%) nutritional supplements. The medications prescribed most frequently were non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (n = 2092; 20.1%); more than half of the players took these at least once during a tournament and more than 10% prior to every match (156 out of 1472). β-2-Agonists were reported for 1.4% (n = 20) and inhaled corticosteroids for 1.6% (n = 23) of participating players. Injected corticosteroids were reported for 73 players.

Conclusions: The high intake of medication in international football – especially of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – is alarming and should be addressed. The results raise questions as to whether the medication was taken solely for therapeutic reasons. In view of the potential side effects, more restrictive recommendations for sport need to be developed.

(Source: http://bjsm.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/42/9/725)

Over 10,000 substances is a highly alarming amount to be used by elite footballers. The use of injected and inhaled corticosteroids shows that elite level footballers are pushing their bodies to their limit. Whilst the use of these substances may initially help overcome deficiencies in the players game, the long term repercussions are yet to be measured extensively.

I’m all for utilizing nutritional supplements alongside a structured diet and training plan. Though, many younger athletes may not be informed of the risks of steroid use or long term repercussions associated with its utilization. It begins with awareness programs at a grass roots level, and also the investment by grass roots clubs into physicians and nutritionists to help structure proper dietary plans to help maximize younger football performance.

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Alarming use of drugs and nutritional supplements by World Cup footballers

For a geographical listing from an excellent educational site, Footie Map, of all professional teams in Spain, along with their official websites, please click here. To learn more about La Liga, please read this informative preview.

In terms of countries represented by goalkeepers, La Liga has Argentina, Brasil, Cameroon, France, Germany, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Switzerland, and Uruguay, respectively.

Los Porteros

Let’s look at the keepers for the 20 teams. I have listed the probable #1 in the first slot. Where individual videos were available, I have included them for further review. In Spanish, the goal mouth is called “la porteria” or “la area chica.” The goalkeeper is called “el portero” or “el guardameta.” “Fútbol” is not an actual word in Spanish. It was a new addition, over a hundred years ago, due to the English word of football. “Fut” does not mean foot in Spanish. As you will see with Real Betis, part of their club name is the actual Spanish word for football: “balonpie.”

Almería

Diego Alves Carreira: Brasil
Esteban: Spain
Roberto: Spain

Video of Diego Alves Carreira

Athletic Club Bilbao (Was originally formed by British ex-pats and Basque students who were exposed to soccer in the UK).

Gorka Iraizoz: Spain
Armando Riveiro: Spain
Iñaki Lafuente: Spain

Video of Gorka Iraizoz

Atlético Madrid (One of the three teams from Madrid).

Gregory Coupet: France
Leo Franco: Argentina
Angel Bernabe: Spain

Video of Coupet

Barcelona (Also known as “Barça.”)

Victor Valdes: Spain
Jose Manuel Pinto: Spain
Albert Jorquera: Spain

Video of Valdes

Deportivo La Coruña (Also known as “Depor.”)

Daniel Aranzubia: Spain
Fabri: Spain
Manu: Spain

Video of Daniel Aranzubia

Espanyol (One of the two teams from Barcelona).

Carlos Kameni: Cameroon
Cristian Alvarez: Argentina
Javi Ruiz: Spain

Video of Carlos Kameni

Getafe (One of the three teams from the city of Madrid. It is pronounced “Hey-tah-fay”).

Roberto Abbondanzieri: Argentina (Also known as “El Pato,” or “The Duck).
Oscar Ustari: Argentina

Video of Abbondanzieri

Malaga

Francesc Arnau: Spain
Iñaki Goitia: Spain

Mallorca (From an island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is pronounced “My-yor-kah”).

Miguel Angel Moya: Spain
German Luz: Argentina

Video of Moya

Numancia (Winners of the Segunda Division, or Second Division, last season).

Juan Pablo: Spain
Diego de Miguel: Spain

Osasuna

Ricardo: Spain
Roberto: Spain
Andres Fernandez: Spain

Video of Ricardo

Racing Santander

Antonio Rodriguez Gonzalez (Also known as Toño): Spain
Fabio Coltorti: Switzerland

Video of Coltori

Real Betis Balonpie (Balonpie is the actual derivation of the Spanish word for “football.”)

Ricardo Pereira: Portugal
Casto Espinosa: Spain

Video of Ricardo Pereira

Real Madrid (Formed in 1902 as The Madrid Football Club. Affectionately known as “Los Merengues” or “Los Blancos”).

Iker Casillas: Spain (Winner of the Trofeo Zamora, which is given for the best goals against average in La Liga for 2007-2008).
Jerzy Dudek: Poland
Jordi Codina: Spain

Video of Casillas

Recreativo de Huelva (The oldest club in Spain was formed in 1889).

Asier Riego: Spain
Roberto Jimenez: Spain

Video of Riego

Sevilla

Andres Palop: Spain
Javi Varas: Spain

Video of Palop

Sporting Gijón

Sergio Sanchez: Spain
Ivan “Pichu” Cuellar: Spain
Sergio Izquierdo: Spain

Video of Cuellar

Valencia

Timo Hildebrand: Germany
Renan: Brasil
Ludovic Butelle: France

Video of Hildebrand

Valladolid

Sergio Asenjo: Spain
Justo Villar: Paraguay
Jacabo: Spain

Video of Asenjo

Villarreal

Diego Lopez: Spain
Sebastian Viera: Uruguay
Juan Carlos Martinez: Spain

Video of Viera

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He has written for AC Cugini Scuola Calcio, Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.

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2008-2009 La Liga Goalkeepers

Redemption for Hope Solo

“On a rainy night Thursday, Solo got her redemptive moment, playing brilliantly in a job that she never thought she should have lost. And the same teammates who once shunned her were the beneficiaries of her steadiness as the United States won the Olympic gold medal with a 1-0 victory over Brazil in overtime.”

“Pia Sundhage took over from Ryan as coach last November. She invited Solo back into the team, tried to figure out what had caused the internal rift and asked her players two questions:

‘Do you want to win? Do you need goalkeepers to win?’

The answer to both was yes, and Solo returned to the lineup. ‘We had to move on,’ Sundhage said. ‘This day showed that we did.’

Even when she returned to the team, Solo did not receive much of an embrace from many of her teammates. In an interview in May, she said that other players did not invite her on social outings and that close friendships had unraveled. ‘It hurts,’ she said. But Sundhage at least had defused some of the lingering ill will.

‘It allowed me to be myself without having to look over my shoulder,’ Solo said. ‘I feel like a free spirit now.’”

Source: Jere Longman, New York Times, 22 August 2008.

Original Video- More videos at TinyPic

The Jewel Still Missing from the Crown

Brasil has won virtually every title and honor in World Football.

Except one.

Olympic Gold.

In a rematch of the 2004 Olympic final, along with the semi-final at World Cup 2007 in China, Brasil and the USA faced each other once again. The free-flowing Brazilians, with Marta and Cristiane, against Hope Solo and her lesser known American teammates. Unlike a year ago in China, there was no goalkeeper controversy to disturb the preparations for this important game.

The great Pele’ was in attendance. The all-time record was 22-2-2 in favor of the USA.

The Brasilians controlled the pace, but the Americans were well-organized in defense. Marta was weaving her usual magic, and Cristiane had a few dangerous shots on goal. Technically, the Brasilians were on a higher level. Their play was more creative, although based upon the last time I saw the two teams play, the Americans were much better prepared this time. Defensively, they often double teamed with seamless efficiency. Which may be the influence of their new coach, Pia Sundhage. Her tactical plan, along with the execution by the players, was excellent.

The half ended, 0 x 0.

Second Half

As in the first half, Brasil again dominated possession. At times, they held the ball too long. They wanted to out-dribble the Americans when a pass was the better option. On the ball, few are as gifted as the Brasilians. But as the half went on, I sensed some frustration due to the defensive organization of the American women.

In the 72nd minute, Brasil had their best chance of the game. Marta, alone on the left in the penalty box, took a strong shot that was parried away by Hope Solo. In the 86th minute, Angela Hucles had the best American chance, but it was saved by an outstretched Barbara. The Americans were creating more space in the Brasilian defense. A few minutes later, Amy Rodriguez had another excellent chance, one on one with the keeper, that was stopped by Barbara.

Extra Time

In the 96th minute, the elusive goal finally arrived. Carli Lloyd struck a perfect shot to the far right post that beat Barbara. After that, Marta had a few good chances, but Hope Solo would not be beaten on this night.

The USA wins their third Olympic Gold Medal in women’s football. Well done, USA.

Being True to Yourself

As we saw from the example of Hope Solo, you have to believe in yourself even when others lose their perspective and do not agree with you. Or perhaps do not appreciate your unique situation. In many respects, the goalkeeper stands alone. Both on and off the pitch. In this case, a new coach quickly analyzed how to remedy a volatile situation to benefit all concerned. Pia Sundhage turned a negative event from 2007 into a positive result in 2008. That is the mark of a good manager and motivator.

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He has written for Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.

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USA 1 x Brasil 0 AET: The Redemption of Hope Amelia Solo

For a geographical listing from an excellent educational site, Footie Map, of all professional Italian teams, along with their official websites, please click here.

In terms of countries represented by goalkeepers, the Serie A has Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brasil, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Peru, Slovenia, and Uruguay.

Let’s look at the keepers for the 20 teams. I have listed the probable #1 in the first slot. Where individual videos were available, I have included them for further review. In Italian, the goal mouth is called “la porta.” The goalkeeper is called “il portiere.” Literally, someone who guards the gate.

AC Milan (Who were originally called “The Milan Athletic and Cricket Club”).

Christian Abbiati: Italy
Zeljko Kalac: Australia
Nelson Dida: Brasil

Video of Abbiati

ACF Fiorentina (From the Renaissance city of Florence).

Sebastian Frey: France
Marco Storari: Italy
Vlada Avramov: Czech Republic

Video of Frey

AS Roma

Alexandre Doni: Brasil
Arthur Moraes: Brasil
Julio Sergio: Brasil

Video of Doni

Atalanta (From the city of Bergamo in Northern Italy. The name is derived from a figure in Greek mythology).

Ferdinando Coppola: Italy
Andrea Consigli: Italy
George Forsyth: Peru

Bologna (From the city called “il Grasso” or “the fat one,” due to their love of fine cuisine).

Francesco Antonioli: Italy
Roberto Colombo: Italy

Cagliari (From the ancient and isolated island of Sardinia).

Federico Marchetti: Italy
Simone Aresti: Italy
Mauro Vigorito: Italy

Catania (From the foot of Mt. Etna on the island of Sicily. Managed by the legendary Italian keeper, Walter Zenga).

Ciro Polito: Italy
Albano Bizzarri: Argentina
Tomas Kosicky: Czech Republic

Video of Polito

Chievo Verona (Their nickname is “the flying donkeys.”)

Stefano Sorrentino: Italy
Gabriele Aldegani: Italy
Lorenzo Squizzi: Italy

Video of Sorrentino

Genoa (Like Milan, a team with English roots as you can see by the name).

Rubinho: Brasil
Alessio Scarpi: Italy
Mirko Lamantia: Italy

Internazionale (Inter Milan)

Julio Cesar: Brasil
Francesco Toldo: Italy
Paolo Orlandini: Italy

Video of Julio Cesar

Juventus (From the Olympic city of Torino. The name means “youth” in Latin).

Gianluigi Buffon: Italy
Antonio Chimenti: Italy
Alex Manninger: Austria

Video of Buffon

Lazio (From the eternal city of Rome).

Juan Pablo Carrizo: Argentina
Tommaso Berni: Italy
Fernando Muslari: Uruguay

Video of Carrizo

Lecce (From a small city in Southern Italy on the Adriatic Coast).

Francesco Benussi: Italy
Antonio Rosati: Italy
Davide Petrachi: Italy

Napoli (The team made famous by Diego Maradona is also known as “the Azzurri”).

Gennaro Iezzo: Italy
Matteo Gianello: Italy
Nicolas Navarro: Argentina

Video of Iezzo

Palermo (From the island of Sicily, and one of the few modern teams to wear a pink kit).

Marco Amelia: Italy
Alberto Fontana: Italy
Samir Ujkani: Albania

Video of Amelia

Reggina (From Reggio Calabria at the southernmost tip of Italy).

Andrea Campagnolo: Italy
Christian Puggioni: Italy
Pietro Marino: Italy

Video of Campagnolo

Sampdoria (From the port city of Genoa. Part of the name comes from Andrea Doria, who was a famous Genoese mariner).

Luca Castellazzi: Italy
Antonio Mirante: Italy
Danielle Padelli: Italy

Video of Castellazzi

Siena (From a historic town in Tuscany).

Gianluca Curci: Italy
Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos: Greece
Mihail Ivanov: Bulgaria

Video of Curci

Torino

Matteo Sereni: Italy
Alberto Fontana: Italy
Alex Calderoni: Italy

Video of Sereni

Udinese (From the Northeastern Italian city of Udine).

Samir Handanovic: Slovenia
Emanuele Belardi: Italy
Jan Koprivec: Slovenia

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He has written for Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.

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2008-2009 Serie A TIM Goalkeepers

ESPN’s Shaka Hislop, had a recent yarn with Kasey Keller, whom gives a stellar insight into playing in three of the biggest football leagues in the world. Keller talks about the training sessions in Germany with over 7000 people in attendance…you’d better hope you’d showed your stripes at that gig! Kudo’s to Steve Amoia for letting me know. Enjoy!

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Shaka Hislop Talks With Kasey Keller

Image details: null served by picapp.com

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Gordon Banks Statue Unveiled by Pelé at the Brittania Stadium

Text courtesy of Kate Carlisle, ON International.

“On 12 July 8 p.m. Goal4Africa will celebrate its global kick off at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany. We are delighted to invite you to the Kick Off Event and the preceding press conference at 6 p.m.

Established in 2008, the Goal4Africa Global Foundation raises funds for educational and development programmes and promotes the development of soccer throughout the African continent. It is inspired by two major upcoming events: Nelson Mandela’s 90th birthday, on 18 July 2008, and the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, in 2010. By bringing together two forces, education & football, Goal4Africa wants to build sustainable change and a lasting legacy for the future of the continent of Africa. Goal4Africa is endorsed by powerful partners worldwide, such as the Nelson Mandela Foundation and the Peace and Sport Foundation. Top soccer player Clarence Seedorf is Goal4Africa´s first and global ambassador.

During a live event broadcasted in over 60 countries worldwide, the story of Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and his dream are told and the Goal4Africa program and objectives are explained. Spectators and visitors are treated to a benefit football match with the Goal4Africa World Team that unites the world´s best football players including Seedorf, Gattuso, and Drogba.

Before and after the match, live acts are performed by world famous artists, such as Ali Campbell, legendary voice of UB40, and many more.

The match will be the first opportunity for spectators and visitors to sponsor each goal scored through (mobile) text messaging and via the Goal4Africa web site.

Press conference

The kick off celebration event will be preceded by a press conference at 6 p.m. in the Press Club of Allianz Arena in which you will be informed about the latest status of the Goal4Africa initiative, its program for the coming months, the fundraising mechanism, the launch of Goal4Africa’s first special projects. As a global ambassador of Goal4Africa, top football player, Clarence Seedorf will host the press conference.”

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of . He has written for Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.

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Clarence Seedorf and Ali Campbell for Goal4Africa

HypoVereinsbank is a premium partner of FC Bayern Munich.

Recently, they began a new initiative with the recently retired Bayern legend, Oliver Kahn. In what may be a first for the goalkeeper’s union, Herr Kahn has a bank card named after him:

Image details: Hypo Vereinsbank Launch Limited Edition Oliver Kahn Cash Card served by picapp.com

Who ever said that tending goal would not pay off? Besides, we always knew that keepers saved more than other consumers.

Training Session Video

Before he promoted cash cards, he was one of the best keepers in world football. Here is an interesting training video from his days at Bayern Munich. John discussed this video last December; however, it might be helpful to take another look. Especially since we can see the interaction between Kahn and his coach, former German legend, Sepp Maier.

Steve Amoia is the author and editor of World Football Commentaries. He has written for Soccerlens and Keeper Skool.

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“Cashing In” on Goalkeeping: Oliver Kahn

On 16 July, AC Milan will convene at their Milanello training facility to begin summer training. They have an interesting dilemma. Who among three very experienced goalkeepers (Zeljko Kalac, Christian Abbiati, and Nelson Dida) to select as their #1?

Zeljko Kalac

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Three is a Crowd at AC Milan