Following up on the previous blog, after realizing - yet again - the US Soccer system has never instituted a 40 yard dash I figured someone should ask why. They do at the NFL combine. Why not with soccer? That's all people care about with the NFL is the forty time. Even during the season, you hear, "He runs a 4.4 forty" and so on. Soccer needs a forty yard dash.
It's good to have speed but not absolutely necessary in every position.
Xavi and Iniesta probably ran a 4.8-5.0 forty.
Roberto Baggio probably ran a 4.5.
Donovan probably a 4.2.
Cherundolo probably a 4.3.
Someone like Valderrama...probably 7.3.
Clint Mathis...9.2
Altidore a 7. Wouldn't surprised if it were an 8.1.
Tim Howard...3.7.
So you see, it doesn't really matter for all positions but it would be good to know for a few reasons. The obvious is you want someone like Donovan for speed. Speed kills. But it's also important to realize that Xavi or Platini or Valderrama didn't necessarily need to be the fastest guy on the field. (In reference to the previous blog post.) Which Americans understand. But we also tend to get hung up on "if he's under 5'10" he has to be lightning fast." And that's just not true.
For the next US coach, they should look to keep the USMNT lineup under 5'10" for all positions other than goalie and the two center defenders. We've never actually tried that. Would it hurt?
Gee, what's my forty time? 4.86 as a grumpy 35-year-old recovering from a stomach muscle tear. Take that young buck.
It's good to have speed but not absolutely necessary in every position.
Xavi and Iniesta probably ran a 4.8-5.0 forty.
Roberto Baggio probably ran a 4.5.
Donovan probably a 4.2.
Cherundolo probably a 4.3.
Someone like Valderrama...probably 7.3.
Clint Mathis...9.2
Altidore a 7. Wouldn't surprised if it were an 8.1.
Tim Howard...3.7.
So you see, it doesn't really matter for all positions but it would be good to know for a few reasons. The obvious is you want someone like Donovan for speed. Speed kills. But it's also important to realize that Xavi or Platini or Valderrama didn't necessarily need to be the fastest guy on the field. (In reference to the previous blog post.) Which Americans understand. But we also tend to get hung up on "if he's under 5'10" he has to be lightning fast." And that's just not true.
For the next US coach, they should look to keep the USMNT lineup under 5'10" for all positions other than goalie and the two center defenders. We've never actually tried that. Would it hurt?
Gee, what's my forty time? 4.86 as a grumpy 35-year-old recovering from a stomach muscle tear. Take that young buck.
RSS Feed