To be on the USMNT as a 5'9" or under you almost inevitably have to be lightning fast. Donovan, Cherundolo, Beasley. Speed is great, but here's the problem with that. Xavi and Iniesta were never lightning fast. Neither were most of their similar-sized teammates: Villa, Pedro, Puyol, and others. They weren't lightning quick. They were quick, but nothing that catches the eye. And they won the Triple. So here's the other problem with US Soccer. "John" and "Bob" are both equally talented. They both play forward. John is 5'7". Bob is 6'2". US Soccer will undoubtedly go with Bob because he's taller.
Taller, or very well-built players have been used to evading defenders in a different way that less-built players. Someone like Iniesta - who is about 5'7" - has been used to evading taller and larger opposition since childhood, which has positively enabled his physical ability as well as his mental ability....the ability to out-think his opponents. That's really the key when it comes to soccer. For all positions other than central defense, players that are 5'9" and under should be the first choice and not the last. The list of greats goes on and on. Ronaldinho, Denilson, Messi, Roberto Baggio, George Best, Hagi, Matthaus, Hessler, Platini, Maradona, Pele, Garrincha, Giovanni, Romario, Rossi, and so forth. As kids growing up, they had to outthink and "out-skill" the bigger kids, and it translated to their approach as adults. Every now and again taller players will deserve to be in non-central defensive positions such as Zidane, Henry and Rivaldo, but for the most part 5'9" and under should be the norm, whether they're lightning fast, quick or not.
Taller, or very well-built players have been used to evading defenders in a different way that less-built players. Someone like Iniesta - who is about 5'7" - has been used to evading taller and larger opposition since childhood, which has positively enabled his physical ability as well as his mental ability....the ability to out-think his opponents. That's really the key when it comes to soccer. For all positions other than central defense, players that are 5'9" and under should be the first choice and not the last. The list of greats goes on and on. Ronaldinho, Denilson, Messi, Roberto Baggio, George Best, Hagi, Matthaus, Hessler, Platini, Maradona, Pele, Garrincha, Giovanni, Romario, Rossi, and so forth. As kids growing up, they had to outthink and "out-skill" the bigger kids, and it translated to their approach as adults. Every now and again taller players will deserve to be in non-central defensive positions such as Zidane, Henry and Rivaldo, but for the most part 5'9" and under should be the norm, whether they're lightning fast, quick or not.
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