In this episode of the 3four3 podcast, Gary Kleiban and Benny Rogers expose the ongoing “brain rot” in American soccer.
They go over MLS and US Soccer’s outdated dismissal of rondos, the impossibility of “playing the right way” at youth, college, or pro levels, and the national team’s struggles under coaches like Berhalter.
Kicking off with Ousmane Dembele’s Balon d’Or win, Gary calls individual awards nonsense in a team sport, echoing Arsene Wenger’s disdain and comparing Dembele’s raw power to Lamine Yamal’s complete playmaking.
Dive into fiery audience comments: Debunking claims that rondos are for “lazy coaches,” proving the myth that American kids can’t handle possession soccer (backed by Brian Kleiban’s pro-developing track record), and addressing why coaches cling to sunk costs in licenses.
Gary shares open invites for critics to debate on the show, highlights why practitioners can’t speak freely in a monopolized system, and offers parents a 3-key-principle guide to spotting great coaches: possession-based, winning-focused, with intense yet caring sessions. Plus, a roast of an MLS demographics comment overlooking Latino talent.
00:00 Intro
03:05 Individual Soccer Awards Are Nonsense – Dembele Wins Balon D’or
06:04 Sub: Arsene Wenger thoughts on Balon D’or
07:11 Sub: Lamine Yamal vs Dembele
08:53 Responding to Comments
10:00 Audience Comment #1: Rondos are for Lazy Coaches?
14:32 Sub Topic: Myth that Americans Can’t Play Possession Soccer
17:27 Sub: What Leads Coaches to Believe the Myth That American Soccer Players Can’t Play the Right Way
19:44 Sub: U.S. Soccer Licenses “Sunk Cost”
20:36 Coaching Track Records
21:17 Sub: Developing vs Inheriting Players That Go Pro
23:15 The Truth is Hard to Hear
24:40 3four3 Fans and Audience Insulted by Gary
26:38 Sub: Gary is NOT a USMNT Fan (a Example Misconception)
28:54 Gary’s Open Invitation to Come on the Podcast
30:00 Sub: Practitioners Can’t Speak Freely
32:25 Audience Comment #2: Why do Rondos With Kids That Can’t Pass?
33:22 Audience Comment #3: Should U6-U12 be 1v1, 2v2s, and Dribbling?
36:09 Audience Comment #4: How to Find the Right Team For Your Kid?
37:05 Sub: The 3 Key Principles to Look For in a Coach
39:07 Sub: What if Any of the Principles are Missing?
40:03 Sub: The 3 Positions You NEED to Win in Youth Soccer
41:26 Sub: How Long Does it Take to Assess Your Kid’s Team?
43:01 Sub: Coaching Quality is The Most Important Factor in Youth Soccer
44:33 Audience Comment #5: MLS Demographics – Latinos, Asians and the Black Community
Premium Education for either Coaches or Parents
If you are a coach or a parent of a player, we’ve also codified and made available the remarkable work of a coach who trained and shepherded many, many players from the age of 9 all the way to graduating them to being professionals.
The products that show you how this was done, is what sponsors this episode.
Get aboard a proven path, a legitimately proven path, not something copied or synthesized from elsewhere, or worse. No, but rather a first hand account and curriculum directly from the source, from the practitioners themselves, whose work is unprecedented in the American soccer environment.
For Coaches
Learn the methodology at 343coaching.com.
If you’re coaching 7v7, we’ve got you covered at 7v7coaching.com.
For Parents
You don’t have to be lost and confused.
Learn to properly guide and develop your kid through the maze and pitfalls that is American soccer (from the folks who have actually done it).
Gain access at 343masterclass.com.
Never miss new episodes:
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on iTunes
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Stitcher
- Subscribe to 3four3 FM on Spotify
Coaching Education Program
This is brought to you by the 3four3 coaching education program.
Learn more and join over 1000 coaches using our proven possession-based methodology.
Parent Education Program
Leave a Reply