World-class soccer instruction at Sylvania park sets the pace

Dennis Bailey, middle right, of the English Premier League gives instructions to local players at Pacesetter Park in Sylvania. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Des Davies demontrates a move as Logan Glosser of Ottawa Hills watches. THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Discussion and debate over the recently completed World Cup still buzzed at a soccer camp at Pacesetter Park in Sylvania Tuesday night.

Four coaches from the English Premier League traveled to northwest Ohio to provide unique insight to the sport to more than 100 high school players. The young American players and veteran English coaches differed in their opinions about the United States' performance in the tournament and the future of the universally loved sport in this country. But there was a consensus that instant replay must become a part of World Cup.

Alex Hansen, who will be a sophomore at Anthony Wayne, said he watched until the Americans were knocked out in the second round.

"They were capable of more," Hansen said. "We had so many opportunities, but we couldn't finish them. Everyone wanted them to move on, but nobody expected them to. To get out of that Group Stage was a success."

Logan Glosser, who will be a junior at Ottawa Hills, said he watched World Cup games for about three hours every day.

"Where they got was tremendous. But I thought they could have made it a few steps farther," Glosser said. "But they did really well."

Delaney, who played eight years in the English Premier League, said the Americans had an outstanding World Cup.

"I think the Americans did themselves proud," Delaney said.

He said he was not surprised that the United States tied England 1-1 in a first-round game.

"I think England knew that would be a difficult game," Delaney said. "They had a more successful tournament than England. They got top of the group."

But Cameron Kupetz, who will be a sophomore at Northview, said he thought the Americans could have done better.

"It was great to get passed the Group Stage, but I expected more," Kupetz said. "We don't work as hard as other countries. We all sit inside and play video games."

But Davies, who also played in the EPL and now coaches pros in England, said the United States is on the brink of being a dominant force in the sport.

"With the Americans being as competitive as they are, sooner or later they will be a major force if they take the game more seriously," Davies said.

Bailey, a former pro in the EPL who attended the World Cup, said he did not think England played as well as they could have against the United States

"But give credit to America. They passed the ball better at times," Bailey said. "They deserved the draw. They deserved to be top of the group. I expect them to be even better at the next World Cup."

The coaches said the lack of instant replay cost England an important goal in a loss to Germany.

"It wasn't even close. It was a couple of balls over the line," Delaney said. "I think they should have done it a long time ago because a couple seconds of replay and it would be sorted out. It should be used for goal lines."

Chris Kaulfus, who will be a freshman at Ottawa Hills, said he has been a ref for two years.

"I wish there was an instant replay because sometimes you can't see what's going on," Kaulfus said. "I feel sorry for the refs that are getting a bunch of [flak]."

Young Glosser said he is a traditionalist and wouldn't like instant replay.

"They've never used instant replay in soccer," Glosser said. "If the ref makes a call, that is the way it should stand. That's the old fashioned way."

Bailey said instant replay has to eventually come into the game.

"Every sport has moved on to technology," Bailey said. "It's just a matter of time before soccer comes to that stage. There is so much at stake."

Some pointed to TV ratings that rose 41 percent over the ratings four years ago as proof of the rise of the sport. The title game set a record with 15,545,000 viewers and the previous high was 14,863,000 viewers for the United States' 2-1 overtime loss to Ghana in the second round.

But most agreed that soccer will never be as popular as the four major sports - football, baseball, basketball, and hockey.

"It will never overtake baseball or football," Delaney said. "But it will become a major force and the Americans will compete at the major events."

Delaney said soccer has made big strides in this country over the last five or 10 years.

"But I don't think it will be one of the top two or three sports," he said. "I don't think it will ever be up there with the top sports because of all the money you have in football and baseball. But we can all still hope it does."

Contact Mark Monroe at:

mmonroe@theblade.com

or 419-724-6354.