Roby’s Resolutions 2026
🥂Resolution #1: Reconnect with Members “A New Year, A New Voice.” US Soccer will open its doors and ears. Members deserve transparency, updates, and dialogue. Let’s make 2026 the year of listening, not silence. Let’s open the conversation to fresh formats like Quad-Goal Soccer. What better way to listen than by providing kids with new […]
Fail It Till You Nail It!
As we get started in a new season, it’s worth reflecting on an important principle from John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success: Initiative. “Initiative is the courage to act, to try something new, even if it might lead to mistakes. When we hesitate out of fear of failure, we risk doing nothing, and doing nothing is […]
Why Bother?
Dear Koach Karl, Let me start by saying this: I’m not a betting man, but if I had a dollar for every time I’ve heard, “In 10 years, the U.S. will be a soccer powerhouse,” I’d be writing this from a beach somewhere instead of my desk. Now, in my sixties, I’m still waiting for […]
REVEALING WORLD CHAMPIONS METHODS
This article focuses on how the French Federation outlined and successfully orchestrated the rebirth of French football. I know it would have drastically helped ‘reset’ ours. The French Federation (FFF), under the guidance of Ami Jacquet, outlined and successfully orchestrated the improvement of French coaches/players. I am positive this information can also help ‘reboot’ US […]
WORLD CUP HOLDERS: Emphasis, Philosophy & Principles of Play
I want to ‘Thank’ the hundreds of people, who responded to my introductory article, “US Soccer Needs to Reboot.” Your positive comments were quite refreshing and thought-provoking. It is evident that you realize, ‘WE Are All In This Together!’ My interview with Ami Jacquet was shared with US Soccer 20 years ago on how the French Federation successfully […]
US Soccer Needs to Reset
Responding to the ‘Let the Debates Begin’ article. Roby Stahl advocated re-publishing several articles he wrote and shared with US Soccer 24 years ago [See Reset #1]. The articles were written after Roby met with Ami Jacquet, the French National Team Head Coach, after winning the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 European Championships. […]
Getting Along With Your Coach
A coach can be described as an expert who has spent a lifetime acquiring and perfecting knowledge in a particular area. He is a friend who sometimes reminds you of what you already know and just fine-tunes it. He also teaches you new things to expand your horizons. As he can have a tremendous impact on your athletic […]
Small Sided Games?
Small Sided Games? I received this letter from one of my coaching colleagues, Ashley in New Jersey, and thought it was thought-provoking! While watching the Sky Blue team play the LA Sol this weekend an internal fight between me and my coaches reared its ugly head as I found myself arguing the “touch” versus “keep […]
The French Football Federation Technical Advisory Board and Player Selection Process
The French Football Federation Technical Advisory Board and Player Selection Process This is the third article in a series that was started two years ago. Please refer to the previous articles for background information. Some items will be discussed again as thing change in the world of soccer federations, curriculums and training methods. This article […]