Keys to box-to-box CM and life

Cover for loved ones

One of the many duties of a responsible box-to-box CM is to clean up messy situations for the team. Because the box-to-box CM inherently lives in the eye of the storm, she has more opportunities than any other position to have her teammates’ back when they require her most.  

If a winger gives the ball away on a square pass in the middle of midfield, a quality box-to-box CM will track the opposition as she tries to counter, providing another defensive body to stop 1v1’s or slow the attack so other players can scramble to proper defensive shape. When a striker has her back to goal and is out of options, the box-to-box CM hustles to open grass to provide an outlet for her teammate who has no other pass. Within minutes a box-to-box CM can clear a defensive header after a center back gives a ball away that leads to a cross and then find herself delivering a second assist with a clever pass in Zone 14 just a few sequences later.

Soccer is a team game to its core. The truest definition of teammate is an individual who only finds success from success of the group. The box-to-box CM knows this and exhibits it in every aspect of her game. It is why she can often be found in areas where the team desperately needs a savior. 

Friends, family and close social relationships are critical in the formation of a self-actualized human. Ponder all the excellent things one may accomplish in his or her life: graduations, promotions, caring for pets, marriage, procreation, achieving goals, learning a highly advanced language or skill, winning awards, all of these are rarely achieved without the support that comes from our tightest networks. 

Those closest to us will make mistakes, fail, get sick and require emotional support. They will struggle. A soul that provides a crutch in these dark and difficult times is a soul who is more closely connected to those who matter most. 

Acute awareness of surroundings 

Box-to-box CM is the most nautically challenging position in soccer. At a given moment, the box-to-box CM is dealing with situations not only on longitudinal and latitudinal planes, but also in diagonal space as well. A 90 minute match presents a myriad of spacing challenges for the box-to-box CM. Should he move three yards to the left to cut out a passing lane, or should he hold his ground and force an attacker into a pressure pocket? When he has the ball in the middle of midfield, should he move it quickly to the left fullback or chip it long to the right winger? Can he get the center forward more touches? 

Answering all these questions is daunting but if the box-to-box CM knows exactly where his teammates and opponents are at every moment, then he has a distinct advantage when trying to navigate ever-changing tides. The smartest box-to-box CM’s religiously peer over their shoulders to get stock of what’s going on around them. They know when they must rush and when to relax. They have a studious inventory of the 22-other people (the ref counts!) and ball that chaotically dance around the confined area of which they share. 

In life, opening one’s eyes and one’s ears is not only crucial for day-to-day physical safety (look both ways and listen before crossing the street!), but it is also amazing the things one can learn by hearing and observing their environment with rapt attention. 

Intense awareness also helps the brain with an easier path to mindfulness. Often the most peaceful moments one can experience come from noticing the details of a shaking leaf in the breeze, a powerful wave or a pink sunset.

Execute simplicity with precision

Strikers and goalkeepers get headlines for brilliant goals from distance or diving saves, the box to box CM, though, finds her glory in the minute details of the game.

The box to box CM can be compared to the team’s timekeeper. Possession patterns are rhythmic and methodical and its critical that the box to box CM connect short and easy passes with accuracy and a pace that is amenable. Consistently shifting the opposition from side to side and backwards and forwards helps tire them out, a strategy that can bear fruit with a late game-winning or game-tying goal. 

The box to box CM must be consistently reliable, even when passes or first touches seem stress free. Its these moments that separate the best box to box CM’s from the average ones. 

Success in life requires innovation and discipline however observing basic tenets of social behavior can yield massively positive results. Core values like showing up on time to work or social functions, smiling and being pleasant to collaborate with and treating others with respect and dignity might seem inherent for many, yet often those most troubled are too scattered to fulfill these types of behaviors with ease. Existence is complicated, simplifying it where possible reduces anxiety and engenders serenity.  

Cover ground, lots of it 

A key attribute that defines the box to box CM is the ability to cover tons of field without relenting. Being able to gallop from the defensive third to the attacking third on a consistent clip is no small task. Its one of the many areas that make a box to box CM so unique.

Extreme fitness and endurance afford the box to box CM the luxury of touching the ball in all zones of the playing field. Her engine never tires, and her tank never empties. 

Covering ground in life can mean a variety of different things. It can be prioritizing travel to better understand different cultures, societies and landscapes. It can also mean putting in extra effort in one’s vocation or attending social functions to keep in touch with friends and family who live far away. Moving the body also keeps the body healthy, sanitized, and clear. The pangs of life seem significantly less daunting after a cleansing sweat. 

Breathe early and often

Soccer is an emotional beast. The box to box CM spends hours and hours of her time to be able to perform well enough as to not let her teammates down in tiny, fleeting moments. Teammates bond to the point of near blood kinship. Situations change constantly for the box to box CM throughout the 90 minutes. The euphoria of what appears to be a late game-winning goal can so easily be liquefied mere moments later when the box to box CM makes a stupid square pass that leads to an interception and opposition goal.

For the box to box CM, remaining emotionally intelligent cannot be overstated. A steady breathing pattern can cool off the hottest of on field interactions, help push oxygen to tired legs when they need it most and coax the box to box CM into making smart decisions when chaos ensues around her.

Life rarely goes as planned. Traffic makes us tardy to work and play, cell phones run out of batteries and sometimes it literally rains on parades and wedding days. Its often so difficult to remain calm day-in, day-out when challenges like these gnaw at us. Making sure to take deep breaths when things do not goes as planned can bring rationality when raw emotions drive us to make mistakes, be rude or panic. 

Making Sense of the Nonsensical

Just under a scant year ago on July 28, 2013, Jurgen Klinsmann and Landon Donovan were chugging alcohol together, celebrating the U.S.’ redemptive 2013 Gold Cup victory in the locker-room after an all-encompassing dominate performance over Panama.

By nearly every offensive metric collected by Opta (OptaJack tweeted at one point during the Gold Cup his 12 chances created were the most in the tournament, for starters) Donovan was simply the best player in the tournament by miles on miles.  The eye-test said so, too.  Tactically deployed as a second striker, LD balled like I had never seen him ball before.  His movement off the ball was heady, his playmaking was proficient, his finishing electric and his set-piece delivery, delicious. 

It was the role I’d always hoped he would evolve to for the USMNT.  Sure, he’s a phenomenal winger, with pace and ability to beat defenders off the dribble and pitch-perfect technique to dangerously serve the rock with both feet into soft spots in the mixer.  He’s absolutely a deadly striker, too, as the U.S. soccer scoring records clearly indicate (all-time U.S. leading goal-scorer with 57, 21 more than current captain Clint Dempsey). 

But LD’s best traits have always been his ability to both create and finish.  What better spot to do that from than the middle of the park, with freedom to roam and find the game wherever he sees fit.  This was the spot for Donovan 2.0, the role that I thought could lead us deep into Brazil.  Klinsmann had figured out how to advantage of LD’s unique game. 

The swagger that was so clearly palpable throughout his entire career was back, too.  The shades, the celebrations, the knowledge that while the rest of CONCACAF was playing tidily-winks, Donovan was playing some version of chess us lay-folk had never heard of.  Perhaps with two Queens and more pieces, something like that.      

Fast-forward to September 10^th, 2013 where I once again witnessed an alcohol-fueled dance party in which both the German manager and the American legend were a part of.  The U.S. had qualified for the 2014 World Cup after out-classing longtime CONCACAF foil Mexico by the mythical U.S.-Mexico score- line of “dos-a-cero”.  The icing on the cake?  Donovan’s insurance goal in the 78^th minute and epic slide celebration, metaphorically chartering a flight for the Yanks down to Brazil come June.  All was right in the world.

This game even further cemented to me that JK had finally gotten over Donovan’s forever-debated “hiatus” from soccer and was ready to make him apart of the mix for good.  Although I’d argue it was barely a hiatus, considering he only missed a few U.S. games and a few Galaxy games, but that’s an argument for another day.

Regardless, Donovan’s deployment on the wing next to Dempsey that day was fine by me, considering Deuce is a beautiful option in that role, as well.  As long as the two were on the field together with my boys Michael Bradley and Jozy Altidore our attack would be dynamic.  Who cares who was stirring the drink?

Somewhere between that majestic moment on September 10^th, 2013 and yesterday’s shocking tweet by the official U.S. soccer account that announced the 23-man roster which did not include Donovan, something happened that led Jurgen Klinsmann to leave America’s all-time leading scorer, all-time leader in assists, 3-World Cup, 1-Confederation Cup-veteran Landon Donovan no choice but to watch the 2014 World Cup games from somewhere other than the U.S. starting 11 or bench in Brazil. 

Come again, JK?  

One argument some have hypothesized as to why Klinsmann would exclude Donovan this time around is based on form – Donovan has not scored yet for the L.A. Galaxy in 2014 MLS Regular Season play.  Straw-man’s argument, indeed: anyone who thinks deeply about the game knows there is much more to form than banging the ball in the net.

First, let us remember that LD is on the cusp of breaking the MLS all-time record for goals scored (he needs one more to be alone atop, adding another feather to his ridiculously impressive cap).  Might that monkey on his back slightly affect his MLS play?  Perhaps he is pushing for a goal and letting the record weigh on him? While these athlete’s we adore so much might have inhumane superpowers, they are indeed flesh and blood just like us.  They even have emotions.

Not to mention the Galaxy are adjusting to new teammates and changing tactics.  In the early MLS Regular Season Donovan has only played 7 games so far.  In said games, Arena has used Donovan as a left-midfielder, a right-midfielder, a striker and as the center-mid at the top of his midfield-diamond.

Perhaps the constant fluidity of his position and tactical role have something to do with his lack of “form.”  I do not have the numbers in front of me but I’d bet the farm there isn’t a single player in MLS, or in the World Cup maybe even that has been asked to play four different position in seven consecutive club games.

Has Donovan used this as an excuse?  Of course he has not because he’s a pro and a team-first guy.  

On top of that, it is lazy to point to his goalless season and suggest he’s been out of form.  Many of my colleagues at Opta who watch every game, and every game closely, report that he has actually played quite well and contributed defensively and in the flow of attack.

Goals don’t define form and they aren’t dependent of themselves, they require a ton of help from 10 other teammates.

Another theory is that Klinsmann’s contract through 2018 has him more concerned with the World Cup in Russia than this year’s Group of Death draw.  Hence the inclusion of youngsters Julian Green, John Anthony Brooks and DeAndre Yedlin (who, by the way deserves to be in the squad regardless, as my Opta friend Matt Pavlich has pointed out for some time, this dude is special.)

If this were true, why include Chris Wondolowski and Brad Davis, two MLS-lifers who will almost certainly not be in the picture come 2018 and who both have very specific skillsets that, frankly do not thrill me at the highest level of soccer.

Wondolowski seems like a great guy, works his tail off in games and has a keen sense of timing in the box.  His athleticism, though, leaves much to be desired.  And while Davis can serve an exquisite cross with his superb left-peg, Graham Zusi is nearly as dangerous from dead ball or open play with crossing.  And so is, wait, Landon Donovan.  Enjoy this from the Gold Cup as a refresher.

Simply stated: in every situation that could come up in a World Cup game, I would rather have LD to turn to than these two.

Perhaps Donovan is not fit and his carrying a secret injury?  It does not appear that way, at least as all of the early reports from Jeff Carlisle's twitter page have suggested.

Then there is team spirit and emotional aspect of this that adds to my befuddlement. Veterans like Tim Howard, Dempsey, DeMarcus Beasley and Altidore have been through battle after battle with Donovan over the years.  Teammates grow to love each and teammates know how critical certain guys are to success.  Just look below at how Dempsey celebrates his game-winning goal in the 11’ Gold Cup Semi-Final, pointing to then, super-sub Donovan as if to remind everyone just how much Dempsey and the USMNT need LD. 

Or listen to one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Tim Howard, gush over Donovan in a video on MLSSoccer.com just a few days ago in which he essentially says Donovan is one of the team's most dangerous players, top two or three.  

When times get tough in Manaus and Dempsey and Howard look to connect with someone they know and trust, that someone will not be Landon Donovan.

I cannot come close to trying to understand Klinsmann here.  He knows more about soccer than I can ever hope to know.  He was one of the best players of his generation and a genius.  I have been fully in support of everything he’s done during his time as coach: from pushing the players to try and compete in the highest leagues in Europe, to including the German-Americans and other dual-nationals in the team, to his tactics emphasizing modern theories of the game like pressing high and possessing with one and two-touch: I’ve been drinking the Klinsy Kool-Aid since day one.

This one is lost on me, though and I can’t for the world of me come up with a reason that makes an inkling of sense, as I’ve thoroughly waxed about above. 

Some suggest Klinsmann needs to be the star in any situation thus preferring first-timers and youngsters as opposed to the most famous player in U.S. soccer history on his team who might steal some of the spotlight in Brazil. 

By cutting Donovan is he sending a message that it is his-way, or the highway?  That mental health breaks are unacceptable for national team players and that a robotic approach to the USMNT is the only way to be included? 

Or is this simply a strategic decision, one in which the manager would prefer the 20 other field players he selected to tinker with during the team’s three group games in Brazil?

I do not know, again, none of this makes any sense. 

Does Klinsmann care that he has probably isolated a good portion of the younger generation of U.S. soccer fans who fell desperately in love with the team thanks to some of LD’s performances, some of which include his sick run and sick headed-finish in a 2-0 win over Mexico in the 02’ World Cup Round of 16, or the forever epic Algeria game-winner we will all hold in our hearts as forever special? 

Clearly not, that is just how JK roles – with his gun off safety, for better or for worse.   

And in this case, I do not get it.  Have I mentioned that?

I’m not one to say that if the World Cup doesn’t work out that Klinsmann needs to be fired and held accountable for not bringing Donovan.  Writers who suggest such crazy rhetoric like “he’ll really have to face it if the U.S. crashes and burns in Brazil, we’ll hold his feet to the fire, that’s for sure,” are being dramatic with their prose.  

One player does not make a team, 23 do.  And it’s the players who play, not JK.    

But the exclusion is shocking and as I’ve emphasized throughout this piece, extremely confusing.

I’ll still be rooting like hell for the team.  I would love it if Brad Davis offers up a ball that Wondo finishes against Portugal to but us through the group.  I hope Julian Green lights up the tournament like Donovan did as a teenager back in 02’ in Asia.  I want to see Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore celebrate a goal. 

Something will be missing, though and for one last time, I don’t get why. 

I’ve been lucky enough to remember five World Cups so far in my life.  Three of those have included Donovan.  An American player I loved to watch, was proud to watch and was electric to watch.

Thanks for the memories, LD.  If god-forbid someone gets hurt and needs replacing, I hope JK re-considers and invites you back.  If he does, please say yes.  If not, I get that too.  Finally, something about this situation I actually get.

One more time: “Go, go, USA!”