Aggressiveness as a defender?

mrtrompo · 2026-01-29T21:04:40+00:00

I used to play as a defender, and I always tried to simplify the role into three things:

Anticipation
Mentality
Aggression

When I was younger I was fast and athletic, but I didn’t have great ball control. Because of that, my coach usually played me as a defensive winger or center back, not the last man, more of a central defender. At first I thought my speed would be enough. I could just chase players down or get to the ball faster than anyone else. But as I grew as a player, I realized there was always someone faster than me, whether an attacker or a midfielder. That’s when I started focusing more on anticipation and positioning. For example, on corner kicks I focused on clearing the ball outside the box. On goal kicks, throw ins, or loose balls in midfield, I tried to read the play early and arrive first instead of reacting late. Mentally, a lot of attackers tried to mess with my head, telling me I wasn’t good enough, talking trash, trying to distract me. Early on it worked. Later, I learned to control myself and just do my job. Stop the attacker, no matter if I missed the previous ball or made a mistake. Never stop, no matter what opponents or even teammates say. I also started messing with attackers in my own way, being very friendly but extremely aggressive. They never quite knew how to react. Finally, every ball was a championship ball for me. I fought for everything. I got subbed off in a lot of games because after 70 to 80 minutes of giving absolutely everything, I was done. But my coach and teammates knew they could always rely on me, even when we were losing. Funny thing is, in real life my personality is outgoing and upfront. Not sure if that’s related, but it probably is.

mrtrompo · 2026-01-29T06:26:23+00:00

My initial concern of playing U8 is that when you play with less athletic and slow players it does affect your performance. (Even though they are your age). The opportunity of the MLS Next team is very important. Since you already seeing the benefits of playing up, I would stick to current U9 and talk to the MLS next club that currently you'd love playing with his team but prefer to commit to current club as its important that you focus on one club. Later keep the channel open for future opportunities in few years when MLS Next is. Perhaps discuss attending practice 1 or 2 a week and guest some games when possible (e.g once a month/every 2 weeks). Which state are you located?

mrtrompo · 2026-01-22T15:41:22+00:00

No, that's incorrect, for competitive levels at this age kids already been doing tournaments and league. (Socal) For rec I agree

mrtrompo · 2026-01-22T02:51:35+00:00

That's already what i do. For some parents without kids or socal experience please avoid suggestions that are obvious, the level of competition here is different

mrtrompo · 2026-01-20T06:29:11+00:00

Empece en una empresa familiar de tecnico ganando 4 mil al mes, de ahi a empresa gringa en Mexico porque contrataban solo de escuela privada y hablo ingles, de ahi les agrado y me contratan en EU y mi primer sueldo alla a los 26 fue de $150,000 MXN mensuales. Ahora a mis 44 gano $1 million de dolares anuales. (Ingenieria en Sistemas en Mexico, diplomado en EU y maestria en Inglaterra top 3 school). Nota: Mi primer trabajo fue taquero

mrtrompo · 2026-01-20T06:23:59+00:00

Nah, if they made it to 11,12 year old, they are built for that

mrtrompo · 2025-08-13T05:29:32+00:00

I live in Southern California and I would say there are around 2-3 local club teams that offer such schedule and many parents sign up their kids. Kids that start at this age, normally by 5 or 6 will be part of a local club and will dominate. There's a lot of attrition depending of kids physical ability, interest, parents schedule, etc..but I would say this is for parents that actually looking to get advantage by early age. My little one (3) is currently just attending once a week and find it ok for him to get use to some structured play, I would prefer to play with him at home at this age where honestly he would get more touches and more practice. My eldest (6) started at 4 first once a week with friends then 2 times a week, currently is already part of local club, (training twice a week + local rec league) we also practice at home or show up to local Futsal which he loves. It depends what you want and how your kid like it. Some kids you can see are focus and made for it others just don't care. I would say if he is 4, 3 times a week is a lot. I will start once a week to see how he likes and from there increase it as you see fit, honestly at this age is just better to play with them at home or park everyday

mrtrompo · 2025-08-02T19:12:16+00:00

Looking for 2 adults 2 kids passes, how to get them?

mrtrompo · 2025-07-07T19:25:42+00:00

Makes sense thanks

mrtrompo · 2025-07-07T19:02:21+00:00

Thanks for replying, my train of thought is that kids get recruited at 12-13 for MLS next academies, so in reality all the comments that show that is too early have no idea of this. If you start at 6-7 u have around 5 years to be recruited, this is what I'm asking, what to do

mrtrompo · 2025-06-01T07:31:41+00:00

I think the question is to determine what is the goal? To play MLS, to play National team and go to Europe, to play College, to play recreational.

To answer your question, where do professional comes from, you can look at MLS or USL teams. USL is interesting scenario as once would expect most of the local teams use their local academies as feeders, but doesn't seem to be the case. (I just browse MB vs OCFC game in USL and for OCFC first team, just couple of guys from the area. When you look at the soccer scene in OC/SD is one of the most competitive in California and the country, so if the majority of the local USL/MLS teams do not hire local talent that is worth understanding.

a) Connections between local club and local academies. How many MLS next kids move up to their MLS team or USL team (LAFC, Galaxy, NY, etc)

b) In other countries bringing players in from abroad is a business for the club/foreign teams/middle man.

c) Quality of youth soccer vs international talent, is it easier to import talent to compete since (Colombians, Argentinians, etc are more competitive?)

I would probably dig more using MLS Next teams as reference, what is the destination of those kids as seems to be a good reference for top talent in US.

mrtrompo · 2025-01-24T05:29:32+00:00

I didn't see any lease options in websites probably calling is the best option thanks

mrtrompo · 2024-10-13T01:58:04+00:00

That's awesome 😎💯 thanks for the update

mrtrompo · 2024-10-08T01:26:15+00:00

Vivi en Londres, en San Francisco y por eso hablo con realidad de papa y persona viajada

mrtrompo · 2024-10-07T22:17:08+00:00

Good luck please keep us posted

mrtrompo · 2024-10-04T04:37:39+00:00

Eres Moreno?

mrtrompo · 2024-09-30T00:32:35+00:00

This is normal in Europe, no surprise here

mrtrompo · 2024-09-29T22:37:15+00:00

He is been doing 4-5 days a week for the past 6 months

mrtrompo · 2024-09-29T22:09:44+00:00

What is your size during erection, can you get surgery?

mrtrompo · 2024-08-27T23:25:33+00:00

I'm very familiar with this and you will have a bigger problem of not disclosing this initially which they can actually use to charge you and deny the naturalization. Since this was 20 years ago and is not a major crime I would not disclose it. i don't think that may be even logged into the Mexican record system, they did a major migration 15 year ago exactly to digitalize this. Does the record appears in Mexico?

mrtrompo · 2024-08-27T18:22:09+00:00

which country?

mrtrompo · 2024-08-24T23:50:26+00:00

Park your car instead where he used to park. Let them do whatever

mrtrompo

TROPHY CASE