Rembraindt Plein, Amsterdam.

Champions League host hotel- Holiday Inn

Game is alive in Amsterdam- Ajax escaped with a win!

Ajax u18 match pitch- Ajax destroyed PSG in UEFA Super Youth match 6-1. Ajax showed that their method is alive and well!

Froylan  Ledezma- Costa Rica to Ajax 1997. 

GK Coach u18 Ajax

Ajax u15s vs. Vitesse

Bert Leonard with Gianluca Falsini. Great player for Parma and multiple teams in
Italia Seria A
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gianluca_Falsini

Luis Sibaja,
Former GM Liga Deportiva Alajuelense visits Amsterdam/Ajax
http://lda.cr/

Visit to Fredrikstad, Norway- Harry Hansen- U17 National Team Coach of Norway

Luis Sibaja, Former GM for Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and BertLeonard
CEO Interplay-sports, USA

Bert Leonard, Harry Hansen, U17 Norway National team coach, and Luis Sibaja

Arvild, Player development diretor and video coach for
LSK- Lillestrom Currently 4th place in
Tippeligaen Table

Hege Riise, Bert Leonard, Monica Knudsen, Woman's coaches for LSK 1st team

Ajax vs. PSG

Ajax set the tempo early by pressing and almost caught the keeper who took and extra touch. PSG. however, via Cavani, Ibra and Veratti began to take control of teh game due to their physical strength and pace. PSG scored on a defensive error from the #5 Boilesen who tried to shield the ball from Cavani but lost control and gave up a soft goal.
Ajax tried to find Boilessen via overlapping runs created by #16 tucking in when the ball was with Veltman or Viergever ( hold mid) The Ajax U19 had the same plan on both flanks, but had more success with better timing and earlier diagonal balls.
Ajax had better ball circulation the second half and started to push the game. A great freekick by Schone put them back in the game and in turn picked up the speed of play and intensity. Ajax controlled the last 15 minutes of the game but could not find the net and the match ended 1-1.

Ajax Pressed PSG. Ajax has good ball circulation but failed to penetrate PSG's midfield line. PSG was physically strong and was to able to counter at will the first half. Ajax set the tempo the second half and pushed to win the game in the 80th minute.

Ajax Youth System and Ajax vs PSG

I arrived in Amsterdam  Tuesday and have  been  immediately immersed into  the soccer culture of Amsterdam

Pic. with Stanley Menzo, Former GK for Ajax and Frank Rijkaard













The first impression I had from watching the u10 to U18 training was that the coaching staff works in unison and that each coach is specific in regard to technical and tactical coaching points. The players are constantly reminded about the technical demands, speed of each pass, of the game all wrapped into the philosophy of Ajax

Meeting today with Stanley Menzo and observation of the Super Liga Youth game. Ajax vs. PSG

Stay tuned for more information

Trip to Amsterdam and Oslo, Norway- Interplay-sports Headquarters

Hello all,

I am leaving Atlanta today for Amsterdam and Oslo, Norway. Oslo is the home to Interplay-sports video analysis software. Joining me on the trip is Luis Roberto Sibaja. Luis has been and is currently a "builder" of soccer in Costa Rica.  His work as head coach of the Tico U20 national team in 95 and 97 saw many players have long careers in the top domestic league in Costa Rica and many others under his guidance gained opportunities to play in other parts of Central America and Europe. A few on the list include, PauloWanchope, Harold Wallace, Steven Brice, Jervis Drummond, Wilmar Lopez,  and  finally Brian Ruiz who grew up in the youth system of  Alajuelense. Luis recently retired as GM of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense after many years of service as youth sport director, assistant coach, head coach, and his last role as a General Manager.

For those new to my blog, I am an assistant coach/video coach for the Atlanta Silverbacks of the NASL. I also coach at Oglethorpe University and United Football Academy. I have been a Manager for Interplay-sports North America for 7 years and I supported a contract  with US Soccer and currently support the USL Pro League contract  for continued education and support of Interplay-sports video analysis software.  http://uslpro.uslsoccer.com/home/801730.html

We start the trip with a visit from Stanley Menzo, former GK for Ajax when Cryuff was the head coach. Stanley will introduce us to the Ajax youth system and offer his ideas on player development.
Stay tuned for updates, interviews and lots of pics and videos  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanley_Menzo