What is the most important space on a soccer field?Some suggest that it is the zone directly in front of the penalty area – referred to as Zone 14 – where the largest percentage of goal scoring opportunities originate. Custom USA Soccer Jerseys . Others suggest that the penalty area is the most important, as it is where the largest percentage of goals are scored. Still others suggest that the midfield is the most crucial area of the pitch, as it is often where games are "won and lost".I disagree with all three suggestions. For me, the most important space on a football pitch is the space between a players ears.For me, football is simply a game of decisions. The ability to make the correct decisions consistently is what is often referred to as a players "football IQ" or "football intelligence". You will often hear analysts refer to a player having a good "football brain", which is simply a way of saying that a player consistently makes the correct decisions on a football pitch.Does he pass the ball or does he dribble? If he passes the ball, whom does he pass it to? When he passes the ball, how hard does he pass it? Does he pass it to the left side or to the right side of the receiver? Does he pass it on the ground, or does he have to lift the ball in order to get it to its intended target?Players make thousands of these decisions during a 90-minute game, yet the difference between glory and failure can often rest on just one or two. For defenders, the wrong decision often results in conceding a goal.Consider Spains humiliating 5-1 loss to the Netherlands.Just one minute after Spains David Villa had a one-on-one with Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen – which would have put Spain in front 2-0 just before the halftime break had Silva scored - the Netherlands scored a fabulous equalizing goal through Robin van Persie. The goal completely changed the course of the game, as the momentum heading into the break turned 180 degrees in favour of the Netherlands.As wonderful as the goal was for the Netherlands, from Spains perspective it was a defensive calamity.When Dutch defender Bruno Martins Indi passed the ball to wingback Daley Blind, the assessment of the situation from Spanish defender Sergio Ramos was that there was no imminent danger.However, Ramos failed to correctly assess the situation because he got caught ball-watching. Ramos focused his attention on Blind, rather than on Robin van Persies position in relation to the ball at Blinds feet. Had he seen van Persies positioning on his back shoulder, Ramos would have realized that there was a genuine threat. Had Ramos then decided to run just three or four yards to get back into the correct defensive position, Blind would have opted to retain possession with a safer pass, rather than sending the ball forward for van Persie to attack.The ball in behind Spains back line from Blind was inch perfect, matched in quality only by the diving header from van Persie. The goal completely changed the course of the game, as the momentum swung in favour of the Netherlands – who went on to score four unanswered goals in the second half to pull off one of the results of the tournament.Consider Italys shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of Costa Rica.Usually one of the most consistent defensive teams at the international level, Italy was badly caught out for Bryan Ruizs game-winning goal.When Costa Ricas Júnior Díaz picked up the ball on the left flank and shaped to cross, Italys Giorgio Chiellini (arguably one of the best defenders in the world) never spotted the run of Ruiz off his back shoulder. Why? Because Chiellini never took his eyes off the ball.Yes, it was clever movement from Ruiz. But Chiellinis decision to focus solely on the ball, rather than on Ruizs movement in relation to the ball, resulted in a devastating outcome for Italy. A tremendous cross from Diaz and a clinical finish from Ruiz was all Costa Rica needed to separate the two sides, clinching the minnows passage to the knockout stage.Consider Ecuadors winning goal in their 2-1 victory over Honduras.One of the key principles of good defensive play is "see the ball, see the man". A good defender always puts himself in a position where he can see both the ball and the player he is marking. Generally speaking, this is a position that is ball-side and closer to the goal that is being defended than the attacker.On Ecuadors free kick, Honduran defender Juan Carlos García committed the cardinal sin of turning his back on the ball when marking Ecuadorian striker Enner Valencia. Garcia had no idea that the ball had been kicked, as he was trying to wrestle with Valencia instead. This left Valencia the easy task of wriggling away from Garcias clutches to head the ensuing cross into the back of the net.While there have been some examples of very good defensive play at the World Cup – Iran, Greece and Costa Rica have all put on excellent defensive performances in various games – I have been surprised at how many individual defenders are making fundamental defensive mistakes.As the game changes – fullbacks are now more coveted for their ability to get forward in attack than they are for their one on one defensive abilities – the characteristics of the next generation of defenders will also change. Speed, comfort on the ball and a wide passing range are all characteristics that the modern game seeks in its defenders.But those characteristics should never come at the expense of situational and positional awareness, tackling, heading, organization and communication. The young players - like Frances Raphael Varane and Uruguays José Giménez – who can marry all of these traits together will go on to be the next "defensive artists" of the modern game. USA Soccer Jerseys 2020 . She still remembers the massive roar of the home crowd when the Canadians walked out on the pitch before 47,784 fans at Commonwealth Stadium in 2002. Lang expects a similar reception for the Canadian team as the host nation at this years tournament, which begins Tuesday. USA Soccer Jerseys 2019 . The 10-year deal the league and players agreed to that ended the 2011 lockout gave either side the right to opt out after six years. With the league projecting financial growth, there has been speculation that players will take that option in three years, especially since a new national TV contract will be in place by then. https://www.cheapusasoccer.com/ . A fully booked flight forced me to leave two hours later. After a nice meal in which I studied the stats of the Argo win, I prepared to leave the restaurant. As I was gathering my things to leave many large individuals began to walk up and wait for tables.ST. LOUIS - Bruce Arians was sick and tired of talk about the St. Louis Rams consecutive shutouts.The Arizona Cardinals, their coach boasted, were much better on that side of the ball.With the exception of rookie Aaron Donalds sack that injured quarterback Drew Stantons right knee, They were not near our quarterback, Arians said after a 12-6 victory Thursday night moved the Cardinals closer to clinching a playoff spot. Everybody talking all that stuff about how great their defence is, they saw a good defence tonight. It was in red and white.For the second straight meeting against St. Louis, the Cardinals (11-3) lost a quarterback.Im glad we dont have to play the Rams anymore, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald said.They won both times, thanks to a defence that surrendered only 20 points.Chandler Catanzaro kicked four field goals and Larry Foote had a sack and fumble recovery.Arians said Stanton had a previous knee injury so will need an MRI exam to determine the extent of the damage.Well take it very slowly with him and see how it goes, Arians said.The Rams (6-8) were held to Greg Zuerleins two short field goals and had five three-and-out series in the third quarter. Catanzaros 23-yard field goal early in the second quarter ended nine quarters of shutout defence by St. Louis, which beat Washington and Oakland by a combined 76-0 the previous two weeks.The Rams were eliminated from playoff contention.We got outplayed and we got outcoached and we just put a bad display out there, tight end Jared Cook said. Its pretty self-explanatory.Ryan Lindley was ineffective in his first appearance since 2012 in relief of Stanton, who injured his right knee on the sack in the third quarter, but it didnt matter. The Cardinals lost Carson Palmer to a season-ending knee injury during their 31-14 home victory over St. Louis last month.Arians opted for Lindley over rookie Logan Thomas.It was not a time to put Logan out there, Arians said. Hes going to be a good player someday, but hes not ready for this yet. And Ryan was more than ready.Kerwynn Williams was the Cardinals offensive standout with 75 yards on 15 carries. Stanton was 12 of 20 for 109 yards and Lindley was 4 of 10 for 30 yards. Fake USA Soccer Jerseys. The Cardinals entered tied for the top overall record in the NFC and will clinch a playoff spot if Sundays Dallas-Philadelphia game doesnt end in a tie, or a Detroit loss combined with a Green Bay victory.My first time with 11 wins. Im happy, cornerback Patrick Peterson said as he walked into the locker room.Rams players had no apparent protests relating to unrest in nearby Ferguson. Two weeks ago, five players did the Hands Up, Dont Shoot pose coming out of the tunnel during pre-game introductions, and last week players wrote I Cant Breathe!!! on wrist bands and cleats.Rams rookie Tre Masons fumble gave the Cardinals a short field that set up Catanzaros first field goal. Frostee Rucker punched the ball free and Foote recovered at the St. Louis 27.It was the first score given up by the Rams since Nov. 23, when San Diego scored the winning touchdown with just over 8 minutes left in a 27-24 victory.Michael Floyd 49-yard reception set up Catanzaros 44-yard field goal that put the Cardinals up 6-3 midway through the second. Catanzaro made kicks of 51 yards and 46 yards in the second halfArizona committed five penalties on its first two possessions, twice wiping out big gains. Shaun Hill was 4 for 4 with completions of 21 yards to Benny Cunningham on a screen and Cory Harkey for 16 yards to set up Zuerleins 24-yard field goal in the first. Zuerlein missed an extra-point kick and two field goals inside the 40 last week.Notes: Fitzgerald was held in check against a team he has dominated, finishing with seven receptions for just 30 yards. Still, at 31 he became the youngest player to 900 career catches. In 22 games against St. Louis, he has 128 receptions and 16 TDs, most against any opponent. ... The Cardinals last won a road game without scoring a touchdown in 1935. ... The Rams led at halftime of their previous five home games this season, two of them losses. ... The Cardinals took the lead in the series, 36-35-2. ... Arizona is 7-0 at home and 4-3 on the road. ... The Rams entered with consecutive wins for the first time this season and are 3-4 at home.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '