Crossbar Conversations with Don & Blodge

AGENDA - Talking Goalkeeping with a "99er"
Intro - Saskia Webber
Men's World Cup - Review of Goalkeeping
Women's World Cup Preview
Benefits of Genders Training Together
GK Development & GK Coaches Roles
Lack of GK Coaches
Club's Role in GK Development 
Parents Need to Know What's Expected
GK Development Model by Sex/Age
 
COACH - Saskia Webber - a member of the famed 1999 USA World Cup Championship Team, Webber has had a stellar career. Throughout her career, Webber has earned titles such as All American, Missouri Athletic Club GK Of the Year, Honda Award Winner Finalist, Soccer America Goalkeeper of the Decade, and Hall of Fame member at Rutgers University in NJ. She started her National Team career at age 17 where she was a member of the under 20 team. Her Senior Team debut was in 1992 where she would become a mainstay with the U.S. Team for the next 8 years. Her career with the Women’s National Team saw her earn a bronze medal in the 1995 World Cup and a gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Olympics. She was also part of the team that won the gold medal in the 1999 World Cup in front of 90,000 people, the largest crowd to ever watch a women’s game.
Webber played professional soccer for 3 years in Japan for Oki FC where she was named the top goalkeeper of the league. In 2001, as a founding member of the WUSA, Webber played the inaugural season for the Philadelphia Charge. She finished her soccer playing career with her home team The New York Power. Inducted into the Mercer County Soccer HOF.
 
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Coach: Rutgers University, NC State University
Director: Soccer Plus Goalkeeper Camps
Goalkeeper Coach UNC camps
Elite Level Private Coaching 10years
Goalkeeper Coach: The Archer School
Director of Goalkeeping: LA Bulls

AGENDA - Goal Player
Frans Hoek Intro & Johan Cruyff Influence
Back Pass Rule (in 1992) Changed Everything
Goal Player Influence on Dutch Soccer
Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta, and Other Coaches
How to Implement the Goal Player Philosophy
Make Practice = The Game
Do What's Best for Kids
Read, Decide, Action
 
COACH - Frans Hoek -  one of world football's foremost goalkeeping leaders.  Former Goalkeeper Coach with Ajax, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Galatasaray, Netherlands National Team, Saudi Arabia National Team, & the Poland National Team.  Coached in the 2006 FIFA World Cup, 2012 UEFA Euros, 2014 FIFA World Cup.  Advisor & Lecturer with FIFA, UEFA, the Royal Dutch Football Association & the Japan Football Association..  Author of 1) So Now You Are a Goalkeeper, 2) Match Analysis and Game Preparation, 3) The Coaching Philosophies of Louis Van Gaal & the Ajax Coaches.

AGENDA - Evolution of Goalkeeping within U.S. Soccer
Dr. Joe Machnik Introduction
Dr. Machnik's Book - From the Sandlots to the World Cup: Inside 7 Decades of American Soccer
Soccer Referee & Rules Analyst
Protecting the Goalkeeper
Essential GK Skills: Leadership, Management, & Presence
Goalkeeping Knowledge for Head Coaches
 
COACH - Dr. Joe Machnik - 7 Decade Soccer Career.  Owner, No. 1 Soccer Camps.  Former USMNT Assistant Coach.  National Soccer HOF Inductee (2017).  Current Rules Analyst for FOX Sports covering the 2026 Men's World Cup.  Past Rules Analyst for two Men's World Cups, two Women's World Cups, two Copa Americas, multiple CONCACAF Gold Cups, UEFA Champions & Europa Leagues, F.A. Cup in addition to other global tournaments.  Former Referee-in-Chief Major Indoor Soccer League (MILS).  Former Commissioner, American Indoor Soccer Association (AISA).  Former VP of Game Operations, Major League Soccer (MLS).  

AGENDA - Defensive Culture = Team Success
Defensive Culture at Rutgers = Team Success
Team Trust 
Relationships Between HC, Defenders, GKs & GK Coach
Team Defensive Organization is CRITICAL to Team Success
Competitive Advantage
Life Lessons
Photos of Memory Lane at Rutgers University
 
COACH - Alexi Lalas - Currently, Commentator for FOX Sports.  Former USMNT, Serie A & MLS Professional Player.  Participated in the 1994 World Cup (Honorable Mention WC All-Star).  96 CAPS (1991 - 1998).  Former President & General Manager San Jose Earthquakes, General Manager of the NY Red Bulls, & President of the LA Galaxy.  NCAA Player of the Year winning the Herman Trophy & Missouri Athletic Club Trophy while at Rutgers University in 1991.  3-Time NCAA All American.  
 
COACH - Bob Reasso - Acclaimed Collegiate & Prep Soccer Coach with over 430 wins.  Former HC at Rutgers University (29 years). Rutgers Athletics HOF.  2015 NCAA DII National Champion w. Pheiffer University.  2-time NCAA National Coach of the Year.  4 Final Four Appearances. 16 NCAA Tournament Appearances.  60 Former Players Played Professionally. 

AGENDA - Club GK Culture: GK Coaches in Team Setting & GK Coaches Licensing
Background / Introduction 
Invest in the Coaching Staff
"Make it Look Like Soccer"
Developing GK Coaches to Coach During Games
Federation Educational Changes Needed
GK Culture
Head Coaches: GK Knowledge & Understanding
 
COACH - Tom Goodman - Recognized as an International Youth Soccer Expert.  A License Coach.  USSF National Youth License.  Former U.S. Youth Soccer National Director of Coaching Education.  Former USSF National Staff Coach (Region 1).  Former USSF & U.S. Youth Soccer National Instructor.  Author - 1) The Youth Soccer Coaching Model, 2) Soccer Coaching Made Easy

Agenda:   Characteristics of the Highest Level Goalkeepers
Characteristics of Highest Level GKs
GK Training & Competitiveness at the Highest Levels
Experiences Coaching Tony Meola & Zach Thornton
5 Elements of a GK's Development
Experiences Coaching Tim Howard
GK Trainers vs GK Coaches
Head Coach & GK Coach Relationships
Influence on Head Coaches
Importance of Relationships & Trust
GK Coaching Education
 
Coach:  Tim Mulqueen, St. Joseph's University Men's Head Coach - Current Head Coach with St. Joseph's University Men's Soccer.  Former USMNT GK Coach.  Former Professional GK Coach (Kansas City Wizards, MetroStars, Orlando City).  Winner of the MLS Cup (2000), Supporters Shield (2000), & US Open Cup (2004).  Former Professional Head Coach (Memphis 901).  Former AC @ Rutgers University Men's Soccer.  Coached the likes of Tim Howard, Tony Meola, Brad Guzan, Kasey Keller, Zach Thornton, Brad Friedel, Kevin Hartman, Mike Ammann, amongst others.  
 

Agenda:  Successful Head Coach & GK Coach Relationship
UNC Women Dynasty
Team Culture Mentality
Core Values & Trust
Competition within the Team Environment
Peer Feedback 
GK Leadership 
 
Coach:  Anson Dorrance, Retired University of North Carolina (UNC) Head Coach - Head Coach of UNC Women's soccer team from 1979 - 2024, and the men's team from 1977 - 1988.  21-time NCAA National Champion. 7-time NCAA National Coach off the Year.  USWNT Head Coach.  World Cup Winner (1991).  UNC Sports Hall of Fame (2005).  
 
Coach:  Chris Ducar, University of North Carolina (UNC) Assistant Coach & General Manager - 30+ years with UNC.  UNC GK Coach, 26 years.  9-time NCAA National Champion.  2006 National Assistant Coach of the Year named by National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NCSAA).  Former USYNT GK Coach.

Agenda:  Worldwide Goalkeeping Development Trends
Global Goalkeeping Development Trends
US vs UK vs Worldwide - Differences & Similarities
GK Culture
GK Coach vs Head Coach Relationship
GK Coach Influences within the Club 
GK Coaching Education
Influence of the 5 Elements of a GK's Development
Pain Points
Next Steps
 
Coach:  Tony Elliott (Birmingham, England) - UEFA A License GK Coach.  Head of Women's International Youth Goalkeeping at the F.A.  Head of F.A.'s Para Lead GK Coach.  Lead GK Coach, England Men's Blind & Deaf Squad.  International Futsal Coach & Educator.    2-time F.A. Disability Coach of the Year.  2025 Nations Cup Gold Medal, International Blind Soccer Association.  Author - A Modern Approach to Goalkeeping.  Former Professional Goalkeeper (Hereford United, Huddersfield Town, Carlisle United, Cardiff City, Scarborough).  Former Professional GK Coach (Birmingham City Women).  Former England National Team Futsal GK Coach. 

Agenda:  The Evolution & Future Trends of Goalkeeper Coaching
Tactical Game Related Training
GK Coaching Education
Goalkeeping Game Model
GK Coach - Official Member of the Coaching Staff
Proper Training Environment
Environment vs Session
Communication Between HC and GK Coach
Mentorships
 
Coach:  Phil Wheddon (Pennsylvania) - Philadelphia Union Assistant Coach & Director of Goalkeeping.  FIFA Technical Expert.  International Goalkeeper Coaches Conference (IGCC), Director.  Former USNT Goalkeeper Coach for the Men & Women.  Coached in 3 World Cups & 2 Olympics.

Agenda:  Psychological Pressures of Goalkeeping
Who Needs to Understand?
Support Group is Needed
How do Coaches Administer Pressure in Training?
How Do Coaches Train the Mind?
Tools to Relieve Pressure
Pressure & Confidence Go Hand in Hand
Life Lessons
Pressure is a Privilege
 
Coach:  Dr. Bill Steffen (North Carolina) - Associate Professor of Sport Science Wingate University.  United Soccer Coaches Lead Educator GK Education.  27 Years Collegiate Coach.  2-time National Champion with North Carolina Women's Soccer.  2016 United Soccer Coaches Berticelli Award (Outstanding Contributions to Soccer Education).