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Machnik Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2017

No. 1 Soccer Camps is pleased to announce our Founder and President Dr. Joseph Machnik has been inducted to the very prestigious National Soccer Hall of Fame, Class of 2017.  Often referred to as “American Soccer’s Renaissance Man,” Dr. Joe has succeeded at every level of soccer in the United States.

Joe Machnik elected into National Soccer Hall of FameUniversally heralded as a visionary for his implementation of curriculum, methods and procedures for training of Goalkeepers at every level, Machnik’s methods are utilized today at fields and in stadiums all around the world. His influence has been felt by over 100,000 players, staff and families who have been part of his No. 1 Soccer Camps, currently in its 41st year of running soccer camps throughout the United States.

On behalf of No. 1 Soccer Camps, our directors, staff, campers and families, we send our sincerest appreciation for all that Dr. Joe has done for soccer in the United States. We congratulate Dr. Joe, his wife Barbara, daughters Janine and Collette, and the extended Machnik family for this amazing accomplishment.

As Rob Stone of Fox Sports so eloquently stated “Dr. Joe is one of our favorite human beings that we deal with, we are so proud!”

 

Dr. Joe Machnik’s accomplishments include:

  • All-American goalkeeper at Long Island University
  •  Coached LIU to the 1966 NCAA championship game — as a 23-year-old.
  • He was a member of the 1965 US Open Cup champion New York Ukrainians.
  • Coach Of  the Men’s and Women’s Soccer Team at the University of New Haven.
  • Assistant Coach with the U.S. National Team when it reached the World Cup for the first time in 40 years at Italy in 1990
  •  Director of referees for three leagues – Major Indoor Soccer League, Major League Soccer and National Premier Soccer League.
  • Coach of the New York Arrows (MISL).
  •  Commissioner of the American Indoor Soccer Association.
  •  A FIFA and CONCACAF Match Commissioner.
  •  Current Rules and Match commentator for FOX Sports.

 

“Joe is one of the great personalities of the sport in the States, a person who has been at every level from player to coach to referee, administrator in the league with a vast experience and vast knowledge of the game in this country.When you talk about the pioneers of the game in this country, he has to be one of them.” – Alfonso Mondelo, MLS’s director of player programs

To Shootout Or Not?

By No. 1 Soccer Camps Regional Director Rob Andrulis

Marco Van Basten, FIFA’s Chief Officer for Technical Development, thinks it is a good idea. Along with the expansion of the 2026 World Cup to 48 teams, FIFA is considering using run-up shootouts to break ties in the group stages of the World Cup. With the addition of the shootout, the World Cup could look like the early days of the MLS. If adopted this method could potentially be deciding matches in upcoming World Cup tournaments.

Since, 1996, the inaugural season of Major League Soccer, No. 1 Soccer Camps has been teaching the MLS shootout contest as part of our “Breakaways session.” During the session field players and goalkeepers are put through a series of technical breakaway exercises to prepare them for the contest at the end of the session. Safety is of the utmost importance while teaching the techniques of this situation.

“Back in the early days of the MLS, it was decided to institute the idea of having matches that where tied after regulation to have that tie be broken by a Shootout contest instead of penalty kicks,” said No. 1 Soccer Camps Founder Dr. Joe Machnik. “Back in the days of the NASL there was a 35 yard offside line put in place and by doing so, it created many break away situations from in and around that line, hence the idea of the 35-yard shootout was born.”

The set up for the MLS Shootout is very simple. The field player is 35 yards from goal and has five seconds once the ball is touched to shoot. The Goalkeeper must have at least one foot on the end line to start. If the goalkeeper touches the ball, the field player is not allowed to attempt a second shot. If a foul is committed by the goalkeeper inside or outside the box, a penalty kick is awarded and the Goalkeeper could receive a Yellow or Red card for the infraction. The MLS Shootout was developed to bring an exciting conclusion to the match – a true breakaway situation, field player versus goalkeeper, under the spotlight!

Dr. Joe added, “The MLS substitution rule at the time of three field players and one goal keeper allowed for many tactical changes near the end of regulation most notably goalkeeper changes.” A keeper who excelled in breakaway situation was often subbed late in the match for exactly that reason. A great example is how the Columbus Crew utilized Crew player (and former No. 1 Staff Coach) David Winner during a match. Then Columbus Crew Coach (and current No. 1 Soccer Camps Regional Director) Greg Andrulis liked the idea of the shootout and his ability to use Winner in that situation. “There were some nuances with it and it was a lot of fun; it brought some drama to the conclusion of the match instead of players and coaches shaking hands and moving onto the next match.”

Brazilian Legend Carlos Alberto Torres was a true wizard of the shootout during his playing days with New York Cosmos of the North American Soccer League. Also known as “O Capitao do Tri”, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest defenders of all time. During the shootout Carlos would use his incredible foot skills to lift a bouncing ball off the turf and calmly chip the on-rushing goalkeeper.

There are pros and cons to the Shootout Method of deciding a match. Injuries are an integral part of the equation. Collisions between the player and goalkeeper are a real possibility. On the flip side, in the past it allowed for a very exciting and entertaining way of deciding matches. The shootout also extended the playing careers of many American and International stars who excelled in the shootout format including International Great and Columbian National team player Carlos Valderamma who used his incredible touch and dribbling skills to score many artistic shootout goals.

Busch Shootout
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year (2008) and former No. 1 Camper and Staff Coach Jon Busch

We also asked for some thoughts from former No. 1 Camper and Staff Coach and 2008 MLS goalkeeper of the year Jon Busch. Jon has had a very successful professional career playing for many teams including the Columbus Crew with the then Head Coach Greg Andrulis. “As far as the shootouts I liked the idea. When I first started my pro career, we had them in the USL and I enjoyed them better than PK’s,” said Busch. “They gave the goalkeeper a better chance of being successful. I believe there is a bit more skill involved on both sides of the ball in a shootout then in a penalty kick”.

A lot to ponder as FIFA ultimately decides: To Shootout Or Not?

Check out these Best Old School MLS Shootouts

No. 1 Goalkeepers Top MLS 50 Greatest

Earlier this month, Everybody Soccer, a website dedicated to following American goalkeepers, published an article ranking the 50 Greatest MLS Goalkeepers of All Time.

No. 1 Soccer Camps was pleased to find SIX of the top TEN MLS goalkeepers are part of the No. 1 Soccer Camps family as former campers and/or coaches, and and four others round out the 50.

Top 10 GKs of All Time by Everybody Soccer

 1 Kevin Hartman (416 Games, 1997-2012)***

 2 Nick Rimando (424 Games, 2000-present)***

 3 Jon Busch (309 Games, 2002-2015)***

 4 Pat Onstad (223 Games, 2003-2011)

 5  Matt Reis (293 Games, 1998-2013)***

 6 Joe Cannon (342 Games, 1999-2013)***

 7 Zach Thornton (282 Games, 1996-2011)

 8 Tony Meola (250 Games, 1996-2006)***

 9 Scott Garlick (237 Games, 1997-2006)

 10 Tim Howard (102 Games, 1998-2003, 2016-present)

Additionally,

16. Bo Oshoniyi (109 Games, 1996, 2000-2006)***

20. Kasey Keller (93 Games, 2009-2011)***

23. Brad Friedel (38 Games, 1996-1997)***

30. Mark Dougherty (123 Games, 1996-2001)***

***Denotes No. 1 GK

No. 1 SOccer Camps History Goalkeepers
Brad Friedel with Dr. Joe Machnik circa 1993

No. 1 Soccer Camps has a long history with the MLS and US Soccer. No. 1 Soccer Camps founder Joe Machnik was an Assistant Coach for the U.S. National Team 1990 World Cup team as well as being a FIFA/CONCACAF Match Commissioner and being inducted into six Soccer Halls of Fames.

No. 1 Soccer Camps Regional Director Greg Andrulis is the former head coach of MLS’ Columbus Crew.

Our coaching staff has experience at every level of American soccer from high school to collegiate D1, 2, and 3, to Major League Soccer and the US National teams.  For over 40 years, No. 1 Soccer Camps has been training generations of quality goalkeepers and field players across the United States.

To learn more about No. 1 Soccer Camps and to locate a site near you, visit our website at www.No1SoccerCamps.com.