(Blog date January 19, 2016)
With the news that the Philippine Football Federation is ready to take up the stewardship of the nation's top club competition in 2017, or so they've announced at least, I have a few things to get off my chest in the hopes that the PFF will not continue some of the UFL's current practices. After a couple of years observing the United Football League, I can no longer ignore this nagging urge to weigh in on an issue that I feel is of critical importance to the development of the Philippine national program. In the opinion of this crackpot blogger, the phenomenon of filling the ranks of top-tier football clubs with increasing numbers of imported players does not bode well for the future of the game in the Philippines. The argument that these imports raise the quality of play just doesn't hold water. In fact, based on my observations, I cannot help but conclude that the large number of imports in the UFL actually lowers the quality of play, as an overwhelming majority of these current imports are mediocre at best, committing error after amateurish unforced error, frustrating this blogger with a lackluster game that would earn them not even a spot on a third division bench in the United States.
No, I'm not talking about the balikbayans like OJ Porteria, nor the half-Pinoys exploring their cultural identity such as Ott, Hartmann, Schrock, Guirado, Greatwich (his foul mouth not withstanding) and the Younghusbands, nor expatriates adopting the Philippines as their home such as Adam Mitter and Misagh Bahadoran, who is arguably the most effective striker this side of the West Philippine Sea, despite his volatile temper. These guys bring an intense intelligent creative game, solid and steady, with rhythmic movement, efficient touches, challenging every ball defensively and sharing it all over the pitch offensively. Although there are still some aspects of the game I'd like to see improvement on, the fundamentals are solid and these guys do bring quality to the game that helps in its development in the country. I'm not referring to the likes of those guys.
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| Global FC expatriate Misagh Bahadoran (9), arguably the most effective striker this side of the West Philippine Sea, is one of few foreign players worthy of top-flight playing time in Philippine football. The abundance of mediocre imports in the UFL undermines the development of the Philippine game. (Photo by Kokoy) |
We need to start looking at playing time in the top tiers of the Philippine league as a national resource, vital to the development of the domestic program. Club management need to stop wasting these precious minutes of playing time on mediocrity. These ineffective unqualified imports can go play in the lower divisions of Europe and North America, or Japan, Korea, China and the Middle East and they will be just fine over there. They don't need to come to the Philippines and use up this vital national resource, these precious minutes of playing time at the most competitive level in the country critical to the development of the domestic Filipino player, whose opportunities are far fewer than the rest of the world's players. UFL clubs have hired a corps of professional coaches, an invaluable source of expertise, of whose training and mentorship domestic Filipino players are in urgent need.
It is my hope that the PFF possesses the sagacity, vision and will necessary to establish a sustainable system for the nation and, instead of squandering these opportunities on waves of foreign imports bringing and perpetuating mediocrity in the Philippines' top league, a dead end developmental model, require Philippine clubs to invest these vital resources in the domestic Filipino player. Such an investment would pay much bigger dividends in the long run not only for club and league, but more importantly, for country.
Kokoy Severino has coached junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 21 years. He holds several coaching licenses from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, including a National Youth Diploma, as well as two certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths. He is now Associate Principal at Hyde Park Schools in Austin, Texas, where he has established the first soccer program in school history at the middle and elementary levels. Kokoy attended a total of 52 matches in 2015, excluding the ones he was coaching in. Check out the archives of Kokoy's Women's College Soccer Blog.
Kokoy Severino has coached junior high school soccer in the public school system of the Greater Houston area for 21 years. He holds several coaching licenses from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, including a National Youth Diploma, as well as two certifications from the United States Soccer Federation, and a Master in Educational Leadership degree from the University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas. His research focuses on the relationship between interscholastic competitive soccer and the academic success of at-risk students. He returns regularly to his native country of the Philippines and conducts soccer training sessions for economically disadvantaged youths. He is now Associate Principal at Hyde Park Schools in Austin, Texas, where he has established the first soccer program in school history at the middle and elementary levels. Kokoy attended a total of 52 matches in 2015, excluding the ones he was coaching in. Check out the archives of Kokoy's Women's College Soccer Blog.
Kokoy's 2015 UFL Photo Albums:
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 2:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 8:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday July 11 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 12 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 12 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 19 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Wednesday July 22 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Wednesday July 22 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Thursday July 23 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League Division 2 (Philippines)
Wednesday July 29 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
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KOKOY'S 2015 SOCCER MATCH PHOTO ALBUMS
(Click the links to view Kokoy's photos.)
Saturday March 7 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Friday March 13 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 6:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 2:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday March 21 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 8:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Friday March 27 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 8:00 pm
Liga MX (Mexico)
Saturday March 28 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Friday April 10 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
National Women’s Soccer League (USA)
Saturday April 11 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday April 25 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Friday May 1 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Tuesday May 5 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday May 16 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Thursday May 28 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Dynamo Charities Cup
Major League Soccer (USA) vs English Premiere League (England)
CANCELLED DUE TO UNSATISFACTORY PITCH SURFACE CAUSED BY STORM
Friday June 5 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday June 6 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
National Women’s Soccer League (USA)
Wednesday June 17 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup 4th round
Major League Soccer vs United Soccer League (USA)
Saturday June 20 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
National Women’s Soccer League (USA)
Saturday June 27 -
@ Toyota Field, San Antonio, Texas 7:30
Friendly
North American Soccer League (USA) vs Primera Division (Costa Rica)
Saturday July 11 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 12 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 12 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Sunday July 19 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Wednesday July 22 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 5:15 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Wednesday July 22 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Thursday July 23 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League Division 2 (Philippines)
Wednesday July 29 -
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines 7:45 pm
United Football League (Philippines)
Saturday August 8 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Friday August 14 -
@ Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT, Austin, Texas 7:30 pm
Friendly
Big XII Conference vs Southland Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Saturday August 15 -
@ Holloway Field, Rice, Houston, Texas 7:00 pm
Friendly
Conference USA vs American Athletic Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Sunday August 23 -
@ Holloway Field, Rice, Houston, Texas 1:00 pm
Conference USA vs Mountain West Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Sunday August 23 -
@ Alexander Durley Stadium, TSU, Houston, Texas 7:00 pm
Southwest Athletic Conference vs Red River Athletic Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I
vs National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (USA)
Friday August 28 -
@ Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT, Austin, Texas 7:00 pm
Texas Longhorns Invitational Tournament
Big XII Conference vs Atlantic Coast Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Saturday August 29 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Sunday August 30 -
@ Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT, Austin, Texas 1:00 pm
Texas Longhorns Invitational Tournament
Big XII Conference vs Big X Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Friday September 4 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
International friendly
Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South America)
Saturday September 5 -
@ Kelly Reeves Athletic Complex, Round Rock, Texas 7:30 pm
United Soccer League (USA)
Sunday September 6 -
@ Holloway Field, Rice, Houston, Texas 7:00 pm
Conference USA vs Southeastern Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Saturday September 12 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Sunday September 13 -
@ Carl Lewis Field, UH, Houston, Texas 1:00 pm
American Athletic Conference vs Southland Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Sunday September 20 -
@ Lewis-Chen Family Field, SEU, Austin, Texas 1:00 pm
Heartland Conference vs East Coast Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II (USA)
Wednesday September 23 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday September 26 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:30 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Sun October 4 -
@ Alexander Durley Stadium, TSU, Houston, Texas 1:00 pm
Southwestern Athletic Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Friday October 9 -
@ Sorrels Field, HBU, Houston, Texas 5:00 pm
Southland Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Saturday October 10 -
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 7:00 pm
Dynamo Charities Cup
Major League Soccer (USA) vs Liga MX (Mexico)
Sunday October 11 -
@ Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT, Austin, Texas 4:00 pm
Big XII Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Sunday October 25 -
@ Mike A. Myers Stadium, UT, Austin, Texas 4:00 pm
Big XII Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division I (USA)
Saturday October 31 -
@ Rouse High School, Leander, Texas 5:00 pm
American Southwest Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III (USA)
Sunday November 1 -
@ Lewis-Chen Family Field, SEU, Austin, Texas 2:30 pm
Heartland Conference
National Collegiate Athletics Association Division II (USA)
------------------------------
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KOKOY'S UPCOMING 2016 SOCCER OBSERVATION SCHEDULE:
Saturday February 13 -
Costa Rica vs Puerto Rico
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 12:30 pm
2016 Olympics Qualifying tournament
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
Saturday February 13 -
USA vs Mexico
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 3:00 pm
2016 Olympics Qualifying tournament
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
Sunday February 14 -
Guyana vs Guatemala
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 12:30 pm
2016 Olympics Qualifying tournament
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
Sunday February 14 -
Trinidad & Tobago vs Canada
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 3:00 pm
2016 Olympics Qualifying tournament
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
Sunday February 21 -
Semifinal winner vs Semifinal winner
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 4:00 pm
2016 Olympics Qualifying tournament Final
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football
Sunday March 6 -
Houston Dynamo vs New England Revolution
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 2:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Tuesday March 16 -
Kaya FC vs Balestier Khalsa FC
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines time TBA
2016 AFC Cup
United Football League (Philippines) vs S.League (Singapore)
Asian Football Confederation
Saturday April 2 -
FC Dallas vs Columbus Crew SC
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday April 9 -
FC Dallas vs San Jose Earthquakes
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Sunday April 10 -
Houston Dynamo vs Seattle Sounders FC
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 2:45 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Tuesday April 26 -
Kaya FC vs Kitchee SC
@ Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines time TBA
2016 AFC Cup
United Football League (Philippines) vs Premiere League (Hong Kong)
Asian Football Confederation
Saturday May 7 -
Houston Dynamo vs Sporting Kansas City
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday May 14 -
Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday June 4 -
Brazil vs B2
@ Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California time TBA
Copa America Centenario
Confederación Sudamericana de Fútbol (South America) vs B2
Sunday June 5 -
Mexico vs C2
@ University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona time TBA
Copa America Centenario
Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football vs C2
Saturday June 11 -
A2 vs A3
@ NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBA
Copa America Centenario
Saturday June 18 -
Houston Dynamo vs DC United
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
OR
1C vs 2D
@ Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California time TBA
Copa America Centenario Quarterfinal
Sunday June 26 -
Semifinal winner vs Semifinal winner
@ MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey time TBA
Copa America Centenario Final
Saturday August 13 -
Houston Dynamo vs Toronto FC
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday August 27 -
Houston Dynamo vs FC Dallas
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday September 3
FC Dallas vs Portland Timbers
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday September 10 -
FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday September 24 -
Houston Dynamo vs Portland Timbers
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday October 1
FC Dallas vs LA Galaxy
@ Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas 8:00 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
Saturday October 8 -
Houston Dynamo vs Colorado Rapids
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas time TBD
Major League Soccer (USA)
Sunday October 16 -
Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy
@ BBVA Stadium, Houston, Texas 5:45 pm
Major League Soccer (USA)
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