Crooks: Cruyff's Influence On World Soccer Will Continue Forever

By Glenn Crooks
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In the 1950s, Charlie Parker's improvisational sessions on the alto saxophone led to a stream-of-consciousness style that inspired the next generation of jazz musicians.

Bobby Orr transformed the method of playing defense in hockey by rushing into the attack and leading the league in assists five times while scoring an unprecedented 20 goals or more in seven consecutive seasons.

While Pele has been regarded as the best player in the history of soccer and has acted as an ambassador to promote the game in the United States, it was Johan Cruyff, like "The Bird" and Orr before him, who transformed the methodology of the sport around the globe.

Last November, Cruyff announced that he was contending with cancer. He lost that battle Thursday in Barcelona, Spain, at the age of 68, and the soccer world is mourning.

Cruyff won the Ballon d'Or three times as a player for Ajax in Holland. As a coach, he led Barcelona to its first European Cup title in 1992. Pep Guardiola, regarded as the best manager in world soccer today, played on that Barca side and later coached the Catalans. His Barca teams that won 14 trophies, played a creative, attacking style that was the vision of Cruyff.

As noted soccer journalist Graham Hunter wrote:

"If the 175,000 FC Barcelona members, or socios, queued up in an orderly line, night after night, to massage his tired feet, cook his dinner and tuck him into bed; if they carried his golf clubs around Montanya's hilly 18 holes; if they devoted 50 percent of their annual salary to him, it still wouldn't be anywhere near enough to repay the debt, which those who love this club owe to Johan Cruyff."

"Total Soccer" is the phrase associated with Cruyff and Holland in the early '70s under the direction of manager Rinus Michels. Every player needed to be comfortable on the ball and the appealing style led to a World Cup final appearance in 1974. Cruyff's own movements and technique were the basis of the ubiquitous Coerver Schools that have influenced thousands of youth players in the U.S. The "Cruyff" move has become a staple to unbalance a defender and change direction.

Despite his ability on the ball, Cruyff claimed that his own effectiveness was more readily displayed off the ball.

"When you play a match, it is statistically proven that players actually have the ball 3 minutes on average," claimed the quotable Cruyff. "So, the most important thing is what do you do during those 87 minutes when you do not have the ball. That is what determines whether you're a good player or not."

Other musings from Cruyff:

-- "Technique is not being able to juggle a ball 1,000 times. Anyone can do that by practicing. Then you can work in the circus. Technique is passing the ball with one touch, with the right speed, at the right foot of your teammate."

-- "There's only one moment in which you can arrive in time. If you're not there, you're either too early or too late."

-- "Playing football is very simple, but playing simple football is the hardest thing there is."

Here in the U.S., the soccer community reacted to Cruyff's passing with genuine respect and sorrow.

"As a player, he was top-three in the world, and as a coach, top-three in the world," USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann said on the eve of the World Cup qualifier versus Guatamala. "It's a very sad day."

There were also rejoinders from the local professional teams.

Cruyff was not perfect and has his own vices. He was a chain smoker and died from lung cancer.

MORE: LISTEN: Debut Of The 'Soccer In The City' Podcast

Throw-Ins

-- It is no secret that Patrick Vieira's favorite shape is the 4-3-3. He is training New York City FC in several systems, but the 4-3-3 will always be his preference. The formation is the direct influence of Cruyff and the Dutch, who created the numbered system as we utilize it today -- the No. 9 as the striker, the No. 10 or "maestro" in the midfield and the No. 6 as the holding midfielder are examples. Vieira performed as the No. 8 or box-to-box midfielder at Arsenal.

-- City will play the third of four consecutive home matches Saturday against the New England Revolution. After acquiring only one of a possible six points after the first two at home, could this be one of those early season must-wins?

"It is really early on," Vieira said. "What is important for us is to try to play well for the 90-95 minutes. Against Orlando, our first 15 minutes was not good at all. The priority for me is the way we are playing and then the three points can result in the way we play."

NYCFC will face a term where eight of 11 matches will be away from Yankee Stadium from the end of June into August (seven of eight away starting July 7 at New England). It will be a brutal period during the severe heat and humidity that greets MLS in the summer.

Consequently, each home match provides a vital opportunity to gain points.

-- Vieira's patience in possession demands are noted in the latest statistics. New York City has the most total passes (1,609) and most completed passes (1,270) in MLS through the first three weeks of the season.

-- In training on Wednesday, Poku worked with the starting unit and may replace Mix Diskerud in the XI on Saturday. Diskerud is away on international duty.

Poku, who has been absent for three matches, was despondent following the loss to Orlando City last week. The Ghanaian is normally quite happy, always smiling in the company of others. Instead, his countenance portrayed frustration.

I was alarmed when he suggested that the training conditions were not conducive to win a job during the week. I respectfully disagree.

In a recent training session, Poku exhibited poor body language and did not work at maximum effort. The set-up was a small-sided match with the reserve players following the 2-2 draw with Toronto FC. There were constant opportunities for the players to close down an attacker -- one of the mandates of Vieira's system. Poku was slow to respond. At one point, Vieira admonished Poku for his failure to anticipate and close down the nearest attacker.

Vieira rewards those that train effectively. Perhaps Poku will reap the benefits on Saturday. If so, Yankee Stadium will erupt during introductions.

-- The Red Bulls are idle this week and will keep an eye on the NYCFC-Revs match. RBNY meets the Revs at Gillette Stadium on April 1.

Down by a goal at halftime last week, the Red Bulls rallied for a 4-3 triumph over the Houston Dynamo. Felipe scored twice, including a remarkable free kick strike for the winner. It was a result that illuminated the guts and intangibles that is the identity of RBNY and still absent from their derby partners across the river.

That's the favorable news. Both starting center backs, Gideon Baah and Ronald Zubar, were forced out of the Dynamo match with severe hamstring pulls. They are listed as week-to-week, which indicates an extensive absence for both.

Kemar Lawrence moved from left back to center back and looked comfortable.

"Kemar at center back has been a discussion," Marsch after the win over Houston. "There is potential for that to be a spot for him."

Lawrence was relaxed, giving sharp verbal directions of the players around him while providing quality service at left center back with his natural left peg.

Injuries aside, Lawrence may be the best center back the Red Bulls have.

For all things futbol, including coverage of NYCFC, please follow Glenn on Twitter at @GlennCrooks