Podcast: Revolution Academy coach Abel Wasswa on developing players

New Revolution Academy coach Abel Wasswa joined 'The Goal' podcast. (BC Athletics)

The latest guest on New England Soccer Journal’s “The Goal” podcast is New England Revolution Academy coach Abel Wasswa.

The former UMass Lowell player recently joined the Revs Academy and has taken over as the new head coach for the MLS Next U-14 team. Wasswa brings valuable coaching experience from the college levels, including stints at Boston College, Oregon State University and UMass Lowell. 

Wasswa joined hosts Matt Langone and Matt Doherty to discuss why he wanted to coach in the Revolution Academy and how his previous experiences will help him thrive in that role. 

Here are some highlights from our discussion:

On what went into his decision to join the Revolution Academy:

Wasswa: “I always felt like there was more to give, in terms of development and in terms of football, and the time spent with the players. And I thought that the academy pathway, where you have 10 months with the players, was a little bit more where I could give back the most to the players. I believe that the college environment is great, and I think that there are some people that are meant to be in the college environment, and are best-suited for that environment. But I thought that the academy pathway, where I have a little bit more time with the players, a little bit of a longer season, and then also getting players at a younger age, when they’re a little bit more malleable, a little bit more flexible, with more room to grow.”

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On the importance of coaching with a passion for the game:

Wasswa: “I think that whether it’s a young level or the older levels, the players take on the persona of the coach, or at least they feed off of your energy. So, it’s my responsibility to make sure that I’m taking care of myself, so that when I show up for these players I have the energy that they’re going to feed off of.”

On what makes a player right for the academy pathway:

Wasswa: “There’s this specific player profile within the academy, but if you’re looking at what we’re trying to look for in the players in possession, it’s a player that has technical mastery, someone that is very, very good on the ball. Obviously, that can be developed, but if you’re asking me what I see as a New England Revolution player, it’s somebody that has absolutely mastered their technique. Someone that in the attacking third, when we have the ball, can win their individual duels. That is essentially being able to beat their player 1v1 in all situations, whether there’s pressure behind them, pressure on the sides of them, pressure in front of them. Somebody that can essentially break the game open, because at the end of the day when you’re looking to go to the next level it’s not good enough to be a player that can just maintain possession, it’s are you able to actually break open the game on your own?”

On how he developed as a player:

Wasswa: “I grew up playing in the streets with my friends and I was coached really late. So, I depended a lot on street football — dribbling, winning your individual duels. I thought that helped me in terms of playing under pressure, being confident to receive the ball, escaping pressure in all sorts of ways.”

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