Day 11 Game Day

Pre Game

I start to write this blog on the bus as we head down to Norfolk VA for our scrimmage against ODU.  After taking 2 hours to get to Stafford, VA driving down I-95 it has not been a good start to the trip traffic wise although I have managed to get some work done and check the EPL scores.  Finally we got through the heaviest of traffic and seem to be rolling now, dare I jinx it.  Scott and Forrest are happy after Newcastle beat Spurs, Coach Felix is unhappy with Liverpools loss, although my Welsh boys Swansea started in style with a 5-0 win.  Hopefully we can do the same this evening.

Post Game

WOW! first of all the trip down took 6 hours.  We then go and lose the game 3-0.  Disappointed with the result although there was alot of positive to take from the game but also alot of negatives and things we are going to have to put right quickly before our opening game on Friday.  The first goal came from thier first attack after we gave the ball away cheaply in our own half and were made to pay for our mistake.  Before halftime Rudolph was brought down when going to goal only for the official to give nothing, no free kick, red card simply played on to the disbelief of our lads and even the last defender who had fouled him. BIZARRE.  in The second half they started brighly and put us straight under the cosh.  It was too long before their second goal.  Once again the goal came from a give away inside of 40yards from our goal when we were under no pressure.  Most annoying was the fact that before this goal we had enjoyed our best spell of the game and came close to scoring so this really knocked the wind out of our sails.  After tring to get more possession in the final third we we dealt the killer blow when they scored thier third to seal the win.

There were some very good performances from some of the players tonight against a team I think has the potential to do very well this season.  

Magic Moment of the Day

Tough to find one right now

Day 10 Preseason

Today was back to business as usual on the practicefield.  The morning session startedwith a slow jog just the right pace for me to lead the group on a couple oflaps and plenty of stretching to get the guys legs back after the previousgame.   Then a friendly gameof soccer horse shoes unless you were playing against me and Shefrin wherewinning was everything!!  CoachIrizarry seems to like this game maybe because you don’t have to run and yourfirst touch can be a pass.

Many of the players are taking advantage of the ice bathspost practice and the Mount Vernon pool to help them recover.  Me personally I just jump in theshowers at Mount Vernon which ONCE AGAIN were freezing both am and pm sessionsdespite being perfect on Monday when Brauzer tested them??

Enough of me complaining.  The PM session was another pre game run through a littleshape some set plays and home to rest. Another scrimmage tomorrow and a long trip to get to Norfolk, VA to playODU will be a big test for us.  Alittle confidence from Thursdays win will help the players for Saturday andhopefully we can play more consistently with the ball. 

Have to give a shout out for the start of the premier leaguetomorrow.  A lot of interest fromthe players, Shabans Arsenal have sold RVP and Song in the last few days to hisdisappointment, we have 2 Newcastle fans in the dressing room Scott andForrest, Coach Felix is a Liverpool Fan, and many more.  Sunday will see the match up of currentchampions Abaie’s Manchester City v newly promoted and my boysSouthampton.  For abaie’s sake thescore line should be in my favor as we will be practicing afterwards and I’d hate to bein a bad mood with only a beep test tocheer me up.

Day 9 Preseason Game Day

Pre Game
The first scrimmage of the Fall season is finally here. A very light session this morning going over some final details for the game was followed by our pre game meal at the F Street Bistro.  I felt a quietness within the group maybe some pregame nerves, guys already looking ahead to kick off but either way everyone seems ready.  The weather is great so hopefully we will get some fans out to enjoy the game.  For me its a very anxious day asking myself questions that I know the answers to but still asking.  Questions that made me want to become a coach, the attention to detail, making sure the little things are taken care, making sure the players are ready and know the game plan, helping them develop and know their roles within the team.  I'm probably writing this now as its killing some time before the game and takes my mind off it, a little bit at least.

Post Game
After Lehigh got stuck in traffic the pregame warm up was thrown into disarray. A lack of communication as to where they were exactly moved our kick off time three times but as I told the players we couldn't let it effect our preparations and to stay focused.  With the game finally started 45 minutes late the players were finally playing in their new GW Nike White Uniforms.  Careful as to the number of minutes we wanted certain individuals to play we stuck with the game plan and everyone who was 100% fit was given a good run out.  As I said in my post game interview http://telly.com/STQKI we kept the ball very well at times and other times we gave it away too cheaply which I expected in our first game as not everything is going to be in sync yet.  Our new players showed some early nerves but settled quickly and embraced their first college game.

Then it HAPPENED!! after a good build up we turned over possession and it looked like the attack was over.  Khan won the ball back and from 45yards (okay, 25yards) one bounce, one shot, one goal!  A great strike and a if that was in a pro league would definitely have made the sports center highlight reel.  Luckily for us we have twitter and our GW Mens Soccer Website and thanks to our GW athletics communication and marketing staff who happened to be filming at the time you can see it online.  Khan would try his luck from distance again in the second half only to be denied by the crossbar with another great strike.

The game finished 1-0 and proved a good work out for the players and staff as we get back to work tomorrow in preparation for our game Saturday against #23 Old Dominion.

Magic Moment of the Day:
No surprises, KHAN's Goal!!

Day 8 Preseason

With the first week of preseason camp over we are just a day away from our first scrimmage.  Todays short, sharp morning session in perfect weather saw the players play another intrasquad scrimmage with the same intensity as yesterday as competition for starting spots is clearly heating up.

We announced of our team Captains Rudolph, Almodovar and Ranalli and I look forward to seeing them grow as leaders of the group both on and off the field as the season progresses.  All three have achieved individual success in their time at GW and I anticipate more to come for them both in the classroom and on the field.  The honor and responsibility of captaining the team is not something that is taken lightly by the players and I'm sure they will do a great job representing GW soccer and GW Athletics.

After cancelling the evening session to allow the players to get some well deserved rest and relaxation I found myself heading home early.  Still have some planning for the game tomorrow but right now I'm enjoying watching some international soccer on TV and spending some extra time with the family.

Looking forward to the game tomorrow and learning more about our team and individual players.

Magic Moment of the day
Afternoon off! Family Time! Rest! Relaxation!

Day 7 Preseason

The morning session plan to play an intrasquad scrimmage was almost in jeopardy as Coach Irizarry took the pre game warm up to a mini half marathon before finally realizing he was slightly over his 12 minute routine by 12 minutes.  Maybe a new Nike watch is needed with an alarm but he has tomorrow to redeem himself.  Luckily the players still had some reserves left in the tank to get the game going after a quick water break.  After 1 minute we had our first injury scare which made me leave the comfort of the bench to enter the field and after a brisk 40 meter walk I was relieved to return to the bench with our player back on his feet and ready to play.  Just goes to show the effort and intensity the players showed as there was no holding back in an action packed game.

A visit to our foggy bottom campus between sessions took me on a trip down memory lane.  After stopping in on our GW Athletics Communication staff (who are great) I found myself looking through some old GW Men's soccer photographs.

Yes its me! I know, much younger, much leaner and much fitter.  In both pics theres no ball but I swear its near me somewhere.  For you kids out there that's the perfect technique for striking a ball. (so I was told by the photographer back in the day).  For you GW people that gentleman in the background in the second pic with the blue polo is the one and only, Chris Hennelly.  Back then our Athletic Trainer, today Asst. Athletics Director/Sports Medicine and Training.  Wow, we've known each other a long time.

Back to the lads. The evening session saw Ripperger-Suhler striking the ball so well it could only hit the back of the net during shooting.  There were too many great goals to single anyone out and I have to say there would have been even more goals if not for Lopez, Almodovar and Farrell who looked like they are all pushing for a start on Thursday.

Tomorrow I will have some more video and the announcement of our Team Captains and this Thursday is our first scrimmage v Lehigh at the Mount Vernon Athletic Complex 4pm kick off.  

Magic Moment of the day

The return to practice of Ripperger-Suhler. Enough said.

Day 6 Preseason

The return of our goalkeeping coach was sure to put the keepers through their paces today and he did not fail to disappoint.  As the outfield players worked on attacking it was one of our defenders who caught my eye when Shaban turned quicker than we'd ever seen to complete a reverse wall pass and leave his defender standing.  After ending his scoring drought earlier in the session Holleran ended the mornings play with a PK that he dispatched easily under the pressure.

After some meetings with sports information it was time for our team photo.  It seemed everyone had a new hairdo, except Felix, and had shaved for the occasion which was nice.  The guys clean up pretty good but unfortunately you cant change the face you are given (unless you have the money and a good surgeon).  Just kidding guys don't be too upset.

After the pic we were back on the field for some shooting and finishing.  Holleran continued to find the back of the net and just when it looked like he could be MVP for the day his service out wide left the staff no option but to say, he couldn't cross a road.  He'll be back tomorrow representing team GB in our own GW Olympic 100m race up against Iceland, South Africa, Brazil, Venezuela, USA, Cuba.

Todays senior is Alejandro Almodovar I hope to have some more videos in the next couple of days.

Magic moment of the day
It seems today belonged to our Virginians.  Gallelli and McQuitty scored some great goals in the shooting, Abaie won his third header of preseason, Shaban looked his sharpest so far, Khan was solid again and a Higgins combo with Sousa combined for the best cross and headed goal in the PM session.

Before Delaware sues me Higgins qualifies for the Virginia crowd after attending HS and playing club ball in Northern VA

Day 5 Preseason

What a great day at the Vern today.  The morning sessions saw freshmen Forest and Bezirdjian banging in goals from distance that gave our keepers no chance.  Higgins worked tirelessly throughout and set the standard for how to put a good shift in.  After a tough day yesterday and desperate to get back on the field Coach Irizarry rolled back the years and looked world class at times.  After a spell of brilliance, to the disbelief of Coach Jones and the fans Coach Felix did not pick him for the final game. OUCH!

Between sessions the guys were able to watch some of the GW women's game which the ladies won 1-0. Congrats to the players, Coach Barnes and her staff on the great start.

After their success on the field the GW women's team joined us for our evening BBQ which was a huge success thanks to Irizarry who was a masterchef on the Grill.  Thanks also to Marta for her culinary skills cutting up the water Melon which my daughter Cerys ate at least 8 slices of.

Todays senior in the spotlight is Daniel Ripperger-Suhler who rumor has it ate at least 5 burgers and 4 dogs tonight.

Magic Moment of the Day

Has to go to Coach Irizarry for his display on the field but more importantly his cooking skills on the grill