Day 16 Last Day of Preseason Camp

The morning session started with a pre game interview for tomorrow's opening game and I probably should have shaved for the occasion but was pushed for time this morning.  You can watch the interview here and read the season outlook.
http://www.gwsports.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/082312aab.html

Nice backdrop of the players getting ready for the session, the American flag and the Mount Vernon Clock Tower ringing for our 10am start.

Less about me and more about Seth Rudolph who was named Atlantic 10 Preseason All-Conference First Team by College Sports Madness, and he was tabbed the No. 4 Player to Watch in the Atlantic 10 by Top Drawer Soccer.  See the article on our GWsports.com blog 22&G Blog

The last session of preseason camp went well with everyone working towards our goal of being ready for tomorrow.  Just finishing touches on some set plays and shape and we were ready to get another splendid lunch from Catering Manager Coach Irizarry.  Don't worry parents, fans, GW administration, he doesn't cook the food but puts a lot of thought and time into ordering it and pasta with chicken and bread rolls was the meal of day.

With the afternoon off my staff and I discussed our final thoughts for the game tomorrow and we were all in agreement that neither of us would be playing tomorrow.  No spoiler there, Coach Felix never got on the field in preseason, Irizarry was superb and average so too inconsistent and I just couldn't find a role that would allow me to stay in the Center circle without running too much and just pinging the ball around.  Bottom line, no eligibility and not good enough anyways.

As we end our preseason Camp I'd like to thank Coaches Felix and Irizarry for their hard work during the long days, Marta for keeping the guys healthy and the DC weather for being somewhat kind to us.  To you guys, just a reminder to show up for work on Monday as we got a long way to go and this was only the beginning of our journey.
Also had some great calls, emails and tweets from alumni and friends today wishing the lads the best for the season so thanks again for your support and hope to see you at some games this year.

Magic Moment of the Day
The end of preseason and tomorrow the regular season begins

Day 15 Preseason

A great morning session building on yesterday's PM session got the mood in the camp buzzing with excitement.  Well, at least the staff and I were buzzing after a productive session and glimpses of how effective we can be going forward and keeping possession.  Coaches Irizarry and Felix both had their boots on but luckily neither were called into action.  

I apologize for anyone watching our practices recently as I have never heard anyone talk so much in practice as our GK coach Pasquinelli.  Not only that, he occasionally puts on the worst British accent I have ever heard.  I think a gag order could be coming for him soon.

A brief presentation from members of Staff from CADE-- the George Washington University Center for Alcohol and Drug Education-- broke up the afternoon wait.  A very informative session, so I was told, so thanks again for your time in meeting with the team.  

 

After being cut off in traffic on the way back to the Vern on Whitehurst freeway (to the amusement of some of our players also waiting in the traffic) and not letting road rage take over, I calmly got to the Vern ready for another session-- the last of our double days.

The manikins were out and while the players warmed up with Coach Irizarry I took it upon myself to hit a few free kicks bending the ball over and around the wall into the upper 90.  Even if there was a goalkeeper not sure he would have saved any.  I have to stop myself there, I think only one actually got into the upper 90 the others were a great demonstration on how not to do it.

We later found out we could have a couple of new dead ball specialists in the group so hopefully they'll have the opportunity in our games this year.  Overall a good day on the field and getting closer and closer to our opening game Friday 4pm at Mount Vernon.

Magic Moment of the Day

It's close between Sandland moving the manikin wall nicknamed Brazil or the morning session which was great.   Congrats to the lads on producing it.

Day 14 Preseason

After a day off and recharging the batteries at home I was ready for another day on the field and excited to get going again as we prepare for our season opener this Friday 4pm at Mount Vernon (i will probably drop this in every post just to make sure you come to the game)

It seemed the day off had the opposite effect on the players as they started the session rather lethargic and looked no better as we got into our first activity.  After at least 6 balls had flown over the fence and into the ravine I thought it would be a good idea to let the players go find them before we continued.  Wonder if the players at Man Utd have to get their own balls?? maybe they hit the target more?? not yesterday v Everton though.  Anyways, not sure that was the reason they improved after this but something changed and the players seemed to be awakening to the challenge and looking more like the GW I have become accustomed to.

Coach Felix did have a new pair of cleats on today which looked rather flashy on a guy who's old school copa's only.  Guess being Nike now he cant use the Copa's anymore.  Anyways I was disappointed he didn't do more demos to see if they improved his technique but maybe they'll be back out tomorrow.  Coach Irizarry is still injured so yet to see him back on the field although he is fit enough to hit the weights room and work on his minuscule physique.

Our PM session was lighter and worked on some set plays an area we would like to see improvement from our scrimmages so far.  Having watched the video on previous games there was a huge improvement in the quality which goes to show practice make perfect.

Magic Moment of the Day
My interaction with Gail in the Faculty Staff and Service Center a GWU employee who deserves a shout out.  Thanks for the help today after being given the run around by parking services.

Day 13 Preseason

Today we had the day off and I was going to take a day off from my blog but thought I would take this opportunity to give you some information about upcoming games.  Also sophomore midfielder Farhan Khan was named Colonial of the Week Khan Press Release so congrats and hope we have many more players achieve this award.

Upcoming schedule:

8/24/12	vs. LONG ISLAND	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	4:00 pm ET
D.C. College Cup hosted by American University
08/30/12	vs. George Mason	Washington, DC	2:30 pm ET
09/01/12	vs. Howard	Washington, DC	12:00 pm ET
J. Sculley Memorial Tournament
09/07/12	at VMI	Lexington, VA	4:00 pm ET
09/09/12	vs. Liberty	Lexington, VA	12:30 pm ET
09/16/12	at Bryant	Providence, RI	11:00 am ET
09/22/12	vs. UMBC	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	3:00 pm ET
09/26/12	vs. NJIT	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	3:00 pm ET
09/29/12	vs. LONGWOOD	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	1:00 pm ET
10/05/12	at Richmond *	Richmond, VA	7:30 pm ET
10/07/12	at VCU *	Richmond, VA	4:00 pm ET
10/12/12	vs. LA SALLE *	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	3:00 pm ET
10/14/12	vs. FORDHAM *	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	1:00 pm ET
10/19/12	vs. RHODE ISLAND *	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	2:00 pm ET
10/21/12	vs. MASSACHUSETTS *	WASHINGTON, DC - GW SOCCER FIELD	1:00 pm ET
10/26/12	at Butler *	Indianapolis, IN	7:00 pm ET
10/28/12	at Saint Louis *	St. Louis, MO	3:00 pm ET
11/03/12	at Charlotte *	Charlotte, NC	5:00 pm ET
Atlantic 10 Championship
11/08/12	Atlantic 10 Championship	Charlotte, NC	TBA
11/09/12	Atlantic 10 Championship	Charlotte, NC	TBA
11/10/12	Atlantic 10 Championship	Charlotte, NC	TBA
11/11/12	Atlantic 10 Championship	Charlotte, NC	TBA

Day 12 Preseason

After getting back early hours of the morning getting going for a 10am practice was always going to be tough.  Some sleepy looking faces in the lockeroom slowly moved around getting ready to get on the field.

Not sure if my pre practice chat helped on being tired and allowing your body and mind to feel tried, play tired.  Compared to mentally being strong and how Bradley Wiggins would have felt at the Tour de France each day yet how he was able to bring it everyday.   All seems a little confusing even as I write it but anyhow the boys looked a lot sharper on the field than they did in the locker room.

During practice we were caught up in a very heavy downpour which was more reminiscent of October/November practices as opposed to August.  Standing on the sidelines in shorts and tshirt was not the best clothing option to protect me from the rain/sleet but then again I wasn't expecting sleet this time of year.  We were able to get through practice and to delight of the players and staff we were off for the rest of the day.

I was able to catch the second half of Southampton v Man City and for a brief moment my boys the saints had the champions worried by leading 2-1 but it was not meant to be as we went down losing 3-2.  Afternoon plans were spoilt by the days weather but still managed to enjoy dinner out with the family and get some relaxation.

Magic Moment of the Day
Nicholas finding the missing practice ball.