Post Game Deja vu

Title of this blog tells the story of our game today as 7 minutes in and 2 -0 down to goals which we should not have conceded.  Reminded me of our Mason game and again no matter what level you play at when you give 2 goals away you make life a lot harder.

Positives from the game we always looked like we could score from set plays and did so with our Icelandic giant Alexandersson.  The introduction of Rudolph at 2-1 looked like he had instantly made an impact only to see his 1v1 effort tipped onto the crossbar and out for a corner from a great save.  Ball moves to our end and we then have chances to clear the ball from a corner but fail to do so and its 3-1 and the wind is knocked out of the sails again.  "Its a funny old game" another cliché that makes this game great to be involved in but not so funny when your on the wrong end of a result.

For the first time in my career I threw everything at they players at halftime and probably ruffled some feathers but sometimes its needed.  We rallied again and continued to squander chances at 3-1 throughout the rest of the game which meant we would suffer a defeat that we only had ourselves to blame for.   The x's and o's on the coaching board go out the window when we concede easy goals but as a coach there’s always moments that I rethink and consider what could I have done differently?  Was I at my best today? Should I have changed things sooner? Its gone now and we move onto Sunday and a tough game against Liberty who also gave up 2 early goals and couldn't recover so Coach Adler and I will be looking for a similar response.

When I started writing a blog I did it to try and add humor to the everyday toils these players go through.  I was reminded today, by a txt message after the game, by a close Welsh friend of mine Ian Jones that if we concede 3 goals and I say have I worked with the defense in a previous blog that I'm accountable.  I accept that challenge.  One of my back 4 scored our only goal lol so I was actually working with the offensive side of our back four.

On a day when GW, Wales and the USA lost, I know these players have more to come and I enjoy every minute of working with them.  I'm looking forward to Sunday and seeing us rise again. 

Magic Moment of the Day

Knowing we play on Sunday and instantly have a chance to put things right

Weekend Preview - Game Day

After hitting some DC Traffic on our way out of the city our trip down last night to Lexington VA was fairly smooth.  A quick stop to stretch the legs and we were at the hotel and straight to bed for some much needed rest.

This weekend sees us take on VMI Friday and Liberty Sunday in the Jay Sculley Memorial Tournament.  VMI are coming off 2 tough losses to open their season but will be lifted by Fridays home season opener in front of their supporters and hosting their own tournament.  Being his 5th year at the helm Coach Rose will now have a roster full of his recruits.  A good friend of mine having worked alongside him with the ODP program I know his team will be organized, play attractive soccer and along with a great work ethic that VMI always has this will be a tough start to the weekend.

Sunday sees us take on Liberty who won their conference last season and earned a berth to the NCAA tournament only to lose out narrowly to ODU on PK's.  Coach Adler's group always have some talented players and last season saw 5 of those sign professional contracts.  A mix of new players and 14 returners saw them lose their opening game but they picked up a tough road win second time out against conference foe Longwood.  This result will surely give them confidence for the weekend as they play on the road again.

Everyone is looking forward to getting back on the field and the tournament format of Friday and Sunday games will see us replicate a typical A10 weekend so this will be a great test for us.  Coming off a win I hope to see the confidence we have shown in practice this week and get some early goals to settle us quickly into a good rhythm.  Game tempo will be the key so a strong positive start is essential. Go Colonials!!

Follow the Live Stats online and my post game thoughts will follow:

Welsh Weather and Wizardry

After Tuesdays session I felt the players were back to the intensity that we expected for yesterdays session.  I enjoyed working with our defensive players on some shape and ball movement when Coaches Irizarry and Felix took the offensive players and worked on some areas there.  Overall it was an improved performance but still there is room for improvement which is okay.

Looking to increase the tempo and energy at practices over the years I always think of some old cliches I was told:
Every time you cross the line onto the field you have to be ready to play.
You have to practice like you want to play on the weekend (in games).
You have to get something out of every session.
They seem so simple and obvious but sometimes these little reminders can help with the day to day development of a player.

On to today and our last practice before we leave for the VMI tournament this weekend.  As I walked onto the field I was greeted with some lovely Welsh weather which made me feel at home.  The constant drizzle reminded me of my playing days as a youth and how I would dribble past 8 defenders before scoring.  Just kidding, it reminded me that a rain jacket would help on days like these.  The session went well and the slick surface allowed us to move the ball quickly and attack at pace with numbers which was a joy to watch.

Sports Psychology has always interested me and I recently started reading a book called "Soccer Tough"  People have different views on the mental side of the game and how much you can use it with your teams.  I am a believer that training your mind whether it be through imagery, meditation, routine can certainly help and some players more than others.  This takes me back to my last paragraph and the thought of me dribbling past 8 defenders.  Whether or not if happened doesn't matter.  Having the imagination to create it, believe it and take it to the field certainly put me in a good mood and lifted my confidence to play.

Tomorrow I will give you my weekend preview but until then, close your eyes and imagine you are beating 8 defenders and scoring, it feels good.  (Messi probably dreams 10 defenders)

Magic Moment of the Day
The beautiful morning weather

Back to Work

It was nice to have Sunday afternoon off after practicing in the morning and getting the guys some time to relax and recover. For me it was nice to enjoy the labor day holiday with the family and do what I love to do most, go to the mall. Jut kidding everyone it was painful but at least I got the car cleaned in the parking garage cleaning service. It's always good to recharge the batteries and stay away from the game for the day or so. I must admit the joys of technology can also be a pain on days like this as work emails and phone calls keep coming in even on a so called day off. I will say it again, there are no days off

It was back on the field today and I felt the players looked a little lethargic especially towards the end. I have seen this many times on the session after a day off. It almost has the opposite effect to what you think a day off is meant to do. The lift after practice seemed to get the guys going again so I hope they are ready for tomorrow and plan to get the work rate and tempo back for a high energy session. The goalkeepers were definately put through a workout as Coach Pasquinelli got his circus of apparatus and gizmos out to get the guys flying around.

Magic moment of the day
Finally finishing the preseason paperwork

Game Day V Howard

The second game of the DC College Cup saw us playing at Noon in 90 degree heat and I was sweating just watching the game so I can only imagine how tough it must have been on the players.  We knew from the game Thursday that we had to respond and be more positive on the field so I was very pleased to see the way we started the game.

A superb start on how to pass the ball saw us earn a corner and our best chance early on fell to Alexandersson who meet the corner with a great header only to see the keeper pull off a magnificent save to keep the game at 0-0.  Despite our early pressure we we shocked to find ourselves 1-0 behind after a header from open play found the back of the net.  The key then was how do we respond?  Unlike the last game we came out and attacked again and showed the confidence and belief I asked for before the game.  After being frustrated time and again in our attacking build up the equalizer finally came through Captain Ranalli (2 goals in 3 games) who has thrived on the addition responsibility of team captain and lead by example throughout.  The half finished at 1-1 and I knew we were in for another tough game going into the second half as Howard showed a resilience that I was only to familiar with having not beaten them the past 2 years.

Second half with Howard a man down after a red card at the end of the first half proved to be a game of patience and frustration at times as we probed and moved the ball well but lacked that final pass, goal that would ease the pressure.  Step up Hinners who during practice had put more balls into the ravine at Mount Vernon than anyone else with his shooting but had shown against LIU that he was more than capable of striking a great ball.  Unlike Thursday when we had similar opportunities to shoot Hinners took his touch, looked up and what a laser beam (always wanted to say laser beam in describing a shot after hearing it many year ago) and it found the back of the net.  The dive from the keeper was only a token gesture as not even Tim Howard would have stopped it.  It was pleasing to see the way we continued to play the ball around but we definitely made it hard for ourselves at the end as we panicked to see the game out.

Bottom line, we got the win and in doing so bounced back from Thursdays game and gave ourselves some confidence going into next weekends road trip to the VMI tournament in Lexington VA.

For me it was a frustrating and very nervous game to coach.  Our pressure and possession didn't give us the goals we deserved and so kept it close until the very end.  That being said I was absolutely delighted with the final score and proud of how we came back from a goal down to win the game.

To the players:
Raise high and go colonials!!
Please let me relax by getting a win in the bag before the final minute or OT
Lets get after it this week and keep getting better and better each game
We didn't ALMOST do it second half, we DID IT!

Magic moment of the Day
Hinners Goal, need i say more!