Saturday, September 8, 2012

Hotel Life and Lexington VA

After breakfast today we left the hotel at 9.45am to go practice for a short sharp session. Getting some of the stiffness out of the legs can be challenging on days like this and we started like tin men creaking around the field.  Us coaches are like this most days except for the younger Irizarry who graced us with his presence dressed in his khaki's and polo and was definitely the smartest coach I saw at the field today.  We slowly got moving a little better as the legs started coming back.  Coach Felix donned his first generation total 90 boots which I am told are worth some money these days to the right antique dealer.  I decided to finish practice by beating JP with an upper 90 PK and then showing my repertoire of PK's beating Lopez with my powerball down the middle.

Back at the hotel the players got a quick hour and half study hall before we left for lunch and downtown Lexington.  A small quaint town with lots of history surrounding the area the players enjoyed a couple of hours taking in the scene.  On the way home a stop by Irizarry at the cemetery where Stonewall Jackson is buried was spoiled by the rain storm that passed through the area so it was a quick dash back to the bus and back to the hotel.

Another great dinner at Salerno, which I would recommend if you are ever in Lexington, and then to the American Megastore that is known as Walmart.  There mainly to pick up some snacks and drinks for the players but also to introduce Forrest to to piece of American culture.  Being from England it was his first time so he was very excited and wait for it, he purchased some socks???

Back at the hotel with lights out at 10.30 I'm hoping I will finally get a good nights sleep.  I have the TV remote ready and some sport center highlights and online soccer games to watch I'm all set.

Magic Moment of the Day
For Forrest it was his trip to Walmart for me it was Coach Irizarry's practice attire.


Friday, September 7, 2012

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:


Thursday, September 6, 2012

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

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

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