Local Professional Soccer Games

Just came across a deal from DC United's site about their home opener on Saturday April 5th at 7:30pm at RFK stadium.

Buy 4 tickets, and the cost is about $25 each. But the tix must be bought in groups of 4, and it's only for this game.

Anyone interested? Post a comment or email me...

Also, the Harrisburg City Islanders (USL Second Division Winners) start their season late April and play on Fri/Sat nights. April 26 vs. Cleveland, and May 10 vs. Charlotte. No word on ticket prices, but I bet it can't be too bad. Closer to home and a weekend night. Any interest?

USL is a USA developmental league (think farm team like baseball) for many clubs around the world. Some Premier League teams have ownership in some of them. Crystal Palace (Coca Cola Championship League, 1 step below Prem League) is the affiliation for the City Islanders.

Team Mug Shot

FC Coraggio 6 - The Gasp 1

That's more like it! Good game last night against a team that will only get tougher as the session continues. We had much better ball control; we passed around nicely, worked the weakside very effectively, and shot better shots near the goal that worked to our advantage like rebounds and keeping the ball in the offensive area.

We also survived their surge at the beginning of the 2nd half. They put their A+ team on in an attempt to quickly score 1-2 goals, pick up momentum, and make it a close game. Good call by Wes to take a timeout and ream us all out. We endured the run, and were able to win back momentum throughout much of the second half. They are going to be a scary playoff team with a short clock and a lead. We play them again in a few weeks; let’s be ready.

We also subbed in and out better last night also. I know a couple of you were frustrated as we went through the game. My intent is not to get us confused or upset, but to get you playing to your strengths in a position where you can do your best, with the team benefitting. So if I got something wrong or out of line, or if we need to tweak it for next week, come talk to me so we can work it out.

Piranha of the Game: Forgot to ask afterwards, but I’ll nominate some candidates. Scott M picked up his D a lot last night and made some key stops; Rob E made some good stops as well. Mike M had some good runs, and Wes was his usual stellar in the net. (Maybe you guys can add your thoughts in the comments section…)

Next Game: Monday Feb 4, 10 pm vs. FC Blast – These guys beat the Predators, so watch out!

The League is wide open this session

Jason alerted me that FC Blast beat the Predators on Monday. Wow! This session is shaping up to be a wild one. There will be no unbeaten teams, and I think the top teams may even have 2-3 losses by the end. FC Blast, Strikers, and even the Gasp have all improved since last session. So come ready to play your “A” game, because there is no freebie or easy games this time.

Picture

Where's the new championship team mug shot?

Is Chris holding out for a larger freelance photo fee?

Maybe we should take up a collection...

Super Bowl Party

Sunday, Feb 3rd

in the Common Grounds Coffee Bar (looks like a Border's cafe)

Living Word Church

5pm - end of game

Free Food, multiple TV screens, halftime competitions

No charge - Men of all ages welcome!

For Tomorrow (Tues) Night

Game Time: 10pm vs. The Gasp

Come ready to play!

Just to clarify about the substitutions list I made: That applies to going in for another guy when he needs out. Once you're out there on the turf, you need to play both ways (O & D), and be ready to mark up or fall back if someone is making a run on goal. We need to go up and down the field as a team, and not stretch too far apart bet. forwards and defenders.

Next Game Positions

Guys - Here's how we'll play the next game. You will be in one of 3 positions (forward, mid, or defender), and will play the entire game in that position, and sub in & out for the other guys playing the same spot. That should keep our rotations strong, and guys playing to their strengths out on the field. We can tweak exactly who needs to be out with whom on the turf at the same time on game night.

Forwards
Chris M, Jeff D, Kevin M, Leon G

Midfielders
Will M, Greg B, Mark J, Ned K

Defenders
Jason R, Rob E, Scott M, Nathan H, Mike M

If I have you in the wrong spot, give me a yell beforehand so we can work it out.

Saturday Open Practice

JP Bohanon is coordinating open practice times for guys wanting a few extra laps around the turf. This Saturday, Jan 26, practice will be from 7AM - 8AM. Fee is $5.

Upcoming dates (all on Saturdays): Feb 2, Feb 23, Mar 8

We've got work to do

Boys, boys, boys – Now that my vein is back behind my eyeball again (thanks Wes), I’m ready to write. Maybe not. That game was a dose of reality for us, plain and simple. It was humbling, and it really torqued me off that we played like week-old-out-in-the-sun poopoo after dominating the early part of the game and early in the 2nd half. It’s like we just shut down and went into “mail it in” mode. As you may tell, I am still hopping mad about the game. We gave it away to them. Not only did we give away the game, but we gave them the confidence to play us harder the next time in 5 weeks.

In a nutshell, here are some of our more glaring mistakes:

1) Our subbing was horrible – We had forwards going in for defenders, and vice versa. At one point, we had an entire team with no defenders out on the turf. We got caught with guys out of position, and guys resorting to play whatever they felt like playing or naturally gravitated to. We WILL change that for next game. We will institute a 'buddy' system, where 2 or 3 guys are rotating with each other in the SAME position. No flip-flopping around the field.

2) Our defense got flat — We did not get back after being on offense, and they counterattacked quickly while we were still up front. We gave them way too much set-up space and time, and were not aggressive in the looseballs and 50/50's. It was really bad and evident in the second half.

3) We just seemed to just quit – We played to run out the clock, not win the game. Guys were walking around and not hustling. We need to give 100% and get off. If you're not hustling and giving it 100%, get off the turf and let another guy go for it. That's the nature of the indoor game. And if you’re done for the night, then go to the far bench and sit down, take a breather and let me know if we need to switch other guys around for you. This was also happening because guys were playing well beyond 3 minutes and off.

4) We need to shoot for placement, not power - Please don't try to pummel the keeper. Kicking it straight at him is the worst you can do--because he'll catch it. Kick it off to one of his sides, or to the walls around him, because he has to adjust and shift to respond to it, and then someone else can get the rebound and put it in. Please stop the massive power shots from way outside also. We need more precise shots on goal, and they need to bounce off the boards to set things up close.

We need to pick up our intensity for the remaining games. We actually have one of the easier schedules, but if we play like that, we will barely win half our games--and I'm being generous at that. Guys, this is what it is like having the bullseye on your back. Since you're the champions, EVERYONE we play is bringing their "A" game. Will you?

Cost: $45, either in cash or check

Next Game: Tuesday Jan 29th at 10pm vs. The Gasp

From Jason - A little motivational moment for tonight...

Wes, don’t forget but we play the Stikers tonight who has that cocky kid that you don’t like. You remember last Sept. when we played that outdoor game and there was that kid that I work with who played up front opposite of you?? You later said that he made some kind of comment to you that you didn’t like. I just saw him a couple of min. ago in the cafeteria and he said that he is going to exploit any of our weaknesses. He is the same kid that does that “little” dance when he scores!! (Not that you need any motivation to play)

The First Post

Well, this is just a test to see if it works. More will follow...