USA Cup Game #3 vs Tonka United (MN)

Our third group game pitted us against a Tonka United team from Minnetonka. I had seen the Tonka girls play earlier in the week vs Fondy, and was confident that we would find a result with a decent performance.

We came out a little slow, and allowed Tonka a few forays into our half.  Nothing too dangerous, but more attacking play for our opponents than I would have liked to see.  We'd given up a soft goal to FC Barrington on Tuesday, and I wanted the girls to take some pride in our defending, like we've done all year.

We settled in around the 15 minute mark and began to play some good soccer. 

In the 17th minute, Mackie (LF) played a low cross into to the box that Millie (CF) finished to give us the lead.

5 minutes later, the ball popped out to the top of the box from a volleyed clearance by a Tonka defender.  Nash (CM) tired to smartly controlled the ball with her head, then sprang forward to challenge for the loose ball in our opponents box.  The ball ricocheted out to the left and dropped to Maddie (LF) who took a touch and finished.

Within another 3 minutes we got our third.  The Tonka GK didn't get everything into a punt and the ball went straight to Maddie (now at RF) about 20 yards from goal.  Maddie controlled it well and rocketed a shot into the top of the net.

Our fourth came 10 minutes into the second half when Brownie's (LF) cross found Scratch (RF) in space, and Scratch buried a shot for her first goal of the tournament. 

We played well this game and I'm looking forward to some tougher competition heading into the playoff rounds tomorrow.

USA Cup Game #2 vs Fondy Vipers

Our second game of the tournament saw us matched up against the Fondy Vipers, a team from Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. Fondy had beaten Tonka United (Minnetonka, MN) in their opening game 2-0. I watched both teams play prior to our first game and knew if we played our game that we should be in good shape.

A 10:40AM kickoff and it was already steamy. We were informed that there would be a 2-minute water break in the middle of each half, but the halves would not be shortened – something that would happen if the temperature was hot enough.

We came out in our 4-1-2-3 formation, looking to press the attack early. When I went over to shake hands with the Fondy coaches just before kickoff, I found out that they had been following our team website and knew about us. They congratulated me and the girls for our run at regionals and commented about how they found the website interesting/useful. That was really cool.

The first 10 minutes set the tone for the game. I think Fondy came out to defend, playing what looked like a 4-5-1. Their GK was a beast and very good in the air. She didn’t punt the ball, but could launch a throw to midfield. My bet is that she’ll soon be the Fond du Lac HS starting QB.

We were dangerous on the attack, creating a number of VERY good chances, but we were a bit off on our finishing touches. Actually, that’s an understatement. Our finishing was unbelievably horrendous. It was just one of those games in which we were clearly the dominant team, but we hit posts, miss hit very good chances, and completely missed or whiffed on open nets… from inside the six yard box. Many of our shots were lofted, making the Fondy GK look very good. She was good, don’t get me wrong, but we made her look better. It was comical, to a point.

The Fondy girls battled hard, but with all due respect, they were outmatched physically and technically by the Goo Girls.

The half ended 0-0, much to the disappointment of our team. At halftime, I told the girls that I had absolutely no issue with how we were playing. We were sharp, knocking the ball around well, getting down the flanks, and defending tenaciously. I was looking for a little more concentration on finishing, as well as looking for the girls to focus on hitting low, hard shots to force the big GK to the ground.

We continued to press forward in the second half, and again missed chance after chance. We hit another post and missed two other open nets, another one from inside the six. And when I say open nets, I mean open nets – the GK down on the ground and one of our players under no pressure with the ball at her feet and the whole goal to shoot at.

With a few minutes left on the clock, Getch, who had just came off the field from a defensive position, commented from her bench position that she felt good, wanted to be put up front, and knew she could score. I paused for a second. Isn’t this the same girl who didn’t feel confident enough to start the overtime period in the Region Championship game when I was going to put her in? Getch had just returned from the 94 ODP camp where she apparently led her 8v8 team in scoring. I didn’t want to make a late substitution, but something about her desire and confidence made me change my mind. I pulled Millie (CF) out who had been extremely dangerous though unable to convert her chances.

With two minutes left, on her first touch since entering the game, Getch received a pass with her back to goal about 12 yards out. She controlled the ball and roofed a shot into the upper right corner on the turn for the game winner. Amazing!

USA Cup Game #1 vs FC Barrington (IL)

I love the USA Cup. I remember playing in the event back in 1985 when I was a U16 player in Rochester, MN. We opened the tournament against a team from Hungary, peeing in our shorts from nervousness playing an international team. Before our shorts dried we were down 3-0, but battled back to win the game 4-3. It’s fond memories like this that I still carry with me to this day thanks to this event, and memories like this that I want my girls to experience. Yes, the price of admission is not cheap to participate here, but I think the positives about being part of this event are priceless (cliché, I know).

We won the event last year, fighting our way early in the week against teams from Montréal, Hawaii, California, and Illinois, before beating a very strong Vancouver team in the final in overtime.   The girls were excited to be back in the tournament this year.

My thought this year is to end our season with an event that will not only be fun for the girls, but also likely allow me to play the girls in many different positions, allow them to hopefully see lots of success, and head into the upcoming tryouts confident of their own abilities.

We opened the event yesterday against FC Barrington (IL). For the first time I can remember, we stepped on the field against a non-Minnesota team who looked scared to play us. I don’t know what they knew about us, but like I would have done, I bet their coaches researched a bit the teams they would face. I think they knew about our success this summer and were a little bit in awe. I could tell from the way their girls eyed the Goo Girls as they approached the field and in warm-ups. I wanted to try and capitalize on this apparent fear and subsequent tentative early play, so we came out with a powerful attacking formation. It worked out well for us.

In the first 90 seconds, some creative combination play from Ripper (CM) and Millie (CM) in the middle of the field and then some more combination play from Bidi (RD) and Becs (RF) on the right flank finished with a great cross by Becs to the far post that Sting (LF) slotted home.

Two minutes later, some panicked defending at the top of the Barrington penalty box resulted in a direct free kick being awarded for us. Millie (CM) stepped up and hammered the ball over the wall into the top of the net to double our lead.

In the 22^nd minute, another great diagonal cross from Becs (now at RD) found Sting (LF) over the top and Sting finished neatly for her second goal of the match.

Five minutes later, Sting completed her hat trick. Millie (now at CF) went 1v1 down the right flank and pulled a cross back to the top of the box for Hannah (CM). Hannah went in for the 50/50 challenge and the ball popped out to Sting (LF) who finished her third.

4-0 at the end of the half in a very good performance.

Barrington came out stronger in the second half, but we didn’t let up. Three minutes after the kick off, Maddie (LD) found Ripper (CF) on a diagonal run with a great left-footed ball down the line from midfield. Ripper controlled the ball, turned to face the defender, and went 1v1. She cut across the field onto her right foot, danced by another recovering defender, and smacked a hard shot into the far post. 5-0.

Barrington got on the board in the 42^nd minute. A free kick from midfield was sent to the top of our box. We had two girls go to challenge for the ball, but it squirted past them to a wide open Barrington forward. Our players were caught watching instead of marking and tracking after the ball was initially struck, and the Barrington forward was left with too much time and space. She settled the ball, took a third touch, then toe-poked the ball into the net. Their team went wild, I was a little disappointed on the poor defending from all our players.

Two minutes from time, Maddie (LD) found Lily (LF) with another neat ball down the line. Lily controlled the ball, cut inside onto her good foot, and sent a great cross to the far post that Bidi (RF) ran onto and finished.

6-1 and a good start to the event.

Premier League Game #10 vs Eden Prairie

Not much to say about this game.  We were flat, Eden Prairie played very well.  Not a good combination for us, but I'm sure that thought is relative.

We came out in our 4-4-2, with the thought of continuing our build up play work seen in the two games earlier this week, but I now encouraged the girls to mix in some more direct play to keep us unpredictable. 

Again we were on the ridiculously wide 110x80 yard field.  I had an inkling that this would work against us as EP was very good at linking across the field, especially around our penalty box.

EP jumped ahead early... very early.  I'm not sure we touched the ball before they took the opening kickoff, knocked the ball around a bit, and sent in a deep cross that floated in behind our defenders to EP's danger player, Taylor (CF).  Tori was caught on her line as the ball dropped in the six yard box, and after a scramble, the EP forward toe poked the ball in the net.  I looked down at my watch... seemed like I just pressed the upper right button to start the game.  Guess I was wrong as the digital readout confirmed that I pushed the start button 47 seconds ago. 

To our girls credit, we rebounded fairly well and I feel carried the play for the next 15 minutes.  Lily (CM) came close to equalizing the match as her quick shot from the top of the box smacked the crossbar in the 9th minute.

The last 20 minutes of the first half was a back and forth battle with neither team capitalizing on their chances.

At halftime, we talked about a couple things that were killing us.  EP would look to change the point of attack deep in our end of the field, and our defenders and midfielders were caught following the ball a number of times, allowing them to be beat with quick, penetrating 1 or 2 touch passes.  Also, many time our angle of approach to a player who was receiving a square ball was too flat, allowing the receiving player to take a touch forward to beat us. 

Though I think we did better at these things in the second half, EP was the better overall team on the day.  They scored their second goal about 10 minutes in as a ball was played over the top of our back four defenders, all of whom were caught off guard.  Tori was caught in no-mans-land as well, and I think she might have been able to exit her box and clear the ball away with her feet before it was reached by the EP forward.  I think EP's danger forward was the one who ran the through ball down and slipped it past Tori at the top of our box.

All in all, not a great performance for us tonight, but the girls have nothing to be ashamed about.  They had a great season and were clearly one of the top teams in this league in almost every category, save for overall athleticism.  We allowed the least number of goals in (7 in 10 games) of any Premier team and there is no question in my mind that the group will be stronger next year as U14s than any current U14 was this year. 

Here are the final results and standings for the 2007 U14 Girls Premier League.

* * * * *

I have been looking for a coach for this team for next year for some time now.  I believe the list of qualified coaches (in my mind) is short, and I won't pass the team off unless I'm comfortable with the next coach in place.  Arrogant?  Maybe.  But I care about this group and want to make sure that I don't just pass them off just to pass them off.  I approached Stever Bellis (Head Coach St Kates College and ex-DOC of the Wings club) but I think he was uncomfortable taking a position with our club as Wings and Bangu have been rivals for some time, both looking to cater to the higher level players.  I also shot Julie Eibensteiner an email asking if she was planning on staying with the Woodbury Inferno (U15 girls) for another year... she was.  And I approached Jeff Zupfer, current head coach of the St Croix U18 girls who has also done some work with Macalester College, but Jeff's commitments to his current endeavors also prohibited involvement with a new team.  Not many other options out there, but I'm still looking!

Our success at Regionals has actually worked against the placement of another coach as it is easy (right or wrong) for the next coach to be measured by their success at Regionals, not being perceived as having done a good enough job unless the team advances to Nationals in 2008.  Even I know that Regionals are a crap shoot and there is not person who can predict which team will take the title each summer.   

Would it kill me to stay with this team another year?  Not in the slightest.  In fact, I'd greatly enjoy it, I'm sure.  However, I also want to return to the U11 age group this fall where I'm looking forward to the challenge of developing another group of talented girls.  Can I do both?  For sure.  Can I do both well?  I believe so, but we'll see what happens in the coming weeks. 

Premier League Game #9 vs Bangu Tsunami White

Second game against the Bangu girls in as many days, this time in Woodbury.

I got to the field a little late.  There's a ton of construction around the Bielenberg Sports Complex due to the new high school coming to the area, going in adjacent to Bielenberg.  I was forced to take a detour that sent me to a dead end.  Nice.  So I backtracked halfway around Woodbury to come into the complex in what would have been my usual way, had I not been distracted at my initial turning intersection by the crazy Quiznos-costumed freak jerking this way and that on the corner.  Poor guy must have had a hornet get into his suit. 

We were scheduled to play on field #11 at Bielenberg.  Up until this point, we had played our home games on fields #13 and #14.  #11 was a ridiculous 80 yards wide, the widest youth field that I've ever seen.  Hopefully the girls would be able to make use of the space, then have the legs left to do something good with the ball when they got it.

We started in the same 4-1-2-3 formation that we put to use yesterday.  I again challenged the girls to look to get forward with crisp, shorter passing and in numbers, rather than look to play too direct.  I was so impressed with the passing yesterday and I was looking forward to seeing the same tonight on the big field.

However, we didn't possess the ball nearly as well as we did the night before.  Some girls were still adapting to "new" positions on the field and play was a bit more frazzled than 24 hours ago.  We did manage to put together some stints of nice play, but the overall level was not as sharp as I wanted it to be.

The half ended 0-0.

Like yesterday at halftime, I switched formations, this time to a 4-4-2.  Yesterday we went to a 3-5-2 to try and make use of the Bloomington field's width, but then got caught numbers down in the back when players in wide mid positions were not able to recover properly. 

We played better in the second half, with my only real instruction at the break being to look to now mix up some direct play with the slower build up, looking to be unpredictable in the attack as much as possible.

We got on the board early in the first half when Nash's (CM) pressure at the top of the White team's penalty box resulted in her winning the ball and finding Brownie (LF) on the left side of the box, about 12 yards from goal.  Brownie ripped a near post shot that the White team GK got her fingers to but was unable to turn away fully. 

A few minutes later the White team leveled the match as their left forward found herself 1v1 against our right back.  The forward cut to the inside an hit a decent shot that Tori likely would have had not much trouble stopping, but the ball deflected off Blondie's (CD) shin and into the back of the net.  Tough goal to give up, but having played defense myself for a number of years, this kind of goal happens.

We continued to battle, denying the White team any more good looks at goal.  The game winner came with about 10 minutes left in the game as Jilly (LF) found herself 1v1 against the GK from an inaccurate square pass by the White team defenders.  The White team GK came out to make a slide attempt save at the ball, but Jilly reached the ball first with a slide of her own and slipped a shot below the oncoming GK. 

All in all another decent performance by the U13s.  We'll need to play better tomorrow though against a tough, rejuvenated Eden Prairie team. 

As I mentioned in the write up after our first game of the season vs EP, I believe either team is capable of scoring 3 or 4 goals against the other.  I give the edge to EP tomorrow as the width of the field at Bielenberg puts a damper on our attacking corner kicks as girls struggle to get the ball into the box.  I'll need to remind the girls about some of our short corner kick plays, especially our sniffer 1-2.

Also, EP has FAST forwards.  Though I don't think that their team plays very direct soccer, it only takes a ball into Taylor's feet (their center forward) and a turn by her and she's running at our defense.  I'll need to make sure to talk with our center backs about making sure Taylor is contested at all times and cover is provided whenever she touches the ball. 

* * * * *

With one game left to play, here is where things stand in the league.

Our score from yesterday is not yet recorded, but I've added in the points, win, loss, goals for and against in.  I don't know the % pts stat so I left that blank.

Looks like we can finish anywhere from 1st to 3rd in the league.  We do have a couple team goals yet to attain this year, including beating the EP team and finishing at least 2nd in our league.  Two birds with one stone maybe tonight... we'll see.