NSR Gold Cup - Sunday, Sept 2

8:00AM Blue v Team Chicago Cosmos
Win 6-0

A dominant performance by the Blue team.  I expected more from the Team Chicago group, thinking that this could be the toughest team in our group.  I was wrong.

10:20AM White v Team Chicago Thunderbolts
Win 2-1

Another good performance by the White team.  A late goal against us will force the girls to pull out a third victory this afternoon in order to secure a place in the Monday finals.

OK, I know both teams have one more game left.  The Blue team looks to be up against the Libertyville Premier Orange, a team that is also 2 and 0, while the White team will face the other 2 and 0 team in their group, the Chicago Fire Juniors.

However, there is the possibility that both teams will advance to Monday’s finals.  That would pose its own set of issues if both teams faced off against each other.  At this time, my thought is that if this happens, I would talk to Spader, the tournament director, and ask to be allowed to reshuffle the rosters and balance the teams for the final game.  I know this isn’t a common occurrence, but I have a good relationship with him and think I’d be able to convince him to allow it.  Some of the Blue team parents might take issue with this roster shuffle, but in the end, I’m also responsible for all 28 girls and the program itself.  I’ll talk it over with Andy and see what he thinks, then we’ll deal with the issue if it becomes a reality.

3:10PM Blue v Libertyville Premier Orange
Win 4-1

After going down 1-0 on a good goal, the girls battled back to score 4 unanswered goals to move on to Monday’s

3:10PM White v Chicago Fire Juniors
Loss 0-5

I wasn’t at this game, but Andy said the Fire team was clearly better. They had a couple players who would give the Blue team some trouble, and it should be a good match up for tomorrow’s final.

I think the White team girls had a good experience even though they didn’t advance out of group play. 2-1-0 is a really strong showing at an event like this and they have a lot to be proud of as there is a good base here to work from.

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To take a first and second team in our club to an event like this and see the results success (5 and 1 through the end of group play) is encouraging.  I'm looking forward to working with all 28 girls this next year and very excited to see where they all end up down the road.