NSC Fall Cup Day #2 - Sunday, Oct 14

Colder than yesterday for sure as the cloud cover wasn't allowing the sun to shine, and more than a hint of rain in the air.  I hate being cold AND wet. 

I arrived to NSC early to pass by and say hi to the U12s and U13s, then go catch the first part of the 9AM U14 White team against Dakota Rev.

Around 9:20AM I started to make my way over to the 8v8 fields to watch part of the Silver Flight match up between VSA Green and STMA United.  This was VSA's crossover match up.  They had beaten the other team in our 3-team group 4-0 yesterday, and since our White team had won 4-1, the VSA team was ahead in goal differential.  Our chances of advancing would hinge a bit on VSA's result this morning. 

I watched for about 10 minutes as VSA completely dominated the game.  They finished well on off a cross, and I picked up my things to head to our field.  It was apparent to me that VSA was well in control of the game and I was sure they were up by a number of goals, making it difficult for us to advance.  I made my way behind the STMA goal to the other side of the field.  The ball was out of play at the other end, so I asked the STMA GK what the score was.  "4 to 1" I thought I head her say.  "4-1?" I replied.  "No, 1-1!" she replied with that couldn't-you-hear-me-the-first-time-you-old-fart look.  1-1?  Wow.  Nice.

So, I waved at the White team girls across the other field to come over and watch the rest of the VSA game.  It ended up tied 1-1, which was a great result for us.  If VSA beat Chan/Chaska 4-0, I was fairly confident that we could get the result we'd need to ensure us of a second game today.

Rach (CF) opened up the morning's scoring in the 11th minute after a nice give and go with Ash (CM).  Rach beat a defender 1v1 at the top of the box and hit a low hard shot past the Chan/Chaska GK. 

Five minutes later, Viv (CM) played a great diagonal ball through to Syd (RM) who took a great shot into the far post netting.  The smile on Syd's face was priceless.  She had been stuck in a more defensive role on her last year's team, and this was the first goal she had scored in a year and a half.  How did I know that?  Well, she made it clear over and over again for the rest of the game! :)

Three minutes before the halftime whistle, Syd doubled her goal scoring tally for the last 18 months by finishing off a loose ball in the chaos after a corner kick was played into the box. 

Twelve minutes into the second half, E (CF) hammered a breakaway into the upper netting to give us 4, then Rach (RM) capped off a good performance with a fifth on a another breakaway.

Off to the finals this afternoon.

Bangu Tsunami 5 - Chan/Chaska 1

* * * * *

Next up at noon, the Blues came up against the Central Wisconsin Stars from Wausau.  The Stars had beaten Edina 8-3 yesterday, so they must have had some dangerous players.  I had a feeling that this game would likely be the championship, as I didn't feel threatened by any of the teams in the other bracket.  Overconfident?  Maybe. 

Of the 4 teams in Group B, NSSA led the North Fall District, Dakota Rev was #2 in the South, Mahtomedi was #3 in the East, and Centennial was mid-table in the North. 

The Dakota Rev team beat our girls in the Woodbury Tournament last year as U10s.  But we don't keep score at the U10 age group!  Yeah, right.  What planet are you on?  Everyone and their mother knows the score of a U6 rec game, let alone a U10 competitive match.  Anyway, I wasn't there, but I think the score was 1-0.  A few weeks later in the Burnsville Tournament, the Goo Girls were looking for some revenge as they came up against the Rev team again.  I was there for that game, but the end result was the same.  1-0 bad guys.  I've never seen an opposing parent group go as ballistic about the win as I saw that morning from the Rev sidelines.  But it's comes with the territory as people have begun to know who we are as a club.  There's always that "We have to beat Bangu" mentality out there and I love it.  Why?  Because it helps ensure that we see our opponents at their best, helping our girls develop through competitive games. 

Anyway, the girls were beat up after the second loss, and I think the parents were disappointed as well.  I didn't like losing, but I could see the writing on the wall.  The goal scored in Burnsville was a high, hopefully kick at goal (not even a shot) that almost came down vertically over our GK's outstretched hands.  The whole entire game was played in the other half of the field, and was peppered the opposing goal.  When we next see these guys on a larger field with a larger goal, it's an 8-0 game.  I told this to the group after the game, but I think it was lost on the girls at that time.  I was looking forward to maybe seeing if this prediction was right this weekend.

Things didn't really work out as planned as NSSA beat Rev in the group play yesterday 3-1.  So, with a win this morning for the Blues, we'd likely face NSSA this afternoon. 

It was wet out so my notes got smeared, but here's what I remember about the goals.

In the third minute, B-Money (RF) sent in a high corner kick that Maddog (LF) volleyed home for the opener. 

At the 18th minute, Meg (RD) played a great ball from our defensive third down the line for B-Money to run onto to and head to goal.  She took a low, hard, far post shot from a tight angle that the Stars GK did well to parry, but Maddog (LF) pounced on the deflection to double our lead. 

A few minutes from the end of the half, Gia (RD) made a nice play in our box to stop a Stars attack and found Rooney (LM) with a good outlet pass up field.  Rooney passed up to Phi Phi (LF) who touched the ball one time to Emi (RF) sending her into goal on a breakaway.  Again, as I mentioned about other girls this fall, if we don't do the work on slotting home breakaways, Emi likely hammers the ball hard and hopeful at goal.  This time, she took great prep touched at speed, got her head up, and struck the ball with the inside of her foot into the lower left corner.  Great finish, exactly what I'm looking for from the girls.

Second half was much like the first.  Bargsy (LM) finished another well-worked goal five minutes into the second half.  Rooney (CD) found Sophie (LF) with an outlet pass at midfield.  Sophie ran up the left flank, turned out of trouble in the left corner, and found B-Money (RM) with a nifty cross field pass across the top of the box.  B took a touch and sent in a low cross to Bargsy at the top of the six to redirect home. 

Three more goals from Rooney (2) and an absolute laser shot by Normy from 16 yards out gave us the 7-0 win.  Off to the finals. 

Bangu Tsunami 7 - Central Wisconsin Stars 0

* * * * *

The Whites came up against STMA in the Silver Flight final.  STMA was a feisty bunch with 3 or 4 very athletic and solid players.

Rach (CF) got us on the board early after receiving a great pass from Jordan (LM), beating a defender 1v1, and hitting a low shot far post.

That's the way the half ended, though I felt we controlled most of the play.

Two minutes into the second half, Rach, now at right midfield, found Viv (CF) with a through ball that Viv was able to calmly slot home. 

Three minutes later, we scored one of the best goals of the weekend for us.  Neve (LD) found Viv (CF) with a long pass up the left sidelines.  Viv used an Inside Spin Off to turn her marking defender in the left corner and pulled a pass back to E (CM) at the top of the box.  E took a good prep touch and shot/passed to Rach (RM) at the far post area.  The STMA GK came to cut out the pass, but spilled the ball.  Rach reacted quickly and finished with a tap in. 

Viv got our fourth a few minutes later. 

Bangu Tsunami 4 - STMA 1

* * * * *

The Blues had NSSA for the last game of the weekend.  Call it cocky, arrogant, confident, or knowledgeable, I didn't think the Blues would have much trouble in the final.  Though disappointed not to be seeing Dakota Rev, I could still possibly get the same end result with a good showing against NSSA.  What result is that, you ask?  Well, I wanted to prove a point to the girls and to the parents that I knew what I was talking about when I claimed last July that we (as a team) were in a good place and stronger that a team that had beaten us twice that summer.  I knew I knew what I was talking about, but it's important that the parents trust me when I say things.  This will help when I have to make decisions in what I think is in the best interest of the girls, though parents may not initially agree with me.  I do believe the parents at this age group trust me and the soccer decisions I make for both teams, else many of them might not be here.  But it doesn't hurt to continue to try and find opportunities to remind them of why they are with me.

The game wasn't a good one... if you were wearing an NSSA jersey.  With first half goals from Raley, B-Money, and Sophie, the game was well in hand 15 minutes in.

With restrictions on beating players 1v1 (no dribbling by players, only combining with teammates and passes to pass opponents) and a 3 touch or less restriction in the attacking half of the field, one would expect us to not be as effective.  Wrong.

In other games I've put restrictions on to blunt our attack as well as changed formations to pull girls back.  I didn't change formations this half, and didn't ask the girls not to go forward.  I just wanted them to go forward in a different manner, more as a team and not as individual, more due to brains and cooperation less to sheer athletic advantage.  It was a wonderful half of soccer to watch. 

I just sat in my chair shaking my head at the ball movement and combination play that the girls showed.  Now granted the game was done and the other team knew it, but it was still a competitive environment for our girls to be challenged in and work on stuff. 

The girls came off the field exclaiming that they were playing like the pros today, knocking the ball around and keeping possession, watching the other team run around chasing them.  The knowing smiles on their faces about what they were doing were precious. 

We scored 4 goals in the second half, all off combination play.  Phi Phi, Rooney, Mallory, and Maddog, all applied finishing touches and the girls ended the tournament in convincing style. 

Bangu Tsunami 7 - NSSA 1

NSC Fall Cup Day #1 - Saturday, Oct 13

Beautiful fall day for a soccer game... or six.  Can't complain about the fall weather thus far, though forecasts for tomorrow look a bit wet and cold. 

Our club would descend en masse to this event in Blaine, looking to wrap up the fall season with some good, competitive games.  Involved for sure were the U10G South Blue, U11G East Blue and White, U11B East Blue, U11B North Blue, U12G South Blue and White, U12G West White, U13G Blue and White, U14G White and Green, and U14B White.  We had the U10G East Blue, U10B East Blue, and U12G East Blue teams in Chicago for the Chicago Socker' Nike Classic Cup.

It was going to be a busy weekend for me as with Andy K gone to Chicago and Dickie V busy with his college team, I was going to be covering the U11B and the 2 U11G East teams on Saturday.  I was able to work on the schedule with the NSC and it worked out well with back to back to back to back to back to back (1, 2, 3, 4, 5... yep, 6) games.  9:00AM, 10:30AM, 12:00PM, 1:30PM, 3:00PM, and 4:30PM.  I then had my U14s in St Paul at 5:45PM.  Long day, but as I've said many times, beats working at Wal-Mart in my book. 

The day opened up with the U11 boys playing Eden Prairie.  I was excited to work with the team as 1) I thought I had a pretty good idea of where they were at technically in relation to other U11 boys teams in the area and wanted confirmation of this, and 2) it is important for me to get out and work with/observe as many teams as I can this year. 

The boys were missing a few players, but had 2 players guest in from the South U12 team (true U11s though obviously). 

The team would come up against some tough competition later in this event as they would see the South District league leaders, Lakeville, as well as the North District leaders PSA.  If they could get out of the group stage, they would likely face Wings (currently sitting in second place in the North District behind PSA) or our U11 North Academy team. 

I took the boys through a warm up I use with the girls.  I think many of them were surprised a bit as the warm up was full of coaching points and individual technique correction.  I "got on them" a bit, demanding attention and focus on technique and ideas.  I feel this constant commentary at most every opportunity is one of the factors that leads to accelerated player development.  It takes concentration on my part for sure, and continual observation during the warm up activities, but immediate feedback like "Toe up on the passes Kyle!", "Peek before you receive it Jake!", "Drive that ball across Tanner!" is, in my mind, extremely beneficial to the players.

When I started coaching in the early 1990's, I immediately gravitated to the 10 and 11 year old age groups.  My first few experiences with boys teams were not good, as this is a very squirrelly age group for boys.  I could always get the girls to pay attention, but struggled more with the boys.  I think that was a huge factor in my sense that I preferred working with the female players. 

However, today was a bit of an eye opener for me.  The boys play really well.  And this group is focused, attentive, and pick up things quickly.  Maybe I was just working with the wrong type of boys player way back when, but we'll see where this leads...

The game was well in hand from the get go, and it was fun to see the skill and quickness of the boys play.

Bangu Tsunami 6 - EP 0

Off to the girls!

* * * * *

The White team was up first, and came up against a pretty talented VSA Green group from Iowa.  There were two brackets of three teams each, so we'd play VSA and Chan/Chaska in group play, then a North Metro team in our crossover game. 

The girls got off to a flying start in the 3rd minute as Callyn (RM) blasted a low, hard shot to the far post from about 18 yards out.  VSA would come back to tie the game up and that's how it would end.  Decent result against a good team.  I think we were the stronger team overall though, but now advancing from group play would be dependant on VSA results as well as ours.  Is advancing important?  Yes.  Is winning important.  Yes again.  I don't coach teams to lose games.  Is there anything wrong with this attitude?  I dont' think so as long as 1) winning and losing are kept in perspective, 2) winning is not the constant, overwhelming focus on the girls, and 3) there is a focus on overall individual and team development as well.

Bangu Tsunami White 1 - VSA Green 1

* * * * *

The Blues would see Edina in their first tournament team.  Edina sat 4th in the West District this fall and was a decent Minnesota U11 team.  Towards the end of the summer of their U9 year, there was interest from some of these Edina players to come to Bangu for their U10 season.  Only one ended up coming over in the end, with another one following this year.  Looking at where the Edina team is now, both players, IMO, made a very good decision developmentally.  Nothing against Edina, but they do not have enough talent in their system to have benefited either of the players who moved to us. 

The Blues were on absolute fire in their warm ups.  We were playing on an unusually large NSC 8v8 field (the site has been known for tiny fields at these younger age groups), and the large field suits us to a "T", because of our speed, power, and overall athleticism, as well as the added space for our skilled players to maneuver. 

Six minutes into the game, we scored one of the best goals of the fall season.  In our 3-2-2 that has worked so well for us in Indiana, Gizmo (LD) found Sophie (RM) with a ball out of the back.  Rooney (RD) made an overlapping run up the right flank and Sophie found her with a pass into space.  Rooney took a touch and fired a line drive cross into the box where Maddog (RF) came streaking in and headed home.  Awesome team goal. 

Four minutes later, B-Money (RF) picked up a loose ball around midfield, dribbled up the right side, and found Raley (LF) at the far post with a nice cross for a tap in. 

In the 20th minute, Sophie (RM) dribbled past two defenders at the top of the Edina box and, when no others closed her down, took a touch and roofed the ball from about 8 yards out. 

Two minutes later, Maddog (RM) found Gizmo (LF) with a slot pass at the top of the box.  Gizmo took a good prep touch with the inside of her left foot and hit a low, far post shot home for our fourth goal of the half. 

The second half was not much different from the first.  We went to a 3-3-1 to work on playing around the back, and changing fields through midfield.  We carried play, though the two-touch in the attacking half restriction blunted our attack a bit. 

In the 37th minute, Quicksy (LF) got our 5th, finishing a cross from Raley, and one minute later Mallory added a 6th.

A few minutes later Gia (LF), who had been working on her flip throw in all fall, landed a beauty.  The ball sailed over probably 10 heads with eyes wide in surprise, both from our players and the Edina players.  The ball was crossed back in by Mallory (I think) from the right, and Gizmo notched her second goal of the game.

Dominant performance, but to be honest, I don't expect much less when we face Minnesota teams.  Most will be community based, made up of players from one community.  It will be difficult at best for these teams to compete with a team like ours with players from multiple communities.  In addition to drawing from a larger pool, we also draw in some of the more gifted players, making it almost impossible for community teams to compete.  Are we (Bangu) better than clubs like Edina?  I like to think that we are simple providing a different option.  When we (or anyone) get into the "better than you" mentality, this breeds resentment and animosity quickly.  Is this particular team better than the Edina team at this age group.  For sure, but nothing wrong with that. 

Though playing against weaker opponents, I absolutely love the drive and fire that our girls possess.  No matter who we face, they give it everything they've got.  Same goes for the White team.  This fire was summed up perfectly in a picture that was snapped during this game of Rooney (right) and Raley (left) flying in to challenge a ball at goal.

Bangu Tsunami 7 - Edina 0

* * * * *

The boys played extremely well against Lakeville in the afternoon.  Though missing some big guns, they tallied 5 goals against decent competition to finish the day 2 and 0. 

The Whites had North Metro in their crossover game. 

Fairly fast start for the girls as Viv (who missed the morning game) dribbled by 4 players and shot home the opening goal 26 seconds from the kick off. 

Ash (CM in a 3-3-1) volleyed home a great strike in the 24th minute of a high corner kick from Callyn (RM). 

Five minutes into the second half we gave a goal back as a North Metro striker finished off a good cross.  2-1, tight game for the moment.

However, the White girls were too strong in the end, with their pressure resulting in a PK in the 50th minute that Neve (LD) hammered home.  A few minutes prior to full time, Callyn served in a high free kick that the North Metro GK bobbled into the net.  Another good performance from the girls.

Bangu Tsunami 4 - North Metro 1

* * * * *

The Blues finished up the day against Centennial Fire.  My thought was that this game would be under control quickly, and I could leave early to head to my U14 training in St Paul. 

B-Money (RF) got us going three minutes in with a rip from 12 yards out after a creative outside of the foot slot pass from Normy (RM).

A minute later, Maddog (RM) won the ball in our half and found Raley (LF) with an outlet pass to feet.  Raley, marked tight by a Centennial defender, hit a first time ball with the inside of her right foot through to B-Money (RF).  B raced to goal on a breakaway and calmly passed the ball home past the Centennial GK. 

In the 8th minute, Raley picked up the ball just in our end, took on two defenders, and raced to goal on a 50 yard run.  Her finish effectively finished the game for us. 

In the 12th, a huge punt by Sophie (GK) sent Phi Phi on to goal.  She beat two defenders down the right side of the field and struck a low, far post shot into the net.

Our 5th came of a great lay off by Rooney (LF) to Mallory (CM) for a shot on goal. 

I packed up my stuff, left the team with Uncle Harry (Maddog's dad), and headed off to my U14 training session, looking forward to more games tomorrow.

The Long Drive Home

Though a little apprehensive about the drive through Chicago on my way home (based on my eventful trip to the tournament on Friday), an hour and a half from the Chicago Magic complex in Indiana, I was gazing westward at the string airplane lights in the gathering night sky as they taxied in line to land at O'Hare, with the downtown Chicago skyline rapidly disappearing into the gray haze in my rear view mirror.

As with every trip home from a tournament like this, I was pretty exhausted.  "But you just sit there!", one of the girls pointed out to me as she heard me mention my weariness to another parent after the final game.  Very true.  But it's the constant mental tuned-in-ness that I experience the hour or so leading up to the game, the hour of the game itself, and the hour or so after the game that catches up to me by Sunday afternoons that leaves me drained.

Prior to the Game

• Where are we at in the tournament?  Do we need a result in the upcoming game?  If so, what changes do I need to make?
• What to take the girls through for warm ups?
• What team formation to begin the game in?
• Who has started a game, who has not, how can I tweak the line up to get everyone a start at some point in the event yet keep a good balance between stronger and weaker players on the field?
• What do I know about the other team based on  observation or based on results against known competition?  Where are they strong, where can they be exposed?  What instruction to I need to give the girls to contain opponent strengths/take advantage of opponent weaknesses?
• Which girls to I need to talk to individually to help with confidence issues, technical/tactical issues, etc.
• What is our team "vibe" today in warm ups?  Do the girls look flat or sharp?
• What am I going to talk to the girls about in warm up?  What are we trying to accomplish in the upcoming game?  What do I need to say to help motivate the girls and get them ready to play?

During the Game

• How did we come out to play early on?  Is the sharpness/flatness from warm ups carrying over?
• Are we able to possess or are we playing more direct?
• How is our team shape as we move up and down the field?  Are we connected and do we move as a unit?
• What are our opponent's individual/team strengths and what changes in formation or tactics do I need to make to address these?
• Where is our opponent weak and what changes do I need to make to take advantage of these weaknesses?
• Where are we finding success (balls over the top?  wide play?  changing fields?), where are we struggling?
• Who is on the field and who is on the bench?  Who just came off the field and who needs to get in the game?  Who has played in which position and do I have the opportunity to get them in somewhere else?  How to I have to tweak the substitution pattern to give me the line up I need when I need it?

I'm constantly surveying the whole field wherever the ball is to analyze player positions and team shape.  For example, if we're in possession of the ball on the right flank - can that player dribble/pass/shoot and does she make what I think is the correct decision?  does that player have support?  does that player have options to play forward or play a dangerous ball?  do we have numbers in the box for a cross?  where is our opposite side midfielder?  how is our shape in the back in case we lose the ball?  where are our central players and can they switch the point of attack if they get it?  I am constantly giving feedback to the girls on the field on technique and decision making, while praising effort and ideas and being as encouraging as I can.

On top of all this, I'm in a running commentary with the players on the bench.

• Did you guys understand what I was telling Meg out there?
• Did you guys see how we won back possession there?
• Did you guys see how Bargsy could have switched the play?
• Did you guys see how Raley was probably a better option there?
• Did you guys see how it's tough to get power on a shot when running away from goal?

After the Game

• What did we do well today?  What needs work?
• How did our individual players perform?  Who played well in which position?  Who didn't I get to move around the field into different positions?
• Who do I need to talk with individually about technical suggestions, who need a little pick up or boost of confidence?
• Did the overall game plan for the game work out as expected?  What changes do I need to make for the next game?
• Where does this result put us in the tournament standings?  What result are we looking for in the next game?

Seem like a lot?  I think it is.  I'm not looking for sympathy from readers, as I can think of a lot worse ways to spend a weekend, but I think it's helpful for people to understand that when some coaches just appear to just be sitting there reclining in their folding chair soaking in the sun, there may be a lot more going on than people might think. 

So, with a full weekend under my belt, I just couldn't manage to make the 7+ hour drive home in one shot.  I stopped west of Madison at a Holiday Inn Express, and finally made it home around 10AM on Monday morning. 

Best of the Midwest Tournament - Sunday, Sept 30

We came up against the Lou Fusz (MO) team at 8:50AM on Sunday.  After seeing the team play a bit yesterday, I didn't think we'd have much trouble if we played a decent game. 

I wanted to experiment with a new formation this morning.  Our 3-3-1 was effective thus far, but with the wide field we could give up the middle too easily with the girls spread out.  Though I always harp on becoming more compact when not in possession of the ball, it was difficult on the wide field for the little-legged girls to close space and passing lanes in defending transition (when we lost the ball).  The 3-3-1 was good for our attack wide attack, but I wanted to get more numbers in the box when the cross was about to occur.  Also, with one forward forced to moved latterly across a wide field (with not much room to attack vertically up the field), it was difficult for a sole forward to always be an option up field as we switched the point of attack across the back line or through midfield. 

With this said, I wasn't too worried that we wouldn't score goals as we have some extremely dangerous attacking players.  It was giving up goals that I wanted to address a bit with the formation shift also, as the more talented teams we would likely face in the semis and maybe even in the final if we were to advance that far were sure to have more quality players.  I wanted to be able to give these teams the flanks, not the middle of the field. 

So I went to a 3-2-2 for this game. 

The RM-LM-RF-LF box would give us more numbers in the middle of the field, both on attack and on defense.  I went over this with the girls, pointing out the key factors I wanted the girls to grasp with this formation.

Options for our wide defenders to find our forwards, and the constant connection of our twin strikers.

Width when changing the point of the attack by our weak side back.

For warm ups, I put the girls through a 2v1 activity to begin to address proper spacing between the two attackers, proper pace on passes, passing v dribbling to beat defenders, positive first touched to beat defenders, awareness by the second attacker (the attacker without the ball) to not run offsides, and attacking at speed.  Sounds like a lot?  It is.  But in my experience, the girls can pick it up, even when inundated with information.  I realize this goes against many coaching philosophies which preach the KISS mentality (Keep It Simple Stupid), and that young players should only be given one or two ideas to work on each session.  I think this is great for recreational players and the recreational competitive players.  However, I'm not dealing with those types of players on this team, and I've found player development success for these more gifted players my way with info overload of sorts, and I'll keep on this track as long as I continue to see the development results. 

• Purple 1 has a ball and passes to the Red defender.  Red passes back to either Purple 1 or Purple 2, and both Purple players attack 2v1 against the Red defender. 
• Whichever Purple attackers gets a shot off or loses the ball becomes the next Red defender on deck at midfield.
• Blue 1 and 2 begin their sequence by passing to their Red defender as soon as Purple 1 and 2's ball is dead (in the goal, out of bounds, cleared out by the defender)

* * * * *

We completely dominated play in this game.  Mallory (LF) was fouled in the 8th minute after she beat the Lou Fusz right defender down the flank, cut inside to goal, and was taken down in the box.  B-Money hit a low PK to the left corner (as you face the goal) but it just didn't have enough pace on it.  The Lou Fusz GK made a great diving save to keep the score at 0-0.

Two minutes later, we got on the board when Maddog's (RF) left footed cross was deflected in by a Lou Fusz defender. 

In the 18th minute, we doubled our lead as Phi Phi (RD) sent a long clearance from the back to Maddog at midfield.  Maddog pounced on the loose ball, beat her marking defender and was off to goal. 

As recent as 3 weeks ago, Maddog would have dribbled at goal and ripped a shot as hard as she could at goal.  I've stressed a lot in the fall training sessions and at the two previous tournaments about finishing with composure and skill when 1v1 with the GK.  A lot to ask for at the U11 age group, but I know it can be done.  I want the girls to keep the ball under control at speed, get their head up, recognize the GK's position, recognize the open space in the goal, and focus on keeping the ball low using their inside or outside of the foot to finish, not an instep shot for power.

I use a girl named Millie as my benchmark here as when she was at this U11 age group (though playing on my U13 team), she demonstrated a clear ability to pass the ball in the net on breakaways, focusing on accuracy and finesse over power.  Millie was the best I've ever seen at doing this at this young age, and there's nothing wrong with me wanting these girls to try and emulate what Millie was able to do. 

In this case, Maddog did exactly what I was looking for.  Dribbled as speed towards goal, got her head up, saw the Lou Fusz GK stay back on her line, took an additional touch to get closer, and passed the ball with the outside of her right foot into the lower right corner.  Nice.

Five minutes later, we put the game away on another 1v1 with the GK.  Anna B (LM) received a change of field pass from the right and played a great ball into space for Mallory (LF) to run onto at goal.  Mal took a couple touches and toe-poked the ball under the onrushing GK.

Fourteen minutes into the second half, we gave up what would turn out to be our only goal conceded this weekend.  A Lou Fusz midfielder took a long, hopeful shot that bounced in front of Maddog in goal.  She played the high bounce well, but the ball squirted between her hands and dropped behind her.  She made a quick effort to snatch up the loose ball, but the ref (from close to the center cirle mind you) deemed that it crossed the line. 

We got our 4th 4 minutes from time as B-Money absolutely hammered a direct free kick home from 25 yards out.

Another good performance from the team.

* * * * *

So as winner of Group C, we were scheduled to come up against the winner's of Group B, Ohio Elite I.  As I mentioned, I had seen this team play a number of times and was excited to match up with them but a little bit nervous as well.  I admit it, now my sites were set on advancing to the final game if we could, and I would have loved to see Ohio Elite in the final.

However, in looking at all the results this morning, there was a chance that we might not face Ohio Elite in the semis.  There were 3 groups of 4 teams, so the 3 group winners and one wildcard team would advance to the semis.  Looked like Viati '97 would win Group A, OESA I took Group B, we took Group C.  Pending on the results of the 10:10AM round of games this morning, mathematically 1 of 3 teams could take the wildcard spot.  If the wildcard came from Group A, my thought was that tournament officials would not have the Group A winner and Group A wildcard meet again for the second time this weekend in the semifinals.

So, as you might imagine, I was pulling for the wildcard to come from Group A so that, if we did end up winning the semifinal, we'd then face OESA I (Group B winner) in the final.  In a fall season that has seen so many things go right for this group, the GSE Cardinals (Cincinnati, OH) took the wildcard slot due to goal differential.  They were from Group A. 

Changes were made at headquarters and we "lucked out" again (from a pure results perspective) as we ended up facing the wildcard team in the semis with Ohio Elite squaring off against Viati '97 in the other match up.  I knew we were a better team than the GSE group, thought we were stronger than Viati (though Viati was stronger than GSE), and knew we'd be in for a tough battle with OESA. 

As a coach coaching for development, wouldn't I want to face Viati in the semis (a stronger team than GSE) then see OESA in the finals?  Probably.  But now with the end in site, an end that I didn't really think we'd see coming to this event, I wanted the girls to win it.  Is this wrong?  I don't know. 

* * * * *

GSE were a big team.  I watched them play their final group game this morning and was confident our speed, quickness, and skills would carry us through. 

The game started out well for us.  As I have in most regional tournament games this fall, I started with Normy in goal.  We have a few girls who can play GK well, but Normy is at another level.  I don't want to pigeon hole players at this young age, but in the tournament games that I feel are "bigger" games, I put the players in positions and make tactical substitutions in the best interest of team results.  Results over development here again?  Maybe.  Is this wrong?  For sure... if it was the same for every single game this team played.  However, I do rotate players around a lot and still have relatively equal playing time for all the girls.  I say relatively because I don't usually change my central defender during a half, preferring for some consistency in the back line.  I also rarely change my GK until the halftime break.  All other players (with 14 on the roster for most tournaments) play at least 50% of the game.  [8v8 with 14 player - 1 GK, 1 central defender = 12, so the 6 on the bench rotate in and out with the 6 others (excluding our central defender and GK) on the field].

We came out strong and played well early on.   Field conditions were hard and bumpy, and it was really windy.  Tough to control the ball and knock it around.  We had the wind at our back and this hindered the GSE team from clearing their defensive zone, so most of the half was spent in their end.  It wasn't pretty soccer, but the girls battled hard. 

In the 14th minute, Maddog (RF) hit over a sweet corner kick to the far post, though a bit too far out from the danger area 6 yards off the goal line (where I like the girls to aim their corner kicks).  We had struggles a bit on our corner kicks this weekend on the wide fields, but I had given a few of the girls some refreshers about hitting long, aerial balls earlier in the day during our downtime.  The GSE GK, not anticipating the strong kick, came off her line to the near post to play the cross, but the ball sailed over her.  It dropped near the top of the penalty box (14 yards out), Ash (LF) flicked a pass to Pig Pen (aka Rooney) (RM), and Rooney lasered a ball into the back of the open net between to GSE defenders. 

Five minutes later we doubled our lead as B-Money (RM) hit over another corner from the opposite side of the field.  It was a great service, right to the danger area I was looking for.  The GK was caught in no-man's land (exactly why I want the corners put to the top of the 6 yard box), should I come out or should I stay on my line?  Meg (LF) came barreling in as a slot runner and hit the ball first time for the goal. 

Six minutes into the second half, we put the game away with a great goal.

Meg (RD) won a tackle about 10 yards in our defending half and started up field.  With time and space, she served in an early cross to Maddog (LF) at the top of the GSE box.  Maddog, with her back to goal shielding the defender, laid a ball off to her supporting runner Sophie (LM) who hit a low hard shot past the GSE GK.  3-0 in a good result.  Off to the finals. 

During the game, I kept sneaking glances over my shoulder at the other semifinal being played right next to us.  It looked to be a hard fought contest as I heard both team celebrate multiple goals.  As it turned out, the game went into over time, with Viati '97 scoring the Golden Goal to win it in the sudden death period. 

I had seen both teams play this weekend and felt Ohio Elite was the stronger team.  Though Viati would be a tough opponent in the final later today, I was disappointed (truly) not to see Ohio Elite in the final.  I thought we were a better team than Viati, wasn't as sure about Ohio Elite.  But if Viati beat them...

* * * * *

With the wind behind us again for the first half of play, we once again started out strong in the Championship game. 

Within the first five minutes, Maddog, our goal scoring terror of the weekend, created a great chance at left forward.  She received the ball on a change of field pass, and took the Viati right defender on 1v1.  She cut to the inside of the field, had what I thought was enough space to rip a shot from just inside the penalty box, but chose to cut back to her weaker left foot and then shoot.  I yelled out and encouraged her to take advantage of the shooting opportunity with her stronger foot instead of cutting back, trying to beat the defender, and take a less powerful strike on goal.

As I usually do, whatever I yell out to a player on the field I turn and give instruction to the girls on the sidelines.  Did you guys see that?  Did you guys understand what I was just trying to tell Maddog?  Did you see that she had the opportunity to take a shot with her stronger foot?  And so on. 

A couple minutes later, almost the exact same situation occurred with Maddog running at the Viati right defender.  She angled in at goal again, cut the ball to the inside with the outside of her right foot, took another touch across the top of the penalty box, and hammered in the opening goal with a solid strike from 14 yards out. 

Like that, Dorky?  Came the call from someone on the bench. Yep.

We carried the play the remainder of the half, though again the windy conditions and hard surface didn't lend to as pretty of a game as it could have been between these teams.  Viati was a skilled team with a super-fast and athletic outside left midfielder and a very talented central player in Edgar Davids glasses. 

Two minutes from the halftime whistle, Maddog struck again.  Though I took notes during the game, I somehow neglected to write anything down about this goal.  After I watch the tape, I'll update.

The second half was a more even match up.  Though we played better soccer going into the wind, the wind helped Viati keep up the pressure against us with longer clearances from their back line.  We defended very well with Mallory (our tournament MVP) as our central defender, Gizmo, Viv, Phi Phi, Meg, and Emi all rotating in at one point or another as outside defenders.  Bargsy (Anna B), Sophie, Ash, and Rooney all had solid performances in our midfield, with Maddog, B-Money, Raley, Phi Phi and Emi up top. 

Normy was on fire in goal.  She made a handful of saves that likely any other player on this team would have struggled to make.  She was sure-handed and confident - a huge advantage at this age level.  If she decides to pursue this position in the years to come, I think she'll do very well at it.  If she were not such a talented field player as well, I'd probably suggest seeking more formal GK instruction.  Actually, I'll probably suggest that anyways.  At this point though, though I ask her to play at least a half at GK in games like this, if she ever said no I'd put someone else in.  Maybe. :)

The game ended 2-0, and for the first time that I know of, a Minnesota girls team was crowned at the Best of the Midwest.

Best of the Midwest Tournament - Saturday, Sept 29

We were slotted to open up the tournament at 7:30AM against the Team Chicago Rockets.  My gut reaction was that this would be a relatively easy game for us to start out the tournament.  Though I had seen the U10 Team Chicago boys play at NSR and were very much impressed with their skills, I just didn't think there was a U10 team in the region who would give us much trouble. 

Though I thought this, I couldn't let the girls think this in fear of coming out unmotivated to work hard.  At our team meeting last night, I told them that last year as U10s we entered a number of U11 events, and the U11 teams there probably looked at us as an easy game.  "But we won some U11 tournaments?!?!" Raley chimed in.  Exactly. 

The field complex was near Lowell, Indiana, about 30 miles from our hotel.  There wasn't much around as I took the last exit of I65 to the fields; the Flying J Truck Stop, a gas station, a McDonald's, a Burger King, and an Adult bookstore of sorts.  A couple more turns, a t-section into a wall of corn fields, and I came upon the complex. 

Bordered by I65 to the East, the 20 field complex was surrounded by cornfields, cut right into the farmland.  Would never have thought to find a place like this in a place like this.  "Why out here?", I thought.  I didn't have the answer. 

It was a chilly morning and still darkish outside at 6:30AM.  The cars slowly started arriving, slowed to a big line as they paid the $5 at the entrance for the weekend parking.  With the headlights stretched out in a long line, Field of Dreams came to mind.  If you build it, they will come. 

* * * * *

The girls arrived and gathered in the parking lot, wrapped in blankets against the chill of the morning.  At 6:45AM we walked over to our assigned field to get ready to play.  The field looked short as we approached, short and wide.  Really wide.  And really short.  I stepped off the dimensions as the girls started knocking the ball around.  60x62.  Wider than is was long (or short)!  Never seen anything like this.  It was ridiculous to spend the time, money, and effort to come to an event like this, run by the "#1 Soccer Club in the US".  Don't they have anyone that knows how to set up an 8v8 field in their club?  Not very good long term marketing as the younger teams in the event will not likely want to come back with negative experiences at the early age groups.  I can't imagine how the older/bigger U12s would even play soccer on a field like this.   

I obviously kept my thoughts to myself as I didn't want the girls dwelling on negatives prior to the game, negatives that were out of their control.  So instead, I spent some time trying to figure out how to best take advantage of the field situation for our team. 

We have a fast team and can usually get good scoring chances each game from balls over the top to forwards.  However, with the short field, long balls were just not going to be effective for us.  So, my thought was that we would score goals from crosses and longer range shots, set pieces (corner kicks and free kicks), and 1v1 situations, usually in quick counter attacks in attacking transition ("attacking transition" is the instant when we regain possession of the ball from the other team and transition from defense to attack).  We might also look to create numbers up situations, specifically 2v1s from switching fields and changing the point of attack, attacking more space and less defending numbers on the far side of the field by moving the ball laterally across the field. 

For warm ups then, instead of our normal crossing and finishing, I set the girls up to give them some ideas for the coming weekend.  Now I know warm ups are supposed to get the girls ready for the upcoming game, but this year I'm trying something different with the girls by using our warm up time as development, looking to introduce something new or review a particular point recently introduced.  I have to be organized as it takes time for the girls to adapt to new activities, and the success rate right off the bat isn't great with new ideas.  But it worked well at the NSR and JFG events with this Blue team, so I'll continue on this path at least for the balance of the fall.

After some passing and moving, I set the girls up in the following activity.

The idea here is for the central players to get used to changing fields, with the wide players anticipating the change, bending their run wide, and finishing with a cross to 3 runners (near post, slot, and far post).

I then moved to a variation on the same idea.

This time, the initial pass can go to either central player.

The central player lays off a ball for the initial passes to hit across the field into space for the wide right player.  End with a cross and finish as in the first activity above.

* * * * *

Team Chicago was a very good team.  They had two of the best forwards I had seen at this age group, and they both caused us trouble with their speed and skill throughout the game (when they could get the ball).  The Goo Girls were dominant early on and Maddog put us up 1-0 with a well worked goal 3 minutes in. 

Anna B (CM) found Pig Pen (RD) with a change of field ball.  Pig Pen played to Sophie (RM) who took her player on 1v1 down the right flank.  Sophie turned back out of trouble and played a support pass to Pig Pen who found Maddog with a split pass near the top of the box.  Maddog turned to her left and fired a low, hard shot into the near post corner.  Good finish after a nice combination effort. 

Team Chicago was under a lot of pressure, and they knew it.  They defended with 7 deep in their own end, and it was difficult for us to break through.  I kept talking to the girls on the sidelines when they came off the field about ways to break down a packed defense, playing the ball wide to pull defenders out and looking to take some longer range strikes on goal, hopefully forcing the defenders to react and pressure higher up the field, leaving opening to attack in vacated dangerous space. 

I also continually pointed out the time and space our wide backs had as Team Chicago only had one forward to defend against our 3 in the back as the other Team Chicago players were in a defensive shell.  I could have changed to a 2-back system, but preferred to make use of the 3 backs to attack with.  We didn't necessarily need more numbers up front (in an already packed attacking third of the field).  We needed to work the ball around and draw players out of protecting their area in front of their goal. 

With about 7 minutes left in the first half, I pulled B-Money (RM) back to right defense.  B has an absolute cannon of a shot and my thought was that she'd find enough time and space attacking from the right back position seeing the type of defense we faced.  Sure enough, 2 minutes later B picked up the ball about 25 yards from goal, took a good prep touch, and hit a bomb into the back of the net.  Nice when things work out as planned sometimes. 

We had a goal called back 20 minutes into the second half on a dubious offsides call.  This is another thing that pissed me off about this event.  They only had one ref for the U11 games.  Granted the fields were tiny, but c'mon.  So though I didn't think the play should have been whistled, the ref, from the center circle, though otherwise. 

Maddog put us up 3-0 in the 55th minute as she pounced on a loose ball at midfield, beat a defender 1v1, and calmly passed the ball by the Team Chicago GK to finish her breakaway. 

Good start for the girls.

Ohio Elite beat Lou Fusz 3-1 in their opening game, so the 12:50PM match this afternoon would likely decide the group. 

* * * * *

As it turned out, the OESA team was the "B" team in the club.  Their "A" team was in Group B and a team we would likely meet in the semis if both teams made it.  I watched the first half of the 8:50AM OESA I v Canton Celtic game, and was very impressed with the Ohio Elite team.  Even a little nervous about facing them.  I always get this way at tournaments.  Nervous about facing teams that I initially think are better than us, though usually pleasantly surprised by how my own team compares and competes with them when we match up. 

I then watched the second half of the Viati 97 v GSE Cardinals game.  Viati looked solid as well.

Should be some good games ahead if we can get out of group play.

For warm ups against OESA, the main focus was on long distance shooting using a simple 4-corners exercise.

We started out quickly against OESA in the 4th minute with B-Money (RM) taking a long diagonal ball from Pig Pen (CM) and finishing a breakaway.  We tallied again in the 19th with Anna B finishing a cross from B-Money, then again in the 24th when Sophie hammered home a long shot from the top of the box. 

We created a number of chances the balance of the game, but failed to capitalize on them.  Most of these chances came from 2v1 situations when either incorrect decisions were made (to pass v to dribble) or from passes that lacked proper pace, usually too hard for the hard field surface. 

The game ended 3-0 good guys and we looked good to take the group with a solid performance the next morning in our third game.