Best of the Midwest Tournament - Friday, Sept 28

On the risk of bordering on the psychotic, I approached the Blue team a few weeks about about coming to the Best of the Midwest (Hebron, IN) event this weekend.  The tournament was short one U11 team and I thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone was interested.  We had 10 commit right off the bat, so in turn we committed to the tournament.  We ended up traveling with 12 of the 14 Blue players and 2 White team players. 

I have to admit, after already 2 trips to the Chicago area this fall, as well as a trip to Des Moines last weekend left me a little bit jaded for a fourth trip this fall.  I've never traveled to more than 2 regional events in a fall previous, and this season there were 4.  However, the prospect of seeing the girls compete against teams from other strong Region II clubs was enough to get me excited on Friday morning as i jumped in my car to make the nearly 7 hour drive to Portage, Indiana.

Though this tournament is put on by the Chicago Magic, it is held at their new field complex in Hebron, Indiana.  Go figure that one.  The fields were 50 miles from downtown Chicago.  I know the Magic have league games scheduled at this new complex, and I assume they train there as well.  Big travel/commute commitment from participating families I would imagine. 

I got on the road around 8:30AM and had a scenic fall drive through Wisconsin.  I caught site of the downtown Chicago skyline around 2:00PM, then hit bumper to bumper traffic around 2:02PM.  The Friday afternoon time slot coupled with the perpetual road construction that I always experience in the area doesn't make for speedy travel.  I somehow didn't think to keep my Google map printout in the front seat with me, preferring to leave it stashed away in the side pocket of my Nike duffle bag in the trunk.  I figured I was good though, at least until I got closer to the hotel in Portage, Indiana, but I was wrong.

I90 split just south of downtown Chicago in to Skyway (I90) and the Dean Ryan Expressway (I94).  I had no idea which to take, so went with my usually keen sense of direction and chose the latter.  Signs for I94 pointed to the right lane, and after spending entirely too long in one lane of bumper to bumper crawling traffic trying to merge onto the Dean Ryan, I finally made it onto the Expressway.  Man, what an inappropriate name.  You guessed it, more traffic that I could have walked faster than. 

30 minutes later and 1 mile further down the road, I began second guessing my choice as I saw signs for St Louis, not Indiana.  So, I called up my wife to ask her to look at a map and help me out.  Now I love my wife, but she reads maps like I read Klingon.  10 minutes later, we finally figure out that I'm on the wrong road, so I spent 10 minutes trying to merge to the other side of the Expressway and exit.

Another 20 minutes to creep northward, north of the I90/I94 junction, exit, creep back onto the southbound gridlock and get in the far left lane to take the Skyway.  Nice, finally back on my way. 

Somehow, and I still can't figure out how I did it, things started to look familiar... too familiar.  I must have zoned out, for even though I know I was in the far left lane, I somehow managed to end up back on the Dean Ryan Expressway heading to St Louis.  It was inconceivable as I know I was not in the slow, right lane traffic merging onto the Dean Ryan as I was initially.  I know I was in the far left lane.  I don't know how it happened. 

Back on my phone with my wife looking for an alternate route.  I told her the street names I saw in front of me, and after a minute of silence as she looked at the online map, she informed me laughing, "You're on the Dean Ryan again!".  Thanks, honey, I know that.  That's why I'm calling you sweety. 

She told me I could take the 12/20 Hwy east and connect up with I90, so I did that.

Though only a few miles, the traffic on 12/20 was a nightmare as well.  But, soon I could see the I90 overpass ahead in the distance and traffic looked to at least be moving - something that I had not been doing a lot of the past 2 hours. 

However, my Chicago adventure was no where near completion as try as I might, I could not find access to the freeway.  I took turn after turn, followed every sign I saw for I90 East, but could not find a way onto it.  Yet there it always stood in my sight, taunting me.  I thought for a second about calling my wife, but I was frustrated that she couldn't get me correct directions (though it was all my fault), and she was frustrated because she knew I knew that she had trouble reading maps and that I kept on asking "are you SURE so-and-so street can get me there?", so I didn't pick up the phone. 

How difficult could it be?  I can fricking see it right there!  But an onramp eastbound was no where to be seen.  I drove around for a good 45 minutes, retracing steps with signs for the freeway, trying to make my way further north and south along the freeway looking for entry, and driving in some scary areas of town. 

I led a pretty sheltered life in Rochester, MN, and my buddies horror stories of the south side of Chicago ran through my head.  I'm sure I was over dramatizing the area I was in in my own head, but I was't really comfortable at red lights, and most of my stops at stop signs were of the rolling variety.

I didn't really want to pull over and ask any of the bum-looking people walking up and down the middle of the street selling towels and socks... just didn't feel very comfortable though I'm sure some would have been more than helpful.  I finally found a half dozen cops (thank the lord!) hanging around on a corner across from a park to ask directions.  I didn't realize that they were cops until I almost drove by them, not able to see their blue cop uniforms underneath the black kevlar vests they were all wearing. 

I rolled up and they tensed.  One might have even put a hand to his holster.  I rolled down my window and they gave me the what-the-#%@*-are-you-doing-in-this-part-of-town look and, somewhat hastily, tried to give me directions out of there. 

After nearly an hour of relative uncomfortableness, I made a random turn on Stoney Island Ave and there it was... an onramp!  An onramp in the direction I wanted to go!  It's about fricking time. 

I was finally able to release my death grip on the steering wheel, sit back in my seat, and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Gary, Indiana, on my way to Portage and the hotel. 

At 5:30PM, close to 9 hours after I started from Woodbury in the morning, I finally rolled into the hotel.  Not an ideal start to the weekend, but I made it.

Most girls were already in town, so we went over to the nearby Steakhouse for some dinner.  I met with them at 7PM back at the hotel to talk about the weekend, remind them about their hotel behavior, curfews, and pool restrictions, and talk about their Game Goals for the tournament.  I had initially thought to arrive at the hotel early enough to make up these individual game goals for each player, but my Chicago adventure threw a wrench into the plans.  So I asked the girls to come up with 3 Game Goals for themselves by tomorrow morning and to write them down in their Journals that they had with them.  Worked out well as the girls were creative and took to challenging themselves.

* * * * *

I wasn't sure what to expect from this event, though I thought it would be more difficult than our previous two adventures this fall already at the NSR Cup and Just For Girls.  We were in Group C with Team Chicago Rockets (IL), Ohio Elite Soccer Academy (OH), and Lou Fusz (MO). 

Team Chicago was a U10 team that I wasn't worried about.  OESA was a solid club, but I think this was their second team.  Their top team was also in the event, in Group B.  If we advanced out of our group, we'd likely meet up with them in the semis.  Group A favorite looked to be GSE Cardinals Red (Cincinnati, OH).  I had never seen the LISC teams, nor heard of the Viati club, also in Group A. 

Though this Blue team has gotten favorable results in the last two events this fall, I wasn't coming into this event thinking championship.  I've been to the BOMW for the last 4 or 5 years, and MN teams are happy to go 1-1-1, ecstatic to advance out of group play.  We come for the competition though, and that is the constant sell to all involved.  We'll see how the weekend plays out. 

JFG Fall Invitational - Sunday, Sept 23

To clinch the group, the Blue team would need to tie or beat a talented Phoenix Elite team from Omaha, NE.  We had seen this team earlier this month at the NSR Gold Cup.  There, we beat them 5-0 in a game that was not as lopsided as the score line indicated.  They were a good team and would provide a good challenge for the Goo Girls this morning. 

The White team had already won their group and were assured a place in the final game this afternoon, regardless of the out come of their morning's game against Arsenal (Omaha, NE).  It would be a good opportunity to continue to give girls competitive playing experiences in different positions. 

The Blue team won 3-0 in a very good game.  The girls broke the deadlock 1 minute from the half as B-Money tore down the right side on a breakaway.  The Phoenix GK made a brave 1v1 save, but Maddog came flying in to slide home the goal. 

In the second half, Bargsy really stepped up and was instrumental in both goals.  For our second goal, she single-handedly took on 3 Phoenix defenders and calmly slotted the ball home with the outside of her right foot past the charging GK.  To put the game away, Bargsy again dangled multiple defenders, this time serving a cross to Gia for a tap in at the far post. 

The White team won 4-1, getting on the score board in the first minute as Kait (LM) sent a cross to the far post for AJ (RM) to hit home.  Additional first half tallies in the 10th by Kenzie (from Rach), and in the 21st by Rach put the game away.  Maddie E put the final touches on the good performance finishing a cross 6 minutes from the final whistle from Kenzie.

Both teams advanced to the afternoon championship games in their respective flights.

* * * * *

The Blue team met KC Select Renegades in the first of the final matches. 

In the 3rd minute, Meg (CD) found B-Money in space down the right flank with a fantastic change of direction pass.  B-Money took on her defender 1v1 and sent in a terrific low, near post cross that Maddog (CF) redirected home. 

Twenty minutes later, Quicksy (CF) split two defenders with an aggressive move to goal.  her initial shot was saved by the Renegades GK, but Quicksy pounced on the rebound for our second.

Ten minutes into the second half, we scored one of the best goals of the tournament.  Phi Phi (LM) smacked in a cross from the left side that Raley (CF) volleyed home off the bounce.  Even their coaches were appreciative of the skill there.  3-0 in a very good team effort.

The White team came up against the Toro Extreme (NE) for their championship match up.  The game was played on the smallest field at the complex, which at first I was disappointed with.  The other more-regulation-sized fields were open, why couldn't we move this final game to one of those?  However, in the end, the field size helped us.  We were more technical than the Toro team, but they had some very athletic girls who might have caused us some real problems with more space to work with. 

It was a hard fought contest by both teams, with the first half ending 0-0.

Ten minutes into the second half, we got the only goal of the match.  Jordan was fouled outside the Toro box, to the right side of the goal as you looked towards it.  I scanned the field for the girl I though had the strongest leg, and yelled out for Neve (LD) to run over and take a shot on goal.  She proceeded to smack a high ball into the far post netting.  Great shot, and great result for the White group.

Two for two in Iowa!

JFG Fall Invitational - Saturday, Sept 22

I woke up excited for the weekend.  It was a chilly early morning but promised to be a gorgeous day out weather-wise.  I made a detour by Starbucks then made the 12 mile drive to the James Cownie field south east of downtown Des Moines.

I was hit by a flood of positive thoughts and memories as I drove into the complex.  My last visit here this past June made for my absolute most enjoyable soccer memory to date (see Of Goose Bumps and Finger Tips - the page will take a while to load, but it's worth it).  I got goose bumps again just driving into the place.

I had asked the girls to arrive at 7:15AM for the 8:00AM kick off.  I checked my watch and it read 6:43AM.  The sun was starting to peek out and the fields and parking lots were still quiet.  In case anyone wanted to know, I love my office.

The girls began arriving just after 7AM.  As I walked over to our assigned field, I was amazed at the quality field conditions.  They were awesome.  I knew the facility was capable of producing good fields, as they were in almost even better condition for the Region II Championships last summer.  However, for that event, I hear they closed the fields to play for nearly a month leading up to the event.  They couldn't possibly do the same for this tournament, but the fields were pristine nevertheless. 

I had some a little anxiety about the parent groups this weekend.  However, I think many read my thoughts after the NSR Gold Cup, and many took to heart some of what I put down in the Building a Love for the Game handout last Wednesday, and I went into the weekend believing that the atmosphere surrounding both U11 teams' games this weekend would be better.  I plan on addressing all this again face to face with all Academy parents this fall in our PACT Training Sessions in October. 

Some of the group had their own ideas for controlling Tourettes-like outbursts.  Gotta love 'em!  I think we'll be just fine this weekend.

We started our warm up around 7:25AM with some Walking Soccer, Linked Soccer, some passing and movning, and some stretching.  Fifteen minutes into our warm up, the Omaha team was still no where to be seen.  The eventually started arriving around 7:45AM and looked rushed a bit in their own warm up. 

The refs arrived, called for captains, and looked to want to get us going even a bit early.  Field #3 ran east/west, so with the early morning sun there was a definite advantage for the GK of the team attacking the west goal.  However, seeing our opponents apparent early morning disarray, I instructed our captains to take the kick off if they won the toss.  Why?  Well, we've got a very talented 1v1 dribbler in the group.  If we had the kick off, I wanted to have the girls run our Warpath kick off play.  Play?  What is this, football?  Maybe play is the wrong word.  Kick off "idea" is better.  Nothing fancy here.  At the whistle, one player taps the ball to Maddog (our talented 1v1 dribbler) and I give her free reign to attack the opposing team.  The thought here is that our opponents 1) aren't really expecting it, and moreover, 2) didn't look really ready to play.  My only instruction to Maddog was to not worry about moves (Step Overs, Scissors, etc) and focus more on speed and surprise. 

The girls lined up and the whistle blew. 

Off went Maddog.  Past one, past two, past three... then hings didn't work out exactly as planned... Maddog through in a Step Over to beat the fouth. 

6 seconds later, the girls were jogging back to midfield as the stunned Gladiator GK was picking the ball out of the back of her net.  Nice start.

At 12 minutes we doubled our lead as Raley (CF) picked up a loose ball around 30 yards from goal on the left side of the field.  She dribbled the ball across the field a little ways then found Phi Phi (RM) with a good change of field pass.  Phi Phi beat her marking defender and shot home a powerful shot over the Gladiator GK. 

We created a few more very good chances at net but failed to capitalize.  B-Money, Emi, Maddog, and Raley all had good 1v1 chances against the Gladiator GK but could not convert.  Gladiators then got back in the game one minute from the halftime break. 

A long punt from the Gladiator GK was allowed to bounce near the midfield line between Gizmo (LD) and Maddog (CD) and one of the Gladiator forwards ran onto it, 1v1 with Maddog.  Gismo ran beside the play a nd slowed down thinking Maddog was going to make the tackle.  Maddog, instead of jockeying patiently giving other teammates time to recover goal side, dove in with a hard challenge that took the Gladiator player down about 25 yards from goal.  Our defenders were a bit disorganized, not fully grasping that I wanted a defensive line held at the top of the penalty box (got to work on this idea in training).  The Gladiator player took a hard shot over the wall that Mal (GK) made a good initial save on, but another Gladiator attacker pounced on the loose ball and shot home the rebound. 

2-1 at the end of the first 25 minutes in a very good game.  Gladiators were athletic and tough, with some really skilled players.  I was pleasantly surprised at their level of play. 

At halftime, we talked about more composure and trust in our own skill when 1v1 with the opposing GK.  We had missed at least 3 clear 1v1s like this in the first half as players went for inaccurate power shots instead of more accurate inside of the foot placement shots.  While fresh in their minds, I also talked about defending free kicks near our goal, holding a line giving our GK needed space, and retreating towards goal as the ball is kicked in order to provide assistance if the GK gives up a rebound. 

We came out and played very well in the second half, regaining our 2-goal cushion 5 minutes in as Raley finished a breakaway... with a low, inside of the foot pass by the onrushing Gladiator GK.  Nice. 

Midway through the half, Gladiators made it 3-2 as a cross from their right side was deflected around in our box, finally dropping to a Gladiator forward for an easy tap in.  The game ended with this score line.  A good result against a very good team.

* * * * *

All the games at this event were 90 minutes apart, leaving me ample time to get from the end of one game to another.  My schedule was going to be pretty solid, with games today at 8:00AM (Blue), 9:30AM (White), 11:00AM (Blue), 12:30PM (White), Blue White team lunch at a laser tag/mini golf/arcade place, then a 3:30PM game with the U14 White team. 

The one good thing about the schedule is that the Blue and White teams can catch most of the other team's games.  It is important to me that I try and build more of a club-like feel in our Academy.  Moreover, it is important that I build a sense of club in this age group with the two teams.  Heading to events like this and the age group bonding that occurs is nice to see.  In the past years, our Blue and White teams at these young age groups have been almost completely separate from one another.  My goal is to change that this year, and I think we're well on our way towards this goal.

The White team opened up their event against VSA White (Waukee, IA).  They played very well and handled the Iowa team easily.  The game ended 5-0, with goals from Kait, Jordan (AJ cross), Ash, Jordan (Maddie E lay off), and Neve.

The Blue team came up against the CSA Fuerza for their second match of the day.  The Lincoln, Nebraska, team proved a stern test in the first half, but the Goo Girls scored four in the second half to win 6-0.  B-Money and Maddog each tallied one in the first half, then Phi Phi, Normy, Bargsy (Phi Phi cross), and Maddog in the second. 

In the last game of the day, the White team beat BSC Calypso (Bellevue, NE) 5-1n to cap off a day of solid performances for the age group.  Rach, Viv (Neve coner kick), Ash, and Viv all finding the back of the net. 

Off to Tokens for pizza, laser tag, mini-golf, and more.  Excited to see what tomorrow brings for these two teams. 

JFG Fall Invitational - Friday, Sept 21

On the road again, this time to Des Moines, Iowa, for the Just For Girls Fall Invitational. Looks like a beautiful weekend weather-wise, and I'm looking forward to seeing how the girls match up with some of the team from the Iowa/Nebraska area.

The drive to Des Moines, the stay and the West Des Moines Sheraton, and the commute between the Sheraton and the two different field complexes in the area (James Cownie and Hidden Valley) are becoming very familiar and comfortable. It is an easy drive, the fields are usually in great shape, and the driving in and around the tournament is not as hectic and confusing as we find in the Chicago area.

I met with about 14 girls at 7PM in the lobby, and we headed out to a remote area of the parking lot for a light jog and stretch and some fun team building activities. I set the curfew and pool restrictions for the weekend and gave the players their Game Goals.

This Game Goals idea is one that I started with my 93/94G group this past summer. With all the "stress" and pressure of regional competition, and all the things that are not in a player's control when focusing on results at these events, I want to empower the girls to control their own success while working on ways to improve their game in these competitive environments.

I wanted to start this at our first fall event in Naperville, but I didn't have a good grasp on all the player's capabilities leading up to that event. Though the same Game Goals may be listed for multiple players (ie, Complete 5 passes in each game, or Don't dive in on defense for the entire tournament), my goal is to customize them for each player. A lot of work, but the benefits to the girls are there if I can help shift their focus from winning games to attaining their individual goals in each event. The sense of personal achievement is extremely valuable to them as it helps build their confidence and sense of self worth. Also, these Game Goals are things (along with personal effort, attitude, and sportsmanship) that are in the full control of each girl.

Here are some examples of what I gave out:

Ashley

• Complete a through pass to a teammate
• Beat a player 1v1 with a Scissors or Step Over move
• Receive the ball across your body and switch fields

B-Money

• When chasing down a through ball on the right wing, get to it, control it, turn and face your defender, beat her, THEN cross the ball
• Complete 5 passes each game
• Find a teammate’s head on a corner kick or cross

Glen Dog

• Move to receive a throw in
• Beat a player 1v1 with a Scissors or Step Over move
• Use an Arc Turn to beat a defender on your back

Training - Thursday, Sept 20

Wish I would have had my Nostradamous-like forecasting this morning like I did on Tuesday when I moved our training indoors.  Looking at the weather predictions today, it looked like there was going to be potentially severe weather in the area tonight, but it looked to be moving NE and would likely miss us.  Wrong.  Clouds were threatening as I drove to our scheduled 6PM training, and the sky was full of lightning just prior to us taking the field.  I called over to Bielenberg to try and move the session at the last minute to the dome, but the field there was already booked by another group. 

Some of the parents indicated that they had just received word that severe weather was moving in to the Woodbury vicinity and would hit us in about 20 minutes.  Disappointing to cancel an important session prior to the weekend, and I felt bad for the families who had traveled to Woodbury from distance.  However, it was a good thing that we sent people home when we did as a tornado apparently touched down a mile from our training park half an hour later. 

Regardless, I think the girls are ready and excited for the coming weekend.  The Blue team will play in the top flight, and the White team in the second flight. 

I don't really know what to expect from the teams we'll see.  I'm trying not to go into the event over confident with the Blue team based on our last tournament success, but it's difficult to not head to Iowa and think we stand a good chance of winning the tournament.  I also don't really know what to expect from the second flight there, but I know our White team is as strong a second team as most other clubs can field.  Guess we'll find out soon enough.