What I liked:

Some nice combinations and quick ball movement. We were largely effective at pressing and causing turnovers – particularly in the second half.

A clean sheet. It is wonderful to defend high up the pitch and limit the opponents forays into ours. We aim to do this to everyone we play.

Getting scoring from a variety of players. This makes us dangerous.

What we will be working on:

Switching the field of play when things are congested and looking for a teammate when we have drawn another defender or two. Lots of open guys.

Being consistent with the press. We were more spotty with it in the first half and this caused us some trouble a few times. We have to aim to be better each game with all 11 contributing.

Some fundamentals in good touches and more clinical finishing.

We like the clean sheets and of course the wins. The season is still in its infancy and we MUST continue to grow in all phases of the game. We have high goals to achieve this season. For now though, enjoy some fruits of your labor, rest those aching bodies, and enjoy your families and friends. I am very blessed all of you are part of our soccer family.

PS: I have updated the schedule and results section for both Varsity and JV. We are working with athletics to try to get next week’s Saturday game against Bangor moved so as to avoid conflict with XC invitational. We are grateful for Coach Browne being so flexible with his runners with us.

More analysis of the game and other items later.

Has been sent by email.

Bus leaves at 8:30. Be there before then. Huge game.

Remember some things:

Unexcused absence = -40 (some guys are battling with this. Being on a team is a commitment to be there every day. Note I am not talking about excused absences – sick, family, injury, another sport etc.) We need you every day! You are important to us and to me. Everyone who is there though has sacrificed something to be there.

Goal = +10

Clean Sheet = +10 for back line and principal defenders and mid-fielders. Up to +5 for attacking players depending on how much they pressed.

Each practice = +2

These factors all play a role (Among others)

New Leaders:

Braden – 109

Danny – 108

Gigi -106

N. Browne – 104

And a whole bunch of guys right after (Dillard, Owen M, etc.)

Some things I liked:

1. Clean sheet – The whole team defends and we had some really nice pressure in the midfield that won us a lot of balls. The backline was aggressive preventing balls in to their attacking players and preventing them the time and space to do much if they did get it. This must be continually done.

2. We worked the ball around using and involving a lot of the team. Good passing, often to feet, kept our opponent working and chasing which wore them down and helped us in the second half. Good soccer lets the ball do the work.

3. There was a slight uptick in communication.

4. Braden got us rolling with a few great takes – on the ground (Can’t miss low) and gave us the lead and 1 goal cushion. He is our man of the match. He also did a lot of work on the ball – and helped us win the ball back. Great job!

Some things we must continue to improve:

1. Communication. It was better in the last game but we need it to rise to another level.

2. Finishing. We need to be more clinical in front of goal. This will continue to a point of emphasis.

3. Getting Stretched. For much of the game we were not as stretched as we have been vertically but as we substitute players we occasionally lose some of our shape.

4. Our attackers must remain active and present to press together. We occasionally had some attackers adding pressure but not all and then that just amounts to a lot of useless running. TOGETHER. I will discuss this in our game plan for tomorrow!

Great to get the win. Lets not get complacent. Let’s commit to finding another level for all of us. Every game will be a battle.

We will practice tomorrow. It will be recovery oriented but we do not want to drop off before Catty on Saturday. We should be finished by 10:45 AM or so.

Nice work today boys. More thoughts on the win later tonight. Rest up. One game at a time.

Need two players to run balls and 1 player to place and collect flags. If I wasn’t coaching I would love to do it. I love helping at anything! I’d MUCH rather this be a choice you make as opposed to something I assign. Come see me if you want to do it.

For obvious reasons I will not post the line-up or plan here in the public space. Players MUST check their email and read the link and start thinking about their responsibilities.

Tomorrow we play Saucon Valley in our first league match. I want the boys to play with love for each other and for our community. There is so much good in the team. I challenge us all to love like a family, despite the mistakes and all the different personalities. Positive, Positive, Positive. I say this to myself all the time also. This is always my vision for a team. Play with joy and strength tomorrow. TOUGH HUMBLE TOGETHER.

Oh, and I had forgotten we are off Friday so I have switched practice to Friday morning at 9:30 AM-11:15 AM but maybe I will reward the boys with rest if they win tomorrow! Lets go Warriors!!!!

Mandatory we wear blue and gold / blue jerseys to school. Blue socks to school are optional.

Report for game ready to rock NO LATER than 3:15 tomorrow.

Starting Line-up and Game Plan to be posted later tonight.

HOME OPENER!!!!