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Noah's U-14 Premier has two games tourney days today and two tomorrow in Apopka, FL. Nicest fields I have ever seen. Been here several times this year so it is nothing new, just real nice.

They are the second lowest ranked of the four teams they play against. There first game at 8am will be against their first weakest draw. This is a pre-season tourney in preparation for next week Regions Cup knockout round in Gainesville, FL. Brought a cigar case, but doubt I will be able to sneak a cigar or three.

Noah had a hat-trick last weekend at in-door v. the best goalie we know (but a crummy team). Pleease say a prayer that they have the will to win. Need to have a positive experienc this weekend in prep for next weekend, where they are in a 25+ team bracket......

That's awesome on the Hat Trick!! Way to go Noah! What position does he play?

Indoor 6v6- top center.

Outdoor- anywhere, but usually at a modified offensive wing depending on their formation and the opponent's style. Plays center up top most of this weekend. Defense for 3/4 game too.

To pull a hat trick and still be good at defense is impressive. You don't see many kids that have finishing ablities and still hold ground playing defense. You have a talented kid!

We have our first indoor playoff game tonight. I'm honestly hoping we don't win. I'm ready for the indoor season to end. Last night we had Rec practice at 5 and DII practice at 7. We need some relief from one of these teams, thus why I'm hopeful we don't win tonight.
I enjoy the indoor, but outdoor is where its at in the Sip. Our winters are mild enough so we jump back into outdoor fast. Indoor is just for goofing off and to stay in shape....for us anyway.


My son only plays on the left. He's left footed so you can see why. He plays striker in one way or another. Some teams call it ALM(attacking left midfield), LW(left wing), or LF(left forward) He tried defense a few seasons ago and just can't do it. It was really bad. He's a small kid and does much better getting away from defenders.

Gainesville, FL
President's Cup, Region B- Knock Out Round

20 teams. Five (5) brackets. Three (3) games per team today and tomorrow. Only one (1) today. Top two (2) from each bracket plus next two (2) overall move to next round in Jacksonville, FL at the end of the month. 2-1-0 is a shoe-in for first or second in this bracket. 2-0-1 will do. 1-1-1 **might** be too, but I don't really know. but the key would be be keeping the goal differential low on the loss and making it high on the win.

The bracket has #9, #36 and $#110. We are ranked #111. #9 won the whole Tournament last year. They beat us bad last weekend. They will beat us again, baring truly divine intervention. The best to hope for in that game is a very low goal differential. A solid game against #9 will produce a win or tie. We can beat #36 and should best #110 now that we will have a full bench (no subs last weekend).

Had dinner last night at Burrito Brothers. Smoked a BPC from 'an '07 cab before bed. It was real good.

Later...

nice to see you back around here. maybe this place does have some hope of good people returning!

Super Y tryouts for this summer.

Orlando's Club that has had a Super Y team was bought out by the local professional soccer team. They will get training from pro coaches and players. 32 U-14 boys showed up from all over central Florida, some as far as 40-50 miles away. This is the place to see and be seen in Orlando right now. It could become one of the real powerhouse soccer clubs in the country over the next couple years, if it continues to draw the best players from far away. There were several Olympic Development Team trainers and coaches watching things and making notes too.

Unreal as to the extent of cut-throat politics. He knew a bunch of the players from indoor and play against them in their regular leagues over the years. NO ONE told anyone else they were intending to try out for fear of other people learning about the opportunity. he played fairly well, but was off ab it today. Still, he made the firs cut. He goes back tomorrow for some real intense play where they will be scrimmaging for two hours straight with local pros put in at times to really push each kid to see what they are really capable of. Noah says if he can hold up just once or twice, it will be a big thing. he says as long as there is no physical contact by the pros, that he can do it. I have my private doubts. Guess we'll see tomorrow for after another two hour scrimmage. Lots of evaluators milling around. One approached Noah and told him he has been keeping an eye on him at tournaments. he knew Noah's name already. Apparently they have been scouting players.That made my kids day!

Then, this afternoon, he went to his club's Super Y tryout. They found out he tried out at the other club and were pissed off- not with him- but with the possibility he could make the other team and leave after this season. So, their pitch was that he should stay with his club because he will get more play time, individual attention and grooming. They asked him if he wanted to start working out an extra day a week with the older kids and a renowned trainer. Turns out all of this came about because his coach noticed his usually perfectly-polished cleats were dirty ,and that he later tired too early, so he asked Noah and Noah told him the truth.

Anyhow, enough for the day unless we get an e-mail that they reconsidered inviting him back and that he is being cut. His friend just called and said that is what happened to him...

OK. Yesterday his club told him they want him to play for them this summer as a striker. Coach said he is the only player on the team who defenders have difficulty containing. he plans to work privately with Noah to teach him how to "finish" (score more). He was also told to start practicing an extra day each week with the "A" team. Wednesday is the "drop- dead" deadline to agree to play for them.

Today, Noah had his second tryout for the Orlando City's soccer club. 25 kids showed up today and they warmed up, then scrimmaged for 1.5 hours. They kept him in almost the entire time, which is a good sign. He predominantly played striker and scored three goals and had a couple assist, but the goalies weren't trying to much as the format was a bit loose. Anyhow, they only took him out when he looked tired. So, we are think they are looking at him as a potential midfielder and striker. In total, about 45 boys tried out. We hear they are looking for 22-24 players. Noah says his chance is better than 50/50 because he played so much better today and there were several players from his "A" team he knows and plays against and with, which helped out a lot.

After all the politics of two clubs combining, a few kids who didn't need to show up and the kids missing today because their teams had games, i think he will be told he is "pending' (wait listed). I asked him what he will do if he makes both clubs and he said he was going to do whatever the boys from his "A" team decide so that he has the opportunity to play with the same potential teammates year-round. So, we are waiting for a phone cal to tell us he made it or an e-mail that he is pending or cut.

Either way, he is in a good place in his mind- much, much better than his team from last year, which now wants him to come back. I am very proud of his effort and attitude...

(Wind was blowing the wrong way today, so no cigar for me.)

!0:00pm, the time they said everyone would be notified by, came and went last night. No call. Got an e-mail late last night that said they would let everyone know by Friday. Then, got another one that said notifications have been sent. No phone call either. My optimistic take is that if he hasn't received anything yet, then he is either pending or will be contacted by phone. I don't see them making telephone calls to cutting kids. I see the phone calls as a way to welcome the kids and get them to commit right there and then by making a down-payment by credit card. Oh well, at least for now, he made the cut at his club...

No driving multiple states. Furthest games were in tourney about 100-120 miles away. Been out of town overnight a total of four times. Nothing fancy at all. Wife and daughter are into it too. He and his best friends from school are on the same team. We are friendly with the other families. Good times for all. Grand total is between $2-2.5k per year including uniforms, club fees, tournaments, travel and shoes/cleats- for a kid that keeps outgrowing each pair every 3-4 months. It is worth every penny to me to see him doing something he loves and working as hard as he does to accomplish his goals- and then enjoy inner confidence and pride. This summer will involve a bit more of travel and my son and I plan to take an extra day or two on each of 6-8 overnights. We will spend some awesome, quality, summer time together. When it all comes down to it, I consider it money very well spent. Oh, and by the way, there are just about as many families with daughters who play higher level soccer. And, my daughter rows summer crew, which we pay for too. I am investing in my kids' futures and have no regret.


Oh, and no word from the Orlando City professional team yet. He hasn't been cut like some, and no one has been offered a spot yet either...

"Dear Super Y Tryout Participant,

Congratulations! You have been invited to join the Orlando City Super Y League program for the 2012 Season. Our Staff welcomes you as a part of our soccer family and values the opportunity to further develop you as a player.

...

Sincerely,

Orlando City Youth Soccer Technical Staff"

---

Now comes the real tough part: Stay with his current club and coach, who has started to extra time to refine him and he will get to play all the time or switch to a club where he doesn't know the coaches at all, but will be part of a team with higher caliber players than his club will have. Kind of like decided whether to leave a job for a new, unknown employer will probably boil down to whatever the best players from his club decide to do. Glad it is his decision and not mine, because I don't get it. Thankfully, he totally seems to get it and understand what is going on on the field and with the other players...

Not smoking anything to celebrate. but, was going to torch a Sancho Panza Coronas Grandes (churchills) from '01 for no reason at all, other than to see if they are good enough to buy another box of. Anyhow, The "better" club has 26 boys on its team and rosters with 18 per game. My understanding is that kids go on vacations and to overnight camps and it can be a struggle to round up 18 committed players whose families will have to travel 225 - 300 miles for a game or tourney. Also, kids drop out because of Florida's blistering heat.

One of Noah's real good friends from school, the other striker on his team made both teams too. They and a few of the other kids from his club, about 6-8 in total, will all start the same high school next year and want to play JV or V together. They know if they stick together, they will be a high school force to be reckoned with. So, now the kid to kid and parent to parent politicking will get red-hot.

Noah, in all his self, isn't as stressed about this. He is confident he will make the best decision and will make whatever he chooses fit him well. I would hate to see him leave his current coach who has been plugging him into different positions where the club has been floundering and personally encourages him and teaches him. The coach is absolutely convinced Noah should be scoring goals and has put him up top recently because he says Noah is the only player on the team that other defenders have difficulty with. he told Noah after tryouts to practice using his left foot every day and that his speed, agility, foot work and determination are "spot on" (British coach), and that he will teach Noah the rest.

So, it would seem to me that Noah is most in need of a lot of playing time, which means staying with his current club this summer. On the other hand, practicing with better players, but not getting enough play time, could be good too. Glad I am not going to have to decide!

Now, if I can just put him off on the new cleats he needs until Saturday or Sunday, my wife and I will have time to take him to a couple stores so that he can try a bigger selection- but there is no chance in hell he is getting $200 cleats even if he pays most of the difference!!!

My HS coach had me focus on making my left foot as accurate as my right. He knew that an accurate left foot was a great asset on a high school soccer team - were talking late 70's when many teams were young and leagues were in their infancy I played wing and midfield and practiced like crazy. Some days I was only allowed to use my left foot to touch the ball. In the end, it worked out well. Second leading scorer on team and all conference player. It carried over well into college. Three unassisted goals from outside the box on the left side and six assists in my first season. Unfortunately, torn ankle ligaments on one side and a shattered ankle on the other put an end to my soccer days. I still miss it.

Tell Noah to focus on making his left side the equal of his right so he can play anywhere. A more versatile player is always an asset to a coach.

Two pairs of cleats is always better than one - so stay away from the $200 models, but consider two equal pairs of good cleats. If he plays as much as I think he does, one pair will need to be cleaned or drying out while he wears the other pair. Two pairs alternated last longer than two pairs consecutively worn.

Keep us updated.

Thanks

great answer. proud to be Noah's uncle.

Thanks for sharing with us rfenst. I love keeping up with Noah on here. Its funny how close of a bond you have with the kids and family that play with your children. I spend about 4 days each week with the team, and have grown close to many great people. We all look out for each others kids and its almost like Noah has become on of those. Tell him we are proud of him and we hope he keeps the passion.

They won Saturday morning 3-0. Noah scored the first two goals. Mission accomplished. His old team was playing on the field next door so we all got to see old friends. Turns out some of them are coming to practice this week to try out for Super Y. Noah is excited!

Sunday night was BIG. CFK is one of the best clubs in town. A win against them is always meaningful. Their opponents just won the Disney tournament, which included teams from all over the state and country. We expected to lose. But guess what? They won!!! Noah scored the first goal about seven minutes in. A defensive mid-fielder brought the ball all the way up and hammered it in. With about three or four minutes left, Noah was just outside the box moving the ball towards the goal when he got tackled hard. No PK b/c it was out of the box. Another player took the free kick into the hoard in front of the goal. And then, yet another player headed the ball in.

So, they are 2-0 and Noah has three goals. Wonder if he is the league leading scorer for now???

Ah, the stuff of life.

Sounds awesome Robert. We are all rooting for Noah!

We lost 4-2. Our goalie sucks and it was 100% his fault! He cannot stop a ball heading into the net when it is above his head- kind of like a baseball outfielder who can't judge a fly-ball. He was also on the opposite side of the goal from where he should have been and got beat so bad that he didn't even try to stop the ball.

Anyhow, our team arrived thirty minutes before game-time, which isn't even enough to get warmed up. The other team was there at least an hour ahead of time and ran through a solid 30-45 minutes of drills. As a result, most of the first half was played on our side of the field and their defenders were playing at or past the center line. No ripped one that hit the cross bar. He had a couple other shots, which were decent, but didn't go in.

The second half was different. Noah scored early. He dribbled past the defender covering him and then the sweeper. Their goalie came out and dove forward towards Noah, before Noah cut and scooped/chipped the ball into the goal. We were still down 2-1, but the teams attitude and play changed instantly. most of the game was now being played on their opponents side of the field. One of our players headed the ball in on a corner kick. That tied the score 2-2 with about seven minutes left! It really looked to all the spectators like it was going to end in a tie, but our kids kept pushing hard.

Then, came the unthinkable- a free kick was awarded to the other team in the middle of the field, from well outside the box. The opposing player went straight for the goal. The ball sailed right over the goalie's head and in to the net. Now, it was 3-2, but our boys kept it up. Another free kick was awarded and the other team looped it in right over our goalie's head again. The game ended a few minutes later.

To be a little bit fair to the goalie, we were missing an excellent starting defender and our best midfielder.We got killed on the 50-50 balls and turned the ball over more than we should have. Probably cost us 2-3 more goals. But, that happens sometimes.

This morning, Noah went to summer tryouts to help his coach out by challenging prospective fielders during a light scrimmage. Several kids were cut early after about 20 minutes. One or two kids made it. The rest were told that the coach would be in contact.

Well, late this afternoon is Noah's self-choosen, most important game of the season- against his last team, which cut him. His plan is to play fast and rough. He wants to rub it in the old coaches face. he did the last time they played,ut Noah has improved a lot since then and is playing a fifferent position. he is still very friendly with half the kids on that team, including two who are going to play with him this summer. Their agreement is that whatever happens on the field stays on the field. I take this to mean they are going to play a hard, physical game. I, for one, am looking forward to it....

But, Noa's coach told him he should try to score four goals- which Noah actually (wishfully) thinks he can do. Either way, I expect to see Noah playing as hard as he ver has...

Does your goalie moonlight as one of TW's midgets?

Sounds like he either needs to try another position or spend some one-on-one time with a goalie coach if he even enjoys playing that position. I don't know/recall what age these boys are, but the goalie position is NOT going to get any easier as players improve the power (and accuracy) of their shots. I have a friend whose son, out of the blue, decided he wanted to play soccer...and be a goalie. He spent the summer with a goalie coach, and made the JV team as a freshmen in HS. He even got practice time with the varsity team. If this kid wants to continue playing goalie, he's going to need the help. It's amazing how good a goalie can be with the proper training. But if he sucks, he better move to another position before it's too late.

Been a while.

Noah missed one game for a youth group retreat. They only had 11 players and lost 2-1 against a team they have beaten 2x before.

Last weekend, they played another team from their club that is a year younger (U13), but playing up (U14). they are highly rated in the state within their age bracket. I was certain after 5-10 minutes, that the game would either end in a 0-0 tie or a one goal difference. Their style of play was very similar, but being from the same club that doesn't surprise me.

Noah didn't think he played well at all (no goals), but he didn't give himself credit for an assist that was called off side or the winning assist, which made the final score 2-1. He was double team ed the whole game and had some great shots on goal, but they had a real good goalie and luck wasn't on his side. He got compliments from the other team after the game for his dogged, rough play but that wasn't enough for him. Thankfully, he doesn't go over board and let's up on him self within a couple hours, but he was pissed enough to carry it forward to the next game...

Once again our goalie sucked, but we still won with a goal 5 minutes before the end of the game.

Just got home from today's game against the last place team in the league. Noah's team is in second place. It should have been an easy win, but we were missing our two best defenders and our best midfielder, who are dual rostered. The guest player we picked up was kind of good, but ineffective. We definitely controlled the midfield, but the passes and play forward were terrible. Only playing through balls is not a good thing against a team with fast defenders. We would have slaughtered them had our whole team been there.

They scored twice in the first half- once when our goalie jumped for the ball and inexcusably missed and the second time on a corner kick that curved in at about chest height. No excuse for the goalie not even getting a hand on that one either.

Anyhow, it was a rough, game to watch and must have been to play in. The referee sucked. Noah was slide tackled in the box once and tripped in the box a second time. No calls were made, even though he was sent flying both times. he did rush the goalie consistently and kicked it in while the goalie was bobbling it on the ground way outside the crease, but Noah got called for a foul because he ran right over the goalie in his follow through after kicking the ball.

We were down 2-0 at halftime against a team that: 1) sucks; and 2) already played a game earlier today. Despite our missing players, we should have beaten them good. But, our midfield was missing one player and the other good midfielder had to play defense because we were short. That left Noah playing midfield a lot,just to try to get possession of the ball and then bring it forward alone so that he could pass it to a winger or take a shot. It didn't go well.

our team had four yellow cards today for criticizing the ref's crappy calls. it didn't help that one linesman was missing and the parent from the other team who took his place was clueless. I think he tried to call the game fairly, but just didn't know what he was doing, never moving up and down the line with the ball in play.

This was also a "grudge match" against Noah's friend Victor, who lives down the street and was guest playing for the other team. Noah and he really went at it hard. They were hitting each other hard and grabbing each others' jerseys whenever possible. that was fun to watch.

Despite poor play and being down 2-1 at the half, we would have still easily won, but there was lightening five to ten minutes into the second half and the game got called of. We lost 2-1. :(

Noah is still pissed of with himself and his team for not passing the ball through to him directly and for a couple mistakes he made. All in all the missing players and less than stellar play coupled our goalie did them in. When we got home Noah was still pissed, but hadn't gotten a good enough workout during the game, so he is out running right now as part of his endurance tune-up for two weekend tournaments his team is in over the next three weeks. last time he ran in the rain he went eight miles. however far he runs today, I just hope it just helps him work through his frustration.

BAZOOKA SOCCER TOURNAMENT- Kissimmee, FL

Big tournament starting today. First game was supposed to start at 2:30pm, but won't start for a few minutes. The second game is at 6:20pm. Long day. Third game is tomorrow in the early morning and the Championship is later- if we make it.





1st Game:[/f] It's 91F in the shade. There is a small breeze and there aren't many clouds- which means the humidity is low. Game just started and Noah is playing the lone striker in their current formation.We dominated the first half before the water-break, but this single striker formation isn't working well for Noah or the team the last couple games. never the less 80% of the first half water break, involved us possessing the ball on the other team's side of the field. Our defenders were playing very high. BallHog, the former striker whose position Noah took, played way to high and out of position-taking shots without watching for anyone or passing- as if he was a midfielder. He kept bringing the ball all the way up the line, ignoring others and loosing the ball way to often- because the only thing he wants to do is score. We always had a midfielder thereto clean up his crap, but at that point Noah would be double-teamed. Still, Noah made some great plays. We scored first when Josh caught Noah's cross on the run and slammed in into the goal. Refs were too strict on offsides and made so many calls that the pace of the game was very choppy. Once we adjusted, Josh scored on two passes from Noah. 2-1 at the half!

Second half was good. We came out very strong. The BallHog brought the ball all the way up several times and took a few shots on goal. One was deflected to left-winger Brandon, who nailed it into the upper left corner- 3-1. Noah had a few really good breakaways down the line and made some nice crosses. But, he got fouled hard twice and lost the ball twice. On the next break Noah lowered his shoulder and trucked one of the boys who had fouled him on a previous break-away. The kid got knocked on his ass and Noah smiled wide enough so that everyone saw it from the opposite side of the field. Midfield really came on offensively and Josh scored again for his hat trick. As the game wore down, the coach pulled all the starters and we played a slow game of "keep away". Our opponents scored once and the game was over. Overall, poor technical play, but good tactical play won this one 4-2.

Next game is at 6:20pm. It should be cooling off a touch by then. Oh, and I am smoking an '00 Sancho Panza Coronas Grande a it type this. Draw isn't bad considering the year. Salt. Toasted tobacco and some dark coffee. A touch of sweetness to boot. Now it is time to kick back and focus on the rest of this 'gar...




[b]2nd Game:6:50 Kick off.

Five or so minutes into the game. Noah had two break-aways already and a cross to Brandon who headed it in! 1-0. But, we have had about seven offsides again with the same ultr-strict referee. 6:58 Noah had another assist! referee has called off-sides against us another five times... But we are winning!

7:15 or so. Seems like the Referee called half-time a little early. Noah had another assist and the cam out for a while and went back in with a few minutes left in the half. Ball-hog brought the ball all the way up from defense and ignored everyone, but scored. In celebration, he got down on the ground like a dos and another team-mate acted like he was whipping him. Not good. Referee blows his whistle and Ball Hog gets... a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. What an idiot. We lost a defender during warm up due to a jaw injury. can't afford to loose him. We are up 4-0!
(Will update again later)

and what will Robert be smoking as he stalks the sideline???

check out my last PM. $77 for a box!!