Game 3 Recap

Let me start again by saying...WOW!!! What a great fight to the end and a huge team effort in today's win.

Defense: with the exception of the two times their attack made it through, our defense was flawless. Taking good first touches when we had time, setting ourselves up for great passes, working together to overlap and clear the ball when necessary, the defense had a magical and calculated game today. There were certainly some memorable plays made by defenders that saved clear goal scoring opportunities.

Midfield: Most of our wins today came through our right wings and not all of those wins were necessarily the goals that were scored. Working in tandem with the defense, our wings were able to transition well from defense and drive our attack across the center line and into the attacking half. Our center mids did a great job of sending passes out to the wings and splitting the defensive line to our attackers. As with most games, today's battle was won in the midfield.

Attack: I'm including our wings in this category as it is evident from all 4 points that our wings played a great role in turning the game in our favor. Our strikers were always in the correct position for crosses, through passes and strikes on goal. Our wings drove the attack and capitalized on defensive errors and slower fullbacks for stupendous shots on goal.

Lastly, thanks again for all the ladies that played today, especially with just one sub. All were huffing and puffing in the end and all were overwhelmed with joy in the end. A true team victory!

Game Canceled for 9/25

According to the HUSA website, the HCP fields are closed and games are canceled for the day. Enjoy the day off, get those rooms clean, spend some good family time, play a game, catch up on homework, do whatever, just have fun!

Injury Report Update

I received a phone call from Olivia's dad today and he kindly gave me an update on Olivia's status and progress. The fracture, while existent, was minimal. That's a great thing. She'll likely only have to wear a hard cast for a couple of weeks. The estimate is for her to return to full strength in another 4 to 5 weeks. We'll be keeping tabs on her progress and see if she'll be able, physically and emotional, to return at the end of the season. Our prayers still go out to her for a speedy and healthy recovery. Oh, and that she'll quickly switch over to writing w/her right hand as she's left handed and broke her left wrist.

Game 2 Recap and Injury Report

Just wanted to bring you all up to speed with what I understand on Olivia's injury yesterday and make a few comments about the game.

From what Olivia's dad tells me via SMS, she's in a soft cast with a follow up visit to her ortho where a hard cast will support the confirmed break. Not sure exactly what this means with respect to her season and ability to get back out to the pitch. I've known some doctors that absolutely prohibit play based on the location of the break while others allow the cast to be wrapped and authorize the player to continue. Either way, we as a team will continue to support her and individually, and collectively, pray for her quick recovery. We miss you already "wheels!"

Just a quick few words about yesterday's match:

Defense: nearly flawless in execution and disallowing their attackers to penetrate beyond their attacking midfield.  Superb transition to our wings and clutch decisions in turning away from goal made for a tight defensive line.

Midfield: Once again showing that scoring is not limited to strikers, punished the Angels early on with an outside the penalty area goal. Additional creative and solid ball handling skills led to goal scoring opportunities as well as effective transitions from defense.

Offense: Gotta give it up to AJ for her "nail-in-the-coffin" break away that finalized the deflation of a solid opponent. Many selfless passes led to great shots on goal and this was definitely one of them (thanks Kristian).

Another very solid game against a worthy opponent. Check out the Division Standings page to see how we're matching up against the other division teams. See you on Friday!

Wrist confirmed broken

My prayers tonight are going out to our lead scorer and now injured friend Olivia. Her dad informs me that she dies indeed have a broken wrist. Speedy and healthy recovery.

Free FC Dallas Soccer 101 for Women Sept 29th @ 7PM

For those interested, I've just registered the team to participate in an interactive FC Dallas night at Pizza Hut Park on Sept 29th @ 7PM. It's free, includes coaching tips, player positions, referee signals, FCD player coaching, photo opps w/Kevin Hartman (if knee heals), Brek Shea and Heath (the stache) Pierce. Appetizers and sodas are free, there will be a tour of the park and locker rooms (yep, probably stanky), and more fun.

See http://www.fcdallas.com/Soccer101 for more details.

Also, I would like to know who is going and who needs a ride. Please fill out the survey below and I'll get back with those interested.

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

Game Re-Cap, Practice Plans and Game

Wow!!! What a great way of starting off the season. 4-0 shutout against a team that gave some of the girls grief during the summer indoor and helped to ruin our 1st place finish last fall. I was more than pleased with the outcome of the game.

Offensively we dominated, driving many shots on goal with a high percentage of successes. A hat trick for Olivia, pretty much all from the same mark and a glorious 30-yrd-back-of-the-net-can't-stop-this (can I use that many hyphens???) goal by Annika.

Midfield we transitioned well, using our wings and stopping their attacks quickly. We still have some room to improve as some midfielders, including our wings, like to creep all the way to the front and camp out.

Defensively we proved again that the diamond is working and allows us to keep our capable keeper bored most of the game, and that's the way we like it. Flawless!

So what do we have to work on at practice? Challenges, first touches and opening into space. Our long balls are hitting well but our short game needs improvement (almost sounds like golf J ).

Our next game on Sat is against the KSA Angels which always give us great challenges. Just to be clear on snacks, Hayley is assigned this week.

Please make sure you watch the weather forecasts, including the heat indexes. Last Saturday proved that during a 105 minute match (normally just 70 minutes), it's easy to drain your drink. Bring extra/sufficient and keep these players hydrated.

Thanks for sticking it out last game and again, what a great start to the season!

Btw, if any of you are taking photos during the game, please send some of the best along to me and I'll post them up on the site.

Hydration Impacts Performance

A coaching buddy of mine tipped me to a good article on the impacts of proper hydration and how it affects player performance. Please take a moment to have a gander at the article and consider how your player may benefit from proper hydration.

http://www.soccer-fans-info.com/hydration.html

Welcome to the Fall 2010 Cheetahs

Welcome to the Cheethas and the Fall 2010 season for Keller Soccer. I'm so glad that we only have one new player and I'm excited to have her along with all of you returning.

Looks like I was wrong on myteamcaptain as the their new subscription service is lacking and too $ for what is being offered. Instead, I'll go traditional with a site, GMail, Google Calendar and my mobile :) Additional messages will be posted here on the blog, including tips, thoughts and photos. This site will have practice and game schedules up to date and will send out reminders without my having to remember to send them. In the event I need to send out an immediate team notification, I'll send via e-mail and SMS so please send me your most current mobile #, both parents if preferred.

My background: I've coached for 10 years, I'm a grade 8 certified USSF referee and I currently coach 4 teams and serve on the KSA board of directors as an age group commissioner. I'm excited to teach your players and look forward to working on skills and a bit of tactical work.

Our practice night will be Fridays from 5 PM - 6:30 PM at Arcadia Park ( http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=114536015816289706525.0004546b021a71966e82a&t=h&z=17 ).

For practice, please have your player prepared to sweat it out. Things to bring: cleats (soccer only, no toe cleats), shin guards, sufficient water (coach doesn't bring any extra water), personal size 5 ball and an attitude to work and have fun.

Games start Sept 11th so we have a lot of work to do to get ready a short amount of time. Please make sure your player is on time for practice.

My personal mobile # is 817.598.9636 and it's always on me. I only postpone answering when I'm at practice, in a game, in church services or sleeping. All other times are free game. I also check voicemail.


And for those curious, here's a picture of me while watching the 2010 World Cup (not on location, I wish).

Welcome back and let's get to work!