funny umbro ad

Let's see how many people still check the blog....my guess is Jim, Jeff and myself?

Check out this funny umbro ad, it's safe, no worries.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A20tQ7vZNnk

Spring Season, part 1

Ok, Bitches, and Gary,
Since there were no takers on my offer to manage the team this Spring, I'll do it again. Dammit.
Meeting is this Monday night where I'm sure I'll receive all kinds of informative tips. Of course I'll gladly pass them on to you.
I will assume that those of you who offered to help out on an as-needed basis will be available for certain tasks. Beer retrieval is top of the list.
Anyway, stay tuned for more info.
We really need some solid players, so if you can put the word out, please do. I'll see about an online presence.
Later,
jc

Questions and Pleas for Outdoor

All,

First of all, the Spring outdoor season will be upon us shortly. The organizational meeting is to take place in just over two weeks and the first weekend of April hosts the season opener.
Second, are you planning to play on ES this Spring? We have only lost one player from the fall as far as I know, though we can always use a few good players. Know any?
Third, can someone please, please take over running the team for a while? I've done four seasons, and am maxed out.
Please let me know the answers to all of these questions by Feb. 16 so I can get an idea of what's happening for the Spring.

Thanks,

I know it's early, but....

Outdoor does start in a couple of months, and I want to put the bug in everyone's ear as far as deciding whether or not you plan to play this Spring and to assist all of us in finding a couple of new players. Don't rush into any decisions just yet. We've got some time. It would be nice to start kicking around before the start of the season, which right now is scheduled for the first Sunday in April. We've lost Mark N, but should have Chris Dawson back. Any thoughts from anyone? Just let me know.
Oh, and Jim Leslie wanted me to plug his new tax preparation service. Refund GUARANTEED.

Sports City Tie Breaker Rule

Great work last night gentlemen! You all helped smother/block many shots to make my job a lot easier. Thank you! However, we still got our player assignments mixed up a few times, but it worked out ok.

Before we worry about tie breaker rules against National FC, we need to first concentrate on (#1) winning games and (#2) having few goals scored against us. For an explanation of why see below. Thanks again for your hard work yesterday.


9A.3 Tie-breaker Rules (These tie-breaker rules are not used to determine the winner of a tournament semi-final or championship game.)
In the event two or more teams have accumulated the same number of points in a tournament or league, the tie will be broken according to the following provisions, and in this order:

A.) Head to head competition-The result of the game(s) between the teams tied. (In the event of a tie between three or more teams, this tie-breaker will be skipped and the next tie-breaker(s) considered sequentially. Once one team is determined to have the best record of the teams tied, then that team will advance. The remaining teams will then begin the tie-breaker process anew starting with A. and proceed until one of the teams is found to have the better record. Then, that team, along with the first team to advance, will begin the tie-breaker process again starting with A.)

B.) Fewest points allowed in all games.

C.) Most shutouts recorded in all games.

D.) Total points scored in all games (however, a maximum of 3 points will be awarded per game).

E.) Coin toss or such other tie-breaker as both coaches and Sports City agree to.

Mourinho is a #%$&@$%^

A draw against a higher seeded team, on the road yet, and Mourinho has the nerve to criticize Arsenal for being happy with the result. He is such an idiot!

Tonight's Indoor Match

Well, I think we learn more from games like this than those in which we dominate without much effort. I want to apologize for being responsible for three goals. I was the dictionary illustration of not following my man.
A few comments heard afterwards:

-- we didn't follow the runners
-- we need to play man to man vs zone defense
-- when we marked them, they didn't have anything
-- we need to keep our heads up and slow down in attack
-- we rushed when we fell behind

All worth thinking about. However, keep in mind that we were in the game all the way to the end and it could have easily gone the other way. We frustrated them as well. Good for us.
Nick, I thought you had a great game winning tackles all over the place. All our goals were the result of that kind of hustle. So, it's not all negative. Let's have a blast next week.
Anyone for kicking around outside one weekend day?

European Matches live to watch online!!!

http://www.myp2p.eu/index.htm - click on "football" on the left and then if you want to watch a weekday or weekend match.

Many links from around the world will appear, I've had luck by just selecting the "live" windows media feed. Often times, it will say that it can't connect, this is because of traffic, keep hitting play until you get through. The quality is very good as long as you internet connection is good.

Happy watching and good luck getting work done!

Good Finish

Guys, despite the result and that lucky shot - my bad for letting him shoot, I thought he was going to cross and we'd handle it easily - we played very well. Really, the improvement from the beginning of the season showed itself today. Congratulations for playing so hard and putting it all out there today.
As for next season, we can always use good players, so if you know anyone, let everyone know. I know that some of you may be moving on to greener pastures, and I hope that if this is your intention, you'll let us know that as well.
I think next Spring we will be very competitive and can make a run to move up to division 1. Let's keep working and get it done.
How about a night for beer sometime before the end of the year?
In any case, it's been a good season and let's get excited for the spring.

Last Game of the Season

Sunday, 1pm, CD East. Lower Dauphin, who spanked us last time out. I don't like being spanked. At least not like that.
Bring your a-game.

Stat Update!

GP: 9 | W:6 | D: 1 | L:2 | GS: 27 | GA: 15

Jim L.: 8 (fwd)
Nick: 4 (mid-center)
Dil: 3 (def)
Jim Z: 3 (mid-wing)
Mark N.: 3 (mid-wing)
Marat: 2 (fwd)
Mark K: 2 (mid-wing)
Gary: 1 (mid-center)
Jeff C.: 1 (mid-center)

Honorary mention:
Jeff S. 4 Assists! (we are only counting assists for Jeff S.-sorry)
Steve G. (a.k.a. Qin) 1 appearance! (2 if you he makes the last match)

Next Game

Sunday, 1pm, Penn State Cap Campus
Directions: Penn State Middletown Campus: Take I-283 towards Lancaster to the Harrisburg International Airport exit. On exiting, stay in the left lane. Follow signs to the airport terminal. Just before the road splits to enter the terminal area there will be an exit on the right for Rt. 230. Take the Rt. 230 exit. At the bottom of the exit ramp (Rt. 230 intersection) turn left onto Rt. 230. Follow Rt. 230 for approximately 1 mile to the Penn State Capitol Campus (campus is on the left). Turn left into the campus and bear right at the fork. Proceed to the top of the hill. The soccer field will be off to the left. Field with lights.

Let's finish this game off better than the last.

jc

Indoor Tonight

There is pick up indoor at Twin Ponds from 7-9 this evening, for those that are interested. Cost is $5-.
I plan on attending, but my daughter has conjunctivitis and I may have to make up for missing some work. I'll post my status later.
Please post your status - it would be good to get a few guys out there and work on some short passing...

jc

Stats Summary 22 for/12 against in 7 matches

Jim L.: 8 (fwd) - confirmed
Nick: 3 (mid-center) - confirmed
Dil: 3 (def)
Jim Z: 3 (mid-wing)
Mark N.: 2 (mid-wing) - confirmed
Gary: 2 (mid-center)
Jeff C.: 1 (mid-center) - confirmed
Marat: 1 (fwd)
Mark K: 1 (mid-wing)
-------------
24
*someone has to lose 2 goals, we're only 22 goals for/12 goals against

-So what does this analysis tell us?

1) Jim is a goal scoring machine (with Jim skewing the data--in a good way!)
2) We've averaged 2.75 goals in 7 games (with the match against Hellanic skewing the data)
3) Fwds: 9/22 goals
4) Mids (center): 6/22 goals
5) Mids (wings): 6/22 goals (perhaps -1 here?)
6) Def (center): 3/22 goals (perhaps -1 here?)
7) There have been a total of 270 goals scored in D1 and D2, averaging at 18 goals per team, that's 2.57 goals per game in 7 games. So as pathetic as it is, we are above average.
8) Division One's average is 19.12 goals per team (with angelos 28 goals and annville 32 skewing the data).
9) Division Two's average is a pathetic 16.71 goals per team (with ES???? leading the pack on goals scored).
10) We've allowed 12 goals to be scored against us, with 2 clean sheets (against camp hill and hellanic). That's 1.71 goals allowed per match.
11) Games we've won by 1 goal=3/7
12) Games we've lost by 1 goal=1/7
13) Games we've won by more than 1 goal=2/7
14) Games won away 3/7 - Games lost away 1/7
15) Games won home 2/7 - Games lost at home 1/7

So, statistically, what does this tell us? That perhaps we should consider switching our formation (especially with only 3 matches left) to (ala Arsenal yesterday) a 4-5-1 (with one midfielder supporting Jim or Henry if you like)) or a 3-5-2, offering offensively minded and defensively minded midfield play. A majority of our efforts (almost 50% are coming from the midfield-as they should be)--an even distribution of goals are coming from the wings (5) and from the center of the pitch (6).

Of course, none of these statistics are valid if we don't play hard, want to win and work together as a team.

I'm doing all of this because I'm supposed to be studying for my doctoral exams--I get easily distracted :)

Two quick things

Stats: Who has scored for ES this year? we have 22 for and 12 against, with jeff and the defense recording two clean sheets.

Twin Ponds tonight: I suspect those of you who said that they would play tonight forgot that it was Halloween....anyone showing anyway? I might, but I don't have children.

Last Game, Pickup, Next Game

Way to come back and get the win yesterday. I felt we took it to them except for the beginning of the second half. Then the intensity returned. Good chances, good finishing, good defending.

Pickup tomorrow night is between 7-9 at Twin Ponds.

Next game is Sunday at 1, CD East (I think) against Londonderry. Bring your blue shirts.

Again, good work, see you next week.
jc

Fun Site

http://www.soccercommercials.com/

Twin Ponds Pick-up

Hi Everyone-

For those of you who a) read the blog and b) think that they need additional time to work on fitness, skills, shooting and miss weekly practice.

Twin Ponds has open pick-up every Tuesday from 7-9pm. The skill level varies but is generally decent, with players ranging in age from 17-60.

I won't be there this Tuesday (10/24) but otherwise plan to attend whenever I can.

Directions to Twin Ponds: http://ezleagues.ezfacility.com/contact_us.aspx?facility_id=15

Nonetheless...

Despite the result, we played some of our best soccer this year during that game. A couple of finishes, and we would have been fine.
Look inside yourself, see what you can improve, see what we as a team can do better. Other than the obvious - finishing.
Let's get ready for the physical game next Sunday against Camp Hill.
There is pickup indoor at Twin Ponds on Tuesday - Nick, can you post the times?
Rest up and I'll see you Sunday if not before,
jc

Upcoming Games

All,

Solid work this past weekend - let's not get carried away, however. There was some talk, and I agree with it, that we were still too vertical in our attack. We used the width very well, I thought, but didn't really switch the point of attack. This upcoming game, Sunday, 1pm at CDEast against Redland, let's work on that. We don't have to go directly to goal. Review Argentina's 24-pass goal against Serbia from this past world cup (got to be somewhere online).
Other games coming up are: Camp Hill, Sunday, Oct.29, 1pm at Fiala, Londonderry, November 5, 1pm at CD East. Those will be tough, so let's get ready for them by playing hard this week.
Again, a nice win - we needed the result - but let's focus on lateral movement and, for Camp Hill and Lower Dauphin (last game of the season), physical play.