17 July 2007

A day for the boys to remember and for the girls to forget. Kids still on a high from the opening ceremonies last night and the Boys A start us off this morning with a game on a gravel field. Some of the fields are water logged so they have to move to gravel fields. Just like it sounds, the fields are gravel, kind of like compact sand with some pebbles, fast and quick, and personally, I like it.  We play a team from Hungary and we go down 1-0 on a defensive error.  James and Tina, ask Beau about this one.  We come right back and Dalton ties the score as we go to the half 1-1.  Second half we dominate the game but hit the post twice and just cannot score, that is until the last minute of the game and Emmit nets the game winner. Boys are excited as they have a chance to win the group later tonight. 

Girls C are next as they play a game at the Heden Complex once again against one of the top Swedish clubs in Sweden.  We play well at times and it was a good game but the Swedes score a goal with 5 minutes to go and win the game 1-0.  Our girls lacked soccer savvy and game sense in this one and the experienced team won. 

Boys C are next and they score 2 quick goals in the first five minutes and win the game 2-0.  Austin and Wade each score and the boys played very well and the score should have been worse. They enjoyed their game today and played like kids. 

Girls A were next as they took on a very popular Swedish team at a mini stadium. We look tired and give up 2 cheap goals as we lose 2-0.  Even though we played poor, we created enough chances to win this game and the dissappointment is evident.  Just not good enough and Ed and Tim are not happy with this performance. 

Boys A finish the day with a game on Heden at the showcase fields vs a team from Georgia (Russian), the country not the state!  What a game as a huge crowd watch our boys play some great soccer.  We win the game 3-0 with two goals from Junior and a spectacular bicycle kick from Emmet.  We really put on a commercial for American soccer and Stars n Stripes as the crowd really enjoyed our brand of soccer, fast paced and creative.  Very fun and energetic and the kids are excited.  Another sunny day, although we did have some periods of overcast and light rain, but all in all, great weather.

Room checks are interesting.  We have most rooms are unorganized and messy with clothes and food around and then we have the surprise of the tour.  Our youngest boys cleaning their rooms, cooking gourmet food, and looking a lot like Felix Unger. Parents, you may have to explain who Felix is.  Eddie, Tino, and Tripp have by far the cleanest room in the hotel. The maids do not have to enter it is so clean. They cook food and share with their teammates and coaches, go figure. Most kids actually cook food as we have small kitchens in the rooms. A great hotel.  All is going well and kids are all doing match analysis as well as we want them to look at games from a different perspective. 

With the win, the Boys A have clinched their group and have earned a much needed day off. All other 3 teams are in the hunt for the advancement phase so Wednesday is an important day.  Will speak to you more tomorrow.

-Ed

POD - Boys A - Game 1 - Adrian
         Boys A - Game 2 - Junior
         Girls A - Sam Condino
         Boys C - Austin
         Girls C - Melissa