04 January 2016

Jan 4 and our freight train keeps running.  Another great day on tour.

Breakfast at 9:30 am today and a 10:30 team walk around and stretch followed by a nap as we prepare for our  first game.

Lunch at 1:30 and we depart for our game at 3:30.  Boys are ready to roll and have a 45 minute bus ride where we play our music, etc.  

We are playing at Levante and what a great complex that this La Liga team has. In my 36 years of coaching, I have never seen wind like this for a game, easily 50-60 mph wind and it was a factor.

We start great and are very organized and create some chances and a quick give and go between Eddie Puskarich and Derick Pettiway sends Derick through and he chips the gk for a 1-0 lead.  Boys are pumped and keep pressure on but end the half leading 1-0.

2nd half Levante change the entire squad and it proves advantageous as they put us under pressure.  We are still organized and create some chances ourselves but they score the equalizer in a goal mouth scramble and we are tied with about 20 minutes to play.

The wind is a huge issue and we have to keep the ball on the ground, when we do we are special and Chris Mendez takes on a defender on the left flank and hammers a shot that hits the underside of the cross bar. Eddie grabs the rebound just inside the six and slots home the goal and we are now up 2-1 with about 10 minutes to play. We keep attacking and defending as a unit and the final whistle blows and we win 2-1 against Levante. A great win  for us and the boys are excited.  Great to get that first win and first game under our belt.

Bus back to hotel and we are preparing  for our dinner now and then off to bed as game 2 is tomorrow at noon.  Will update you then so wish us luck

Ciao,
Ed