USSDA Spring Showcase - Day 1

Day One - After getting turned around on I-90 last night we finally arrived at our hotel shortly after midnight locally, about 2 hours later than expected.

The environment at the Showcases is really impressive. The player's lounge has about a dozen flat screen TVs with EA Sports Soccer on each and a massive big screen with soccer highlights and interviews. Gatorade is everywhere and its FREE, which of course makes for long lines at the Johnny on the Spot. I have never seen a greater collection of U.S. Soccer National Staff coaches in one location and the college coach count is well past the 100 mark on the first day. Both teams had more than 20 college coaches at their game and 3-4 National Staff coaches.

U15/16 game v. Oakwood
We probably played our best game of the year, but couldn't score. Oakwood scored a goal in the 79th minute as we where chasing the game to win 2-0, but we spent more time in the attacking half of the field and in their penalty area than in any other game all year. The lack of opportunities in previous matches unfortunately had a quite a bit to do with our inability to get a result today.

I was very pleased with our organization with the back four and defensive midfielders. Our ability to get the ball to our lone striker and hold it allowed us some very good attack and possession. We played from touch line to touch line extremely well, but couldn't find that elusive goal. Our combination play was decent in the middle third of the field, but the final pass was never connected.

U17/18 game v. Oakwood
The 1-0 result was very important to us for one simple reason. This is the first time all year we made an early goal hold up. This team has a tendency to steal a tie from the grips of a win and on more than one occasion turn 3 points into 0. Today, however, we took another step in our kids' development in understanding how to play relative to the situation. While the second goal could have come by chasing it, so too could the equalizer on our end. While Oakwood showed great spirit and determination late, our resolve was equal to the task. We were much smarter in how and when to get forward and yet still maintain our defensive integrity to keep a clean sheet.

In the first 15 minutes of the game we were extremely good. Unfortunately, we scored and with that goal we played a dreadful 1/2 hour to finish the first period. We regrouped at half-time and were quite good in the second half. They tried and nearly succeeded a couple of times to use our own possession against us by pressing late to win the ball on our first touch. We adjusted, but still lack vision to get behind their line. When we combined the possession with a quality final ball, it was a pleasure to watch!

Tomorrow the U15/16 group plays Potomac SC while the U17/18 team will complete the SPARQ testing and enjoy a day off. (The roles will be reversed on Sunday.) In the afternoon we plan on taking over NikeTown in downtown Chicago!