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Description: Check out my top ten lists - all centered around life and disabilities.
Well, today has been a very long day, successful for the US but also challenging. We played France this morning and tied the game, which is exactly what we needed (along with a win against Denmark) to win the 1st spot moving into tomorrow’s semi-finals. The challenge is that of our eight players, not all 8 have gotten to play all games. This has caused some strife among the team, and though I won’t discuss this further now, I see the frustration and mostly the desire of our awesome team to all participate and make sure they can contribute to the USA victory. This pains me because I know how much hard work all of our players have put in to get here, and they are all used to starting on their own teams (one of the requirements to be on the team is that you have to be a starter on your local team.) So, now we have four players sitting on the bench hoping to get their chance. Every player has played at least a short time, but many of them have missed out on playing some of the teams. This teaches me a lesson that I know I will carry back to our team. It ISN’T always about winning to me. I might not have said that before this experience, but the more I see, the more I realize that it’s no fun to be part of a winning team if you haven’t been part of the team to get there. Even if you have helped support the team in practice, I am learning from the examples in front of me how to and not to coach my team. Communication is one of the biggest issues I see as a coach. I want to communicate my thoughts, positive and negative, to the team, so that they can learn how I coach and can learn to be leaders and coaches themselves. I also want to teach them when it is important to win and when it is important to experiment. Some of the best insights and combinations can come when you take odd chances and create chemistry. I am looking forward to trying new combinations in our practices and trusting our 6 players more, even when they make mistakes.
Finally, let me give you an update on the plan for the semi-finals and finals. Tomorrow, we will play Belgium (4th place team) at 10am! The winner (US I am planning) will play in the Final Match versus the winner of France (2nd place currently) vs. Japan (third place currently) at 4:30pm. Again, we will record all games and have the results up tomorrow with the footage. I believe our team has what it takes to face these two talented rivals. It will take a lot of focus, teamwork, and even love to bring this team together for one final day to succeed against the best in the world.
Keep cheering for us and believing in Team USA!
Today’s Game Scores:
France 1 – USA 1
USA 6 – Denmark 0
What an experience it is to be here and be part of Team USA. Not only is it now real that we are representing our country, but it’s amazing to feel the pride of our team coming together. I’ve noticed it in small ways: locating our charging station and writing Team USA on our apparel and chargers so they won’t get mixed up, being called for games or lunches, and being asked random questions about the US from other interested participants. We are truly representatives, and I think the athletes are doing our country proud.
So, we’ve had a great two games (two more to go today). I have had a great time being on the sidelines. At first, I didn’t really know what I would need to do, but now my time there is full. Here are my responsibilities:
· Write down the times for the speed testing of the opposing country
· Test our spare chair so that we can exchange parts if needed during the game
· Submit our player roster and starters to the bench and provide a copy to the opposing team
· Do our Team USA cheer
· Get water, padding, and adjust straps of the players for substitutions
· Track goals, assists, shots on goal, and goalie saves
· Have fun!
I love it. It has been great to spend the time with the team and also to hear from these two great coaches (Chris and Dominic) how they run the team during game time. Chris has been our head coach and leader through much of the training camps, but it is Dominic who steps up in game time. His comments and booming voice into the field is always timely and insightful. I also appreciate how they prepare each player a few minutes before substitutions to get ready for the game and for their upcoming position. I hope to bring some of my learned tools into our own team game.
As for the rest of our experience, the countries all share a very small room at the back of the gym with a limited number of charging stations. This is a logistical and electrical nightmare, but it forces the countries to interact on a very frequent basis, which is probably a good thing. Everyone is sociable and excited to be here. Some countries are more jovial and warm than others. I think we are somewhere in between – maintaining our competitive focus but not sacrificing friendship or good sportsmanship.
We have two more games today, which makes for a very long day for the team, but tomorrow is a free day, so we will have time to regroup, see the last sights of Tokyo, and charge our batteries for a tough last day of group play. I’ll try to get up more info and written updates about the team. Definitely check out the game footage. We’ll be adding it as quickly as possible to keep everyone posted on the status of the team!
Continued…
So, now I’m on the last bus back to the hotel. It’s 9:21pm, and we’ve been going since 5:30 this morning. What a day! After lunch, we took some time to relax and stay focused, to prepare for this exhausting evening. Then, we faced Belgium. What an exciting game. Belgium has been one of the nicest teams all week, and I have particularly had a lot of fun talking with their coaches and players in French. One of the guys is particularly talkative, and whenever he gets tired talking in his limited English with the other coaches, he comes and finds me. So, it was a very jovial relationship as we each entered the field. Once the game began, it was a different story, not that they were unkind, but that they were highly aggressive. They played a four-man attack and really pushed forward and dribbled as much as possible. It was a much more challenging game than the morning game, and I think even the players were surprised at how well they did. Maybe not… Anyways, the best part for me was after the first half, when Dominic (assistant coach) turned to Chris (head coach) and said, “let’s have three goals this half.” Chris replied, “Write it down!” So, Dominic put down the spaces for the 3 goals on his scorekeeping sheet. Sure enough, the USA got exactly 3 goals in the second half. Well, I don’t want to ruin the game completely for you if you want to view it, but it is a really great game to watch and it was amazing to see how each of the players adapted so well to the new techniques and strategy applied by Belgium.
Then, it was time to face Japan in one of the most televised, hyped games yet. The crowd was organized and cheering so loud for Japan but also for Team USA (maybe they were cursing us out and we just didn’t know it). Again, it was incredible to be on the sidelines in the action. I love seeing the players discuss the game and immediate strategies. Our whole roster did not play in this game, as it was a highly defensive tactic that Japan employed. It was very exciting, not to mention intensified by the nonstop cheering crowd. Our athletes stayed focused, composed, and prepared, learning their passing techniques, jumping on the ball, and scoring on set plays. In my opinion, this game was the worst refereed of any of the games so far, as the assistant referees were indecisive, and the head referee was inconsistent. He demanded to call all clipping, but no holding, which Japan continued to do, even in 2-on-1 situations (which were also not called). He did luckily notice a few of the 3-in-the-area minor fouls and called them, giving us some indirect free kick opportunities at the top of the box. (Sorry if I lose any non-power soccer people in this description). Regardless, Team USA has learned to play its own game. We don’t need to blame referee calls, other team decisions, or any other details. It’s our game, our time, and our choice to win.
On a side note, it has been very odd not seeing Elio in the game as a starter. He has always been part of the game, leading on the court and taking control. Now, he is subbed in a few minutes every game, which I know is a weird experience for him as well. He is playing well, getting in the flow, and handling the roughness of the game extremely well. I’m proud to see him learning one of the aspects that is most difficult as a substitute – to get into the rhythm of the game and the other players almost instantaneously. I think this will strengthen his game and also help him to have a better understanding of substitutions for our local team. It is an interesting dynamic for this team, which has 8 players. It really is tough with that many players because you want to build chemistry on the court but also have strong players to come in for any situation. This team is very good, and so the substitute bench is almost as good as the starters. It must be hard as a parent to see your child have worked so hard now to sit on the bench. At the same time, it’s such an honor to be one of the top 8 players in the country and to be part of the team available to assist in the game at any moment. I look forward to seeing how the coaches will manage the next four games for substitutions and the many other game details that will come. I know that teams will be using our upcoming rest day to adapt and become even stronger for Friday’s group play and Saturday’s semifinal and final matches.
Until then…
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Well, it’s officially the start of the World Cup. Even though Opening Ceremonies won’t start until Tuesday (Day 10), it was pretty clear as the delegations started arriving, filling the hotel with their wheelchairs, sporting attire from their respective countries, and speaking a combined 7 languages, that the World Cup has finally arrived. Day 8 was spent meeting the other delegates and SHOPPING at this great grocery/department store down the street. We also had a wonderful welcome party in the evening, featuring announcements from the heads of power soccer around the world and a welcome present from Sony Corporation (the latest mp3 players for every athlete, attendant, family member, and delegate engraved with FIPFA Japan 2007).
Day 9 started with a bus ride to the new facility, where the World Cup will take place. We had the first (and best) practice time of the teams. It was great to see the athletes get loosened up and accustomed to the new surroundings. It was also great to be outdoors – it was pouring and windy all day, thanks to a typhoon off the coast of China! The team has really come together over the last week, and I look forward to cheering them on tomorrow from the sidelines! I’ve posted some of their training videos taken over the last week.
Stay tuned for game footage and results up tomorrow, following their game versus England at 4:30pm Japan Time.
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Very interesting thoughts.
10/19/07 06:10:13 pm
Wow! I’m a little late on the comment but I think I’ll still contribute! You've made a good point here. Life itself is a combination of winning and experimenting. I can empathize with those who are frustrated. It isn't fun to be on the sidelines. The key is to keep everyone focused and remind them that everyone has played a roll in the team’s victory. If you truly want to be winners- you must begin as a team, play as a team and finish as a team. If you can't do that all you have gained is a title (and maybe a trophy) which will only last a little while. Not even that is worth the loss of team moral and furthermore friendships.
10/19/07 10:10:54 am
You Guys are doing amazing, its so awesome to watch the games live GO TEAM USA
10/12/07 05:10:09 pm
First and formost your guys dedication to Team USA is amazing. You all have set an amazing an example for the sport. My team can look up to you and see what can be done if you practice and dedicate yourself to a team. It is inspiring to see the dedication you guys have for your team. Keep up the great work. You guys are ALL amazing.
10/12/07 08:10:29 am