U14 Holland Trip 2009: Tuesday practice

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesday practice

We had two practices today on the turf fields in Maastricht. There was some sort of carnival or party going on for grade school children at the park and it was quite noisy all day. The kids are improving quickly with the training sessions. I can see vast improvement in control and quickness. This photo shows Albert striking a header from behind Sam.

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New photo slide show "Places and Buildings".
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Saturday evening: I am sitting at the bar with the coaches and chaperones while the kids (boys and girls) dance and party down after a day together at PSV stadium and PSV U18 match.

Saturday 4-25: A couple of quotes for you:

Rob the young bar keep at Stayokay Valkenswaard:
"Last weekend this place was crawling with little Americans. It was very annoying."

Hayden, when Gary commented on the horrible smell of socks in their room: "It is the smell of hard work and determination".

Friday 4-24-: Today is a mellow day. Our last training with Leo, all afternoon to rest and relax, and our final match tonight. Both trainings went well. Leo was pleased with the boys progress. We played hard and lost 4-2 in tonight's game.
Hayden made a nice run up the wing working past the defender to put a ball on frame where Jamie finished with a head in, and Ezra scored a very nice goal from a set piece. I captured Ezra's goal on video for you - posting tomorrow.

Thursday 4-23. Today was a full day of soccer on the same schedule as Tuesday - morning training, afternoon training, and match at night. The highlight was definatley the evening and spending some time with the Helmondia team.

Wednesday 4-22: A day off from training. We had a great adventure riding bikes throuvgh 6 miles of underground tunnels. We walked through Valkensberg with the girls, and explored Maastricht one last time where me made some new friends. Bus ride back to original hostel. We got the training field after dinner and coach Andy taught the kids soccer baseball - a glorified kickball. Lots of fun.

Tuesday 4-21. Today was a full day of soccer on the same schedule as yesterday - morning training, afternoon training, and match at night. Training continued to focus and quick ball movement and proper control and began to work on attacking skills towards the end of the day.
The match: A ten minute bus ride brought us to another private club with natural grass pitch and very nice club house.
The opposition was in the C-1 division, meaning their best grouping. They were huge and athletic. This was best summed up by Ezra on the sidelines before we started the match when he turned, saw the oppostition and asked "Can we just take Advil now"? lol.
The boys were outmatched. Coach Andy handled it brilliantly. He focussed on their shape, containment, and continued to give them positive feedback. The boys played hard and welre congratulated by the opposing coach who reported to Leo about the match that the boys clearly tried to play with proper form and technique but were beaten by the quickness of his teams control and speed. The boys continue to be upbeat and are enjoying their time. Tomorrow we have the day off to relax and explore the tunnels of Maastricht.

Monday 4-20: A full day of soccer.
We started with breakfast at the Hostel at 8am. Bus to our incredible practice field 6 minutes away. Back to the Hostel for lunch, and then to afternoon practice at 1:30. Back to the Hostel to change and hydrate 1 h0ur before off to our game at a different location. This will be our schedule tomorrow as well.

The practice facillity is spectacular. Turf field equal to Middlebury college. All to ourselves. Leo worked his magic for two sessions. Some nice photos added to slide show.

After the second session we went to the US WWII cemetery.
See photos in slide show.

Tonight's game was tense and exciting. Again, a spectacular setting. A private club and beatiful turf field. The boys were clearly nervous and tight in the first half, and did not pass well. We lost the first hald 5-0. Into the locker room for hot tea at half-time where coach Andy calmed then down and set the tone for the second half. They played much better to a 1-1 tie in the second half.

After dinner we took a walk into old Maastricht. For reasons inexplicable I did not carry my camera on this walk, but will tomorrow. Spectacular old city with medieval flair and amazing stone buildings. I continue to be amazed at the beauty of this country, and definatley plan on returning with my wife in the future.

Sunday 4-19. Another great day in Holland. Futbol begins. We started the day with a two hour practice and met Leo. Gorgeous field in the middle of nowhere - farms, horses, trees, bike paths - nice. Leo is awesome - challenging the boys mentally - think think think.
Lunch, then bus ride to Eindhoven with girls to see professional PSV vs. Ajax at PSV stadium. We had two hours walking around Eindhvoven. High scoring, exciting game 6-2 for PSV. It was very exciting. We have some videos to post later.

Long bus ride to new digs in Maastricht. Hostel is techno-funky - Austin Powers would be comfortable here. This new hostel is right is on the river with gorgeous terrace overlooking the water. The kids seem happy, relaxed, and all are getting along well. Tomorrow we hit the turf field early.

Fixed. Slideshow working.

Friday/Saturday. An icnredible week in a day. Long trael and restless flight for most - with exception of Ryan M. more on that later...Dan took a great shot of how Ryan slept.

Box of balls and gear missing on arrival. Hectic at airport and connecting with tour bus. Then 2 hours in Amsterdam before bus to Ajax stadium. Full stadium tour, then back to Amsterdam for more liesurely site seeing. Finally, long bus ride to Einhoven (close) to Hostel for night. Very nice, and excellent meal.

Thursday 4-16-09: Most of the team was at practice tonight at our new outdoor training field in Williston. Tomorrow we're off!

Seacoast Updates:
The team played together for the first time today and did a great job. They lost the game 4-0 but the score did not reflect the whole story. Far Post dominated much of the first half, and went down 2-0 on several break away chances by Maine.
Maine played well and had a couple of excellent srikers up top. Goal keeping was shared by Ryan Elliot and Ezra.
The boys look good, and their fitness looks strong.
Tomorrow: Breakfast 6am, game at 8am, and then last game vs. hosting Seacoast team at 3pm.

Sunday AM game: 4-0 loss. 34 degress and raining and they still had fun. Opposing team played with great composure, connecting passes well and outplayed us in the first half 3-0. Game was much more even in second half.

Sunday afternoon: VICTORY! 2-0 domination.
The team really came together. Jack scored a gorgeous header off a set piece delivery from Hayden. Jack also pushed a through ball that Nico ran onto and beat two defenders to score...a spectactular finish.
The back line of Sam, Griffen, Ryan, and Ezra were infallible. Albert played goalie the whole game earning the shutout. A great finish to our first team event.

Injury Update

4-25; I have not updated this in a few days. Fortunately there is nothing serious to report. Hayden missed two practices with sore feet but did not miss any games. Sam took a ball to the nose on defense and camer off the field bleeding in the last game. All training and games are now done and all players are happy and healthy.

4-21: Philip has not let the ankle strain hamper him at all. A little wrap and tape he has continues to perform at 100 percent. Way to go, Philip.
Hayden took a bullet of a ball to the face and came off the field with a gushing nose. Gary administered support like a pro and got him cleaned up. He, like several other boys have blisters that they are managing with bandages and duct tape with no problem. Everyone is doing fine.

4-20: Philip came out of the game with an ankle strain at the end of the first half. He seems better tonight and was able to walk the streets of Maastricht with us, but is questionable for tomorrow's training anfd game.
Ian strained a finger on a save. He seems ok but was a bit concerned as it was the a finger he has broken in the past.
Hayden came out at half time with blister pain and a cut on his big toe. He should be ok tomorrow with bandage and tape.
I tended to them all on the sidelines of game.
No serious injuries.

U14 Holland Trip 2009

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesday practice

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