Thank you for a wonderful season - Until Next Year!

Top from Left to Right: Kiyoshi, Jesus, David, Robbie, Tarkan and McGregor Bottom from Left to Right: Selou, Quin, George, Diego and Luca

Dear friends:

In my last post as head co-coach of this wonderful team, I would like to thank all of you for your support and mostly, thank the boys for their undying spirit. From all perspectives, this has been a great season. All of our boys improved tremendously this year and Dave, Jake and I are all very proud of what they achieved.

I know that this season was special because our team came together literally a couple of weeks before the season began. Yet, through hard work, we surpassed unexpected issues and together had the pleasure to see the rise in skill and understanding of the game in all the boys.

It is clear that hard work does pay off, and for that, I congratulate each one of you.

I also hope that you cherish the awards you won this year:

Tarkan - Team Spirit Award

Selou - Most Versatile Player Award

Quin - Speed Demon Award

Diego - Best Goal Award

Kiyoshi and Robbie - Most Assists Awards

Jesus - Golden Boot Award

Davey - Best Defender Award
Robbie - Leadership Award

Luca - Lionheart Award

McGregor - Most Improved Award

George - Most Valuable Player Award (voted by his fellow players)

La Maquina ~ March 12, 2011

In the end though, award or not, all the boys must be proud of what they learned and how they applied it on the field. Our last two games were tough but just think of this: considering that half of our team was composed of players who are playing a year up (with one of our boys still 10 years old) and also that some of our players had never even met each other, think of this: Out of the 16 games we played, we won 8, tied 4 and only lost 4 ~ it is without any doubt an outstanding achievement.

Congratulations boys!

I want to end by saying thank you to Jake who, despite having to miss part of the season due to other commitments, brought his vision and ideas to the club ~ thank you Jake. I also want to say many thanks to Bela Gomes, who managed our team and worked hard to keep tabs on logistics, stats, practice and game times ~ thank you Bela.

And last, to my friend David del Castillo, whose vision of the game is one I fully share. Together, we managed to ruffle some feathers at the beginning of the season but in the end, both of us, with assistance from Jake, were able to stir this team into exactly what it became: a Machine.

To all the parents who stood in the cold, rain, wind and still managed to scream "come on guys, keep going" I say thank you so much. Although I do not know what the future holds for me, I am humbled to have had the chance to coach your boys this year ~ Gracias.

Best of luck in the future to each of the boys: Much love fellas.

Sincerely, 

Roberto Alberto

La Maquina 2 Cordoba Bay 1 ~ exciting game!

Zup everybody!

Well, we did it again ~ we were able to come out victorious. I have to say that I did feel concerned today with some of our play. I think we were a bit too panicky on the ball a few times and there were too many turnovers for my liking. But I do have to recognize that we created some amazing opportunities. Overall, I do think we deserved the win, but have to recognize that Cordoba Bay did put a lot of pressure on us and made us make mistakes.

I want to tell you the things I thought were really good:

First, our shots ~ I think today we put a good display of taking shots on net. I think almost every one of you took a shot today. Fantastic. I was particularly happy with Robbie and Jesus who dominated that department. Well done to all of you. 

Second, our play down the wing ~ I think there several times when Diego and Luca, as well as Jesus and Quin, combined really well on the sides. I think for me, seeing Quin not only shut down on the opposition's best player while still supporting the attack, was very well done. So this is an area where clearly, we are improving.

Third, our corner kicks ~ today we used both long and short corner kicks to great effect. I think we are beginning to pay attention to what the other team is doing before we take the corner kicks. This is allowing us to use the best approach every time. 

Fourth and last, our goalkeeping and defensive stance on corner kicks ~ we are more aware of what we need to cover. George continues to improve day in and day out. We got to the ball first, before other players did during corner kicks, and this was important.

Now, here's what I saw as needing improvement:

First, too many turnovers ~ today, we panicked when under pressure. There is no need for us to do that. We have the skill to settle the ball and pass to the open man. We failed on that today and frankly, we were fortunate several times that we gave the ball away. I was frustrated to see you stop an attack and then immediately just give the ball to the team. Fellas, we need to stop that, immediately. We'll work on controlling the ball while under pressure this week.

Second, our lack of defensive pressure ~ last week, we presented a great display of discipline and defensive strategy that culminated in us shutting down one of the best teams in this division. Today though, we lost that. Not once, but several times, we gave WAY too much space to opposition players. We then began to scramble and try to defend two guys at once, creating more space that the other team exploited. It was scary. So, what do we do? We work on that furious defensive style again and make it a must in every game and every practice.

Last, our inaccurate passing ~ now, this is almost the same as the one above, but not quite. With this one, I am referring to players having time and possession of the ball and yet managing to make difficult passes that were easily cut off by the opposition. Our goal kicks were problematic for a big chunk of the first half. Our passes down the wing were also suffering towards the end. And for some reason, we couldn't really get control of the ball in the attacking center of the field. Perhaps it was just one of those games, but my boys, we need to remember that without accuracy, we will run into serious trouble. So, we need to be diligent and accurate with our passing. 

In the end though, you should be happy and proud of the overall performance. We did win, we did show great plays and yes, we created some amazing chances. 

We just need to work on maintaining the same level of defensive work EVERY GAME ~ I know you can do it boys.

Last, who should be man of the match? I thought about this one and frankly, two boys really stood out: Jesus and George. Jesus for his genius display of skill in that second goal and also his ability to control the ball so well on the wing throughout the game. I also have to say that Jesus' turnover rate was very low and that his passing was also quite good. But then we have George, whose saves kept our team ahead and literally protected us from having the other team tie the game as time wound down. George came out several times and cut breakaways in an incredibly gutsy manner. George also made some great passes down the wing that created immediate counter-attacks. Most of all, it was his "I don't care if I break my nose" style that makes his team rally up and get behind him. 

So, I will give special mention to Jesus (your goal and that one pass you made to Diego were simply phenomenal ~ Jesus, you were our best outfield player today) but for this week, the MAN OF  THE MATCH goes to George Lambert.

Well done Georgie!!

Ok, I hope that all the parents had a good time today. Thank you again. Thanks to Jake and of course, to my brother el Charrua Davito.

Remember, practice at 6:00 in the gym this Monday and then at 5:00 pm on Wednesday at the turf.

Keep going Maquina ~ you are playing great ~!

Sincerely, 

Coach Roberto