La Maquina 2 - Gorge FC 2 ... way to fight back boys!

High fives all around after an arduous fight ~ Vamos Maquina...PODEMOS!

 What a tough game we had this weekend, eh?! Although we started off with a wonderful goal created by a wonderful one-two pass between Diego and Chase, finished with class by Jesus, we struggled to get our game going and it wasn't until Diego's solo strike to the bottom right of Gorge's goal that we once again saw our quality come to light. 

I must tell you that as I watched the game from the sidelines, I felt concerned by our lack of ease when coming out of our area. Even when making good passes out, we were too slow in receiving them, soft on shielding the ball and seemed to be freaked out by Gorge's physicality. I did see displays of the passing style we have shown in our past games, but it was clear that we were not on our game for much of the middle of the game.

So what happened? Two things: we were out-muscled and two, I failed to give you proper instructions on how to deal with the physicality of our opposition. I saw our game slowly become suffocated by Gorge's aggressiveness and this showed in the insecurity of our passing. Most of all, it was clear to me that we felt intimidated and frustrated, to the point that it took away from the rhythm we so often establish against all the teams we play. We started off well, but succumbed to the choking grip of hard tackles and pushes. Yet, you fought hard and did your best to claim a tie when the wind did not seem to be blowing our way. Finesse, rather than force, won the day. But hey, it was rough!

Boys, my responsibility is to ensure that our team's mentality addresses the opposition we play, game in and game out. This time around, I think my directions were so focused on ensuring our positioning that I did not get you to be stronger on the ball and/or when being checked. Instead, we became reactionary, giving Gorge too much of the ball, sometimes by turning it over, and other times by allowing them to simply run through the heart of the midfield in order to set up an attack.

Diego on the break that led to the equalizer!

In hindsight, I also believe our formation, for this particular game, should have been different. Our defensive stance, combined with hesitation brought on by their physical game, created a scenario where Gorge began to take control of our midfield to the point where neither of our centre backs nor our outside defenders could come up and join the attack effectively. Boys, with physical teams like Gorge we CANNOT allow them to intimidate us. We must play our passing game BUT ALSO be hard and strong. Our fore-checking was not all there and our ability to read their plays was slow. Again, I take blame for this because I should have given you clearer instructions on how to stifle their attacks and take the game to them.

Yet, I gotta tell you that I did see some great things: our free kicks were dangerous. Our centre backs did their best to hold the fort. Our goalie was on fire (yes Georgie, you were amazing!). Our wingers were a force going up and created the two goals we got. Our outside defenders did their best in stopping attacks, even when the opposition was committed to do all in their power to take them off balance. Our forwards did push and try their best to cause mistakes (which resulted on a couple of corner kicks) and did cause some scary moments for Gorge's defence.

In the end, we had a game where we started off very well, then slowly fell to being second to the ball during a big part of it, but that in the end, turned on our inherent capacity to play as a team and our players' astounding individual skills.

As for the players? Here is my assessment.   

George had an amazing game. You have grown exponentially as a goalie. Your saves and command of the goal area is now much better. In my view, I think you were our player of the match ~ stand proud Georgie, your willingness to be La Maquina's goalie is paying off ~ I especially like how you are now coming out to destroy break aways - Atta Boy Georgie! 

No worries...Georgie's got it

 To Quin: your work rate was phenomenal and except for a couple of times that you slipped out of position, I think you had a very solid game. What did I like the most? Your ability to take hit after hit and never give up. It takes a fast kid to break down attacks, but it takes a man to get hit, get up and get on with it. I salute you Sir - amazing work. 

To Luca: your technique continues to shine. Your communication skills are the best in our team and I love how you continue to enjoy taking on a vocal role. All we need now is for you to get involved in the attack more often, to bring your game to the next level - bien hecho Luquita!

To Selou: wuzzup road-runner 2?!?! Man, you worked hard for the team in this game. You played in Luca's position when your friend was hurt and demonstrated your natural talent. I know it is not your favorite role, but by taking on this, you helped the team. There is nothing more admirable than to watch players leave their personal preferences behind and do what is best for the team. I thank you and well done my boy. 

Selou taking on a whole new role and looking for a pass

To Robbie: son, after playing for more than 5 years as a striker, I know it is difficult to try to learn a new position, a new role, a different way of seeing the game. Yet, I tell you that based on what I have seen, your strength and skill give you the tools to be a force in your newly acquired position. Your free kicks, set ups and imposing role is one that you are now delivering consistently. You are force and that is why you have been our captain in the last few games. Yes, there were moments where you could have gone up and attacked more. But this will come. I see you playing up front soon but for now, your role in front of "El Lobo Thomson" is one that you are carrying out well. Keep it up hijo.  

Robbie giving it his all for the team ~ and Chase providing support

To David: your skill and understanding of the centre back position is unsurpassed. You hold your line extremely well and always make sure you give your all when defending. I especially like how slowly but surely, you are becoming more imposing and strong when dispossessing opponents. I urge you to become a formidable duo with Robbie so that the two of you can cast a shadow of fear on anyone who comes near our net. You can do it Lobo ~ I fully trust in you.  All we need is for one of you to join the attack more and become that link between our back line and our forward line. I know you can do it fellas! 

El Lobo, setting things up

 To Jesus I thank for your skillful displays and enduring attack. Jesus, there is no question that you can make even a grown man look silly once you take anyone on. But we need you to use that phenomenal skill to create more attacks and remember that even if you don't get a goal, if our team does well, so do you.  Please also remember that your role is one that requires you to come back and defend. You are a threat to any team. So Jesus, let's take it to next level ~ tu puedes hacerlo Jesus.

Jesus and Diego ~ here we go fellas!

 To McGregor: you did well on the wing but we still need you to remember that even when you think that your partner in defence has the man, you have to come back and help out. You are improving Mackie. You are fast, have great cuts and moves and have become an essential part of this team. I know you have it in you to continue to excel - work hard and the results will astound you. 

Mackie collecting the ball to mount another attack

 To Kiyoshi,  despite getting some roughing done to you in the second half, you continued to want to play and do what you do best - control the ball and set up plays. Kiyoshi, you have demonstrated an uncanny sense of vision and you must continue using it. Don't let hard tackles take that away from you. Those tackles come because players cannot deal with you in a clean manner: you're too good! So keep it up. Once your mental and physical strength matches your skill, you will be surprised at yourself. I know it! 

Kiyoshi, looking Zidane-esque!

 To Chase: your hard style is never missing. You are one of our toughest players in this team and you showed it this game. You even got hit on the face but this did not deter you from doing your best. Your assist was one to admire, and I say "great vision". We still need to work on your skill but for now, I want to focus on ensuring that you know your role, as a winger or stopper, so that even if you find yourself in tough situations, you will have the understanding to come out successful. But for now just know that I am so happy you are in this team. Keep it up!

To Diego: my boy, it is true that you rushed sometimes, that you lost position sometimes, but man, when it is time to deliver, boy do you ever. What an amazing goalllllllllllllll! I have replayed it in my head several times and still think "how did he get that curl on the ball??" I tell you how ~ you have practiced and it shows! Your hard work, your "I'm not giving up" attitude combined with your skill make you a joy to watch. You should be proud of your goal but most of all, proud that your team jumped with joy when you scored ~ a special mention should be made for your cool dance moves after your goal. I am so glad your father is finally teaching you something ~ (el Michael Flatley of Foul Bay Rd).

How happy were we to score? Just ask Diego and the team around him!

But last, I want to make a special mention to Tark: son, you did not see a lot of minutes in this game. I know it is hard for you to come to a game and then only play 10 minutes. I ask you to understand that this is not a reflection of your desire or willingness to play. Rather, it is what the game demands. Yet, tonight, when I saw you at practice, you showed that you still want to prove yourself and want to become better. You worked hard, ran hard and showed good passing. Tark, you are part of this team, whether you play for 5, 10, 15 or 20 minutes. Don't you ever forget that. I want to tell you that I am so very proud of you and guarantee you that if you continue on that road, the rewards will come. 

So, to conclude I say this: no, we did not lose ~ we tied a tough team. But yes, it did feel a bit like a loss because we know that our team has what it takes to play better and achieve more ~ but let's not throw everything out the window. Remember where we are and how we are doing thus far. Considering how physical Gorge played, we did well - we never gave up!

In my view,  I feel that I could have given you better direction during the game. So, with that, I say let's learn from it. We will work on fitness, on strength and on the physical aspect of the game for the next few practices. Skill-wise, we are quite well-positioned. We now need to work on making sure that all the players have the same stamina and fitness and "garra" (yes, look it up) that can prepare us for future games. It is up to me and David to come up with new strategies that utilize the tools we have been given.

Classy to the very end

Let's keep going fellas!

I want to express my thanks to a few of you. To my co-coach David who, although I am sure he saw things he probably would have done differently, left it all up to me to fix. To Fred and Fabian who always help out and have respect for my work and trust in me. And last to all the parents who week in and week out come out to support this wonderful team. Not bad for a bunch of 10 and 11 year olds who before this season had never really played together, eh?!

Gracias a todos, and see you Wednesday at practice ~ we're on the grass at 5:00 pm. Ciao!

Coach Roberto

PS: thank you so much to Brian Croke for taking such amazing pictures this weekend. Please feel free to continue doing so Brian! Cheers.

PPS: if anyone of you have other pictures, please send them to Bela.