Off the Finals of the District Cup ~ well done boys

Semi Final result: Bays Fury 3 - Juan de Fuca 0

What a great day to play a semi final - the stadium atmosphere, the sun shining and a great effort by the boys.

We started the game well, although props have to be given to a Juan de Fuca team that was not about to let this final go easily into our hands. We faced a renewed and invigorated Juan de Fuca team that attacked us and tried to match us in every spot of the field. It was clear that we were going to have to earn the win with all of our might.

Our formation to start was modified a bit: we went with a 4-5-1. The idea was to have the three center midfielders control the middle more and in doing so, not only provide a stronger defensive formation but also to help push the wingers wider through the game.

Robbie maintains possession while being closely marked by the Juan de Fuca midfielder

At first, Juan de Fuca was taking the game to us, going hard for every tackle and giving our defenders a lot to do. However, after the first 10 minutes, our team began to take more control. We settled and used the wings more and more as the game moved on. In the middle, Koby and Robbie distributed the ball well.  Finn, who was part of a three point center mid, also helped stifle attacks through the middle. They stayed in position and rarely gave the ball away.

Koby fights hard to defend against a Juan de Fuca attacker

On the wings, Gabriel and Justin exploited the space behind the defenders well and if it hadn't been for the Juan de Fuca defenders cutting a few incisive passes, we could have had more shots on goal. However, our movement off the back of the defenders would prove to be our strength as the game went on.

Justin fights hard to retain possession

Gabriel mounts another attack while Hamish supports

For their part, Brandon, Marcel, Tyler and Jonathan did well at stifling the Juan de Fuca attackers, although some of their runs were problematic. Yet, the communication between our defenders and midfield was better today.  I also saw them joining the attack more often, another good sign of things to come.

Brandon begins another attack down the wing

Up front, Thomas did well to retrieve balls and support the center midfielders during attacks and defence. I was happy to see the boys pushing up the field to support our strikers and also to close the space in the field. This allowed for a better defensive formation to cancel out free passes in the middle. When Hamish and Ben came on, one on the wing and one at the back, they also did well in maintaining our defensive formation. Both made good decisions when protecting potential passes. The Juan de Fuca team was tough to withhold at times, but the boys positioning was good today.

Johnny controls in the air while under pressure from two attackers

For his part, Aaron was solid in goal. During the initial moments of the game, he twice came out to stop an oncoming striker and his timing was well executed. He was also much more involved in the game with his support and communication.

Aaron sends the ball to the midfield

Position wise, I thought we were good defensively and also did better with our movement.

Our goals were well worked, all coming from our use of the wings and our wingers progressively taking advantage of bad positioning by the Juan de Fuca right and left backs. Today I finally saw better passes to the wings and I was happy to see those on the wing (Gabriel, Finn, Hamish and Justin) made good runs into the space behind the Juan de Fuca defensive line. I was happy to see everyone talking a bit more and guiding those in forward positions into areas where we could place the ball.

Finn tries to chip the goalie in a breakaway

Our first goal came after a counter attack. It started by a great pass by Robbie at an angle to Gabriel who cut into goal and made a great pass into the box where an onrushing Finn put the ball over the goalie with a one time shot into the back of the net.

In the second half, Gabriel continued to exploit the space left by the defenders. In two occasions, after receiving the ball from the center mid, rushed the net at full speed slotting the ball once to the far side of the net and in the other to the close corner after the goalie could not handle Gabriel's shot. It was a game where our players exploited the wings better than they have in recent games.

Gabriel sends another dangerous cross into the box

As the second half went on, we were more settled now and continued to create more chances. However, the game was getting chippy. The referee was kept busy calling fouls. Yet, the boys kept their cool. We did run into some trouble when the referee called a foul in the box after an onrushing attacker from Juan de Fuca fell inside the box. Aaron lost his cool momentarily but quickly regained composure to prepare for the penalty kick. However, he did not have to do anything as the Juan de Fuca striker missed the net and allowed Aaron to keep a clean sheet.

In the end, the boys dominated and deserved the win. We should credit to the Juan de Fuca goalkeeper who was quite impressive and made many saves.

Marcel fights hard to go past a midfielder

So now it is off to the Final of the District Cup. Let's keep the momentum going guys.

If we continue to work hard at defending and continue becoming more involved in every play as a team, we have a good chance of winning our next final.

See you at practice!

Roberto

Back to being ourselves ~ carry on fellas!

Bays United 9 ~ Peninsula 0

Finn attacks Peninsula after receiving the ball in his own half

It is no secret that after last week's loss to Gorge for the League Championship, a lot of questions were probably asked: can the team rebound? Was that game a representation of things to come? Will this affect their mental state and ability to go back to their high level of performance? I think all of you would agree that the answers to those three questions are yes, no and no.

Marcel shields the ball strongly as he begins another mazy run up field

As I told you in our last post, in soccer, I always try to take something away for future reference. The hardest lessons tend to be the best lessons - they are the ones from where anyone can learn the most. Bouncing back from last weekend's difficult match was something the boys needed to do - it builds character but also teaches them that life goes on and that hard work is a must, every game.

Today, all of us should be happy at the fact that all of the boys showed up to play their game and did so very well. Today's game was a test of their ability to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and start all over again. It was a test to see if those players that perhaps encountered difficulties last weekend could turn things around ~ well, I think they sure did. This game was also a test for other players to show that even if they played well last weekend, that they can be supportive and contribute to their fellow players' game by being positive and united. Again, I think they did that.

Mathew fights hard to maintain possession under pressure

Now, instead of doing the usual ramble about the game, I will just give you a snippet of what I thought each player did today (Pierce and Ben were not with us today unfortunately).

• Aaron: Mr. Cavalcanti, today you were extremely helpful with your talk from the back and were secure and confident with your saves. Your foot work was also great and I was very impressed with your calm demeanor. What I loved the most is that I saw you smiling at half time ~ good stuff Aaron. I have NO reservations in telling you that this second half of the season you have solidified yourself as a top notch keeper. I am very proud of you Aaron ~ Parabéns! Você está indo muito bem!
• Brandon: once again, you were great as a defender. Today you actually moved forward a bit more and I was glad to see that. Every defender must have an attacking game. You showed it today. I want you to keep trusting yourself. Make good decisions and once you do, go for it. You have what it takes Brandon - don't doubt that. Well done Big B!
• Tyler: what I liked the most today was that, besides your usual defensive skill, you did your best to apply my instructions in terms of passing the ball to the wing. Yes, it did not quite work every time but the fact that you understood your role and your job shows that you are on your way to becoming even better Ty. Well done Mr. David!
• Marcel: you also applied what I asked, primarily when taking space. In fact, you did it so well you scored twice on those angled runs I asked you to do. I was particularly happy to see that for once in this entire season you had no major injury ~ but most of all, I was happy to see you be more attacking ~ great work Mr. Petruzzelli!
• Jonathan: there are some players that always give you all they have, every game, every time. Today, you did that again Jonathan. Your control at the back and your ability to read the game shone through. I have to give you props on some of the goal kicks - well taken! Keep up the good work. You are Mr. Consistency, an example to everyone in the team. You know what the craziest part about you is? You are so strong on the ball and can take almost anyone down and yet you have this soft demeanor that shies away from confrontation ~ it is awesome! |Well done Jonny!
• Justin: today you adapted really well on the wing and I thought that, although you have not played there much this season, you did well in that position. You stayed wide and fought hard to get back. I particularly liked the fact that after I went over the position with you, you did a few give-and-go's and immediately moved for them. Good stuff JC ~ glad to see you enjoying your game again.
• Koby: well well well, what can I say about our good ol' captain. All of you know that this boy does not mess around - you want intensity? Call Mr. Greaves. However, what I saw today is the evolution of a more focused, more positive type of intensity. At half time I saw Koby embrace Aaron and tell him "you are playing awesome". THAT is a captain. I was proud of you today, not only because of the skill you bring to every game, but because you are now leading with your words and actions. Well done Kobe.
• Gabriel: Today you were more involved in the game. You came back, not once, not twice, but all throughout the game. That is something you need to continue doing. I am not going to lie to you: there was a time when that was a concern of mine - a concern because I did not even know if you understood my instructions. But today, like you have for a few games now, you showed again and again that you not only understand but that you are working hard to apply them. The more you become involved in games, the more you will contribute and the more you will love this game. Great work buddy.
• Mathew: good ol' Matty was 'stuck' in center mid today. But let me tell you, he did not disappoint. Alongside Koby, these two created some great opportunities for the team. What you showed today was that you have what it takes to not only run at the opposition but also to make quick passes when you need to and hold the ball when you have to. You have more than enough skill to play this position well and I hope that you continue to develop your sense of the game as a creative midfielder. Matty, keep up the good work!
• Finn: despite being injured, you came back to the line up and did well upon your return. I was glad to see you running at defenders. At half time I asked you to be more involved - I asked you to come back more and retrieve more passes in the middle. And you did just that. Finn, when you work hard and get stuck in, you are not only a more complete player but you become a more dangerous player. Continue on that vein my dear friend and I guarantee it, you will be a success story (hope your ankle feels better too!)
• Thomas: ok, so let's get this out of the way - I know there have been concerns that you did not get much time against Gorge last week. As a coach, I know there will be times when I shift or substitute players and I will be questioned on it. But keep in mind one thing:  at the end of the day, I want you to feel proud of being in this team, in every game, all the time, no matter if it is for 20 minutes or a full game. Now, today I really wanted you to play more so I was surprised when you declined. However, when you did play, you did so well ~ two beautiful goals and tons of work. Today you showed everyone that you are part of this team no matter how much time you get - Well done Thomas! :)
• Hamish: today you were able to get back into your groove. I saw you making tons of runs and receiving the ball more. I thought you also fought hard to get the ball back and in several occasions you made simple passes that were smart and well taken. Hamish, you got the skill to do very, very well. You gotta keep working on positioning and quicker decision making, that's all. What I liked the most today? Your work rate - you worked hard and it showed. I was happy to see you do well Hamish ~ well done!
• Robbie: so let's talk the truth. For the last few games since this year began, Robbie, you have been struggling up front. You were still dangerous but your finishing was not there. But today, finally, you showed up. Not only did you give two assists that led to two goals but you also had a hat trick. It is clear that the intensity you brought to the game is what made the difference. I was happy to see you involved in the game and that, just like Finn did, you also came back into the middle and worked hard to be involved in the game. Great game buddy, welcome back.

So give your boys a pat on the back today ~ all of them did great.

Robbie controls the ball in the mud pool at Blue Heron

With that, I ask you to continue supporting the boys. Let them know that you are with them. At home, encourage them to practice the things they need to work on ~ that will help them a lot.

Koby skips away from a tackle

For now, I will see all of you on Tuesday and remember, District Cup is coming up fast ~ let's be ready.

Cheers,

Roberto