Monday, July 27, 2009:
Well, we are all home now and hopefully we have all made our adjustment back to USA time! I know it was great going, but even better coming home! Sean and I arrived in Birmingham at 1:20 PM and Aly arrived at 6:20 PM. After getting home and seeing how much I truly missed it, I was able to spend some quality time with my wife and also with our "Gang of Five". It was wonderful! After picking Aly up and returning home, low and behold my wife had a surprise party waiting on us. We had no idea about this and for the first time in my life, I was truly surprised. I thought all we were going to do was have some cold cuts and fresh pumpernickle, bagels and chalah once we got Aly home. It was a wonderful surprise to have my brother and nephew and his family here as well as all our friends that made this so special. Marie's sister Val and niece Claire from Mobile came up and were in on this from the start. They were such a big help as were our neighbors in helping Marie pull this off. As tired as we were, it was the best of times! Thank you honey for such a great and warm homecoming! I love you!
Now it is time to reflect on our experience for the past 3 and 1/2 weeks that we were away from home. I will once again apologize in advance of this post for my thoughts and open comments.
I can't help but think that this experience was supposed to be in two parts. The first being our pre-camp training/pre-camp touring. In the training segment, we had about 7 training sessions including the games in preparation for the tournament. So really, we had so few sessions to prepare our team and get to understand one another as well as understand Sean and my philosophy and tactical approach to the tournament. In such a short time frame, I truly believe we greatly over achieved as a team that had just been together for 1 week of training prior to the games. The second part of the experience was the games themselves and not only playing these games, but learning what it means to prepare for such a tournament off the field as well as on. As I mentioned in one of my earlier blogs, I said, "everyone has the will to win, but not everone has the will to prepare to win". We tried to teach our kids to think, thus learning to have the will to prepare to win. I think for the most part, we learned that lesson quite well. It certainly showed during group play where we went undefeated, won our group for the first time ever and beat the defending and perennial champions Israel for the first time ever. Our kids were well prepared and more than competitive in these five games. They wanted to do the impossible....get to the medal round! They accomplished this goal with ease. They truly bought in to our philosophy during this time, with no interference from the outside. They were focused and highly motivated to follow our directions and rules and it clearly showed!
Now on to the semi-finals and the question that will always come up in my mind, is what should have been or really what could have been? I will try to answer both of these questions. In what should have been....I believe we should have struggled to make the medal round, based on the short window we had for turning a group of total strangers in to a team. It takes more than 1 week of intense training to mold a cohesive unit into a team of balance, rhythm and flow, while most of our competition had been together as a team for a very long time. The game of soccer is not based on individual talent or skill, but rather on the team functioning as one entity, creating a balance on the field, developing a rhythm in the actual play and creating a great flow to our tactics. You can not take a bunch of individuals, mold them and expect to win every game in such a short time frame. But you can expect them to try and understand the approach to the game and the tactics of the team in order to be successful. So, making the medal round was a great surprise for us. As for what could have been, I will always wonder what the outcomes would have been in the medal round, if we were well rested for the 1 day and a half that we had off before the semi-final game with Argentina. We had to play 2 games in 3 days in order to medal and that being done after playing 5 games in 6 days during the group round. The experience some questioned should have been done during the pre-camp phase of the trip and not during the games themselves. Maybe I am naive, but I thought we were chosen to go to Israel to play in the 18th Maccabiah and focus on that during that time. The experience should have been as a whole, but when it came time for the games, that should have been our total dedicated focus and nothing else. That is why there were try-outs to make this team and why all my emails addressed all these issues before we left for Israel on June 28th. If one attends any try-out in any sport, a prudent person would believe it was to make the team and that was the primary goal. Going and touring Israel was a by-product of this try-out in making the team. If an experience of Israel was all it was supposed to be, then there would not have been the games themselves! When it is time to tour, it is time to tour, but when it is time to play, it is time to play!
As for my players, I want to thank each one of them for the efforts and sacrifices they made in order to be as successful as they were. They were truly everything Sean and I hoped for in picking this team back in December, 2008. My only hope is that they learned from this experience and will continue with their passion for the game of soccer. I also hope they will always continue to think on the field as well as off the field in what is needed to be successful. I shall always remember this time in Israel with a group of kids that greatly over acheived and exceeded all expectations. They are all great kids and I wish them all the best that life has to offer, full of health and happiness. Each one helped to make Sean and my experience that more meaningful. There were bumps along the way, but with every bump, we were able to make the path that much more smooth in our journey!
In closing, there were some other things I wanted to say, but felt this was not the most appropriate venue for sharing those thoughts. So, I will leave it to those that dare to dream and to those that dare not to dream!
The most important part of this blog is in my thank you to all that made this dream possible. First and foremost, I must thank my wonderful and beautiful wife Marie, for all her support to me over all these years and for allowing me to be away from home for the longest we have ever been apart in our 34 years together. Thank you honey and I love you dearly. To my son Sean, for his devotion to me and his companionship during our time in Israel. He was the instrument to our success. His knowledge of the game continues to impress me at any level. He made this trip the most special time in my life. Being together with him and coaching with him, was the greatest experience of my life and to share it in our Ancestral Homeland, made it that much more special. I also wish to thank Maccabi USA for allowing me this unique and rare opportunity and for allowing me to do it with my son. I also want to thank my daughter Aly, for continuing to always make me so very proud to be her father. Her accomplishments at the games, is true testament to her devotion, commitment and integrity to her her chosen sport. The ultimate devotion to her team, came when she was asked to run the half marathon to make the USA be a team in the competition. Not being a distance runner at anytime in her life, this was a truly an amazing feat, just to compete. But, Aly being Aly, she is the ultimate team player and has always put her team ahead of herself. She not only ran the complete half marathon (13.1 miles), but she ran it at a 7 minute 47 second pace for a 7th place and helped to secure the silver medal for her team. I must also thank my employer, Birmingham-Southern College and my long time assistant coach and great friend, Greg Vinson for allowing me to do this journey. And to my new friends I made while in Israel, Barry Kaplan (a long time freind), Adam Cooper, Ami Monson, Roni Schneider, Harold Friedman, Mark Knue our overall Soccer Chairman and many others, thank you for allowing me to have such an enjoyable time and spending it all with you made it that much more enjoyable. I shall always remember with great fondness, the joy and laughter you brought each and every day and night to the Spades games and to this experience.
Thank you all for reading my daily blogs and sharing in this experience with Sean, Aly and me. It has been one of the greatest moments in my life, behind having the greatest parents and brother a boy could ever dream of having, getting married to the heart of my life, Marie and having the two most wonderful children in the world. I am truly blessed!
Take care and stay well!
With my warmest regards,
Preston and Sean from the USA
Monday, July 27, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009:
The dream has ended, but the journey was special! Today, we lost in the Bronze Medal game to Brazil, 0:1. That meant we finished 4th in the entire tournament. It also meant we were the only men's team to play for a medal out of our open and youth teams. That in itself was an accomplishment for this team. The game started a lot like the semi-final game with Argentina...very flat emotionally, with poor decisions. We gave up a very sloppy goal about 10 minutes into the game. It was a bad defensive mistake and compounded by not being goalside of the man that scored. At that point, we started playing very good soccer, only to lose one of our starting strikers to a fractured nose from a deliberate elbow right in front of the referee, I will get into that in a bit. We also lost our starting goalkeeper to a hip injury on a collision with a striker from Brazil.
At the half, we re-grouped and began playing really well. We actually controlled the game the entire second half, but could not finish any goals. We had plenty of chances, but it was just not to be.
With about 10 minutes remaining, I was ejected from the game for arguing with the referee. Suffice it to say, it was some choice vocabulary by me. He was absolutely horrible and we got no calls at all. I lost it when 2 of the Brazilian players pulled our player down in the box and there was no call. We also had a player get his second yellow, so he was also ejected a few minutes after me. After my ejection, we had about 6 straight corners and 2 good shots on goal, but their keeper was good and stopped both attempts. We kept fighting until the final whistle.
We were extremely proud of our team for their showing in this tournament. They can certainly be very proud of all they accomplished. They went undefeated in group play, beat Israel for the first time ever and finished first in the group, with the second most goals scored and fewest goals allowed. No one ever thought we would have any chance in this tournament, but we fooled them all. We were great over achievers! I can't began to explain just how proud Sean and I are of this great group of young men. They came together as a team in just over 3 weeks of training and playing together. Only a few actually knew each other before we came and to do what they did as a group of strangers was remarkable! Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain and Israel all train as a team for long periods of time, way before they come here. Most of them play on the same club teams and those that don't, get together with them for their Maccabi training in their respective countries. We don't have that luxury. We come together for the first time while we are in Israel.
I only mention this, just to show how far we all came in accomplishing what we did. No one should ever feel more proud of their accomplishment, medal or not, than these young men!
Like I said in the beginning, the dream is over, but the journey will continue for these young men....they will remain great friends for life, always remembering this wonderful experience they all shared together in Israel in July of 2009!
But before I end, my daughter Aly, informed me she was asked to run the Women's Half Marathon tonight, so the USA would have enough runners to have a team. I am so proud of her for always putting the team first in everything she does. It certainly will be an eventful night for her. Keep your fingers crossed for her!
Tomorrow, the team will go be an Israeli soldier for a day, complete with uniform. I know this will be a memorable experience for them all.
So, this will be my final blog from Israel. I will write my final overview and perspective once I return to my office next Monday. I hope each of you has enjoyed these blogs and my candid comments. I found it a most rewarding venture!
We will have the closing ceremony on Thursday evening and then depart for the airport for our return home! I can not wait to get back in the good old USA and especially to my home and my wonderful wife and family in Birmingham, Alabama!
So until my final thoughts on Monday, I will say good bye from Israel.
Take care, stay well and best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
The dream has ended, but the journey was special! Today, we lost in the Bronze Medal game to Brazil, 0:1. That meant we finished 4th in the entire tournament. It also meant we were the only men's team to play for a medal out of our open and youth teams. That in itself was an accomplishment for this team. The game started a lot like the semi-final game with Argentina...very flat emotionally, with poor decisions. We gave up a very sloppy goal about 10 minutes into the game. It was a bad defensive mistake and compounded by not being goalside of the man that scored. At that point, we started playing very good soccer, only to lose one of our starting strikers to a fractured nose from a deliberate elbow right in front of the referee, I will get into that in a bit. We also lost our starting goalkeeper to a hip injury on a collision with a striker from Brazil.
At the half, we re-grouped and began playing really well. We actually controlled the game the entire second half, but could not finish any goals. We had plenty of chances, but it was just not to be.
With about 10 minutes remaining, I was ejected from the game for arguing with the referee. Suffice it to say, it was some choice vocabulary by me. He was absolutely horrible and we got no calls at all. I lost it when 2 of the Brazilian players pulled our player down in the box and there was no call. We also had a player get his second yellow, so he was also ejected a few minutes after me. After my ejection, we had about 6 straight corners and 2 good shots on goal, but their keeper was good and stopped both attempts. We kept fighting until the final whistle.
We were extremely proud of our team for their showing in this tournament. They can certainly be very proud of all they accomplished. They went undefeated in group play, beat Israel for the first time ever and finished first in the group, with the second most goals scored and fewest goals allowed. No one ever thought we would have any chance in this tournament, but we fooled them all. We were great over achievers! I can't began to explain just how proud Sean and I are of this great group of young men. They came together as a team in just over 3 weeks of training and playing together. Only a few actually knew each other before we came and to do what they did as a group of strangers was remarkable! Brazil, Argentina, Great Britain and Israel all train as a team for long periods of time, way before they come here. Most of them play on the same club teams and those that don't, get together with them for their Maccabi training in their respective countries. We don't have that luxury. We come together for the first time while we are in Israel.
I only mention this, just to show how far we all came in accomplishing what we did. No one should ever feel more proud of their accomplishment, medal or not, than these young men!
Like I said in the beginning, the dream is over, but the journey will continue for these young men....they will remain great friends for life, always remembering this wonderful experience they all shared together in Israel in July of 2009!
But before I end, my daughter Aly, informed me she was asked to run the Women's Half Marathon tonight, so the USA would have enough runners to have a team. I am so proud of her for always putting the team first in everything she does. It certainly will be an eventful night for her. Keep your fingers crossed for her!
Tomorrow, the team will go be an Israeli soldier for a day, complete with uniform. I know this will be a memorable experience for them all.
So, this will be my final blog from Israel. I will write my final overview and perspective once I return to my office next Monday. I hope each of you has enjoyed these blogs and my candid comments. I found it a most rewarding venture!
We will have the closing ceremony on Thursday evening and then depart for the airport for our return home! I can not wait to get back in the good old USA and especially to my home and my wonderful wife and family in Birmingham, Alabama!
So until my final thoughts on Monday, I will say good bye from Israel.
Take care, stay well and best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Monday, July 20, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009:.
Today is a rest day for our team, as we prepare for our bronze medal game with Brazil on Tuesday at 4 PM. It should be a good game for us, but that will be determined by the team and their attitude and preparation mentally and emotionally.
I would like to discuss a little bit about our overall philosophy with regards to our team. From the very beginning, at our pre-camp training, we have been stressing to them the importance of not only the team being the superstar, but more importantly, the ability to think when they have the ball at their feet and when they don't have it at their feet. Thinking 3 plays ahead of the situation, so they are always prepared mentally to do what is necessary with and without the ball. Along with that, we wanted them to start thinking off the field as well and learning to stand on their own two feet and make decisions and choices that were important to the overall landscape of this team. My reasoning for allowing them time to themselves after our loss to Argentina and throughout the day today, was to see what choices they would make. We gave them the parameters to do what they pleased, but with the understanding, that it is the choices they would be making that would help to create either a good or bad situation for tomorrow's game. It is about choices, just as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "the choices we make dictate the lives we lead...to thine ownself be true". Nothing could be more appropriately stated than this, with reference to athletes and athletic teams. I want our kids to start thinking and stop just reacting to situations that arise, that could be detrimental to the welfare of the overall team concept. That is why we said what we said yesterday to the kids. It had absolutely nothing to do with liking or disliking anyone, or whether we won or lost. But, rather it had to do with learning to think about the team, rather than themselves!
There was a parent confrontation yesterday at our hotel that is not worthy of mentioning, other than to say it was extremely callous, disrespectful and without validity to me and my son!
Now, to the important aspect of our trip..,..the nightly spades game with my son, Adam Cooper(youth boys coach), Ami Monson (Maccabi USA Program Director) and sometimes, Barry Kaplan (Junior girls coach). This has been the most fun and entertaining thing each and every night. Sometimes, these games go until 4 AM! Ami, has kept us all in stitches with his falling asleep in between hands. One time he even fell out of his chair and then he woke up, only to fall asleep once again. The pairings were in the beginning Sean and I against Coop and Ami, but we needed to change sides because we were always winning. Sean is an outstanding player, so he teamed with Ami and they proceeded to kick our buts all the time until last night, whenCoop and I kicked theirs really bad! So the sun really does not shine up the same dogs rear all the time!
So, as we wind down our time here in Israel, it is our hope that each of our players has had a very meaningful experience, as well as a rewarding soccer experience. We believe we have not only taught them about the game of soccer, but about life lessons of what it means to come together as a team and function as one with correct thoughts and choices. Sometimes you must make mistakes in order to succeed. This is one of those moments!
Take care and stay well! Honey, we will be home in a few days and I can't wait! I love you and miss you and my family very much.
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Today is a rest day for our team, as we prepare for our bronze medal game with Brazil on Tuesday at 4 PM. It should be a good game for us, but that will be determined by the team and their attitude and preparation mentally and emotionally.
I would like to discuss a little bit about our overall philosophy with regards to our team. From the very beginning, at our pre-camp training, we have been stressing to them the importance of not only the team being the superstar, but more importantly, the ability to think when they have the ball at their feet and when they don't have it at their feet. Thinking 3 plays ahead of the situation, so they are always prepared mentally to do what is necessary with and without the ball. Along with that, we wanted them to start thinking off the field as well and learning to stand on their own two feet and make decisions and choices that were important to the overall landscape of this team. My reasoning for allowing them time to themselves after our loss to Argentina and throughout the day today, was to see what choices they would make. We gave them the parameters to do what they pleased, but with the understanding, that it is the choices they would be making that would help to create either a good or bad situation for tomorrow's game. It is about choices, just as Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, "the choices we make dictate the lives we lead...to thine ownself be true". Nothing could be more appropriately stated than this, with reference to athletes and athletic teams. I want our kids to start thinking and stop just reacting to situations that arise, that could be detrimental to the welfare of the overall team concept. That is why we said what we said yesterday to the kids. It had absolutely nothing to do with liking or disliking anyone, or whether we won or lost. But, rather it had to do with learning to think about the team, rather than themselves!
There was a parent confrontation yesterday at our hotel that is not worthy of mentioning, other than to say it was extremely callous, disrespectful and without validity to me and my son!
Now, to the important aspect of our trip..,..the nightly spades game with my son, Adam Cooper(youth boys coach), Ami Monson (Maccabi USA Program Director) and sometimes, Barry Kaplan (Junior girls coach). This has been the most fun and entertaining thing each and every night. Sometimes, these games go until 4 AM! Ami, has kept us all in stitches with his falling asleep in between hands. One time he even fell out of his chair and then he woke up, only to fall asleep once again. The pairings were in the beginning Sean and I against Coop and Ami, but we needed to change sides because we were always winning. Sean is an outstanding player, so he teamed with Ami and they proceeded to kick our buts all the time until last night, whenCoop and I kicked theirs really bad! So the sun really does not shine up the same dogs rear all the time!
So, as we wind down our time here in Israel, it is our hope that each of our players has had a very meaningful experience, as well as a rewarding soccer experience. We believe we have not only taught them about the game of soccer, but about life lessons of what it means to come together as a team and function as one with correct thoughts and choices. Sometimes you must make mistakes in order to succeed. This is one of those moments!
Take care and stay well! Honey, we will be home in a few days and I can't wait! I love you and miss you and my family very much.
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009:
Today was a very poor day for us, from start to finish! When we got to the field, one of our players informed he forgot his game jersey at the hotel. His parents were able to retrieve it, just before kick-off. I knew we were going to be in for a very long day on the field. I cautioned them once again during warm-up about their lack of intensity and emotion, but this time we could not overcome some ancillary things that went on prior to this game. I will get into those in a bit, but suffice it to say, we were tired mentally, drained emotionally and physically. The score at half was 0:0 and we were lucky to be tied. Argentina really never had to work hard, as we had so many unforced errors in our passing and dribbling, they just waited for us to deliver them the ball and then they would attack. I cautioned them at half about way too much dribbling and losing the ball everytime they dribbled and the extremely poor passing in the first half. I told them they must sharpen everything up, or we would give up a silly goal. Well, 10 minutes into the 2nd half, it happened. An unforced error of a poor pass in our defensive third of the field, allowed them to beat us on the endline and pass it back to an unmarked Argentinian player for their 1st goal. We then had to start pressing everything forward in hopes of getting an equalizer, but it was not meant to be. With less than a minute remaining, we were all pushed forward and they scored a one on one breakaway goal to make it 0:2. Shortly after their second goal, the whistle blew signaling the end of the game. USA 0, Argentina 2!
Now to the mechanism that created this poor effort. Before we left for Israel, we had a long conference call, detailing all the rules and regulations for our junior athletes, regardless of sport. We were told in no uncertain terms, that no athlete would ever be allowed to leave the accomodation center with anyone, including parents. It was also stressed to us that no one would ever be allowed to spend the night away from our accomodation center. I also, upon arrival here, told our players that, as well as our managers. I have been coachinbg collegiate soccer for 27 years and including youth soccer a total of over 37 years. I do know what it takes to prepare a team for a semi final game. But, I can not prepare them if they are away from us. The proof of this, was how we played in group play in winning the group as the only undefeated team in either group. The kids were under our total control throughout the group play and that is why we were so successful. When administration allowed them be away all Friday and Saturday and some returning on Saturday night after our curfew, I knew this was not about winning anymore the correct way, but rather winning, if it happens, to be a by-product of being away to satisfy others and not doing what is truly in the best interest of the team. To allow a team to leave against the coach's better judgement, was doomed for failure. You can not win, if you are not totally immersed in the team atmosphere preparing for one of, if not the biggest game in their lives thus far....the semi-finals of the World Maccabiah games! You can not perform at your best when you are away from the environment of the team preparations, especially mentally and emotionally. When you are fatigued mentally, you make poor decisions and over compensate by dribbling extensively. That happened during the entire game, regardless of our constant prodding and pleading. Trying to over compensate only leads to wrong decisions and poor execution.
So, now the team is off until Tuesday at 4 PM, when we play Brazil for the Bronze Medal. We shall see what remains to be, in the closing of this adventure. Until then we will say good-bye.
Take care and stay well.
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Today was a very poor day for us, from start to finish! When we got to the field, one of our players informed he forgot his game jersey at the hotel. His parents were able to retrieve it, just before kick-off. I knew we were going to be in for a very long day on the field. I cautioned them once again during warm-up about their lack of intensity and emotion, but this time we could not overcome some ancillary things that went on prior to this game. I will get into those in a bit, but suffice it to say, we were tired mentally, drained emotionally and physically. The score at half was 0:0 and we were lucky to be tied. Argentina really never had to work hard, as we had so many unforced errors in our passing and dribbling, they just waited for us to deliver them the ball and then they would attack. I cautioned them at half about way too much dribbling and losing the ball everytime they dribbled and the extremely poor passing in the first half. I told them they must sharpen everything up, or we would give up a silly goal. Well, 10 minutes into the 2nd half, it happened. An unforced error of a poor pass in our defensive third of the field, allowed them to beat us on the endline and pass it back to an unmarked Argentinian player for their 1st goal. We then had to start pressing everything forward in hopes of getting an equalizer, but it was not meant to be. With less than a minute remaining, we were all pushed forward and they scored a one on one breakaway goal to make it 0:2. Shortly after their second goal, the whistle blew signaling the end of the game. USA 0, Argentina 2!
Now to the mechanism that created this poor effort. Before we left for Israel, we had a long conference call, detailing all the rules and regulations for our junior athletes, regardless of sport. We were told in no uncertain terms, that no athlete would ever be allowed to leave the accomodation center with anyone, including parents. It was also stressed to us that no one would ever be allowed to spend the night away from our accomodation center. I also, upon arrival here, told our players that, as well as our managers. I have been coachinbg collegiate soccer for 27 years and including youth soccer a total of over 37 years. I do know what it takes to prepare a team for a semi final game. But, I can not prepare them if they are away from us. The proof of this, was how we played in group play in winning the group as the only undefeated team in either group. The kids were under our total control throughout the group play and that is why we were so successful. When administration allowed them be away all Friday and Saturday and some returning on Saturday night after our curfew, I knew this was not about winning anymore the correct way, but rather winning, if it happens, to be a by-product of being away to satisfy others and not doing what is truly in the best interest of the team. To allow a team to leave against the coach's better judgement, was doomed for failure. You can not win, if you are not totally immersed in the team atmosphere preparing for one of, if not the biggest game in their lives thus far....the semi-finals of the World Maccabiah games! You can not perform at your best when you are away from the environment of the team preparations, especially mentally and emotionally. When you are fatigued mentally, you make poor decisions and over compensate by dribbling extensively. That happened during the entire game, regardless of our constant prodding and pleading. Trying to over compensate only leads to wrong decisions and poor execution.
So, now the team is off until Tuesday at 4 PM, when we play Brazil for the Bronze Medal. We shall see what remains to be, in the closing of this adventure. Until then we will say good-bye.
Take care and stay well.
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009:
This was our off day and thekids are all with their respective families and are due back no later than 8 PM in order to start getting ready for our game with Argentina tomorrow at 11 AM.
As for Sean and I, we went with two other soccer coaches to the home of Ron Schneider, who is the Director of Soccer Coaching at the Wingate Institute. He grilled out for us and we had a wonderful meal with his wife, 2 daughters and their respcetive husband and fiancee. We had a greta time at his hopme in Kfar Saba. After lunch, we drove with Ron to the border of Jordan, which was maybe 5 minutes by car from his home. the perspective of just how close the Arab nations are to Israel at any point was startling to us. I now understand how precarious this proximity truly is.
After seeing that, we returned to our hotel, where we will remain for the evening. So, this is my shortest blog of the trip and hopefully, tomorrow's will be longer and full of good news about our semi-final game with Argentina. Remember, fingers crossed by everyone for us!
Take care, stay well and love to my wife, family and "gang of five"!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
This was our off day and thekids are all with their respective families and are due back no later than 8 PM in order to start getting ready for our game with Argentina tomorrow at 11 AM.
As for Sean and I, we went with two other soccer coaches to the home of Ron Schneider, who is the Director of Soccer Coaching at the Wingate Institute. He grilled out for us and we had a wonderful meal with his wife, 2 daughters and their respcetive husband and fiancee. We had a greta time at his hopme in Kfar Saba. After lunch, we drove with Ron to the border of Jordan, which was maybe 5 minutes by car from his home. the perspective of just how close the Arab nations are to Israel at any point was startling to us. I now understand how precarious this proximity truly is.
After seeing that, we returned to our hotel, where we will remain for the evening. So, this is my shortest blog of the trip and hopefully, tomorrow's will be longer and full of good news about our semi-final game with Argentina. Remember, fingers crossed by everyone for us!
Take care, stay well and love to my wife, family and "gang of five"!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Friday, July 17, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009:
Finally, our group games are completed! We closed out the group play with a good win against South Africa. The score was 3:0! Our first goal came 2 minutes into the game on a corner kick from the right side. Evan Goldman sent the ball in and Colby Abrahamoff went up for a great header and the keeper could not even move. Our next goal came about 10 minutes after that when Evan Goldman sent a terrific through ball to our striker Leon Aboudi, who slotted the ball beautifully in the right hand corner of the goal. After the second goal, we became quite complacent and stopped playing our style of soccer. Halftime score was 2:0. At half, I told them how dangerous the 2:0 lead was in soccer and that they should come out with more intensity and passion. Except for a few unforced errors in the back, we did what we should have done for the entire game....keep possession of the ball. With 25 minutes remaining we played all our players off the bench. David Goldberg scored our third goal on a great cross from Colby Abrahamoff to David for a terrific header. Score now was 3:0 and that was how it ended! Team USA went undefeated in group play with a record of 4 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie for a total of 13 points, We scored 10 goals and gave up 2 goals!
The other results from our group today were Israel 6, Canada 1. So Israel winds up second in our group with 10 points and Canada finished third with 8 points. In the other group, Brazil beat Belgium to secure first in their group and Argentina and Great Britain played to a 1:1 tie. Based on my calculation, Argentina will go through as the second place team. They had the same number of points(7) as Great Britain, but the first tiebreaker is goal difference and Argentina has a +5 goal difference, while Great Britain has a +3 goal difference. So it appears we will play Argentina and Brazil will play Israel. Both games are on Sunday at 11 AM. If I find out this is different, I will post it immediately.
Finally, our kids have started to really grasp what we have been teaching for the past 3 weeks. They are playing possession soccer and their speed of play has improved significantly, for which I am most proud. They are now thinking on and off the ball with quickness of mind and not of feet, as they were doing when we all started training back on June 29th. I am quite proud of this group of young men and regardless of what happend in the final four, they have done everything Sean and I have every asked from them. Sean has been a tremendous help and influence on each of our players. He has such a great rapport with everyone. He also has a wonderfully keen eye for the game itself and has been invaluable to me and this team. Shachar has done a great job with our two goalkeepers as well and I am most appreciative of his tireless work of coming and going everyday from his home in Haifa.
So, tomorrow is an off day and it is greatly needed. We will relax and get ready for Argentina and hopefully, a chance of beating them and getting to the Gold Medal Game on Tuesday! Please keep your fingers crossed for our young guys!
As each day comes and goes, it becomes more apparent to me how special this time here has been. It has been a wonderful experience for us all and to make it to the Final Four or Semi Finals, is unbelievable to me, especially since this is our first time here and our being able to bring this group along with only 3 weeks of training and playing. I am quite thankful!
I miss my wonderful wife and love her very much, as well as my brother and his family and especially our family tradition of Sunday dinner. I also miss my "Gang of Five" Satch, Cassie, Max, Kol and Kippi!
Take care and stay well!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Finally, our group games are completed! We closed out the group play with a good win against South Africa. The score was 3:0! Our first goal came 2 minutes into the game on a corner kick from the right side. Evan Goldman sent the ball in and Colby Abrahamoff went up for a great header and the keeper could not even move. Our next goal came about 10 minutes after that when Evan Goldman sent a terrific through ball to our striker Leon Aboudi, who slotted the ball beautifully in the right hand corner of the goal. After the second goal, we became quite complacent and stopped playing our style of soccer. Halftime score was 2:0. At half, I told them how dangerous the 2:0 lead was in soccer and that they should come out with more intensity and passion. Except for a few unforced errors in the back, we did what we should have done for the entire game....keep possession of the ball. With 25 minutes remaining we played all our players off the bench. David Goldberg scored our third goal on a great cross from Colby Abrahamoff to David for a terrific header. Score now was 3:0 and that was how it ended! Team USA went undefeated in group play with a record of 4 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie for a total of 13 points, We scored 10 goals and gave up 2 goals!
The other results from our group today were Israel 6, Canada 1. So Israel winds up second in our group with 10 points and Canada finished third with 8 points. In the other group, Brazil beat Belgium to secure first in their group and Argentina and Great Britain played to a 1:1 tie. Based on my calculation, Argentina will go through as the second place team. They had the same number of points(7) as Great Britain, but the first tiebreaker is goal difference and Argentina has a +5 goal difference, while Great Britain has a +3 goal difference. So it appears we will play Argentina and Brazil will play Israel. Both games are on Sunday at 11 AM. If I find out this is different, I will post it immediately.
Finally, our kids have started to really grasp what we have been teaching for the past 3 weeks. They are playing possession soccer and their speed of play has improved significantly, for which I am most proud. They are now thinking on and off the ball with quickness of mind and not of feet, as they were doing when we all started training back on June 29th. I am quite proud of this group of young men and regardless of what happend in the final four, they have done everything Sean and I have every asked from them. Sean has been a tremendous help and influence on each of our players. He has such a great rapport with everyone. He also has a wonderfully keen eye for the game itself and has been invaluable to me and this team. Shachar has done a great job with our two goalkeepers as well and I am most appreciative of his tireless work of coming and going everyday from his home in Haifa.
So, tomorrow is an off day and it is greatly needed. We will relax and get ready for Argentina and hopefully, a chance of beating them and getting to the Gold Medal Game on Tuesday! Please keep your fingers crossed for our young guys!
As each day comes and goes, it becomes more apparent to me how special this time here has been. It has been a wonderful experience for us all and to make it to the Final Four or Semi Finals, is unbelievable to me, especially since this is our first time here and our being able to bring this group along with only 3 weeks of training and playing. I am quite thankful!
I miss my wonderful wife and love her very much, as well as my brother and his family and especially our family tradition of Sunday dinner. I also miss my "Gang of Five" Satch, Cassie, Max, Kol and Kippi!
Take care and stay well!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009:
Hello to everyone! Today was a most interesting day in the life of our team. We played our fourth game in our group against Germany. I knew during warm-ups that we were really not here mentally or physically. I cautioned them, that they were ready for an upset, if they did not get themselves mentally ready. The game started lethargically on our parr, as I had cautioned. But, we scored a nice goal 20 minutes in, with Jake Weiss finishing a nice ball from sent through by Colby Abrahamoff. I still felt we were just sleep walking, even after the goal. Germany, was really a very poor team, but they hung in there and finally, 5 minutes after we scored, they counter attacked us down their right side and sent a floating cross into the box on the 6 yard line and our keeper had his feet in cement and ouir marking back was not even 10 yards within his man ands they scored on a header. Score now is 1:1 and the half ended that way.
During halftime, I told our team, that if they did not get their act together (not in those words) in the first 10 minutes, I was going to bench them all and play the non starters the rest of the game. Well, it seemed to have worked, as they finally found a rhythm and flow to the game and in the 12th minute of the second half, we scored a nice goal by Drew Rosenberg, with an assist by Sam Katz, to make it 2:1! Now it seemed we were finally rolling and sure enough we continued and scored our third goal, this time by Eyal Schecter ( our captain and sweeper) with an assist again, by Colby Abrahamoff. The score now stood 3:1 with about 20 minutes remaining.
We decided to replace most of our players that did not start the game and they did very well. They scored a second goal on an offsides non-call (4 players definitely off). That made the score 3:2. But, we were not finished with our scoring and in the 25th minute, we scored a fourth goal by Colby Abrahamoff, with an assist from Harrison Seigel. 5 minutes later, Colby Abrahamoff scored our 5th goal, with an assist from David Goldberg! The final score now stood at 5:2 and a recored of 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie for 10 points and a goal differential of +5.
The other results in our group today were Israel 4, South Africa 2 and Canada 0, Mexico 0. Right now, with one game remaining in group play, thye standings are as follows:
1. USA with 10 points
2. Canada with 8 points
3. Israel with 7 points
4. Mexico with 3 points
5. South Africa with 2 points
6. Germany with 1 point
All we need is a tie tomorrow for the number 1 seed from our group, if Canada does not beat Israel. So, regardless we are finally through to the Semi Finals regardless of our outcome tomorrow, but we want the number 1 seed. We probably will play either Argentina or Brazil!
We have now accomplished one of our goals and that was to get in the Medal Round. Now we want number 1 from our group and then we want to medal, then win Gold! It can be done, only if we get back to "Excellence Through Fundamentals"!!
I will update everyone after tomoorrows games. Sean will also post some photos from Aly's Track Meet from lsat night, later today.
Take care and stay well. We miss all of you very much, especially my wife and "Gang of Five" and the rest of my family. We love you all!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Hello to everyone! Today was a most interesting day in the life of our team. We played our fourth game in our group against Germany. I knew during warm-ups that we were really not here mentally or physically. I cautioned them, that they were ready for an upset, if they did not get themselves mentally ready. The game started lethargically on our parr, as I had cautioned. But, we scored a nice goal 20 minutes in, with Jake Weiss finishing a nice ball from sent through by Colby Abrahamoff. I still felt we were just sleep walking, even after the goal. Germany, was really a very poor team, but they hung in there and finally, 5 minutes after we scored, they counter attacked us down their right side and sent a floating cross into the box on the 6 yard line and our keeper had his feet in cement and ouir marking back was not even 10 yards within his man ands they scored on a header. Score now is 1:1 and the half ended that way.
During halftime, I told our team, that if they did not get their act together (not in those words) in the first 10 minutes, I was going to bench them all and play the non starters the rest of the game. Well, it seemed to have worked, as they finally found a rhythm and flow to the game and in the 12th minute of the second half, we scored a nice goal by Drew Rosenberg, with an assist by Sam Katz, to make it 2:1! Now it seemed we were finally rolling and sure enough we continued and scored our third goal, this time by Eyal Schecter ( our captain and sweeper) with an assist again, by Colby Abrahamoff. The score now stood 3:1 with about 20 minutes remaining.
We decided to replace most of our players that did not start the game and they did very well. They scored a second goal on an offsides non-call (4 players definitely off). That made the score 3:2. But, we were not finished with our scoring and in the 25th minute, we scored a fourth goal by Colby Abrahamoff, with an assist from Harrison Seigel. 5 minutes later, Colby Abrahamoff scored our 5th goal, with an assist from David Goldberg! The final score now stood at 5:2 and a recored of 3 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie for 10 points and a goal differential of +5.
The other results in our group today were Israel 4, South Africa 2 and Canada 0, Mexico 0. Right now, with one game remaining in group play, thye standings are as follows:
1. USA with 10 points
2. Canada with 8 points
3. Israel with 7 points
4. Mexico with 3 points
5. South Africa with 2 points
6. Germany with 1 point
All we need is a tie tomorrow for the number 1 seed from our group, if Canada does not beat Israel. So, regardless we are finally through to the Semi Finals regardless of our outcome tomorrow, but we want the number 1 seed. We probably will play either Argentina or Brazil!
We have now accomplished one of our goals and that was to get in the Medal Round. Now we want number 1 from our group and then we want to medal, then win Gold! It can be done, only if we get back to "Excellence Through Fundamentals"!!
I will update everyone after tomoorrows games. Sean will also post some photos from Aly's Track Meet from lsat night, later today.
Take care and stay well. We miss all of you very much, especially my wife and "Gang of Five" and the rest of my family. We love you all!
Best regards,
Preston and Sean from Israel
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
