Stars Align in Indiana

As I was looking at the new power soccer website, it was interesting to see where players move from season to season. As people move, they go to find new teams or make their own to spread the game farther and farther. However, I am sensing a powerhouse being built in the Midwest. Anyone who knows anything about power soccer knows that the Circle City Rollers have been one of the most dominant teams in America behind the play of their star Michael Archer (shown above in white from the 2007 World Cup). Of course, he isn't alone. Two of his teammates, Case Calvert and Matt Griffin, join Mr. Archer on the US National Team which is amazing in and of itself. However, for the first time ever, add another national team member to the roster. JC Russo formerly of the Ball State Cardinals and the RHI Sudden Impact will now join the Rollers. Russo will bring a defensive presence in the backfield that doesn't need much reinforcing. However, I would think about perhaps an interesting scenario. Russo played goalie during the last World Cup for Team USA. In fact, he played very well. Therefore, I wonder if he will play in the goal or if he will play the floor like he did for Ball State. Either way, look out for Circle City this year. This much individual talent is going to be dangerous.

Upset City

Well, I haven't written much about Vermont soccer for a while. Here's the story though. If I told you that a team ranked 19th in the country was from Vermont, you might not believe me. Many people including myself realize that Vermont sports are not necessarily the most competitive. However, you should believe me because Champlain Valley Union High School (CVU) was ranked 19th in the country. Notice the use of the past tense. The reason I put it in the past tense is because CVU got beat. Oh, okay, they must have gone to some national tournament and been beaten by like the 20th ranked team. Wrong! They got beat by an eight seed. That's right, in the Vermont Division I playoffs, Harwood Union High School based out of Duxbury, Vermont took them down 1-0. Let's put this in perspective. CVU has only lost one game in the past two seasons. They have won seven out of the last eight championships in Division I. Basically, they are pretty impressive. Well, Harwood somehow managed to slip by on a goal by a kid who normally stops them. Win Parker is normally a backup goalie for Harwood, but he managed to bury CVU and probably create a Vermont legend. The classic David versus Goliath theme never gets old, so congratulations to Harwood for an excellent game!
Photo by US Army Africa on Flickr

Support a Friend

Okay, I know that you are used to me writing every day. However I have something that I would rather have you read today. One of my friends from high school got published on a nationally read hockey blog because he gave 10 great reasons why he was the one who would be best to make picks for this week. His name is Matt Desmarais, and I would love for you all to support him. Trust me, he is pretty hilarious. However, come back tomorrow for more writing from me.
Photo by garryknight on Flickr

Texas Needs to Rise

Well, all good things have to come to an end. Cliff Lee finally lost a playoff game. Amazingly, he was 7-0 in his career before during the playoffs, but I guess that everyone has to lose at some point. Unfortunately, it had to be in the World Series, but still, I feel like he will get a second shot because I do not think that the Rangers are going to simply roll over and surrender. Even though they lost last night, they scored seven runs. Obviously the offense is clicking, so now they just need to allow fewer runs. Personally, I still support Texas. I feel like it would be an excellent story when a team that had never even won a playoff game previously to go all the way through the World Series. Obviously, the Phillies should have won the World Series, but since that didn't quite happen, I guess Texas will have to be my second choice. However, I hope Texas can turn it around or else my favorite teams in the playoffs will have all choked. The Giants are not perfect, so I feel like Texas should be able to scratch their way back into this and hold that trophy at the end of the year.
Photo by little black spot on the sun today on Flickr

The Heat Got Beat

So, Miami couldn't handle the Celtics in their first game of the season. A lot of people were probably surprised about that, but as you have seen me write before, I didn't have my heart set on this team. I think that this kind of phenomenon has happened before. I know that there are teams that have several stars. If you remember back to the Bulls in the 90s, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were all pretty heavy stars on those teams. However, there was a definite role for each of them to play. I believe that they all had talents complemented each other. I think that Lebron, Dwayne, and Chris will figure this out because they are great players with different abilities, but I think it will take time. For all three of them, they were the definite stars on their franchises last year so there will be a learning curve to learn how to use other stars as teammates. It probably will happen, and with all of the talent that they possess, they will eventually be very good or even great. But it won't be an instant takeover; I believe that they need time to bond before they will dominate.
Photo by RMTip21 on Flickr

Great Job Last Night!

We had practice last night. Honestly, I think that we are getting better every time. It's definitely encouraging to see the growth from everyone as we all learn more about the game. It was great to see how dedicated our team is becoming. We are having a great attendance rate which is a very exciting. The only way that we're going to get better is if everybody keeps showing up. I am definitely an advocate of watching video online about power soccer; I do it a lot. However, there are definitely a few skills that you definitely need to touch the ball. You can only learn so much about dribbling without touching the ball. That's what it is vital that everyone keeps showing up. Of course, there are circumstances that are unavoidable, and I have missed practice before just like we all will. However, it is great to see everyone making an effort to come out and improve. We are definitely not perfect yet, but there is potential there. If every individual is committed to maximizing their own individual talent given his or her type of wheelchair, guard, and natural ability, our team is going to grow. You can only do what you can do, but make sure you do that and do it the best you can.

Tough D

It will be an interesting day to play soccer. I'm thinking that I did learn one thing last week; aggression is necessary. Admittedly, my preferred style of play is set in the box and let the ball come to me. However, I began thinking about all I have said about field position. I realized that it's not only the goalie who should worry about field position. Typically as the center defender, I also need to stop the ball as early as possible to keep the ball away from our goal. Again, as I have said several times, power soccer is a game of field position. If the ball is on the other half of the court, there is no way the other team will score. Okay, I guess it might be possible if you have some insane spin kick like Michael Archer, but I do not know if even he could make a full-court shot through the defense. Therefore, I need to remember to be aggressive tonight, and not aggressive like full contact, flipping people over aggressive but rather aggressive in terms of playing the ball and dumping it back towards the other end. Again, remind me tonight if I forget.