jais-footy

Most Exciting Game

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:36:21 +0100

    The MOST exciting game was not Chelsea or Germany, not even Nederlands or Canada and it wasn’t even the Whitecaps. It was my two sons first games of the season. They played so much better than last year and improved beyond my expectations.
    Ryley’s passes were good and strong just like his checks. He ran back for defense and pushed ahead for attacking. He always seemed to be in the right spot but no matter how hard he tried he couldn’t score. He did stop a lot of goals from the other team. He saved so many my wife said he had a “shutout”. (I missed his goaltending half. A casualty from having four kids, you can’t be everywhere at once.)
    Our other son Noam was playing for the first time in the league after playing for a couple of years in the YMCA league. The YMCA is a good fun intro to soccer that usually runs in the spring. We didn’t realize for starters, just how much he had grown. Noam was almost a head taller than the other kids his age. It may have even worked to his advantage. In net it was obvious how size helped but I never thought other kids would be scared to go and check him lest he should knock them over. He is usually quite aggressive but this thankfully was subdued when checking other kids. I think he was worried about squashing them underfoot. He he.

Is It Over?

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:36:32 +0100

Why do people leave early? Do they leave a movie 10 minutes before it’s over? Do you stop reading a mystery novel before you find out who did it? Are you so busy you can’t wait 5 min injury time? Are you too important to support your team by staying? Maybe you’re a doctor due in surgery and you’ve delayed it long enough. When you are embarrassed your team is down 3-0 even that shows you are a bandwagon jumper only along for the ride when its going good. Would you want to miss your favorite player score the best goal ever even though your team lost. I bet the Turkish fans who left early to avoid fight traffic rush hour during the Euro Cup must be really happy they saved those few extra minutes.

As an example, AC Milan vs Real Madrid was a boring first half (Champions League 09/10) but had a very exciting second half.

Don’t think I don’t know what I’m talking about. Vancouver is different than other cities, due to poor planning of city streets and not enough public transit. Not to mention that all our big venues are located in the heart of downtown, full of lights and one way streets and if one or more events are on at the same time, good night, it’s worse than rush hour on a rainy Friday of the long weekend.

No give me the last few minutes of glory and the chance to get the game ball or an autograph. Besides I wouldn’t want my team to look up and see a bunch of empty seats. I want them to know I are here. I am supporting their hard work until the bitter end, we’re in it together. Maybe because if I could be on the field I would. If they wouldn’t leave the field then I won’t leave my seat.

Divers are Wank*rs

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:36:43 +0100

As a referee I have given it a lot of thought. Would I like someone to change my decisions or be an all powerful judge of my domain?

I’m still leaning either one or the other depending on my mood. Sure it would be great if someone came, cleaned up my mess and said, “it’s okay, here is your paycheck.” I mean to run around with the players and watch some of the best soccer from better than sideline seats, who wouldn’t love that? No responsibility, no cares If I mistake knowing nobody would get mad at me, sure I’ll do it. The fans wouldn’t care because they know it’ll go to a higher court. If I’m wrong then in my face. If I’m right than back at ya. My calmness would prevail. No point getting upset , wait to see what happens but by the time it was reviewed and rechecked my thoughts have moved on tom more recent games. That’s not what soccer is about. It’s about passion, isn’t it?

However to work harder than these pimple faced babies, at both training for fitness and at learning the rules. To go to all the effort over years slowly honing my skills to make snap decisions. To have my boss come and say, “Nice try but you didn’t quite get it right, but here’s your paycheck any way,” makes me feel under appreciated. That any old buffoon could come and blow the whistle whenever they felt like it.

I mean this doesn’t even open the can labeled. “How much of the game is rewritten after the fact?

I Love the Blue...

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:36:56 +0100

Where to begin,
Where to begin, indeed...

What a huge Weekend that Dawn and I have had. Some parts are funny, some crazy. Other parts are full of sleep deprivation and others and completely unbelievable. Definately it was full of God's blessings.

It started with a crazy rumour that Chelsea had an open practice on the friday before the big game against Seattle. We weren't sure if we could believe it or not until the sounders website posted it on thursday. Now everything was a rush. Do we go? Do we take our four children? Can we afford to stay overnight? Can we afford to drive back and forth across the border? Can we afford NOT to go? Every second we debated it got closer and closer till we would miss out altogether. We threw out a sheep's wool and it was decided. We're going. The panic didn't stop there.

Friday morning came and I still haven't found someone to cover my shift at work. Time is ticking. We've paid for the hotel so were going no matter what, but if we didn't make it to the practice it would be a waste of going early. And to top it off not only did we need to make it on time for the practice but we found out that they would be giving out free swag for the first 500 people. How early do you need to be for that? Driving down we made awesome time thanks in large part to our Nexus pass at the border and Dawn's big foot (By this i mean her speeding, not her show size because really her feet are perfectly proportionate to her tall height). However just outside Seattle the gridlock made us sweat. For all we know people could have been camped out for days, having heard all the advertising that we were not privy to. I think God's first blessing was that we made it time for the practice and the free commemorative scarfs, but we didn't have to wait that long. We were even in the shade!

Had I known on Friday what it would be like on Sat I maybe would have enjoyed the open air more. The freedom to move around, or the subtle conversations happening around me. I would have enjoyed the comraderie and the opportunity to relax more. The two days were such a huge contrast. Friday was all about Chelsea and people there to see them and cheer them on. Sat was loud to the point of a hurricane bent on wiping out Chelsea. The big Band lead the assault like a comander going into war. They marched down the city center calling all who would come to arms, and they came. Weilding their green uniforms they came in force so that by the time they got to the stadium you couldn't move an inch. People pushing to see the FA cup, lineups at the food fair, crowds in there seats. Fireworks and the oppressive cheering continued the whole game. Now i would have been fine with it had it been for my team but it wasn't. Dawn and I's solo cheers in a crowd of 67,000 people were enough to signal a lynching. Sure there was Chelsea fans out there but not Today, not while their home team needed them. Looking back it was awesome to be a part of because I have never been to a soccer game so full of energy and hatred toward the opposing team. I guess Canadians don't get that excited about anything. I would say it was the POT that mellows us out, but I don't do drugs. The best part of the game was seeing the only two goals scored on the net right in front of us. Awesome (high pitched voice)

Back on friday when things were different, more calm and serene. Dawn and I had great time. Even without the endless free food and free JONES soda that we had on Sat. The players were close to us and played an energetic practice. Better than the Canucks because both teams don't were numbers but soccer doesn't have helmets or glass to get in the way of watching your heroe's.

Here's were it gets good...

They shoved us out as soon as the practice was done even though the odd player was coming over to sign stuff. Petr Cech my son's favorite only did one corner. Kalou skipped our section going past us for some reason. A couple others came and went choosing to do only a couple of "true fans." Just before we left Drogba comes over and starts way and the far end but we soon realize he's coming our way at lighting speed. We rush to get our pens back out and fight off the people trying to squeeze us out. We did get his autograph but the pen he used was dying a little so it's not great qaulity. Trying not to be disappointed we gave up yelling for our favorites and allowed them to usher us out. We walked along the almost empty walkway planning our night before the big game in the morning. We were drawn around back as the band "Chicago" was playing next door and we thought it might be worth a glimpse of the bus as it left.

We were wrong...

We were so wrong. We found the bus alright but all the players as well. Terry, Lampard, Petr Cech, Malouda, Obi, including Dawn's favorite Ballack. They were all awesome stopping even though they were tired and wanted to just go home and shower. We even got Petr Cech to sign a card for Ryley. It was pretty cool for him to do that for us. It's still so surreal and i get goose bumps even thinking about it now. I don't know how we ever fell asleep that night knowing we would be going back to see them the next day. I still can't believe that we were such geeks about meeting them. I didn't take enough pictures, dawn and I were not together in the pictures even though another guy, Rod, was standing there. We didn't ask enough questions, or tell them we were from canada, or that we even have four children. I wish someone would tell Chelsea to read this blog so that they know we are sorry for being geeks. And if they did read it this is what we wished we had said:

Dawn to Ballack " No body gives you enough credit for always being in the right place at the right time"

or " I'm really a Germany National Team Fan, that's why I don't have a real Chelsea jersey" and "I hate Fabregas"

Jai to Ballack "Look I'm wearing a German National jersey, This silly free scarf is in the way"

Jai to JT "I really admire you not jumping from team to team, you are not just out for the money, oh hi Anelka"

Dawn to Drogba and Ballack "Are you going to have more children? we have four and it gets easier don't worry"

Jai to Drogba or Obi Mikel "Are you excited about world Cup 2010? I'll be cheering for you guys again and will be wearing my Go Ghana shirt"

I Didn't even ask the caoches for tips on moving up as a coach or if the have books i should read or if they had any job openings in there youth sqaud?

Most of all we didn't feel like we thanked them all enough. One of the coaches even gave us commemorative pins of Chelsea's american tour. Great guys great hearts and we thank them for taking the time to sign some geeky peoples shirt and pose for goofy photos.

And it didn't hurt to have them kick Seattle's butt's too.

Interview with my Son

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:37:11 +0100

We will start with an easy one. What is your name? Dad you know what my name is, it's Ryley

And how old are you? 9

Have you been playing soccer long? No, just the last 3 years, 2 in big league

What is your favorite position? Goalie, but i think i'm better at defence

Who is your Favorite Team? The German National

Your favorite Club team? Bayern Munchen

Why do you like those teams? Because of my favorite player, Bastian Sweinsteiger

Any books you are reading right now?
Yeah "Eyewitness Books:Soccer" it has lots of cool facts. And a book about Pele and his first team. I also like "Hardy Boys" and "Magic Treehouse" too.

Do you like ice cream? Yes!! Strawberry, yum.

What team do you end up watching most on TV? Chelsea

How come? Because mommies favorite player, Ballack, is on Chelsea.

So do you have a second favorite player then? Yeah, Petr Cech. He is an awesome goalie.

Any movie you want to go see? What's out right now....oh "UP!" and "Night at the Museum"

Who is in the picture with you and when was it taken?
This is Takashi Hirano form the '98 world cup, he now plays on the Witecaps. I met him at the training camp last night.

What about this guy?
  I met him also last night. He is Sam Lenarduzzi, he played for Team Canada in 1970. Even in the world cup I think.
Who is the other guy?
  Mr. Frosty. He was doing that all night to everyone's photo's, he's so funny.

Thanks Ryley anything else you want to tell people?
No, just thanks for visiting and I hope you get your favorite players card. (can i go play now?)

Sorry no, Goodnight Ryley
Goodnight Dad

Numero uno

Thu, 10 Mar 2011 22:37:19 +0100

This is supposed to be about the ongoing trials and tribulations of coaching in the minor leagues. A place for me to vent hoping that things will change in how we train and develop young players, so that one day Canada might make it into the World Cup. Unfortunately the season just ended so I will have to settle for talking a bit about myself.

   I have always been involved in the game, I played soccer as a young boy and spent my teens as a referee. I remember going with my dad and family to watch Carl Valentine and the old Whitecaps. I just wish I had started collecting cards back then.  I've always been a fan of our Vancouver team (soon to be in the MLS), but my first steps into the global game we call Football, was when Greece won the euro cup in '04. Since then I have been hooked on watching games, following stats, and buying soccer swag.
  In terms of coaching that has only happened since I had children. And with 4 the odds are one would eventually play. I love the challenge of coaching and am thankful for the YMCA was great in letting me coach for free. Other leagues charge you $100 to go to their coaching clinic before you are even eligible. I agree that having quality is important, and thankfully we had a good coaching staff when I was younger. However, commitment and willingness to learn should not be tossed out the window because of financial concerns. ( I wonder how many children go without playing because of the lack of teams available, which is really due to the lack of coaches).
   During the '06 World cup my family hit a snag. Canada did not qualify. Nor did Ireland. It was decided that we would all pick our own country and see what happened. i was not allowed to cheer for my wife's team, Germany. And my son liked Brazil, so my choice was one of the African teams. Ghana it was.
   These coming World cup in 2010 will be tough for me. My loyalty is, and always will be to Canada and then the Irish. Northern first and then the Republic. Both look like they might squeeze into the first round. Next  I will cheer for the African teams. But there is a new twist. I had to pick again a team other than Germany for the '08 Euro cup. Nederland won me over after there brilliant display in the first round. I actually feel that they would have won had they not thrown the game which caused them to be eliminated.
   Something you can't see in the photo is my screen saver of the "Jose +10" Adidas poster that came out for the last world cup. And of coarse my wife had to be in it because I love her and I love watching football with her.
   There are 3 1/2 impostors shirts in the group. First is my sons Schweinsteiger (Germany) jersey. The other two are my wife's blue Ballack (Chelsea) shirt, and the Beckham (LA Galaxy) shirt that she is wearing. The 1/2 is the German national teams practice kit. It's mine to wear but only because Dawn likes seeing me in it