September 3, 2010
To: Coaches, players, and parents of
CFYSC and Dynamos teams
From: Olivier Finidori, Director of Training.
Written and edited by Jim Walker
DYNAMOS TAKE TITLES
Playing Up, U11’s Respond
Taking to heart the pre-tournament words of trainer Olivier Finidori--”Don’t let them believe that being bigger and stronger can beat good soccer and ball movement. You are a smarter, better team, now go show it!”--the newly-minted under-11 Dynamos of Coach Matt James cruised through their bracket scoring 16 times and yielding only four goals to reach the title match of the Texas Warmup Cup. Playing up at under-12, the Dynamos started slowly in the title game, going down a goal to the only other undefeated team in the bracket. Then the Dynamos began moving the ball with great efficiency, said Coach Matt, and drew even on a solid finish by Christian Gallegos. After halftime, the Dynamos took command and sealed the verdict midway through the second half when Christian Pedraza won the ball off a defensive clearance, dribbled forward and scored from the left side. Also contributing to success in the tournament were Tanner James, Jamal Benshaaban, Marco Roman, Mason McAnear, Alfonso Moreno, Kelvin Quinteros, Kaito Hashimoto, Duylio Gonzalez, and Brady Sessions. “A special group, these boys!” declared trainer Oli. “Playing up an age and winning the championship is special.”
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Dynamos U11 Boys
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U13 Boys Prevail in Shootout
With a strong performance that featured a scrappy defense and opportunistic attack, the U13 Dynamos of Coach Steve Biggs, under the guiding hand of trainer Freeman Turkson, marched to the championship in the Texas Warmup Cup, winning the title in a shootout. After beating National Fusion (2-1), Albion Hurricanes (2-0), and Austin Lone Star, 6-1, the Dynamos found themselves challenged again by the Hurricanes in the final. Regulation ended 1-1, but in the shootout the Dynamos outlasted Albion, 4-3, with goalkeeper Trevor Gibson contributing a big save. Others who played key roles in the title triumph were Colton Biggs, Carson Woody, Adam Petruska, Riley Decker, Bryan Mora, Max Hilsher, Salvador Sandoval, Jesus Estrada, Max Encina, Michael Camarillo, Josef Hollas, Tony Del Valle, and Andrew Carrell.
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Trevor Gibson saves PK in Dynamos U13 victory in
shootout for tourney title
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THE BUZZ
Thanks to Matt James, Steve Biggs, Mark Walaszczyk, Kreg Barrett, Ron Contreras, and Julie Gibson for contributions to game reports for the Coaches Memo. ALL coaches, and team representatives, both for competitive and recreational teams, are welcome to send results, game descriptions, quotes, scorers, keeper play, and especially names of all players who participated in games, to jwalker332@aol.com for use in the Coaches Memo, or The Buzz. . .Dynamos alumnus Natalie Woodham, a senior, is playing at Baylor University after transferring to the Bears from Southern Methodist University. . .Former Dynamos’ player Raven White, who played forward as a freshman, is now serving as a sophomore defender for Southern University, and liking it as she is a big contributor to shoring up the Jaguars defense. . .Is there a longer name in soccer than Anthony Ampaipitakwong, the Akron University midfielder who is a Soccer America pre-season All-American pick?. In the English Premier League, there is a West Ham player whose full name is Manuel Marquan de Costa Trindade Senoussi, an incredible 36 letters, but he goes by the tag of Manuel da Costa. . Don‘t forget to check out www.glenndavissoccer.com for the latest updates and commentary on soccer at all levels, local, national and worldwide. . .If you have items for the Coaches Memo or The Buzz, please email JWalker332@aol.com or phone 281-217-1612.
QUOTABLE
“What ought one to say then as each hardship comes? I was practicing for this, I was training for this.”-- Coach Epictetus (Greek philosopher, 55-135AD)
A THOUGHT ON COACHING
This checklist will help you decide if a drill or game is going to work with your players before you try it at a training session. Ask yourself:
Is the drill appropriate for the age of my players?
Is it too easy or too hard?
Can I use this drill with all my squad?
Can I use it with odd numbers of players?
Is this drill competitive?
Is the drill 'soccer-like'?
Can I make it harder or easier if I have to?
ANOTHER THOUGHT
The real art of coaching is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment. --With apologies to Coach Dorothy Nevill
IT’S ONLY FAIR
I’ve always done what is best for my team, pointed out Coach Cy Fair, like last week when I was sick and didn’t attend the game. Sometimes Coach Flo senses the best way to give advice is to let players think it was their idea.