Manager's comments: Nov 2

I had wanted to show you a very funny picture this week. But our playing on the weekend was as miserable as the weather. And on top of that, I was on duty the whole time and couldn't drown my sorrow in booze. So, I'll save the funny stuff for later. Instead I've posted my picture of misery. This was right after my ankle was reconstructed. I was at work in a wheelchair and operated in that condition. I blame all my athletic short-comings to that injury, so the next time I miss a shot, remember this miserable picture!

Something must be said about our defensive woes this weekend. We have always had trouble defending against speedy strikers. I hope we can learn from this weekend, and do better in the future.

First: Change the system

We play a "flat back 4" for many reasons, but when met with a speedy striker, the back line must adjust to add depth to the central defense. In other words, we have to move to a pseudo-sweeper-stopper system. This allows the chance for the "first defender" to impede the striker, and the sweeper to catch up and be the last line of defense.

Second: outsider defenders go outside

When the outsider defender is marking the speedy striker, he/she must not allow the striker to gain the "inside." If you keep the striker outside, all he can do is move towards the corner, where his cross can be neutralized. If you allow him the inside, he can go to goal....and did.

Third: the offside trap

An occasional offside trap is a great tool against fast strikers. The line is set by the central defenders and the outside defenders must be ultra-vigilant not to play the attacker on-side. If you are playing outside, watch where the line is set and whether the attacker is drifting. Step up if you are playing him on-side, as you anticipate the through-pass to come to him.

Finally, this is the second week in a row in which our defenders saw opportunities to win the ball, pushed forward, failed, and left the defensive third completely naked. Please note that if you are making a high-risk move like that, you must get the ball! An analogy from American football. If the corner-back goes for glory, and tries to make that interception that'll take him to the opposite end-zone, he has to get the ball. If he fails and the receiver ends up with the pass, the path to his own end-zone is naked. When the score is 0-0, those risks may not be worth taking.

Ok, talk of dreadful defending, here is a must-watch. This is how a captain should lead and how a #4 should score. Wish we had a #4 like that! (Just kiddin'.....hee hee.....there's only one team that has him.)

Moving Forward

Although we should never had gone down three goals on Saturday, the "fight" that took us all the way back to equalize is very encouraging. As Justin mentioned last week, in seasons past, we would have folded. Now, we are fighting until the last whistle. This happened again on Sunday, but we came just short. Keep fighting.

To end, I'll give you a funny story.

For the second game in a row against "Little Urban Achievers," Alex bled for AC D.C. This time, the man who hurt our diminutive defender is someone we know. His name is Emiliano and he's from Arghhhhentina. Once in a while, several of us would play pick-up on Saturdays, and he would be present. On such an occasion about a year-and-a-half ago, Emiliano was awful. With every kick of the ball, he would shank it here and there. Near the end, he said, "I have to go. I have a doctor's appointment." And without dropping a beat, Carlos replied, "Oh right, the soccer clinic closes in 5 minutes!" Poor Carlos. He didn't mean to put him down that far. But it was hilarious! The players laughed so hard, we had to stop play for a good while.

Anyway, I'm ready to come "off-duty" and for the miserable weather to pass. Let's hope for a better weekend in 6 days.