Sunday, October 2

U11 at RSC Field 12
Warmup will start at 2:30
Game is at 3:10PM
Wear Sky Blue – bring red/black for backup

Saturday, October 1

U11 at Raytown Field 11
Warmup will start at 8:50am
Game is at 9:30 AM
Wear Sky Blue – bring red/black for backup

U12 at Raytown Field 11
Warmup will start at 11:30am
Game is at 12:10pm
Wear Red/Black – bring sky blue for backup 

U12 at WMSL Field 5
Warmup will start at 3:30
Game is at 4:10
Wear Sky Blue – bring red/black for warmup

U11 had an afternoon game at LSSA field 16 against Blackfire. The weather was gorgeous and for LSSA, there was just a slight breeze. The boys were in a great mood and we had a really good warmup. For the first 10 minutes of the game it was pretty much all 305. We were moving the ball well and had several really good opportunities to score. We continued to dominate the half and had the majority of possession. We ended the half tied 0 to 0 with 305 having 11 shots in the first half to Blackfire’s 8 shots.

In the second half, the boys came out continuing where they had left off in the first half. We were doing well pushing the ball wide and were creating a lot of opportunities. Trey charged the goal and had a brilliant shot over the goalies head to put us up 1 to 0 in the 4th minute of the 2nd half. In the 10th minute, another defensive mixup let Blackfire score a soft goal. We continue to work on getting good position defensively (Delay, Deny, Dispossess) but we still find ourselves sticking our foot in on occassions. Getting better, though.

In the 23rd, Trey once again cut back in from the right side and blasted in another goal, putting us up 2 to 1. The game was wide open for the remaining 5-6 minutes and both teams had some good chances. The game got pretty physical, but the boys hung in to take the win. In the 2nd half, 305 had 13 shots to Blackfire’s 8 shots. Another great win in the last two weekends. U11 has a great team spirit all around and every player worked hard and gave their all while on the pitch. Nice work, boys.

What a beautiful Missouri Fall Day. U12 was on field 11 for a 10:50 start. Last time we were on this field was last Sunday with U11 in the pouring down rain. It was another one of those days where strangely some players were hanging their heads and just not wanting to get into the spirt of the beautiful game. This team could easily be 3 and 0 but instead are now 1 and 2. In the end we lost 5 to4. There were several opportunities to pull ahead but it just wasn’t going to be our day.

After 3 years of a good run, it seems the boys sometimes expect to just walk on the field and good play will just happen. Those days are over. Now it is all about work ethic and good attitudes. Neither of these are dominant in this team at this time. One of the great things about youth sports is the opportunity to learn and grow from children into adults. We have 5 games left in the season to learn some of these lessons. I am optimistic we can work through this.

The final was set for 1:15 on Field 12. Futura Ultra’s has turned their tournament around with 2 big wins overKC Select and Fury FC. Futura is well coached and has some really good players so I knew they would show up ready to play. The u12 boys had been starting off strong all tournament so I was optimistic they would continue to show the same quality. Instead, we started off really flat and just could not get anything going. Futura was pressuring well and giving us a lot of trouble on our defensive third. Their 21 was beating us all over the field. We got a lucky break in the 12th minute with a penalty kick and Hunter put us up 1 to 0. In the 18th, Futura tied things up 1 to 1 and then in the 23rd, went ahead 1 to 2. We came in at half time with our heads down feeling sorry for ourselves. It is amazing to me how such a talented group of boys that had played so well all tournament, were suddenlty hanging their heads just because they were down a goal in the final. We really have to work in this. I pulled out the Sir Alex Hairdryer and tried to do some attitude adjustment. Being down 2 to 1 is not the end of the world and we just needed a quick goal to get back into the game.

In the second half we kicked off, had some great passes, Trenton put a nice ball through to Hunter and Hunter finished to tie the game 2 to 2. Less than a minute and we were back in it. Well done! Futura was not going to let us walk away that easy and both teams battled hard all over the pitch. We got our lineup figured out, started controlling #21 and got our possession time up. Things were looking better. In the 13th minute, Alex made another run out wide to the touchline and got a nice  ball in to Hunter who finished perfectly to put us up 3 to 2. Still 12 minutes to go in the game so lots of time. Andrew was playing goalie in the 2nd half and that really helped us have more options on the field. We stuck to our 2-3-2 as I wanted us to attack all the way until the end. The boys were able to hold on and win the Tournament in the Woods U12 final 3 to 2 against a very tough Futura team. An excellent second half from our  boys. I think we all learned a lot.

The U12 game followed immediately after the U11  game but over on field 12. It was still raining pretty hard  but maybe not the downpour U11 had just played in. thanks to everyone that got the other top setup over on Field 12 and for getting the boys warmed up. The success for any team is dependent on the parents and with two teams playing together in the same tournament, everyone really helped out and make things run smoothly.

The U12 boys were having a good tournament and were doing a good job executing what we had worked on in training. Pressuring the ball, moving the  ball out wide. Passes to the corner, crosses in, switching the field. Even distribution from the back was better. Unfortunately in this game, KC Select was not out to give us much competition, playing back and giving us the run of the field. Hunter started off the scoring with a goal in the first minute. He then scored in the 7th, 9th, and 12 minute, putting us up 4 to 0. We were working the ball around the field well and I was glad to see the team play. Lolo scored the 5th goal of the half on a run of play that saw us have 4 1 touches in a row. We went into half up 5 to 0 with 15 shots to KC Select’s 2 shots.

Throughout the game we did quite a lot of subbing since we were going to be in the final. Matthew also made his first tournament appearance in goal. In the second half, Riley started off the scoring with a goal in the 14th minute. Lolo scored his second of the game in the 16th. Trenton scored off a really nice finish in the 18th. Hunter added two more in the 20th and 22nd and Dylan once again wrapped the scoring up with anothe blast off the left wing, in the 24th. 305 had 15 shots in the second half and KC Select had 3 shots.

We got camp 305 Spin setup over by fields 11 and 12. It was already raining before the game started. At game time, 8:15AM, it was pouring. We were on field 11 with very tall, thick grass playing a very good Topeka Select side. The boys started off well and we got what we needed – an early goal in the first minute off a great run and finish by Nick. The play was up and down the field with both teams getting some chances. The ball was slippery and the rain just kept coming down harder. We made it clear to the 20th minute holding on to our 1 to 0 lead when Topeka tied things up 1 to 1. Then we gave up 2 more goals before half. Tough luck after having played such a great 20 minutes. Down 3 to 1 at half and the rain coming down in sheets, the boys looked were soaked and looking a bit tired. I was smiling inside because I knew they had really given their all and could have easily been setting there up a goal. 305 had 14 shots in the first half to Topeka’s 21 shots.

The second half was pretty much all Topeka as they turned up the attack. The boys did their best to stay in the game, but our smaller legs in the tall grass were just not keeping up. The boys made a great effort in tough conditions and in the end, we just could not find that second goal. The Ref’s score sheet was a  blank at the end of the game from the down pour, but I believe the score was 7 to1 Topeka. But regardless of the score, U11 showed that they are a team to be reckoned with and this is a special group of boys that plays with heart and gives their all no matter the conditions or the competition. Our game on Saturday against Parma demonstrated what this team is capable of. I am so proud of each and everyone of these boys. 1 draw, 1 win and 1 loss in a pretty tough group. Definitely exceed my expectations. And by the way-  Parma beat Topeka in the final, 5 to 2. I would say we had a pretty great tournament!

U11 took to field 3 immediately following the U12 match. We are up against Futura Parma, a team we have had some good games against, but have never beaten. The boys were having a great day hanging out together and spirits were high.

Parma took an early lead with a goal in the 2nd minute. The boys shook it off and went to work. All the Parma players are very good technically and our boys were doing a good job pressuring the ball all over the field. We started to gain some good runs of possession including some wide play and things were looking better. Riley scored a much needed  goal in the 13th and we were tied at 1 each. Parma scored their second in the 17th minute to back on top 1 to 2. The play was pretty even around the field with both teams having equal chances. Parma was probably getting more shots on goal, but we were getting our chances. in the 22nd, Daniel had a great run, then laying the ball through to Max how had a terrific finish to tie the game 2 to 2. The boys were really pumped going into half tied 2 to 2. 305 had 5 shots to Parma’s 6 shots.

In the second half, 305 came out on top of their game. The boys were on every ball, putting pressure on Parma, and getting some nice runs of possession. In the 4th, Daniel scored to put us up 3 to 2. 4 minutes later, Jesus put Max through into the box and Max scored his second of the game. Parma were trying to work their way back into the game but the boys were making it difficult as we continued to pressure the ball whereever they had it. in the 17th, Parma scored to make it 4 to 3. Trey gave us a really important goal with a nice run and then give and go with Logan, putting us up 5 to 3. And if there was any doubt that today was the U11 boys game of games, Trey took the ball from mid field all the way down the right wing, did a nice cut back inside and drilled his shot into the back of the net. 305 6, Parma 3.

I tell the boys all the time, this is why we play the game – on any given day……. The boys worked as a team – all 11 players. Everyone contributed. Greta PRESSURE. Good runs of POSSESSION. Amazing PACE. Since day one, this has been our mantra. It was so rewarding to watch the boys play this game. Amazingly enough – U11 finished top of their group for Day 1. Well done, boys.

We had just over an hour break at Camp 305. Thanks to everyone for all your help in setting up, running camp and fixing lunch for the boys. U12 returned to Field 3 for a 1:15 start against Fury FC.

The first half was a tough start as Fury FC kicked off and went down the field and scored. For the rest of the half, the game was a tough battle as both teams pressured the ball hard all over the field. Neither team could find the net and we went into half down a goal 0-1. 305 had 13 shots to Fury’s 5.

In the second half, we had another rough start and in the second minute with confusion at the back got unlucky with an own goal as we tried to desparately save the ball from going into the net. Great effort – bad luck. The boys continued to work hard and we were keeping possession and finally getting the ball wide. Hunter scored in the 8th to tie the game. Then Lalo score in the 11th to put us up 2 to 1. 3 minutes later, Hunter from wide ride sent in a beautiful cross and Dylan coming in from the wide left place a perfect header into the back of the net to put us up 3 to 1.

Both teams pushed hard for the remainder of the game. Alex completed our scoring in the 21st minute with another goal on a cross and a header. In the last minute, Fury made the game close with their third goal making the f inal score 4 to 3.

It was great to see the boys work together as a team to pull themselves out of their deficit and come back to win with a strong finish. The boys finished the day top of their group with the most points.