Oct 16 U12 v United at WMSL
The game was set for an early afternoon 1:50 start at WMSL on Field 9. The wind was out of the north and Field 9 runs down hill north to south. We elected to go against the wind, uphill the first half. The boys got off to a quick start and in the 1st minute, Hunter finished with a nice touch to put us up 1 to 0. In the 9th minute, Hunter and Lolo worked a beautiful give and go and Lolo put the shot away to put us up 2 to 0. United was doing a good job using the wind to their advantage, but we hung in there defending their counterattacks and long punts. In the 26th and 30th minute, our luck ran out as they bounced not one, but two goals in over Ian’s head and we went into the half tied 2 to 2.
We came out in the 2nd half with the wind now at our back and heading downhill. But for whatever reason, we just never got it going in the second half. Our passes were not sharp and our possession was mixed at best. And we definitely stopped pressuring the ball like we were in the first half. United worked themselves up the field nicely as they are well organized and their players responded to the urgency of the game and the will to win. In the 16th, we let them work through our midfield untouched and they finished a nice goal to go up 2 to 3. Once we fell behind, the I in our team took over and what passing we did have turned into individual dribbling and our heads dropped. I was really looking for the team to dig in and find the drive that United had found, but again it was the same story that has haunted us all season.
Overall it was a good game against the best team in our division. But in the end, I feel like I was unable to get the fire burning and the desire to win going in all the players to step up and win a game that was easily within reach. We have trained really well, and I hope that I am being clear in my direction and expectations. With one more game to go in the season, I am hoping we can see our fighting TEAM spirit return.
