News and NotesWe have a new message board. All news and information will be updated there. National Soccer LeagueMay 18, 2006 This Sunday's Game (May 21st) will be against GR-04 in Schaumburg at 5 PM. Directions to the field, Olympic Park are as follows: May 9, 2006 The first half of the game was filled with physical play and a pitch that is starting to show wear of both the Liths from the Metropolitan Soccer League and Lemont FC playing on it. Due to the condition of the goal mouths we received an early break in the game with the CKS Warta B keeper mishandling a low shot on net and Stephen Doherty following up for an easy tap in. It was Stephen's persistence that helped him capitalize on the keeper's misjudgment. The physical play continued back and forth until CKS Warta was able to follow up on an initial shot to sneak one far post past Nick Morgan to draw even at 1 a piece. As halftime approached another newcomer came up big with turned out to be the game winning goal by Marty Ruberry as he collected a ball within the 18 and banged it home. Marty was invaluable throughout the match as he was able to move from Stop to Center Mid to Forward throughout the game to spell other players when needed. For those who don't know Marty, he was a college keeper so that tells you something about his versatility.
The second half was another punishing 45 minutes as our back line used our height and size to win ball after ball in the back lead by Sweeper Tom Becker and Outside Right Fullback Brian Baud. The center of the pitch in the 2nd half saw the most of the physical play as our midfielders collected 2 yellow cards and a straight red from Mike Frantz. The last 12 minutes, with each team playing with 10 men Lemont FC held on as CKS Warta pressed to tie things up. Nick Morgan refused to give in as Warta fired a shot from 25 yards out bending into the top right corner before he jumped back and, with his back parallel to the ground, punched the ball over the top of the bar out of play. From the Warta bench you could hear and feel the collective sigh of resignation after Nick pushed the ball over as they knew it was their best and last chance of the match.
It was a spirited match with strong performances from Matt Zaremba and Mike Frantz at Center Mid as they worked from sideline to sideline controlling the middle of the field. Their efforts shut down any chance Warta had to work the ball through the middle and forced them into a long ball attack that Tom Becker, Brian Baud, Alex Kreydich, Dan Javor and Mike Musselman countered by winning head ball after head ball. The combination of Paul Fichter and Mike Majchrowicz looks promising as they worked well off of one another with Paul's speed and quickness stretching the field. Stephen Doherty, Sunil Sekhri, Ryan Sullivan and Nick Seidel all worked had at both ends to push the ball forward and recovered time and time again to help out on the outside defensively. Lastly, team personality and master of the slide tackle, Greg Flood created a couple chances on his own with a few runs out of the back and led a header far post to Mike Majchrowicz who missed high over the top.
Player of the Match - Nick MorganNot only did Nick have an amazing game but his hair looked as good after the game as it did before the game. Nick, can you share your secret? Now as I have accentuated the positives, I have to discuss the fact that we accumulated 4 yellows and 1 red card. I do understand when playing a Polish Team with a Polish referee there are going to be some biases. That may have led to 2 of the yellow cards on our end and saved Warta from 3 or 4 additional yellows. I understand this but we need to focus with moving on to regaining possession of the ball. Once a call has been made, it is the job of your captain to discuss matters with the referee. Again, get back into the play and forget about the call. As for physical play, be careful as these cards add up. The National Soccer League keeps up on the cards and will fine teams for poor sportsmanship if they see it continue. Also, we will see the same referees throughout the year and a player can gain a reputation for being mouthy, dirty or disrespectful. Now, speaking on Mike Frantz behalf after he came through clean on a tackle only to have the CKS Warta player come up with an elbow, followed by a straight right. Mike made a mistake and in the heat of the match. This is the first I have seen this from him in the 6 years, 250 + indoor and outdoor games he and I have played together. Mike has been our captain now for 5 years and earned the title as he has always played each and every game with a high level of skill and sportsmanship with a work ethic second to none. That is the example that Mike sets. Again, be aware of your play as this was only our 2nd straight red card since we began playing in the National Soccer League in 2000. Our team has earned a reputation of playing hard, physical but clean soccer and have gained the respect of referees and the league for it.
As for playing time, we have a roster of 22 players but you can be assured that there will be plenty of opportunity to play. As you can see, we had 5 players miss this past week for various reasons. It happens, people will not always be able to make every game. I also did not play to get others some playing time, I don't mind, I play keeper in 3 other leagues and field in a 4th and soon to be a 5th league. For those who have played with us for years, they will tell you the same, you will have plenty of opportunity to play.
Calendar Items1. We practice at 6:30 PM on 5/9 at Bambrick Park. If you can make it, we would love to see you there. We have several new players and need to learn how to work with one another.
2. Greg Flood is working on a scrimmage game for this Thursday, 5/11 at 6:30 PM at Bambrick Park. Greg and I will follow up with all in the next day or so.
3. For those interested in playing out in Frankfort, please let me know as we start next week. Games will be on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 1 game a week. The season is 10 games long and competition is not bad as teams from St. Xaviers, Trinity Christian, etc. usually head out there. Also the fields are always in good shape.
4. Most Important - This coming weekend's game is at 10 AM, 5/14. Yes, this is Mother's Day but it is early. The game against Stare Byki B will be at their home field in Bloomingdale.
If you cannot make the game, please let me know as soon as possible as I already know that Kamal and Sunil Sekhri will not be in attendance due to Kamal's graduation at U of I Champaign / Urbana. Al Carrillo will still be out in California and Mike Frantz probably will not be in attendance either. Alex, let me know about your brother Scott. Benny, if you are available, let me know as well. I will follow up with phone calls to Al, Mike, Alex / Scott and Benny. John Redmond, are you up for a quiet Saturday Night so you are ready to go for Sunday Morning? For those that were told that Jason Luebs was playing either by myself or Jason, he has reconsidered because he is moving to Wisconsin in next month. Obviously, he will not be around. Again, let me know as soon as possible.
Directions to the field are as follows:
Winnebago School - 135 Greenway Drive in BloomingdaleFrom South Suburbs - Take I 294 North to I 290 West. Take I 290 West to I 355 North. Take I 355 North to Army Trail Road. Exit Army Trail Road going West. Take Army Trail Road West to Glen Ellyn Road. Glen Ellyn Road North (Right) to Edgewater (1st Stop Sign) and make a left. Take Edgewater to Greenway Drive. Field will be on your right. Park in school parking lot. Call if you have questions at (708) 638-3327. From Southwest Suburbs (I am coming from Darien for those who would like to jump in or follow) - Take I 355 North to Army Trail Road. Exit Army Trail Road going West. Take Army Trail Road West to Glen Ellyn Road. Glen Ellyn Road North (Right) to Edgewater (1st Stop Sign) and make a left. Take Edgewater to Greenway Drive. Field will be on your right. Park in school parking lot. Call if you have questions at (708) 638-3327.
From City - Take I 290 West to I 355 North. Take I 355 North to Army Trail Road. Exit Army Trail Road going West. Take Army Trail Road West to Glen Ellyn Road. Glen Ellyn Road North (Right) to Edgewater (1st Stop Sign) and make a left. Take Edgewater to Greenway Drive. Field will be on your right. Park in school parking lot. Call if you have questions at (708) 638-3327.
About our opponent, they like to try and build up from the back all the way up. They can be outworked defensively and can create easy opportunities for ourselves. Also, they have always been suspect at keeper so take one every now and then. If you keep it on net, they are very likely to give up a rebound for a tap in. They in turn will look to be opportunistic up top and create pressure on the back line when we gain control in the back. If you do not see opportunities at the wing full positions with your center mids checking to or space for your outside halfback to work in, turn and give Tom Becker or Nick Morgan a look so they can swing it back around. This team will not beat us on talent so let's not beat ourselves. For those who know Andy Lane from Frankfort a few years back, he is playing with them now at Center Mid and gives them some creativity. He will look for through balls and opportunities to isolate our wing fullbacks with their speed up top.
I have also attached full schedules and directions to all fields along with stats after our 1st game.
Questions, comments and concerns are always welcome.
John Flood FrankfortMay 18, 2006 Other NewsFor those players that have not paid yet, please make payment to me, John Flood, as soon as possible. If you have some extenuating circumstances, talk to me and we can resolve it. For those who still have to turn in money for the Final Four Basketball Pool, please do as soon as possible as I have collected from most everyone. I have paid out all winners, with the exemption of Brian Baud, who will receive his this weekend. Once all money has been collected and paid out, I will post the financial result of the pool. John Flood
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