News and Notes
National Soccer League
May 25, 2005
This past Sunday's 6 - 1 victory against Chicago Thunder B showed what we can do when we participate and execute. Simply put, everyone who showed up on Sunday came ready to play and understood their role. We certainly had a welcome back performance from Kamal Sekhri as he is back from school and assisted on 2 goals. His ability to transition the ball from the fullbacks with Mike Frantz and create opportunities up top earned him the Man of the Match Award. Other strong performances were turned in by Mike Frantz, Strikers Johnny McCarron (2 goals), Mike Majchrowicz (1 goal, 1 assist) and Martin Redmond, Outside halfbacks Bill Gutrich and Sunil Sekhri (1 goal each) as well as Greg Flood (1 assist) and Stephen Doherty, Sweeper Adrian Hudson (1 goal), John Redmond (1 assist) and the tough defensive play of Al Carrillo, Johnny Mallon and Brian Baud.
When asked by his team's performance short after the game, Coach Tony Jeffery was quoted as saying, "That's the way you have to play them boys, you just have to stick it to 'em immediately! And that is exactly what we did."
When Tony was asked later about the performance of Stopper Johnny Mallon, he retorted, "What do you expect, he is an Arsenal supporter. There are too many 'Frenchies' on that team for my liking."
Our next National Soccer League Match will be on Sunday June 5th @ 1 PM in Crestwood at Conkey Woods located at 133rd and Central Avenue against Lake Shore FC.
May 22, 2005
I am going to keep this short and sweet. We lost 6 - 2 to the Transilvania Vampires. We need everyone to tell me one way or the other if you will be at the game or not. My phone # is (708) 638-3327. My email address is John@LemontFC.net. You have 2 ways to contact me and leave me a message.
We are practicing tonight at 7 PM in Orland Park at Centennial Park. Everyone on the team has been notified and would like to see full participation.
Sunday's game is at 5 PM in Lemont at Bambrick Park. We will have a few new players out there to replace a few that we have lost this week. See you there at 4:30 PM.
May 13, 2005
This past Sunday's game was not necessarily a disappointment as I tried for nearly 2 weeks to get it postponed due to Sunday being Mother's Day. This absolutely affected the match as a majority of our team decided to spend the day with their mom's rather then play soccer. I have to agree with all of you and do wish that I spent more time with my mom rather then play soccer.
Now thanks to HNNK Hrvat, who only fielded 9 players to our 9, we played the match. The outcome was a 6 - 5 loss to Hrvat in a game where Tony Jeffery gets injured and 2 of their players red carded at different points in the game.
This Sunday's match at St.Paul Wood's will be played at 11 AM up in Morton Grove. We do expect to back to a full squad for this Sunday's game and if you cannot make it, please call me at (708) 638-3327.
May 4, 2005
This Sunday's game against CKS Warta B was disappointing to say the least. We were not able to take advantage of our skill and weather conditions when they were in our favor. We continue to bypass the midfield and try and play the ball deep long after the other team adjusts to this style. I feel it is important that we take a look at this style of play and get together at practice on Wednesday Night, May 4th at 7 PM at Centennial Park in Orland Park to review. We have a strong central midfield with Mike Frantz, Benjamin Vega, Adrian Hudson and Colm Mullen that we can use to transition the ball from the backline heading forward. This is the strength of our team and it is not being utilized to control the ball and ultimately the game.
As for individual efforts, Colm Mullen was able to stabilize the game at Center Mid along side of Mike Frantz to earn the Player of the Match award. Although he did not factor in the scoring his ability to transition the ball out of the back and work it forward while putting pressure on the opposition was certainly something we can build upon. Other strong performances was the strong defensive play of Al Carrillo and Johnny Mallon as well as the always strong end to end play of Mike Frantz. The lone goal was scored by Johnny Mallon midway through the 1st half.
One other concern from Sunday's play was we are not communicating to one another on the field. One player may see an opportunity to overlap with little defensive presence on one side as Al Carrillo from his left fullback position as he did on several occasions. As Al moved into position to make his run, he was not receiving the ball and then soon realized that there was no one covering for him at left back as well. This was simply one example of some of our communication breakdowns on Sunday that led to our defeat. This type of communication comes with practice, getting to know how each of us act on the field and to stress the simple style of soccer that will make us successful. Sunday's game was an example of our performance was impacted by our lack of communication despite a wealth of talent.
Any thoughts, questions or concerns are always welcome.
April 16, 2005
Our home opener is Sunday April 17th, 5:00PM @ Bambrick Park
Frankfort
May 25, 2005
Frankfort will not start until June 2nd at 6:45 PM. If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at (708) 638-3327.
May 13, 2005
I am also fielding an outdoor team in Frankfort which begins next week. We will play in this league rather then practice every week as we will get a much better turnout and will be more value added. For those looking to get out to practice, please let me know what you have in mind and I will be more then happy on trying to arrange one weekly in Orland Park at Centennial Park.
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