Some times I wonder whether my oldest team is a bit too relaxed and last night both confirmed and mystified my expectations at the start of our Monday night match (yep, odd to have a Monday Night Football game). To avoid traffic I left the house quite early and arrived nearly 45 minutes prior to the start of the game. To contrast that highly paranoid behavior, my team on average arrived a mere 4 minutes prior to the start of the game, mostly meandering in toting their water: no hustle, completely relaxed. And how did they perform in the game?
Relaxed, calm and controlled. From the start of the game they flawlessly executed basic give-n-go passes that freaked out the other team. With speed and determination, yet in complete control, the team worked together, pushing passed the opponents to take shot after shot. After the final 2 players trickled in we were up to 3 subs and never felt overly taxed on the field. Their grooming as a team was omnipresent (even the other coach remarked at how well they complimented each other's play) while individual contributions often lead to phenomenal, jaw-dropping plays.
In a victory of 5-0 as visitors, especially after our opening loss as the home team, our spirits were lifted, our confidence strengthened and I believe we'll be ready for Saturday's match against a very talented GSSA team that has spanked us mercilessly in previous seasons. Hopefully the other team's confidence will be their downfall as my relaxed squad comes in and plays according to our rules, our style of play and out classes the other team.
Something that stood out in my mind as quality and worth mentioning was how some of our developing players contributed in unexpected ways. From great personal hustle, taking the ball strong between players and passing based on patterns learned in practice, these players left memorable moments on the playing field rather than holes in their positions as in previous season. This great change, nearly metamorphic, seems distill upon these young men on a regular basis and it is absolutely gorgeous to witness.
Congratulations to my well oiled team. You deserve last night's win and may they keep coming our way! Go Strikers!
Showing posts with label team. Show all posts
Showing posts with label team. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Championship Secured: Knee Damaged
After 3 points into the game by our team (one coming from my direct assist), a concussion-like collision with an opposing team sent shockwaves up my newly rehabilitated leg and doctor cleared knee, jolting my knee laterally and sending me to the turf. When I stood up my knee was loose and my spirits sank.
Backing up just a bit may be helpful for those not previously following my knee injury story on HansonHarmony. 1.5 yrs ago, just a few days before Christmas 2006, I blew my knee out on a 1-1 drive on goal that was unimpeded and self contained. My knee hyper extended, my Lateral Collateral Ligament detached (not good) and my Articuate Complex Ligament on the backside of my knee severed (even worse and without repair can immobilize the victim). After a traumatic surgery to repair the ligaments and realign the knee I began a very serious and painful recovery process filled with physical therapy and delayed strength training.
I began my foray into indoor soccer last fall and was highly excited to rejoin the ranks of the risky and aging 30+ mens on the same team I had formed a year earlier. Though the team had changed dramatically, the passion for the game persisted and we made a run for a championship, well t-shirt (no rings at our level). With the apprehension of my knee giving out, I remained braced and we left my first season back with a 2nd place finish.
The next season decimated us with our top scorers unable to attend many of the games. We were knocked down a division for this last season and things didn't start off too well either with a tie and a loss in our first two matches.
From there we never looked back, winning the remaining games and staying healthy throughout the season. We were joined last week by a player that had sat out for 2 season while his ankle break recovered. This was particularly good timing as our lead scorer suffered a near identical knee injury as I had and has been left to surgery, two blood clots and a long road to full recovery.
After having been given the go ahead to play without my brace, I fretted about the decision, knowing that one event can rock my hard training and leave me in pain and remorse. But how can I live life with fear and remain in a "what would happen if" stupor? That wouldn't be fair to my competitive side and always having that question in the back of my mind would drive me to distraction.
I began the game without the brace but brought it for security in case my knee felt weak or I lacked confidence. As it turns out, it was the right decision to bring the brace to recover from both weaknesses.
After the new injury, I hobbled off the field during play, limping slightly, and immediately berated myself for being injured. What was more frustrating was I believe that the injury would have occurred regardless of wearing or not wearing the brace. After putting the brace back on, I sidelined myself long enough to regain some confidence and head back out onto the field. While I felt my knee slip a little and show more play laterally than I would have liked, the pain was bearable and I had a team to support. Within a couple of minutes I had a goal and was satisfied I could survive the game and see us through a victory.
The victory came, the victory photograph was taken, the victory t-shirts were dispersed and I left the arena fretting over a new injury, unable to fully enjoy the team's first victory in 1.5 years of "Storm" existence. Upon my arrival and home and after showering, I iced the knee for an hour while reading before retiring to bed.
This morning, even as I write this entry, I'm still in some minor pain and highly concerned over the well being of my knee. Should I go back to the ortho and confess my folly? Should I take a season off? Should I continue on as normal, bracing each game and continue with my strength training hoping that the injury, whatever it may be, will magically go away? I have this legitimate concerns and others and I constantly find myself distracted by the questions.
Time will be the wise deliverer of the answer to my questions. Eventually I'll heal and my aggressive thirst/hunger for the sport I've loved my whole life will be a memory in life. But for now, the pain is real, the discomfort annoying and the championship accomplishment overshadowed by a singular moment of happenstance. Such is life.
Backing up just a bit may be helpful for those not previously following my knee injury story on HansonHarmony. 1.5 yrs ago, just a few days before Christmas 2006, I blew my knee out on a 1-1 drive on goal that was unimpeded and self contained. My knee hyper extended, my Lateral Collateral Ligament detached (not good) and my Articuate Complex Ligament on the backside of my knee severed (even worse and without repair can immobilize the victim). After a traumatic surgery to repair the ligaments and realign the knee I began a very serious and painful recovery process filled with physical therapy and delayed strength training.
I began my foray into indoor soccer last fall and was highly excited to rejoin the ranks of the risky and aging 30+ mens on the same team I had formed a year earlier. Though the team had changed dramatically, the passion for the game persisted and we made a run for a championship, well t-shirt (no rings at our level). With the apprehension of my knee giving out, I remained braced and we left my first season back with a 2nd place finish.
The next season decimated us with our top scorers unable to attend many of the games. We were knocked down a division for this last season and things didn't start off too well either with a tie and a loss in our first two matches.
From there we never looked back, winning the remaining games and staying healthy throughout the season. We were joined last week by a player that had sat out for 2 season while his ankle break recovered. This was particularly good timing as our lead scorer suffered a near identical knee injury as I had and has been left to surgery, two blood clots and a long road to full recovery.
After having been given the go ahead to play without my brace, I fretted about the decision, knowing that one event can rock my hard training and leave me in pain and remorse. But how can I live life with fear and remain in a "what would happen if" stupor? That wouldn't be fair to my competitive side and always having that question in the back of my mind would drive me to distraction.
I began the game without the brace but brought it for security in case my knee felt weak or I lacked confidence. As it turns out, it was the right decision to bring the brace to recover from both weaknesses.
After the new injury, I hobbled off the field during play, limping slightly, and immediately berated myself for being injured. What was more frustrating was I believe that the injury would have occurred regardless of wearing or not wearing the brace. After putting the brace back on, I sidelined myself long enough to regain some confidence and head back out onto the field. While I felt my knee slip a little and show more play laterally than I would have liked, the pain was bearable and I had a team to support. Within a couple of minutes I had a goal and was satisfied I could survive the game and see us through a victory.
The victory came, the victory photograph was taken, the victory t-shirts were dispersed and I left the arena fretting over a new injury, unable to fully enjoy the team's first victory in 1.5 years of "Storm" existence. Upon my arrival and home and after showering, I iced the knee for an hour while reading before retiring to bed.
This morning, even as I write this entry, I'm still in some minor pain and highly concerned over the well being of my knee. Should I go back to the ortho and confess my folly? Should I take a season off? Should I continue on as normal, bracing each game and continue with my strength training hoping that the injury, whatever it may be, will magically go away? I have this legitimate concerns and others and I constantly find myself distracted by the questions.
Time will be the wise deliverer of the answer to my questions. Eventually I'll heal and my aggressive thirst/hunger for the sport I've loved my whole life will be a memory in life. But for now, the pain is real, the discomfort annoying and the championship accomplishment overshadowed by a singular moment of happenstance. Such is life.
Friday, June 6, 2008
Soccer: An American Game
Do most people realize that soccer (American's name for Football) is truly an American sport? OK, maybe not born in the USA but certainly a well accepted and loved sport. I've heard that youth soccer is the fastest growing sport in the US and as such many adults are clamoring to participate.
The love of the game is definitely felt in our family. With a tournament now behind us (last weekend), we enter into a period of summer isolation. Yet something competitive within me yearns to keep our kids going. My wife, the ever provider of balance and normalcy regarding sports and any obsession, is good to remind me that momentary breaks in aggressive training is healthy and wise. The sage has a point and from that I derive some peace in our summer long break from sports.
Yet...
I'm off to the Soccer Corner in a few to pick up a B-Day present for my youngest boy. Guess what it could be? I'll post pictures later tonight after he opens it.
The love of the game is definitely felt in our family. With a tournament now behind us (last weekend), we enter into a period of summer isolation. Yet something competitive within me yearns to keep our kids going. My wife, the ever provider of balance and normalcy regarding sports and any obsession, is good to remind me that momentary breaks in aggressive training is healthy and wise. The sage has a point and from that I derive some peace in our summer long break from sports.
Yet...
I'm off to the Soccer Corner in a few to pick up a B-Day present for my youngest boy. Guess what it could be? I'll post pictures later tonight after he opens it.
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