Tonight's tryout went well. The new complex at the U of M is incredible, though the turf is a little hard. I walked onto the field unsure of what to do, so I did a small dynamic stretching warm-up then joined a pass circle. It comforted me to know that some of the guys made bad touches during the warm-up, though I had entered feeling confident. I shot a few at the nets and skied a couple, but really, things got better after that. Be warned; beyond this, it's a brag-fest.
We were playing a 10-a-side game on a half field, and for the first time ever, I got the chance to play as an attacking midfielder in a good team. We played a midfield diamond, with 3 defenders and two strikers. There were some weak links, but my team managed to play through and win 1-0.
I had five great chances, the first was a header from a cross that just went wide, the next I tapped just wide of the net after being released, the next I headed a long cross right at the goalie (though it's not like I could've directed it elsewhere), then I missed a curler I sent goalbound with my left foot (incredibly, from 16 yards out, it was a few feet over). My final and best chance came when I went in front of the net and popped in a rebound, though the original shooter was ruled offside. I played very centrally, and rushed back to defend when needed. It seemed like I was in better shape than most others, including the midfielder who played behind me (I was behind him at times when my team defended and ahead of him always on the attack). I noticed that I involved a lot of my team and passed the ball well, and kept excellent control of it. I also disrupted the opposing team's build-up a lot, and filled in for players that were out of position.
Most importantly though, my movement and passing terrorized the defense. I had a couple bad through balls, but after a while, my team started playing a lot of the attack through me. This might be because I was in shape enough to get open, or possibly because I was recognized as a good player to pass to. I always seemed to find a gap to run into, which is part of the greatness of playing centrally behind the strikers.
One problem I did have was with my teammates positioning. After a while it became sloppy, and wingers became strikers and vice-versa. The unfortunate thing from this was that at times we had nobody guarding the side, so I had to slide over and cover. One thing that also could've happened was that because of the pitch's lack of length, strikers moved over and played wider, leaving me in a strange position while attacking.
I recieved a fair amound of compliments afterwards, I had marked my opposite number out of the game for the most part, and was hard to mark myself. I feel that if I did play for this team, I'd be a first-stringer, but there were five people that didn't show up that will still be trying out. One of these people was named "Ali". Now, I'm not positive, but he could be one of my pals from AFC Soccer. If that were the case, he would most likely play the same position that I play, so I'd need to get moved somewhere, most likely winger or striker.
I intend to see what this team can offer me (as far as playtime goes) before I choose this years' MMSL team, with the other possibility being the Aeros.
One thing I find funny is that I would honestly rate myself a league above these guys. If you recall, last year I was basically a reserve player that practiced with a premier-level team, for the first part of the season and the year before that, I missed the cut for a 3rd division team. This team is a second division team that last year went to the finals for promotion into the first division, and I look set to be offered a spot on it.
Funny what a good amount of practice, a lot of games, and whatever else I have can do for you.
At any rate, I need to stop this gasconade and get either some rest or some bookwormin' done. But first... Because I haven't left any of my adored readers* with any truly stimulating visual baubles lately, feast your eyes, if you feel so inclined.
We were playing a 10-a-side game on a half field, and for the first time ever, I got the chance to play as an attacking midfielder in a good team. We played a midfield diamond, with 3 defenders and two strikers. There were some weak links, but my team managed to play through and win 1-0.
I had five great chances, the first was a header from a cross that just went wide, the next I tapped just wide of the net after being released, the next I headed a long cross right at the goalie (though it's not like I could've directed it elsewhere), then I missed a curler I sent goalbound with my left foot (incredibly, from 16 yards out, it was a few feet over). My final and best chance came when I went in front of the net and popped in a rebound, though the original shooter was ruled offside. I played very centrally, and rushed back to defend when needed. It seemed like I was in better shape than most others, including the midfielder who played behind me (I was behind him at times when my team defended and ahead of him always on the attack). I noticed that I involved a lot of my team and passed the ball well, and kept excellent control of it. I also disrupted the opposing team's build-up a lot, and filled in for players that were out of position.
Most importantly though, my movement and passing terrorized the defense. I had a couple bad through balls, but after a while, my team started playing a lot of the attack through me. This might be because I was in shape enough to get open, or possibly because I was recognized as a good player to pass to. I always seemed to find a gap to run into, which is part of the greatness of playing centrally behind the strikers.
One problem I did have was with my teammates positioning. After a while it became sloppy, and wingers became strikers and vice-versa. The unfortunate thing from this was that at times we had nobody guarding the side, so I had to slide over and cover. One thing that also could've happened was that because of the pitch's lack of length, strikers moved over and played wider, leaving me in a strange position while attacking.
I recieved a fair amound of compliments afterwards, I had marked my opposite number out of the game for the most part, and was hard to mark myself. I feel that if I did play for this team, I'd be a first-stringer, but there were five people that didn't show up that will still be trying out. One of these people was named "Ali". Now, I'm not positive, but he could be one of my pals from AFC Soccer. If that were the case, he would most likely play the same position that I play, so I'd need to get moved somewhere, most likely winger or striker.
I intend to see what this team can offer me (as far as playtime goes) before I choose this years' MMSL team, with the other possibility being the Aeros.
One thing I find funny is that I would honestly rate myself a league above these guys. If you recall, last year I was basically a reserve player that practiced with a premier-level team, for the first part of the season and the year before that, I missed the cut for a 3rd division team. This team is a second division team that last year went to the finals for promotion into the first division, and I look set to be offered a spot on it.
Funny what a good amount of practice, a lot of games, and whatever else I have can do for you.
At any rate, I need to stop this gasconade and get either some rest or some bookwormin' done. But first... Because I haven't left any of my adored readers* with any truly stimulating visual baubles lately, feast your eyes, if you feel so inclined.
"Darn it!"
* - Pluralization applicable?
1 comment:
Correction Greg, St.James Hurricane played in 3rd division last year, and finished second, resulting in promotion.
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