Mentoring the Menace >>

Friday, June 1, 2007

The Menace season is in full swing and last week was a great test of the character and strength of my team. Thursday evening’s match against the Colorado Rapids U23 team was an emotional and intense game for both sides.

This is the worst start to a season I have had since I have been with the Menace and Colorado wasn’t off to a very successful start either. This match was important from several perspectives for both teams.

I was really proud of the guys for coming back from a 0-2 start. I felt like we had great momentum in the beginning of the second half.

When things got emotional, after two of our players received red cards, I felt like our team lost some composure. We lacked the gamesmanship to close the match after we had the lead. Arguing the red cards we received is a waste of time. Regardless of whether or not people viewed them as justified, we did something to get the referee’s attention. When a player gives a referee any reason to show a potential card, we are at fault. I feel we could have conquered Boulder and the referees. Our team knows better than to make the mistakes we did.

The Menace’s rivalry with Boulder grew in intensity as we played them Saturday night minus two starters and our Head Coach. I didn’t feel any additional pressure coaching and playing because Coach Mann prepared us very well for the match. Every member of the team knew the game plan.

The players and I wanted to win this match for our coach and it was a great character builder for our younger players. We settled for a tie and look forward to the opportunity to win some matches this weekend.

When you find success you find a lot of friends, especially in the case of athletics. As my team and I battle a rough start to our 2007 season, I am beginning to see who are our true friends and fans.

Right now is when you can see the character of players, those who want to work as a team and those who want to play the blame game. We have had a great week of practice and everyone appears to be coming together.

The bus for Springfield will leave this afternoon and we will return Monday morning after our match in St. Louis Sunday. Hopefully, we can play and win as a team this weekend and be back in the Conference race, where we belong.