Monday, January 28, 2008

Sunday pick up and the Super Bowl

At yesterday's Sunday pickup for middle schoolers I was asked a few times about next week. We will continue with our normal session from 4-6 PM on February 3 for all who would like to come. I believe the kickoff is after 6 anyhow.

(Of course, this would not even be an issue if only the NFL would adopt some sort of a "bowl system" rather than this outdated playoff format.)

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Adult Indoor Soccer at the Ping Center

The Greater Athens Soccer Association in conjunction with Ohio University’s Division of Campus Recreation is organizing a 5 v. 5 adult (ages 16 and up) co-ed indoor soccer league. The league will run on Saturday mornings, beginning on February 2nd and ending on March 8th. (Though it is still contingent upon the number of teams that enroll and other factors, it is possible that there will be no games on February 9th due to the Ping Center’s Rec Fest. Should this be the case, the season will consist of five games. In the unlikely event that a game or games are canceled due to a snow emergency, no attempt will be made to make-up the lost game/s.)

Games will be played at Ohio University’s Ping Center.

The captains’ meeting is 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 31st at the Ping Center in meeting rooms B and C. (If you are not a Ping member, please tell the front desk that you are there to attend a captains’ meeting for GASA/OU adult indoor soccer. The registration fee is a minimum of $160 per team, with an additional $20 for each player over the minimum roster size of 8. (While there is no maximum roster size stipulated by the league, captains should be mindful of the fact that games are composed of fifteen minute halves; so, if a team grows too large, playing time might be very limited.) All teams must have a captain or representative attend the captains’ meeting. To register a team at the captains’ meeting, captains must come prepared to remit their team’s full registration fee in either cash or check.

Participants who are not members of the Ping Center will need to either become regular paying members of the Ping Center or purchase a book of six admission tickets for $25. (This means that the total cost of participation for a non-Ping member would be $45.) These tickets will afford access to the Ping Center, but only to the indoor soccer area and during the hours of the league. These tickets can be purchased on the day of the first game. If you would like to pick up a packet of tickets before that time, please contact Ashley Johnson johnsona6@ohio.edu or Brad Whittaker whittake@ohio.edu.

There will be five game slots on Saturday mornings at the following times: 9:30, 10:15, 11:00, 11:45 and 12:30. These slots will be divided among the following divisions in the league: 1) a four team competitive division, 2) a four team recreational division and 3) a two team introductory division. The competitive division is for teams composed largely of more serious soccer players, with experience and fresh legs. The recreational division is for teams where a substantial portion (at least half) are either a) novices to the sport or b) individuals for whom running at top speed is a distant memory. The introductory division will be for players interested in a VERY relaxed atmosphere with other beginners. (There is the possibility that the games in the introductory division might be run as pick-up games, with players from a single pool divided into two teams immediately prior to each game. Pennies will be available for this purpose. If there are enough players interested in the introductory division, games will be six on six. If you are interested in the introductory division, please let me know by e-mail in advance of the captains’ meeting. )

If you plan to attend the captains’ meeting to register a team, it would facilitate planning if you would notify me in advance of the meeting of your intent to do so and whether your team would be competitive or recreational. (Prior notification, however, is not a requirement for registering a team at the meeting.)

If you are interested in playing but don’t know any coaches organizing a team, you can e-mail me your interest at . I’ll do my best to connect you with a coach in need of players. If you do contact me, please let me know which division (competitive, recreational or introductory) you’d be interested in joining. If you are attempting to put together a team but need a few players to round out your roster, please send me an e-mail indicating a) the number of players you need and b) whether your team is recreational, competitive or introductory. Though I can’t promise that a slot will be found for all who are interested, I will do my best to find teams for players and players for teams.


James Petrik
petrik@ohio.edu
phone (740) 593-4593

Monday, January 21, 2008

Sunday soccer feedback...

Had another week of Sunday pickup. 22 kids, 2 hours, load of fun.

Feel free to post any feedback here...

US 2, Sweden 0

Goals by Robinson (15') and Donovan (48', pen).

The player that stood out the most to me was Altidore, who came on at half. I really think this may be the one. Congrats also to Robinson, scoring on his international debut. Pretty sweet for a defender.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

Weekend soccer items:

  • US Men's National Team plays Sweden 8:30 PM Saturday. Televised live on Fox Soccer Channel.
  • Pickup soccer 4-6 PM Sunday at Athens Middle School gym for any interested 7th and 8th grade boys and girls.

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

One of the best ever

Thought I'd post a video link to some classic Johann Cruyff highlights, including


  • One of the best first touches ever, and the second is not bad either. (0:41)

  • A collection of the move that carries his name, the "Cruyff turn". That's one to practice at home! (0:49)

  • Cruyff playing for the Washington Diplomats of the old NASL. I may have been in the crowd actually! (And yes, I was at home practicing that turn.) (1:06)

  • An example of why you pay attention during a penalty kick. "Hello, defense?" (2:40).

Sunday, January 13, 2008

First Sunday indoor feedback

Wow. What a great first session tonite was. We had 22 kids and played (by my dodgy count) 11 rounds of 8 minute games. I hope everyone had a fun time.

Thanks to all the parents who have volunteered to help supervise. I'm putting together contact info and (I believe) Lisa will be in touch.

If anyone wants to add comments to the discussion, please do so. In the meantime see you next week.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Sunday evening indoor soccer

Just a reminder that indoor soccer in the Athens Middle School Gym starts this Sunday, January 13th from 4-6pm.

Any girl or boy of 7th and 8th grade age in the area is welcome to play.

Remember to bring water, shin guards, and gym appropriate shoes. Also bring your completed and signed Player Information and Waiver Form. I will have a few extra there if you didn't get yours via email.

See you there.

US Mens National Team on Saturday night (1/19)

U.S. Men vs. Sweden will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel on Saturday 1/19/2008 at 8:30 PM (Eastern).

Some info can be read here.

This is a friendly match leading up to the February 6th "friendly" match against Mexico and World Cup qualifying which starts in June. The players called up are mostly those playing in the MLS (plus 3 from Scandanavia) as most European leagues are in mid-season, but there is some excellent quality in the side.

Anyone want to comment below on thier starting XI?

United States Roster vs. Sweden
Goalkeepers (4): Steve Cronin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Brad Guzan (Chivas USA), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Zach Wells (D.C. United)
Defenders (9): Dan Califf (Aalborg BK), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Ramiro Corrales (SK Brann), Todd Dunivant (Toronto FC), Clarence Goodson (San Jose Earthquakes), Drew Moor (FC Dallas), Michael Parkhurst (New England Revolution), Eddie Robinson (Houston Dynamo), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Midfielders (7): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Justin Mapp (Chicago Fire), Pat Noonan (New England Revolution)
Forwards (6): Josmer Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Eddie Johnson (Kansas Cit y Wizards), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire), Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution), Jeremiah White (AGF Aarhus)

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Sunday middle school pick up

Indoor soccer in the AMS Gym Sundays from 4-6pm from this Sunday January 13th until March 2nd for 7th and 8th grade age boys and girls. We want this to be first and foremost – FUN and an equal opportunity for everyone to play on a level team. Non-AMS students (including home schoolers) are welcome too!

The format for this will be "street soccer", meant to immitate kid-organized pick-up games of yore. There will be adult supervision which will divide up small-sided teams, but kids will determine their own positions and tactics as well as call their own fouls.

Players need to bring thier own water, shin guards, and gym appropriate shoes. We will have indoor soccer balls.

Each player will be required to have a parent/guardian signed waiver form, as well as a signed player agreement that states they will abide by the gymnasium and playing rules. We can not let anyone play who does not have the forms signed and turned in.

If you have not recieved the forms, send me (cotton@ohio.edu) or Jay (foothills6@juno.com) an email.

Monday, January 7, 2008

First post

To get things started, how about a link to a Le Tissier video.

Test this as a messageboard

Soccer information for the Athens, Ohio area can be easily posted here.

I also had a few moments to try something out today. My wife has been playing with a blogging website and has mentioned how easy it is, compared to maintaining a website. I gave it a few minutes and was able to set up the website: athenssoccerinfo.blogspot.com
Some features are:

  1. We can post information and anyone with web access can check for updates, news, etc.
    - I'm thinking we could add posts like "Soccer Saturday at 4 at the library".
  2. I can add each of you (or others) as authors so you can add your own posts.
    - Allows distributed communication.
    - May make minutes easier to post and communicate for GASA
  3. Any reader can reply to posts.
    - Nice to get feedback, which would cover about 3 or 4 subjects flying around the emails lately.
    - Even to just decide if there is a quorum to play.

If you think this is a good idea, I can add you (all, individually, or others) as authors. I can also add the Sunday soccer rules/form as a post. By the way, the site registration is free.

Finally, everything you see was set up in less than half an hour, so all design/titles, etc is open for criticism, change. More bits are easy to add. (The poll is an example: It took 1 minute to add.)